Page 95 of Potions & Prejudice
“And I’m trying to read,” Prue said.
Adelaide and I looked at each other and burst out laughing.
“I’m sorry I made you leave Elm like that,” I said.
“You didn’t.” Adelaide looked down at her hands. “I chose to leave because I hoped I could convince you to return before he even found out we were gone. Of course, now that Draven knows, I’m not sure that’ll happen. Hopefully Elm can forgive me.”
“That was a pretty big gamble,” I said through tears.
“Not really,” Auggie said. “Not with the way you stare at Draven like he’s the only man in the entire world.”
I banged on the cart. “Will you mind your own business?”
“Adelaide isn’t the only one that has something going for her in Thistlegrove,” Auggie said. “We all do. Mama has the soup stand that she loves. Prue has a job offer at the bookstore.”
Tears filled my eyes again. “I was just trying to protect us. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, Elspeth. It’s okay,” Mama said. “We know you’re looking out for us. You’re doing what I couldn’t.”
“Mama—” I started.
“No, it’s true. Before your father left, he was the one who took care of us, protected us. That was never my role. And when he decided to abandon his family, I didn’t know how to be the leader you all needed. But you did, Elspeth. You always have, and that’s why we’ll follow you wherever you go.”
“Well, I didn’t want to,” Auggie added. “But Adelaide and Mama made me.”
I thought about Draven, his worries and fears that maybe he wasn’t what was best for Georgie. He was so afraid he’d been selfish bringing her here, that she belonged with her grandmother instead.
Witch Superior. That was it. He constantly thought about whether his actions were selfish or in the best interest of his sister.
I’d never thought about that. Never worried about it.
“I’m being selfish,” I said, the realization hitting me. “I’m letting my own fears guide my decisions, not taking any of you into account.”
“Finally,” Prue mumbled. “Took you long enough to realize it.”
“Can we go back home now?” Auggie said.
Home. Something we hadn’t had in such a long time.
“Home isn’t that cottage,” Adelaide said. “Home is wherever we are. As long as we go back together, that’s what matters.” She smiled at me, and I smiled in return.
“Incoming!” a voice called. I looked up at the sky to see Edgar flying toward us, and Georgie riding a broom.
“What in the...” Adelaide trailed off as Georgie landed in front of our cart, and it came to an abrupt halt.
“What is going on out there?” Mama asked.
The back door of the cart creaked open, and Auggie and Mama stumbled out.
“Are you coming or not?” Auggie asked Prue, who was still inside.
“No” came Prue’s short response.
“Georgie!” I stood. “What are you doing here?”
“Why did you leave?” Anger flashed in Georgie’s eyes.
“It’s complicated,” I said.
