Page 46 of The Witch's Spell
A darkness comes over his eyes. He settles his chin atop his knee, his long black hair shifting to obscure his expression from view.
Maybe this is why he’s so mad at his brother. Maybe it has less to do with the scars on his body and more to do with the scars that were left on his heart. I know being exiled from all I love would very nearly rend me in two. I’d be lost.
I clear my throat. “For what it’s worth,” I say, tearing my gaze from him and picking up my hammer and another nail, “you’ve got family here as well. That’s what we all are to one another. Even if some days are harder than others.”
Faolan doesn’t turn to look at me, but neither does he laugh at the sentiment.
An hour or so later, I drive the final nail, then set the cradle on its legs and step back to take a look.
“Hmm,” Faolan says as he does the same, arms crossed over his broad chest. He tips his head, regarding the cradle with a narrowed gaze. “Not bad.”
“Not bad?” I slug him in the upper arm, and he flinches, eyes flashing with irritation.
Before Faolan can say anything else, footsteps start up the stairs. They’re heavier than Aurora’s, and Thorne hasn’t yet ventured onto the second floor, so I’m not surprised when Rowan appears in the doorway, long hair pulled back in a low ponytail at the base of his neck.
“Aurora said I’d find you two up here,” he says as he steps into the firelit room. Then his gaze lands on the cradle.
Everything goes still.
When he first asked me to build the cradle, I felt honored. And now, with the finished product standing in the room, its sanded wood reflecting the light, I feel a tightness in my chest. I want him—and Aurora—to like it.
Rowan takes another few steps into the room. “Can I . . . ?”
“Of course.” I step aside and gesture to the cradle.
Even in the low light, I can see the slight tremble in Rowan’s hand as he reaches out to place his palm along the cradle’s edge. He runs his fingers along the wood, then gives it a gentle push, sending it rocking gently along the floorboards.
“We’ll put a rug beneath it,” I say. “That way it’ll be quiet.”
Rowan still hasn’t said anything. Faolan and I exchange a look.
Then Rowan turns and pulls me into a hug, crushing me to his chest.
“Alden,” he says, voice thick with emotion, “it’s... it’s fucking perfect.”
The tension leaves my chest with a big sigh. I can’t keep a smile from my face as I return his embrace.
“I still want to finish the wood. Probably opt for a black-tea stain.”
Rowan pulls back and quickly scrubs away the moisture that gathered in his eyes. “Has Aurora seen it yet?”
I shake my head. “Nope. Thought you’d want to be here for that.”
He nods once, then claps me on the shoulder. “Thank you, Alden. Truly.”
As the three of us stand there in the light of the fire, staring at the cradle, I can almost picture a little bundle cuddledin its embrace, rocking as many pairs of eyes gaze upon it with awe and adoration.
Suddenly, I feel my throat wanting to clog with tears again.
I can’t wait for the baby to finally arrive.
Chapter 25
Aurora
I AWAKEN BEFORE THE SUN can even begin to slip through the thin gap in the drapes. The room is dark, and though the air is cool, with Faolan’s arm draped across me, I’m warm and cozy beneath the blankets. But I know I can’t lie here all morning. Today is the day Thorne and I are going to attempt to stabilize the portal, and I want to get an early start.
Gently, I slip out from beneath Faolan’s strong brown arm, then place my feet upon the floor. It’s cold without Faolan’s warmth, and I immediately reach for the warm stockings draped over the back of the chair beside the wardrobe.
