Page 49 of Cursed By the Love Witch

The silence stretches in the dark before Bael breaks it.

“I will give you space until graduation—my control is slipping as is, and I want to honor your wishes to wait.”

My hands curl into his chest.

“Will you still hold me while I sleep? You’re the only thing that keeps the nightmares away.”

It’s selfish to ask, but when have I been anything but where Bael is concerned?

He smiles down at me.

“Of course, little witch. Our tutoring session will go back to being chaste as well. You have another test to take this week before your final exam.”

I sigh, content, and cuddle deeper into his warmth. A sense of completion overwhelms me. Silently, I pray to the Goddess that everything will be as it should be. If we are meant to, Bael and I will find our way back to each other. There is no point denying it anymore, especially not after tonight.

I love him. I don’t know the exact moment it happened, but it’s true—I’m in love with Bael. Right now, he loves me too. He said nothing would ever make him turn from me, but I know that isn’t true. It can’t be.

Exhaustion weighs me down. I don’t need to ask my tarot cards to know a broken heart is in my future.

21

DARCEE

The week following the trip tothe Bogpasses in a blur.

School ramps up as final exams are handed out and term grades are received. In each of my courses, I passed with flying colors. Yesterday, I retook the third exam in Bael’s office and obtained a satisfactory score. With the threat of failing his class no longer looming, there is only one last thing to do.

I glance up at the clock on the wall. Our final necromancy class is almost over, and I’m the last one to complete theDead Man’s Elixir. I can feel the eyes of the other students on me, as well as Bael’s heavy stare. I don’t dare look up at him and lose my focus.

The heavy stone cauldron bubbles away on my desk. Thick steam curls over the pot’s dark lip. The scent is a mix of mint and fresh soil. I slice through theevernight mushroomwith trembling hands and drop it into the brew. I hold my breath in anticipation. After a moment, the liquid turns sparkling blue, and I quickly add the last bit of crushed herbs.

Using a wooden spoon, I stir the potion seven times clockwise and ten times counterclockwise. Dousing the flame, I pick up the glass dropper on my desk and fill it with thereanimation potion. The dead raven on my desk lays still atop a metal tray. I insert the tweezers into its beak and gently open it wide enough to trickle in some of my brew.

It should only take a few drops.

I hold my breath, anticipation building in the room. The blood rushing in my ears makes it so I can barely hear.Come on,I will it.Wake up, little bird.

There is the softest fluttering of atrophying feathers. The first movement is jerky—disjointed—then the creature lets out a raspy squawk and jumps up. It tests its bald wings before launching into the air and taking a meandering lap around the room. My eyes widen in shock, barely believing what I’m seeing. Once it lands back on my desk, its whole body tenses before falling limp to the tray with a clatter.

I let out a squeal of delight and clap my hands. A few other students join in, and I turn to the left and embrace Prue. She hugs me back tightly with a delighted giggle. We break apart, and my eyes go to Bael. There is pride swimming in his violet gaze. He scrolls something on the parchment before him, a secretive smile on his lips that is only for me. I stare down at my final grade and grin.

I passed—that’s it, I’m going to graduate.

Smiling up at him, he gives me a short nod. If we were alone, he’d be much more vocal with his praise. That’s one of the things I’ve missed. He’s been true to his word about keeping his distance. Still, he comes to my bed each night, holding me close before disappearing in the early morning. Our tutoring sessions have now come to an end. I long for his affection, but I know this is for the best.

We have arranged to meet after the graduation ceremony and spend the evening together. It is then when I will give him the antidote. We’ll be at his cottage, far enough away fromeveryone that I’ll slip away without facing the consequences of what I’ve done. I am a coward.

After class, I’m working on the antidote so it has enough time to charge over the weekend. It’ll need to be robust to counteract the love potion.

Glancing down at my passing grade, I wonder if it was worth all of this. Yes, I am one step closer to my dream of opening an apothecary, but for the first time in my life, the idea no longer seems as appealing—not when it means giving up Bael to have it. Yet I know I cannot keep him.

The bell rings, and I quickly collect my things. A few students hang back to bid Bael farewell. Our eyes meet, and I wish I could stay, but I have an antidote to brew. Prue and I file out together. I’ve barely seen her sincethe Bog—undoubtedly because she and Zander took things to the next level in their tent that night.

I do not wish to hear whatever she tried to tell me in the woods. My mind is made up, and I don’t need traitorous false hope to make it any worse. Prue bumps my shoulder as we walk, and I look at her.

“How have things been? Zander and I can barely keep our hands off each other.” Prue cringes, her face paling. “Sorry, you probably don’t want to?—”

“Love witch, remember? Of course, I want to hear! I’m so happy for you, truly.” My throat tightens. “The only person to blame for my unhappiness is myself.”

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