Page 20 of Captive Witch

I cling to him, my arms and legs wrapped tightly around him, and tears prick at my eyes. My lower lip quivers as I bury my face against his neck.

“Adara…” he says, his voice gentle as he sits down on the edge of the bed. “Adara, look at me.”

I press my forehead to his shoulder, trying to hold back my tears.

“Mia fiamma, please,” he whispers, leaning back and cupping my cheek with one hand. His thumb swipes away a tear from my cheek. “I am so proud of you. Of the hard work you’ve put into training, of the confidence you’ve grown as a witch and a wolf. As my mate.” The base of his palm tilts my chin up until my tear-stained face is looking up at him. “But mostly, I’m proud of you for never giving up. You are truly my flame. Always burning, always lighting my way back home to you, always keeping this cold heart warm.”

Swallowing past the growing lump in my throat, I take a shaky breath.

“I told you so about him too,”Kaylus says.

A choked laugh escapes me, and I look at the bird sitting on the windowsill. “You told me not to go. That it was a bad idea.” A crease forms between Gideon’s brows, and I shake my head. “He said he told me so about you, but he absolutely did not.”

He smirks. “I’m grateful you didn’t listen, but the raven was right. It was a terrible idea to walk into the wolf’s den—very poor survival instincts.”

I scoff, wiping the rest of my tears from my cheeks. “You’re siding with him?”

“I would never take any side but yours,” Gideon says, trying to hide the laughter in his voice. “Have you packed?”

“Um…” I chew on my lower lip, scrunching my nose. “No?”

“You pack. I’ll make coffee.” He kisses my lips gently before standing, sitting me on the bed beside him.

I sigh, watching him walk away. “I’m going to miss you.”

He stops in the doorway, looking over his shoulder at me. “Not nearly as much as I’m going to miss you.”

I’ve never packed for a trip before, and staring at the empty backpack Gideon left for me, sitting on the floor of the closet, I realize how unprepared I am. I don’t leave until tomorrow, but it’s all so intimidating. I grab the bag and pull it onto the bed, puzzled at the sound of something inside. Reaching into the large pocket, I pull out a small, twilight colored bag with little specks of silver spackled all over it. Like tiny stars.

The bag is no bigger than my palm and is cinched shut with string. Pulling it open, I see a small piece of paper folded inside.

Mia fiamma,

I had the feeling you wouldn’t know what to do with yourself. Here’s a list of things you’ll need. I also thought you might appreciate having some crystals of your own. The only witch I’ve known carried these with her for protection. Please, humor me and wear them.

Yours eternally,

Gideon

The bottom of the note includes a list of things like clothes for each day, pajamas to wear at night, a toothbrush, my phone and its charger, and so on. I pour the contents of the small bag into my hand, and my breath catches.

Sitting in my palm on a gold chain is an amethyst crystal in the shape of a wolf. I run my fingers over its curves, the surface smooth. The second charm is a black crescent moon, smooth to the touch as well.

Obsidian,my wolf says.

I unclasp the necklace and put it on, letting the crystals rest just below the hollow of my collarbone. Closing my eyes, I sendwhispers of thanks to the gods watching over us, especially Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft.

“You found it.”

Opening my eyes, I find Gideon standing in the doorway, two steaming cups in his hands.

“It looks beautiful on you,” he says, smiling.

“Thank you. For this and the note. I… wasn’t sure what to pack at first.” I take the offered cup from his hand and sip on it.

He looks at the empty backpack still sitting beside me, raising a brow. “At first?”

I lift one shoulder. “Maybe at all, but the list does help.”

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