18. Ethan

Chapter 18

Ethan

I’m floating somewhere and all the memories of Wick flood back stronger than before. Love spreads over my chest. In my heart. Faintly somewhere he calls to me, but I don’t know where he is. Where I am. I have a feeling someone lied to me about how long I had before the magic broke me down. My body tingles all over and my mind is washed with images of Wick.

Always smiling in my dreams, my pretty demon.

Age 16

Like always, I bring my homework to my summoning. One day I’ll wear Wick down before I turn eighteen, but what’s two more years? It’s no hardship to see him every day. But what does it matter how old I am? I yawn as the last summoning word leaves my lips.

“You should rest,” Wick says the moment he sees me.

“I have too much to study for finals. Unless…” I wiggle my brows, making him chuckle.

“No. The answer will always be no until you turn eighteen.”

I whip out my thick blanket from my tote bag and lay it on the ground before plopping down on my stomach as per my daily ritual. Another yawn escapes.

“Ethan. You really should rest. You study too much.” Wick brushes hair from my forehead.

“Gotta study.”

“Please, just a little nap for me. I’ll wake you up in ninety minutes.”

“Thirty.” Another yawn.

“Seventy-five.”

Ethan shakes his head. “Forty-five.”

“Sixty. And that’s the lowest I’ll go. You need sleep. I don’t know what time Cordia makes you wake up to get everything done, but you’re not sleeping enough.”

“Four am,” I mumble. “But I need to study, then do a few chores, go to school, study more ? —”

“Ethan.” Wick drops to his bottom. “Your homework will still be there when you wake up and I’ll help you. But ? —”

“Okay,” I whisper.

“Good.” He pats his lap. I lay my head on his thighs and I have to will myself to keep calm. “Sleep.” His rough fingers massage my scalp and he sways softly. Every touch makes me fall deeper in love with this demon. My heart.

“Sixty minutes,” I say, and it’s the last thing I remember before his gentle caress on my cheek wakes me.

Age 17

I’m later than usual. After graduation, Cordia insisted on a party and I never wanted out of there so fast. Florence had to go home after an hour, which made the next two more hours unbearable.

I cast the salt circle and summon Wick. I laugh when he materializes. He’s wearing a party hat and holding a cupcake and gift bag.

“Happy graduation!” Wick passes me the cupcake. “Do I call you Doctor Ethan now?” He tips his head and I snort.

“Please don’t call me doctor. How long did you stay like that, waiting for me?” I lick the pink icing covered in colorful sprinkles. It’s innocent, but his eyes narrow on my tongue and he swallows.

“Just a few hours. I knew you’d call me sometime and wanted to be ready.”

“I love you. I don’t say it often enough.” I offer him the cupcake and he tentatively gives the icing a lick, but nudges it back to me.

“You say it to me every day.” His tail wraps around my waist and pulls me close. “And I love you, my little witch.” He rubs his nose against mine.

I so badly want to kiss him, but I don’t think he’s ready, and that’s fine. I’ll wait forever for him to be ready and if he never is, that’s fine, too.

Turning 18

I glare at the watch face, willing time to go faster.

“So close,” I say. “So fucking close.”

“Then you’ll be free.”

“And we can be together.” I swallow as the final countdown starts.

“Ten,” Wick says.

“Nine.”

“Eight.” Wick squeezes my hand.

“Seven.” I start bouncing on my toes.

“Six.”

“Five.” My heart pounds.

“Four.” I get another squeeze.

“Three.”

“Two.” I suck in a breath.

“O—”