Page 31 of Cursed By the Love Witch

Bael chuckles, his thumb raising to glide along my lower lip.

“You look thoroughly kissed,” he whispers.

A fresh blush erupts on my cheeks as he bends down and meets my mouth in a chaste brush of our lips. It is over far too soon, and I hunger for more instantly. My panties are a sodden mess.

With a wave of his hand, the door to the room unlocks with a loud clang.

“Are you up for another session tomorrow? I threw a lot at you today.” His eyes darken. “In more than one way.”

“I’m ready for more,” I assure him.

Bael nods. “Good. We’ll need to work fast to finish the first and second exams before the class trip tothe Bogthis weekend.”

I can’t help but wrinkle my nose.

“I hate that place. It’s scary out there.”

“You know I’ll keep you safe.”

“Hmm. You promise?”

Bael chuckles again, his body inching closer to mine.

“If you think I’ll be able to let you out of my sight for a second y?—”

The door to the room groans open, and we jump apart. Standing at the threshold is Mistress Romina. Her shock is palpable. Her dark eyes look between us before her red-painted mouth settles into a hardline. Her hairstyle is as severe as the look she’s leveling me with.

“Miss Thistle,” she says stiffly—eyes narrowing. “High Warlock, I didn’t know you were busy. We usually meet at this time.”

An ugly, oily emotion coats my tongue, and I dare a glance at Bael. I have no right to feel jealous. What if he does like Romina, and I ruined it all because of my potion? I think back to their body language at the equinox party. She was interested, but it was clearly one-sided. Still, maybe something would’ve blossomed between them if it weren’t for me. Once I’m gone, they’ll find their way back to each other.

I open my mouth to respond, but Bael beats me to it.

“Miss Thistle was requiring extra guidance before the end of the semester. She was just on her way out.”

I stare at Bael, his surly mask firmly back in place. He only allows me to glimpse his smile and easy nature. That shouldn’t please me as much as it does. Romina’s mouth pinches around the corner, but she says nothing.

“Thank you for your help, High Warlock,” I say as evenly as possible.

I switch places with Romina, who shuffles through the door effortlessly. She moves around Bael easily, and a fresh wave of jealousy rolls through me. I dare glance back, but they are already discussing as the door falls shut.

What is the nature of their relationship? How often do they meet? What do they discuss? These questions plague me as I enter the dining hall. I snag a few pieces of chicken and some roasted root vegetables before they close.

I quickly eat my dinner and return to my dorm room.

Once I shut and lock the door behind me, I sit at the edge of my bed and unzip my boots. Was there ever a better feeling than taking off your shoes after a long day? Yes—Bael’s kisses. I’d wear my highest pair of heels until my feet bled for just one taste of his mouth again.

I laugh at myself. I sound ridiculous.

Hanging my cloak on the peg by the door, I’m tempted to crawl into bed fully clothed when there is a cawing at my window. A lone raven sits on the sill, a small letter clasped in its beak. The wax seal on the front makes my heart race.

Pushing open the glass window, I pluck the note from his beak and offer him a pumpkin seed as a reward. He flutters away on delicate wings. Walking over to my desk in a daze, I stare at the lone triangle with a ‘T’ resting in the center cast in silver wax—my family seal.

With trembling hands, I snap it and quickly read my father’s familiar script. Bile races up my throat, and tears burn in my eyes at the callous words. I was foolish for reaching out to them. Why do I always do that? I thought maybe enough time had passed with me gone—that things could be different. Now I see just how wrong I was to extend this olive branch.

Still, it hurts all the same. These are my parents—my only family and they have washed their hands of me. That is, unless I cease this devil-worship at once and stop my unholy communications, I shall never hear from him or my mother again. They are both disgusted with my chosen path and do not believe I could be their offspring. The notion they would attend my graduation from such a heinous institution is insulting.

As such, I am never to write them again.

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