Page 39 of The Black Witch

Aunt Vyvian holds her scone in suspended animation. “What do you mean, youcan’t?”

Enith is glowering at me, wide-eyed and appalled, like I’ve just thrown a jar of preserves at both of them.

“I’ve known him exactly one day.”Sweet Ancient One, what could Lukas be thinking?

“Elloren,” my aunt breathes, setting her scone down, “this type of proposal, from a family such as this, from a young man such as Lukas Grey, does not come along every day.”

“I’m sorry.” I shake my head. “I can’t. I’ve only just met him. And...and I promised Uncle Edwin...”

“Promised himwhat?”

“That I’ll wait until I’m done with my education to fast to someone.”

My aunt’s mouth falls open. “But that’s at least two years from now!”

“I know.”

“Elloren,” she says, her voice low, “you’d be afoolto turn down this proposal.”

My resolve stiffens. “Perhaps if he likes me that much, he can court me first.”

Her eyes take on a hard glint. “Perhaps I should send word to the Greys that they should reconsider their initial plan.”

“What plan?”

“Why, to have Lukas fasted to Fallon Bane, my dear.”

I freeze, completely thrown. “But,” I counter, “Lukas told me he’s not going to fast to Fallon.”

My aunt makes a sound of derision. “Really, Elloren. Do youhonestlythink he’ll wait for you forever?” Her gaze turns calculating. “I’m sure Fallon Bane would be happy to take your place.”

An unbidden image of Lukas kissing smug, perfect Fallon forms in my mind, his back to me as he clings to her passionately, her eyes open, glaring at me with malicious triumph.Shewouldn’t hesitate to accept a wandfasting proposal from Lukas Grey.

But to fast to him after knowing him for only one day—that would be madness.

And Rafe has concerns. Enough to warn me off Lukas.

“Do you want to be alone all your life, Elloren?” my aunt coos, leaning forward. “Don’t you want to be fasted someday? To have a family? Do you know howunlikelythat will be if you go unfasted for much longer?” She sits back. “Of course there will be afewchoices left after you finish University. The young men that no one else wants. But is that what you really want?”

Her words get under my skin, and I momentarily wonder if I’m making a huge mistake.

A chill starts from deep within me, and it has nothing to do with the damp outside. I suddenly very much want my uncle.

“I... I just can’t,” I say weakly.

She narrows her eyes at me. “What, pray tell, am I to tell Lukas’s parents?”

“Tell them,” I begin, my throat becoming constricted, “that I am very thankful for their proposal and I will consider it, but I need time to get to know Lukas a little better.”

“It seems like you were getting to know him pretty well last night, my dear,” she snipes as she takes a sip of her tea.

My face goes hot.

“Don’t you think my servants tell me everything?” She purses her lips at me. “If you’re going to indulge inthattype of behavior, Elloren, you need to fast to the young man, and quickly.”

I’m completely mortified.

“If you assume I’m going to sit idly by and watch while you go off to Universityunfastedand potentially disgrace your entire extended family by falling in with the wrong man, like Sage Gaffney did, you certainlydon’t know me very well.” She sets down her tea and leans forward. “You forget, Elloren, that not only will I refuse to pay your University tithe while you are unfasted, I know and am on very close terms with the University’s High Chancellor, in addition to most of the Gardnerian professorsandthe Lodging Mistress. If I need to, I can make thingsveryunpleasant for you there.” She collects herself and lets out a frustrated sigh. “I’m only doing this for your own good, Elloren. And for the good of our family. You do realize you can avoid all sorts of unpleasantness if you simply agree to fast to Lukas Grey.”

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