4. Warwick

Chapter 4

Warwick

I’m mixing the latest cookie batter in a bowl with Poe watching on. We’re in my apartment kitchen in the demon realm and I love how the threads of magic outside make me feel powerful. I enjoy the human realm, but it reminds me of Ethan and how I can’t fucking find him no matter what I do.

“Are you going to tell me why you asked for an audience or just make me watch you make cookies all night long?”

I sigh and set aside the batter. Poe’s red eyes dart to the whisk, and I had it over to him. His long tongue snakes out to find all the bits of batter and chocolate chips still stuck to the metal. If my brother were here, I’m sure he’d cat call Poe, but I don’t exactly find the tongue action hot. Not from Poe anyway. He cocks a brow as if he’s waiting for me.

“I need advice.”

“Stop thinking about Ethan.”

My cheeks blaze so hot I can probably bake the cookies with touch alone. “That’s not the advice I’m looking for.”

“The batter is good, so as long as you don’t over bake the cookies, they’ll taste fantastic.”

“Again not…”

Poe grins as he hands the whisk back to me. “I know.”

“I have a few more weeks of freedom before you send me back to my crossroads.”

He nods, and this time waits for me to continue.

“What would you do if you were me?”

Poe shrugs and spins on his stool a few times. “Dunno. I’ve been a crossroads demon, then the king, for centuries. It’s all I know.”

“I had hoped I’d find Ethan by now, but Cordia has every resource blocked. What has her so fucking scared?”

“You were planning on taking him away from her.”

“No, I was planning on freeing him and Florence from their arranged marriage. They weren’t planning on leaving. I just?—”

Poe lays his hand on top of mine. “As the king of crossroads demons, I have privy to all deals that take place.”

“Right. But what does that have to do with anything?”

“You know how Pike’s first deal was a soul?”

I nod. It made him practically royalty at the same time and made him an outcast. Only Van, Poe, and I were friendly with him until Lark came around. The Fae totally changed his world, then set him free. Jealousy tries to rage in my heart. I’ve come to love my freedom over the last year. I want it forever, but I’ve never told anyone that, not even Ethan.

“Pike’s deal was with Cordia.”

I suck in a breath and shake my head.

“She gave him her soul to have a grandchild that’s the most powerful witch the world has ever seen. What she didn’t anticipate was the magic being so volatile because one person isn’t supposed to contain that much magic.”

“Pike wouldn’t have?—”

“No one knew the effect that much magic would have on a human born witch.”

“He never told me.” Why didn’t he tell me?

“Ethan marrying someone and binding the magic means he’ll live. Cordia discovered if he’s not bound by the time he’s twenty-five he’ll be torn apart by the very magic she sold her soul for.”

“If he doesn’t get married now, basically he’s signing his death certificate.”

“Exactly. It’s a year earlier than he needs, but apparently he’s been stubborn about getting married before.”

The laugh bubbles out without permission. “You know what his deal was going to be? He wanted me to take away his magic. It’d free him of the marriage and obligation to produce heirs. It’d free Florence, but he’s sure their father would find another witch to marry them off to for heirs. Florence is powerful in their own right.”

“They are, but it’s natural. And Ethan, had Cordia left things alone, would have been powerful, and that’s why the extra magic isn’t good for him. Cordia gave him a pendant to wear that helps with the effects.”

“I hate her.”

“I know. She plays dirty.”

“I can save them both.”

“Wick.” Poe waves to the batter. “I’m not sure anyone can. It’s not something to dwell on right now. Enjoy your time off. You deserve it.”

I pull the bowl closer again and grab two spoons from the drawer at my side. His eyes light up when I pass him one. We both sink our spoons into the batter at the same time. The oven dings now the pre-heat is over. We each dip balls of cookie dough onto my prepared tray.

“Maybe you need a real vacation. Go someplace new. Someplace you’ve never been.”

I shake my head. What if Ethan shows up? I can’t risk it.

“Just a thought.” Poe smirks, probably knowing exactly what I’m thinking. “You really have become a better cook.”

“I’m enjoying it. It was the only thing I could think of.”

“Gabe tried to teach Van how to knit.” Poe chuckles as he licks his spoon clean.

“I remember. And I don’t think it’s for me, though it seems Lark has taken to it.”

“Lark’s sweet. So is Gabe.”

“I like them both a lot. Pike and Van deserve them.” Though my heart aches because maybe it’s selfish, but I deserve love like they have, too. I’ve followed every rule. Done everything asked of me. I deserve to have my Ethan.

Poe’s hand falls on mine again. “You’ll find someone.”

I pull away from him and slide the tray of cookies into the oven. “I don’t want someone . I want Ethan.”

“Have you considered perhaps Ethan really did run away? Maybe he does want to marry Florence and have lots of screaming babies.”

“ No. That’s not Ethan.”

“Not the Ethan you know.”

“That’s not Ethan. Ethan is the sweetest, goofiest guy in the world. And he’s mine. He wants to teach potions and live in a house that has a huge library where he has to use those rolling ladders. He wants to run around naked in a meadow and howl at the full moon like he’s a werewolf, just because he thinks it’ll be fun. He?—”

Poe raises a hand to stop me. “It’s been six years. He’s all grown up. You don’t know him anymore.”

I grip the counter top. My knees threaten to buckle and my heart shatters.

I don’t know him anymore.

I don’t know him anymore.

I don’t know him anymore.

Poe moves faster than I can see and catches me before I drop to the floor.

“I don’t know him anymore,” I whisper as the king holds me close and rocks with me.

“Shhh. Everything is going to be okay. Want me to call your brother?”

I shake my head. “Van and Gabe are the last people I need right now.” They’re so in love they’ll make me feel worse. I don’t need to watch them dote over me like the sweet couple they are. Gabe really pulled out the softness of my brother and I love him for it, but those two are the last people I need right now.

“Okay. Okay. I understand.” Poe helps me to the stools on the other side of the counter, then grabs me a water bottle from the fridge. “I’m sorry to be so harsh, but you’ve kept this image of him in your head for six years. He’s not going to be the same person you fell in love with.”

“I wasn’t thinking.”

“The two of you were so young when you met.”

“He was my first summons. I didn’t even like him at first.”

“I remember.” Poe chuckles. “You were infuriated he kept coming back every single day and there wasn’t anything I could do about it.”

“He grew on me.” The more I got to know him, the more I realized I’d fallen in love.

“I’m glad he did, but maybe…” Poe looks away. “Maybe it’s time to let him go?”

“No,” it comes out in a whisper. “Not yet.”

Warwick—Age 15, One day after first summoning

He’s back. I watch, stunned, as Ethan Speller once again sets up a summoning circle and offers blood. He’s already summoned me to the circle and I’m still blinking back at him.

“Told you I’d be back. So…”

“Still can’t.” I shake my head and take a step back. “You don’t have to make everything all fancy, you know. Just salt, blood, and words is all it takes.”

His cheeks go pink. “Good to know.”

“Go away. I can’t help you.”

Ethan looks around and plops down. “Brought homework and it’s such a pretty day, don’t you think?” He pulls a huge tome from his bag, maneuvers on to his stomach, and flips open the book. His legs kick as he turns the pages until he finds the one he wants and lays a crystal on both pages to keep them from fluttering in the wind. Next, he digs around in his bag again to pull out a notebook and pen. I half expected him to use a feathered pen, but it’s a regular ballpoint.

I poof back behind the veil to watch him. For the next several hours, he hums as he studies. What the hell?