Page 82 of Pints & Potions

She memorized each of his features: the sharply shaped brows, his full unsmiling mouth, the high cheekbones, and firm jaw. She ran a finger down his beautiful, straight nose, noting how well it healed after she’d broken it. Her lips quirked as she remembered his outrage when the rock had cut him.

“We had a fun run, Cian O’Malley. But I suppose it’s time it ended.”

His brows twitched, as if he were fighting a frown, but he remained asleep.

“I did love you, you know,” she whispered next to his ear. Unable to help herself, she touched her lips to his. “Don’t linger in stasis, okay? Your family is counting on you to come back to them.”

Turning away, she caught sight of Bridget. Her distraught look crushed what was left of Piper’s heart. Rushing over, she hugged her tight. “He’s going to be fine, Bridget. He’s a fighter.”

Piper felt the movement of Bridget’s nod against her shoulder, and the need to offer comfort where she could, overwhelmed her. “You’re a wonderful sister to him. He’s lucky to have you.”

“He’s an eejit, but he’s ours all the same.”

Soul-battered, Piper was amazed she could still laugh. “Thank you for everything. I’ve settled my bill online and secured Spring’s promise to recreate your Granny’s potion again whenever you need it.”

“You need not have paid that. This wasn’t the vacation you were hoping for, and I feel badly about it.” Bridget touched her hand. “Will you keep in touch?”

Piper knew the question was straightforward and offered from the heart. She didn’t know how to respond. How would she keep her baby a secret from Cian if she allowed Bridget into her world?

“Yes,” she lied. She gently squeezed Bridget’s fingers then strode from the room before anyone could recognize the falsehood for what it was.

Piper made it back to her room without shedding a single tear. As she picked up her bag to teleport home, movement in the shadowed corner of the room caught her attention.

“Aeden?” She set her suitcase and purse on the bed. “What’s going on, fry guy?”

He charged across the room and wrapped his skinny arms around her waist. A sob tore from his throat and she had a hard time not joining him in his grief.

“Is this about your uncle?”

Aeden nodded jerkily.

“He’s going to be fine, kiddo.”

The boy lifted his face to study her, as if he was searching for the truth in her words.

Piper brushed back the shaggy blond hair from his large, wounded eyes. She imagined this was what Cian looked like as a child. Squatting down, she lightly pinched his chin between her thumb and forefinger. “Listen to me. Cian is a fighter, Aeden. His body is sleeping as it processes the poison, but that’s all.”

His lower lip trembled, but he didn’t speak.

“My family is here to help him through this. My mom’s a brilliant doctor, and Spring and GiGi are powerful witches. If anyone can heal him, it’s them.”

“What about you?” he rasped.

“I can cast the occasional spell, but curing others isn’t my gig.”

“But you’rethe Mighty Thorne.”

Aeden didn’t know the pain brought on by his innocent words.

“I don’t think I am, kiddo. I’m just a witch who doesn’t know what she’s about most days.”

“Youhave toprick Uncle Cian’s heart.”

“Who told you that?”

“The Goddess.”

Had she visited this boy and told him Piper needed to use magic on Cian?

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