Page 93 of Hexes and Exes

“Let’s go get some fresh air.” I stand up and tug on Bram’s hand to get him to follow. He blinks at me like he’s just waking.

“Come with me.” I didn’t need to say it, because Bram is stuck with me no matter what.

We step out onto the sidewalk. For once, the sun has decided to break through all the gray clouds. I don’t think I’ve seen it in two months. I tip my head and pretend to feel the heat onmy face. I don’t, because it’s still five degrees out, but it’s a nice thought.

“Ava.”

I open my eyes and find my mother standing in front of me. Bram wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me close to his side. My father is still on house arrest. The Luminara coven has been arguing for the past week about what to do with the coven council that took part in the ritual at the masquerade. My mother wasn’t there that night, so as of right now, she’s exempt from whatever retribution the coven comes up with. I wasn't expecting to see her here. Or anywhere, really. With my father stuck at home, I imagine he’s insisting she be confined with him.

“Mom. What are you doing here?”

“I came to speak with Lucida.” She offers me a small smile, but my heart sinks.

“Are you trying to convince her dad doesn’t deserve punishment?”

She presses her lips together and shakes her head. “She’s offered me a place to stay. I’ve moved out of the house. I’ve left your father. He deserves to be held accountable for his actions.” She reaches out as if to touch me, but I shrink back. There are so many years of hurt between us. The declaration that she’s leaving my father is far from enough to soothe those jagged wounds.

Dropping her hand, she chews on her bottom lip. “I know I have a lot to make up for, but I hope you’ll give me a chance to show you how sorry I am for my actions over the years.”

I stare at her. The woman who should have been my champion, my cheerleader, a loving parent, but who chose my father again and again, instead. It’s not going to be as simple as a quick apology and I’m over it. I don’t know how to even begin to respond to her words.

“Maybe. I don’t know.”

My mother nods, sad acceptance in her eyes. “I understand. When–if–you’re ready, I’ll be here.”

She smiles at Bram and then heads into the coven house.

“I was not expecting that today.” I shiver and huff out a stream of foggy breath.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Bram looks pained by those words. He might be my fated bond, but he’s still not great at emotions. Frankly, I don’t want to do a deep dive on the history of my relationship with my mother at the moment anyway. Maybe tomorrow. Or the day after. Since she’s leaving my father, there will be time to figure things out. If that’s what I want.

“No. But I do want to go somewhere.” I lead him to the Briar Hollows Bridge.

The wind stings my cheeks, but with the sun shining, I don’t care. I tip my head up toward the sky again, then immediately lower my chin into my scarf when a gust nearly steals my breath away. Bram and I come to a stop in the middle of the bridge. He steps behind me, creating a buffer for some of the wind. Another five minutes and I’ll have my outdoor quota for the next month.

I peek over my shoulder at Bram, already feeling better. “Are you okay with what Lucida told you?” I didn’t get a chance to ask with my mother popping up out of nowhere.

Bram looks out over the frozen river. “I will be.” He pulls me tighter to his body. “I didn’t realize how much I needed to know what happened.”

I squeeze the arm that’s wrapped around my chest. I get it. It’s not like it changes anything that already happened, but there’s a calmness in Bram’s aura that wasn’t there before. It’s comforting for him to know that his mother wasn’t a piece of shit like the rest of our parents.

“Tell me again why we’re here?” Bram looks over my shoulder, down at the frozen river. “You’re not thinking ofanother swim, are you? I’m not opposed to stripping you down after, but there are easier ways to get naked.”

“I will never live that down, will I?”

“No,” Bram whispers in my ear, and I shiver.

I don’t know what impulse I had to bring him here, but it seemed really important a few minutes ago. “I never told you that I made a wish here, the night of the founders’ parties months ago.”

“You wished that I’d sex you up, huh.”

“Ew. No one says that. Gross.” I laugh, and Bram joins me. “No, Mr. Humble.” I take a moment to thank the Maiden, Mother, and Crone for how things turned out. “I wished that someone would love me for who I am. Just me, without having to pretzel myself into an unrecognizable being.” All I wanted was to be loved for my quirks and despite my flaws.

“And suddenly, I was a shining light in your life.” Bram nuzzles my neck. I gasp at his cold nose.

“Ah, I wouldn’t say suddenly. More like you snuck into my house and pestered me until I couldn’t help but fall for you.” I joke, but I’m so damn grateful for Bram.

“I’m not the one who started the prank war.” Bram nips at my earlobe. I squeak, but he’s holding me too tightly to get away. Bram rests his chin on my shoulder and sighs contentedly. “I never would have thought to make a wish. I guess I’m lucky you did.” He blows out a long breath, his body tenses behind me. “You…you saved my life. In more than one way.”

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