Page 43 of Lila

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” I chuckle. “Come on.”

She follows me into the living room and Gray throws his controller at Jett. “Mom!” his mechanical voice says and he runs to hug her.

“Hi, baby. What are you doing? Playing a game?” she asks as she holds him. He smiles and nods his head. “Well, don’t let me interrupt,” she chuckles before she sits down in his seat and holds him on her lap. He goes back to playing his game and Ann buries her face in his neck.

I watch silently as my son crushes his uncles and imagine what his voice is going to sound like. I hope it doesn’t take long for Lila to make the potion.

Chapter 30

Lila

Willowissurprisedtosee me again but quickly helps me find the herbs I need when I explain whose curse I’m breaking now. I rush back to Lavender’s apartment, never more eager to make a potion in my entire life. This time, when I get home, Lavender is there. I haven’t seen her since yesterday morning when she went to work before Ann called me to watch Grayson. There is so much I have to tell her, but I don’t have time.

“There you are! I got home last night and you weren’t here. I was so worried! Why didn’t you text to let me know you were staying out?”

“I’m sorry, Lav. Yesterday was crazy. Like legit, the weirdest day of my life.” I quickly give her the run down as I walk to her workroom. “And now I have to makeanotherpotion because apparently no one knew that Grayson was cursed,” I rant.

“Excuse me, back up.What? Grayson is cursed?!”

“I thought they knew. I didn’t want to ask about it and they get pissed, ya know?” I grumble.It made sense at the time.

I toss the bag on the island and get the cauldron off the shelf.

“Well? How’d they take it? Assuming you did tell them. You’re not just going to go behind their back and undo the curse right?”

I roll my eyes. “Of course, I told them. Luca didn’t take it well at first but he came around quickly when Jett threatened him. He got over the whole me not telling him his son was cursed and came around to the my mate can uncurse my son, I should be happy.” I chuckle mirthlessly as I set the pestle next to the cauldron. Turning to my best friend I heave a sigh. “Lav, I really want to tell you everything, but I can’t let that little boy go another second being cursed. I have to center myself so I can make this potion.”

“I understand, Lils. You can tell me everything later. This is more important.”

The most important thing I’ve ever done.I can’t screw this up.

“You can do this, Lils. I know there’s a lot riding on this potion, but don’t stress. You’re the best curse-breaker I know. You could make this potion in your sleep.”

“I’m the only curse-breaker you know.” I roll my eyes.

“You’re still the best.” She sticks her tongue out at me. “I’ll leave you to your potion-making. But wewilltalk more later.”

I agree and she leaves, closing the door behind her. It takes me longer than I’d care to admit to center myself, but eventually, I’m in the right headspace to start the potion. Intention makes the potion. If I had even crushed up the herbs while I was talking to Lav and thinking about everything, the potion would have weakened. I need to focus on undoing the curse, healing Gray’s throat, and protecting him from magic of ill intent until the potion is done. As long as I’m around, no one will ever be able to hurt that boy again.

By the time the potion’s done, I’m convinced it’s the strongest curse-breaker potion I’ve ever made. I feel drained and want to lie down, but I fill a vial and flip the lid. When I open the door, Lav is standing there with a cold glass of water which I greedily gulp down.

“Thanks,” I sigh.

“I figured you could use a drink. I could practically feel your magic leaving your body as you poured everything into that potion. I know this was personal, but you can’t kill yourself to uncurse someone else.”

“I wasn’t. I wasn’t at 100% before I started. I didn’t realize how much this potion would take.”

“Then you shouldn’t have done it.” She glares at me. “He’s gone this long cursed and not even knowing it. It could have waited until you were at full strength.”

“No it couldn’t. It doesn’t matter. It’s done, and I’m fine. If you’re so worried about me, come with me, but I’m taking this potion to Grayson.”

“Iamworried about you. And Iwillcome with you. I care about Gray, too, Lils.”

“Then let’s go see what his first word is going to be.” I grin.

I walk in without knocking and we find everyone still in the living room. Ann is here and I glance at Luca.Wonder how that conversation went.When he looks up, our eyes connect and I lose my breath.Is it always going to feel like I’m standing on the edge of a cliff when I look at him?I smile and tip my head toward the kitchen. He jumps up and I push Lav down the hall.

“Ann.” I hear Luca say and a moment later they’re both walking into the kitchen.

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