Page 54 of Oh, Sacred Dark
Connie shrugged and, turning to Roman, who had been perfectly still and silent through the exchange. “What about you? Seen your digs yet?”
“I…” Roman’s glaze flitted to Tyler. “No. I don’t know if I’m staying.”
Everybody at the table froze, Tyler’s heart thumping painfully in his chest.
Connie’s eyes were big and hurt. “Oh. I mean. I didn’t know you were thinking of moving. Not that there’s anything wrong with that if you’re not happy here.” Her voice was sincere, if a little wobbly.
Roman’s mouth gaped open for a second. “No, I mean—it’s not up to me, really. High Witch Archie has to decide.”
Connie blinked at him. “Huh? That’s just a formality. I mean, you’re clearly integrated into the community. I mean, Cross already has a job.”
“Yeah, but Cross is…” Roman trailed off.
Cross sighed. “I don’t have anything you don’t have, Roman. Look around you—this place has welcomed you. Whether you stay or not is down toyou.”
Tyler had told him that a million times, but maybe this was what he’d needed—Cross and Connie and Charlie making it obvious how wanted he was.
Roman seemed completely overwhelmed. “I…”
“Babe,” Connie said. “I’m not trying to put you on the spot or anything, but if it was completely up to you, would you stay?”
“Yes,” Roman replied, and the immediacy of it made Tyler’s chest finally loosen.
Connie nodded decisively. “Cool. Then, dude, happy to break it to you, but you’re staying. Congrats.”
Roman opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Tyler reached over and squeezed his hand. “Stuck with us, remember?” he said quietly.
Roman gripped Tyler’s hand tightly. Tyler could see the doubt still cast over Roman’s face, but the shadow had receded a little.
“Anyway,” Tyler said. “Have we told you there’s dessert?”
Connie made a high, excited noise, the night moving on swiftly.
Under the table, Tyler’s and Roman’s hands remained entwined.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
ROMAN
Roman was clasped into the Meliora coven on a clear day in early September.
It was a week shy of six months, but nobody said anything about it.
Roman had never thought about being worth something. Worth Tyler’s touch and attention. Worth Connie’s, Cross’s and Charlie’s friendships. Worth a coven wanting him to stay and not just to use him.
Of course there was the old, dark voice that told him it would all change when he was officially tied to the coven. Once the magic was in play and it would be difficult to escape.
But then he’d look at Tyler, at everything he did for Roman without expecting anything in return, and think—No.
Roman didn’t know if he deserved it, but he was getting something precious anyway.
To his surprise, when Roman knelt in the middle of the high witch’s office, Archie and Tyler knelt with him. His heart was racing, filling his ears with a pounding beat, hands shaking in his lap.
There were no words to the ritual. It surpassed time and location. All there was to do was close his eyes and let Archie in.
Roman tilted his chin down and felt Archie’s magic like a pulsing creature, its soft fur caressing his skin, asking for permission to come in.
