Page 25 of Knot the Witch Next Door

“Say it then.” Deacon’s patience was wearing thin. He was the type to rip off the bandage, and I was ready to tend to his wounds. Anything for him.

Claudia clasped her hands together and let out a long, quiet breath. “I’ve come to make an apology.”

What? I blinked a few times. Was this Claudia’s doppelganger?

She held up a hand to silence Deacon when he started to say something. “I need to get this out before you say anything. I know it seems like I’ve been a distant parent, that maybe I’m a bit controlling.” A bit? “But when your father passed away, I not only lost my mate, I lost my rock. He always knew what to do in every situation, and the life we had was better than I had ever imagined. So when he passed, I had to step in and become the rock for you and Rosemary. I had to make sure you had everything to be happy, to succeed in life, to honor your father’s legacy. I wasn’t ready for that responsibility, and I didn’t know how to properly handle it. I did the best I could.”

My throat tightened at the emotion in her words. I couldn’t imagine losing Deacon now that I had him. That loss must have destroyed her, and yet she kept it together for her children.

I glanced at Deacon, trying to guess what he was feeling, but his expression was hard to read. Maybe it was the makeup and red eyes hiding his emotional turmoil.

“Even when Edward came along, I still devoted my time to making life perfect for my children. I couldn’t lose that control or else I’d be failing your father and everything he’d built for our family.” She swallowed and dabbed at the corners of her eyes. Were those tears? Oh God. My heart pounded. I wanted to hug her, but I had no idea if she’d allow it or not. Instead, I reached into one of my many hidden pockets to pull out a tissue and hand it to her.

“Thank you, Carmilla. You have always been so considerate of others.” Claudia patted her cheeks and continued. “Deacon, what you said to me the other day, about using your father as a tool to hold on to that control, you were right. What Damien truly wanted for his children was a life happier thanours. He always supported your passions and your sister’s even when they were silly or just a weekend fad. What made you happy made him happy. And that’s where I failed. I sought to make a good life for you and your sisters on what was proper, not what you chose that made you happy.”

“Mom.” Deacon reached and took one of her hands in his while still holding mine in his other hand. His face softened as I felt the tension in the room shrinking, becoming something warm and fuzzy.

“I’m sorry for interfering in your life. I’m so sorry for everything over the years.” Claudia stepped closer and Deacon finally let my hand go so he could embrace her. She rested her head on his shoulder. “I’ve already lost one person I loved, I don’t want to lose you too, son.”

“It’s okay, Mom. I forgive you.” Deacon held her. I don’t know how long the hug lasted, but I barely breathed the entire time. This precious moment seemed too fragile, and I was so happy it happened, I didn’t want to break it.

When Claudia finally stepped back, she straightened her posture and then fixed the collar of Deacon’s suit. He started to say something, but she held up a finger and turned to me. “I want to officially welcome you to the Graves family, Carmilla. Deacon could not have been luckier in finding a mate as kind and loving as you. I know you’ll make sure he’s happy.”

This time she was getting hugged.

Claudia let out a small sound of surprise as I wrapped my arms around her. It seemed weird but wonderful. This was the first time in my life I’d ever hugged Claudia even though she’d been my neighbor and best friend’s mom all my life. “Thank you so much. I promise to take good care of him.”

I smiled at Deacon over his mom’s shoulder with my heart swelling. His answering smile shone like a million jack-o-lanterns.

Claudia patted my shoulder and stepped back. She pursed her lips with a thought and then smiled. “I remember that you two were as inseparable as children as Rose and Carmilla. I wonder if anyone saw back then what happened now that you’re adults.”

“Oh, we did. We always knew.” My dad grinned from the entrance to the kitchen.

“Dad!” I gaped at him and laughed. My cheeks heated, and Deacon hugged me from behind with a chuckle. Had my folks always known that Deacon and I were meant for one another? I would have to have a chat with them later.

My mom motioned to Claudia. “Come inside and have a seat, Claudia. I’ll fix you a calming tea. We’re going to need it tonight will all the little goblins and ghouls in the neighborhood.”

“That sounds lovely. Thank you, Mavis.”

“I’m going to light the jack-o-lanterns on the porch.” I called as my folks and Claudia retreated to the kitchen. And by light them, I meant turning on the little LED candles I used. October evenings were usually windy, and I wanted my pumpkins to shine all night.

“Let me help.” Deacon followed me out onto the porch and inhaled the crisp air. He watched me as I crouched down to turn on the first light. “I almost can’t believe that just happened. Did you cast some sort of spell on my mom or sneak a potion into her wine?”

I snickered and shook my head. “That was just Halloween magic.” I moved on to the second pumpkin as a chill breezed around my legs. “You might not have noticed it before, but it happens every year.”

“So if I wish upon a pumpkin, I’ll get my wish?” Deacon teased and bent to turn on a candle.

“Well, pumpkin wishes are mischievous ones. If you stand under a tree and a leaf falls on your head, that will grant you a pure wish. Shooting star wishes are the most powerful ones.”

“You sure know a lot about magic. I think you might be a witch.” He flashed me a comic dirty look—which was made even more hilarious with his red contacts and fangs—and laughed.

“The hat didn’t give it away?” I winked at him and continued along my line of jack-o-lanterns.

“I’m going to wish on this pumpkin.” Deacon held up the candle, closed his eyes, and then turn it on. He twisted toward me with a wicked grin.

I raised my brows and stood just as a gust of wind whipped along the porch. Dried corn stalks rustled and ghosts danced, and my skirt blew up too high for public decency’s sake. I shivered as the coldness tickled my inner thighs and bare groin.

One blink and Deacon was there wrapping his arms around me. He looked every bit the hungry vampire rake he was dressed as. “My, my, you’re a naughty witch.” Leaning in, he nipped at my neck. I gasped and an aching desire rose between my legs. “Just what I wished for.”

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