Page 118 of Sugar & Sorcery
Chouquette stepped forward, tails tucked close, and placed a black sphere delicately in Lempicka’s trembling hands. A sob broke her throat, and tears fell onto the stone.
“He saved us,” she whispered. “But the curse… He’s gone. He’s with Nyla now.”
A knot closed in my throat. My fingers clenched. I had so many mistakes to mend. Éclair laid a foamy hand on my shoulder, and Chouquette wrapped her tail around my wrist in comfort. They didn’t blame me. Yet if they were all here, it was because of me.
I had always believed that with my magic, I was untouchable. But that power was never absolute. It never had been. Today, I could not undo what I had broken. I could not bring Aignan back. But I could ensure he would never be forgotten. I was determined to prove to him that not all sorcerers were evil.
“I cannot bring back the dead,” I said, my voice grave. “But I can at least grant his wish.”
Lempicka wiped her tears with the back of her hand, nodding silently. I reached for the stone, brushed it with my fingertips. And for the first time, I didn’t force my magic. I didn’t rip it violently from myself like a blade torn from flesh. I asked it. I gave it the choice.
The black stone rose gently. An incantation slipped from my lips. Then the stone spun. Its light swelled, bursting into a thousand golden shards before condensing into a single shining point. A star suspended in the night. Bright. Unfaltering.
“He will guide those who pray to this star,” I whispered. “It will shine even in the darkest nights. No one will forget him. He will be a symbol of hope.”
Lempicka smiled through her tears. “He will shine above us, like our lucky star.”
Behind her, the confectionery was reforming, slowly emerging from the drifting mist. The remaining Cursed lingered, uncertain of their place in this new order. They had been born of magic, but they too could grow, learn, live, and heal.
“Seems we’ll keep gathering strays in distress,” I remarked. “Yeun? Welcome them into the forest. They’ll be safe there.”
“I’ll take care of it, sir!” Yeun called, bounding toward the group, his ostrich leaping behind him.
Chouquette climbed onto Lempicka’s shoulder, purring softly against her cheek, while Éclair, eyes misted, raised his head toward the star I had set in the sky, silent in respect. Lempicka wrapped her arms around herself. She breathed deep, then finally lifted her gaze to me.
“What are you going to do now, Arawn?”
Her eyes pressed on me, insistent, as though she feared I would vanish back into shadow. As though she still believed I could exist anywhere without her.
“Isn’t it obvious?”
I turned to my Sugarplum. And, without looking away, I knelt before her—because she had already brought me to my knees long before I ever hit the ground.
“I will do everything to be worthy of being your sorcerer and… more.”
Lempicka raised a brow, unimpressed. “So you are capable of some semblance of humility?”
“Don’t get used to it,” I shot back with a sharp smile. “But I’ll spend the rest of my life being worthy of your heart, as you’ve been of my hearts.”
For today, I was not. Not yet. And somewhere above us, the star I had hung in the sky seemed to agree.
Then, slowly, she reached out and brushed my hand with her fingertips.
“Then fight,” she murmured, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. “I had to work hard to earn your hearts. There’s no way you’re getting mine so easily. It might take… years. I’m not making it easy for you!”
A low, rough laugh slipped from me. I should have expected it.
“Years, huh…” I caught her hand and, without warning, pulled her into my arms. “Lucky for you, I’m a patient sorcerer. I’d wait centuries if I had to.”
I brushed a strand of hair from her face, traced her cheek with my fingers, while she gave me a playful tap on the hand.
“I don’t recall authorizing that kind of behavior.”
I pressed my lips tight, released her from my hold, and rose to my feet. “I won’t let you go, Sugarplum, so make me suffer, torment me, because I will not give up. Never.”
Not until I was worthy for her to be mine.
“And where do you plan to start?” she asked.
