Page 43 of Tipped in Frost and Blood
“It’s the holidays,” Damien said, and I didn’t miss the brief glance he slid my way, the concern in his eyes. “We’re supposed to be celebrating.”
Vincent appeared in the doorway. “Anna called me from the log pile. Is everything okay?”
“It is now,” Damien said, nudging Barrett toward him. “Get Barrett a drink.”
I followed after Damien, glancing back at Dad as Mom walked over to him. The look of disappointment and near anger on her face as she stopped in front of him surprised me. I turned, leaving them to speak as we returned to the kitchen.
“That was awkward,” Kat whispered as she slid into the chair next to mine.
I let out a sigh. “I had a feeling something was gonna happen with Dad. I’m just glad it didn’t result in Barrett kicking his ass.”
“Yay family drama,” Kat deadpanned before she reached into her pocket. “I have something for you.”
My brows rose, and I shot up. “Wait, I have something for you, too!”
I hurried down the hall and into the living room, thankful Mom and Dad had stepped out to talk as I grabbed Kat’s gift from the table of presents everyone had stashed for the exchange later that night.
“Here,” I said as I returned, holding out the small box, and her fern green eyes lit up as she took it before handing me mine.
We opened them at the same time, the way we always did, always too excited to see what the other thought to be able to choose who went first. As I tore the wrapping away and lifted the lid, my eyes trailed over the golden locket laid out atop black velvet, over the delicate pattern of a crescent moon and constellations engraved in metal.
“Aw, Kat,” I said, hooking my finger under the delicate chain and lifting it to look at it closer.
“Cas!” Kat cried out as she finished unearthing her gift from the wrapping paper, lifting her own locket into the air.
We looked at each other and belted out into laughter—we’d gotten each other nearly the same thing.
“There’s a picture in there already,” Kat said, eyes lighting up as she leaned in. “Open it!”
I snickered, and opened the locket to find not one, but two pictures, and for a moment, my eyes started to burn, tears welling in my eyes. On one side was a picture of her and me from our first day of first grade together. We looked so different at six, her coppery hair tied into twin braids, while mine was pulled half back so it was out of my face. I remembered it as if it were yesterday: how I’d cried, too afraid to leave Mom’s side no matter how much she encouraged me. Kat had comforted me, held my hand and managed to convince me to leave the safety of the car.
My eyes drifted to the other picture, and I couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across my face if I wanted to. It was a picture from one of our pizza dates at Gallina’s. Kat had me tucked under her arm, her head resting sideways atop mine as she stuck her tongue out and threw up a peace sign. My eyes were closed, my lips open as I laughed, my nose dotted with pizza sauce she’d gotten on me before looping me in for a surprise picture. My laughter echoed in the memory as it resurfaced.
“I love it,” I said, glancing to the side to see her looking at the picture I’d placed in her locket. A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips, her eyes latched onto the portrait of us on Halloween—her in her witchy attire, and me flashing my fangs.
“I love you,” she said, wrapping her arms around me, and I hugged her tightly. I caught sight of Damien from where he stood nearby, chatting with Zephyr and Anna as he slid me a glance, his eyes full of the same love I felt for him.
I released Kat in time to see Mom and Dad step back into the kitchen, and my heart launched into my throat, but the look of remorse on Dad’s face forced me to glance at Mom, who gave me an apologetic smile.
Dad leaned in and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I’m sorry, baby girl. I shouldn’t have acted that way.”
I offered him a smile. “Thank you.”
“I’m gonna go talk to Damien, if that’s okay with you,” he said.
I swallowed and glanced nervously at Damien. “Um.”
“I promise I’ll behave,” he assured me, and I nodded.
He offered me a smile and walked toward Damien whose brows rose when he caught sight of him. They exchanged words briefly before continuing to the back door, and Damien shared a smile of reassurance with me before following him onto the back porch.
“They’ll be okay,” Mom said, settling into a chair next to me.
“Promise?” I asked, glancing at her.
She smiled at me, and I couldn’t help but feel comfort from it. “I promise.”
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