Page 43 of Cursed By the Love Witch

I gasp and lose my footing on the slippery ground. Her hand cups my elbow, steadying me. Her blue eyes are serious as we stand face to face. The group quickly files around us to pass under the low-hanging tree.

Prue crosses her arms over her chest, the straps of her pack digging into her shoulders.

“What’s going on, Dar? Something has been off since the equinox. I thought the potion mix-up had rattled you, but now I’m not so sure.”

“Look, Prue, it’s nothing just?—”

“Don’t lie to me, Darcee. Whatever it is, you can tell me. We’re best friends.”

Her blue eyes swim with compassion. Kindness washes over her face. I take in her dark hair that’s braided loosely down her back. She wore it the same way at orientation five years ago. She singled me out to pair off, and we’ve been inseparable ever since. We’d share stories of our class crushes and gossip about the mean professors. We were roommates until we were approved for single dorms.

No one knows me better.

That is why I tell her everything. It all spills from my lips like a flood. I can’t stop as I bare everything. From the moment I found Mistress Saege crying to the truth behind the sleeping dram mix-up. I tell her about Bael, what we’ve done together, and how I’ve come to care for him so much that I hope next week never ends.

When I am done, we are all alone on the path. Prue has remained silent during my whole tale. Her eyes widen slightly, and her mouth parts. She snaps it shut. The silence continues to stretch, and I squirm under her gaze.

“Say something. Anything,” I beg. “Tell me how awful I am and that you’re going to report me to the Head Mistress.”

That snaps Prue out of whatever shocked stupor she was in. Blinking her eyes rapidly, she slightly shakes her head.

“I’d never do that, and you aren’t awful.” Her hand rests gently on my arm. “I think you made a foolish choice and acted rashly.”

“I’m giving him an antidote and stopping whatever is between us.”

“But you like him,” Prue whispers.

I nod, a sad smile on my lips.

“More than I ever thought possible. More than I should.”

“And if he takes the antidote and still wants you, would you try again with him?”

Foolish hope rises within me, but I know what will happen when he receives the cure. Fresh tears spring to my eyes.

“Oh, Prue, once he takes the antidote, he’ll return to hating me—probably even more so now.”

Biting her lip, Prue glances around, but we’re still alone. We’ll need to catch up with the group or be hopelessly lost. Her eyes land back on me as she shifts from foot to foot.

“Listen, you're my best friend who permitted me to read your aura, remember?”

I nod, confusion making my brows lower.

“One of the fundamental rules is that we aren’t allowed to discuss one person’s aura with another unless we get their consent. It’s a very invasive thing to do,” she says. “However, I’m willing to break that sacred covenant because I love you.”

I can’t help but grin.

“We are such bad witches,” I giggle.

Prue’s eyes dance with mirth.

“I know.” She pauses, once again glancing behind her. “Maybe there is a chance for you and the High Warlock. After he takes the antidote.”

“What do you mean? Prue, you remember how he always acted towards me. I was an annoyance at best.”

Prue shakes her head.

“His aura was always black. Truthfully, I’d never seen one so dark before. And then occasionally—if I’d blink, I’d miss it—it would change when he’d look at or speak to you.”

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