Chapter 13

Aurora

ROWAN HEADS BACK DOWN brOOKSIDE Road while the sun is still high in the sky, leaving me watching as his fire-red hair disappears into the forest. After he’s gone, I return to my work in the garden, but even pulling weeds and having my hands in the soil is not enough to keep my mind from him.

I’m not quite sure how I let myself fall for two men, but now that I’ve had them both, I want them more than ever. The idea of having to give either of them up makes my stomach twist painfully.

I’m on my knees beside the bed of potatoes, working my fingers through the soil to pluck out thin green weeds, when I feel a presence behind me. Without even turning to look, I smile.

“Where have you been?” I ask.

“Around,” Harrison replies. “That man kept trying to touch me.”

I glance up at him. He’s sitting on the edge of one of the garden beds, watching a bee as it buzzes around the young plants. Looking at Harrison, I get the feeling that he’s never struggled to be sure of who he is and of how he chooses to move through the world. He just is , and I’ve always admired that about him.

With a sigh, I abandon weeding and take a seat on the warm ground, leaning back against the raised bed for support. “What do you think I should do?” I ask.

“About what?”

“About Alden and Rowan.” I pluck a sprig of grass from the ground beside me and twist it around in my fingers, watching the way it gleams in the sunlight.

“I don’t understand,” Harrison says after a moment.

“I want them both.” I look over at him, but he’s still watching the bee. “Is that a bad thing? Am I wrong for these feelings?”

Harrison’s answer comes swiftly and with resolve. “No.” When I keep staring at him, he finally pulls his attention away from the buzzing insect and focuses it on me. “Perception of good or bad, right or wrong, is subjective.”

I turn his words over in my head for a moment. “So... you’re saying I choose for myself?”

He licks his paw and drags it over his ear. “Precisely.”

“Hmm.” I press my palm into the warm grass, letting my mind wander. Why can’t I care for two men? Why should I feel wrong for wanting to nurture the feelings I have for them both? As long as I’m open and honest with them and let them choose for themselves, maybe I shouldn’t worry so much about what others might think or what tradition dictates.

A small smile curls across my lips, and I look over at Harrison once more. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He yawns, showing his sharp white teeth. Then his ear flicks, and he glances over his shoulder. “Someone is coming up the lane.”

“Is it Alden?” I ask, gathering up my skirt and getting to my feet.

“No. The footsteps are too light.” He listens for another moment. “I believe it’s the postboy.”

Excitement bubbles inside me like a creamy soup simmering over the flames. I hurriedly walk from the garden and around the front of the cottage, and just as I pause at the front porch, the gleaming blond hair of the young mail carrier appears through the trees.

“Hello, Harry!” I call out, waving as he approaches.

He hastens his pace, big mailbag thumping against his hip. When he comes to stand before me, he’s slightly out of breath, and his cheeks are tinged with red from the summer sun.

“Got a letter for ya,” he says. Flipping open the top of his bag, he riffles through the colorful envelopes before stopping on one and pulling it out. “From your sister.” He hands it over with a big smile.

The envelope is thick and has an almost silky texture. The dark blue parchment has been scrawled on in glittering silver ink; Selene is the only person I know who writes on blue paper with silver ink. Must be the lunar energy inside her.

Harry stands there before me, lingering, and I realize with a jolt why he’s not yet departed. It’s become our ritual to have sun tea together before he heads on his way.

“Lavender or green?” I ask as I turn back toward the cottage.

He tips his head thoughtfully, then offers another smile. “Lavender, definitely.”

Once Harry has vanished back down Brookside Road, rejuvenated for the rest of his mail route, I take a seat at the table in the garden, Selene’s letter sitting on the table before me. Receiving correspondence from her has become one of the things I look forward to most. As I lift my gleaming silver letter opener and slide it through the thick parchment, excitement thrums through my veins.

Dearest Little Sister,

I’m delighted to hear you’ve finally recognized your feelings for Alden. I knew from that first letter you sent that he’d be someone special to you. I can’t wait to meet him myself. No man has ever captured my sister’s heart; he must be a rare breed indeed.

How was the Beltane celebration? I know how much you’ve missed the Maypole dance. Perhaps next summer we can visit and celebrate together.

Speaking of which, Wyland and I have already begun making preparations to visit you for Samhain—and don’t you tell me I shouldn’t travel in my “condition.” Goddess knows I need to get out of Wysteria every now and then, and perhaps the little one will be here by autumn. Mother hasn’t yet decided if she’ll be joining us. I hope this won’t put you out—at least too much.

I miss you, my little Aurora. It’s been too long since I’ve seen your precious freckled face.

Tell Harrison I love him and plan to bring him all his favorite snacks. And write back soon! Don’t make me go weeks without word from you.

All my love,

Selene

I lower the letter with trembling hands and a pattering of my heart in my chest. Selene is coming to visit! And for Samhain no less! I’d already planned on a special ritual in hopes of connecting with Auntie, but with Selene here, we’ll have twice the power and twice the chance of getting through the veil.

So caught up in my joy, I’m surprised when a shadow falls over the garden table. Looking up, I find Alden standing there, his dark curls pulled back in a knot atop his head, his brown eyes vibrant in the summer sun.

“What have you got there, little witch?” he asks, dropping his tool belt to the ground before taking a seat across from me.

“Selene is coming to visit! Here, look!” I pass him the letter, my mind already running with ideas of how to prepare for my sister’s arrival.

A furrow forms in Alden’s brow, and he arches an eyebrow as he glances up at me.

“What?” I ask.

“What did you tell your sister about me in your first letter?”

A wave of embarrassment goes through me, and it warms my cheeks. I was so excited that I forgot the first few lines in the letter. “Oh, um... just that you were nettling, I think.” I flash him an innocent smile.

“Nettling?” He sets the letter on the table, his fingers drumming out a rhythm on the surface.

“I mean, in my defense, you were . All that mumbling and grumbling...”

I can tell he’s trying to hold back a smile even as he lets out a heavy sigh.

“Well, I suppose it can’t be helped,” he says, pushing up from the table with a grunt.

“What can’t?” I tip my head back to look up at him.

Without answering, he stoops and sweeps me into his arms and tosses me over his broad shoulder.

“Hey!” I squeak, dangling from his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. “What are you doing?”

“Taking you to the river,” he says, already heading in the direction of the woods.

“What? Why?”

“I’m so nettling , I’m going to toss you in.”

“No!” My protest comes out as a squeal. “That water is freezing cold!” From upside down, I spot Harrison sitting on the stairs leading up to the kitchen door. “Harrison, help!” I call out to him.

But instead of helping, he trots along behind us, looking much too smug about this situation. I try to send him a glare, but bouncing around against Alden’s back, I’m not so sure I achieve it.

“I’m so going to get you back for this,” I grumble to Alden.

His back rumbles with a laugh. “Whatever you say, little witch.”