Chapter 30

CHAPTER THIRTY

WREN

B y the time the book discussion wraps up, the fire's nearly burned itself to embers in the hearth, the once-laden table now nearly bare of all the pastries and cheese and fruit.

Although I'm fairly certain the familiars helped lighten it, it's still impressive.

Despite the fact I've been distracted and blushing for the past three hours, not to mention sore even in the plush chair, I've enjoyed listening to everyone else talk.

It's shocking.

I've enjoyed being a part of this group, even if I was basically on the fringes of it, and warmth spreads across my chest at the knowledge.

There was no pretense, no snide comments or sneers. No mean whispers or pointed observations, not even one rude look.

It's so completely different than the groups I tried to fit in with in the city, especially in my old coven, that I'm not sure what to do with myself.

It's hard to believe it's even possible—that a group of so many different species from so many walks of life could get along in such a way, brought together to discuss this romance novel.

The satyress waves at me as she leaves, the human couple also calling out their farewells as the door to The Listening Page closes behind them.

A steady patter of rain begins to fall on the bookstore's windows, and the human men laugh as they run past, attempting to outrun the gathering storm.

"What did you think?" Ruby's standing in front of me, a wide smile on her face. She pushes her glasses up on her nose, clutching her copy of the book to her chest. Maximilian winds around her ankles. Fenn jumps on my lap, yipping at the cat, who simply gives him a baleful look until Fenn quiets, twitching.

"It was… perfect." I'm embarrassed to tell her I was so anxious about it, but I can't deny I'm relieved. So relieved. "Everyone was so nice."

"Not always," Nerissa chimes in, moving a platter out of the way to sit on the table. "They're not always nice."

"Who is?" Willow asks her tartly, flipping her auburn hair over her shoulder. "No one is always nice, Nerissa."

"I didn't mean anything by it," Nerissa snipes back.

I sigh, somewhat used to their bickering but annoyed all the same.

"Not everything is a question of the balance of light and dark," Nerissa continues, clearly ruffled, though about what, I have no idea.

"Enough," Piper thunders. The typically sugary-sweet Piper stands in front of the fire, her arms crossed over her chest, and despite her petite size, she radiates power.

Strength.

Nerissa and Willow fall quiet, sufficiently chastised.

Ruby claps her hands twice, and the five of us focus on her.

"It's high time Wild Oak Woods had a coven, don't you think?" Ruby asks, but there's no real question attached.

"I have the paperwork for us to get established. I had it drawn up a long time ago, actually…" She clears her throat, a strange expression on her face. "Now is the time, though."

"Now is the time," Nerissa agrees, nodding dramatically. "Change is coming."

"Change is here," Willow says, but she's not arguing. "It's time."

The four of them look at me, and I realize they're waiting for me to weigh in. I've been a part of this group for longer than I knew, and suddenly, I wonder at Caelan's claims to be servant to the whims of fate.

Certainly, this group, these women… this feels as meant to be as he and I.

"I agree. It's time."

My heart thrums in my chest as Piper pulls out the paperwork that will establish us as an official coven in the kingdom.

Willow's right. Change is here.

The question I keep coming back to, though, is what is driving it?