Chapter Twenty-Three

Nova

Once we were inside the castle, Sebastian flung August on the bed and left the room. I stared at August while he slept. He never flinched or moved. If not for the slight rise and fall of his chest, I would have assumed he was dead.

The floor might have permanent markings from my constant pacing. I couldn’t stop tugging at the cloak I wore, and it drove me crazy. Tossing the material onto the floor, I rose from the chair and moved toward the bed.

Before sitting down, I ran my hand over the sheets. I kept my boots on and laid down beside him, bringing my feet up. August was still wearing his boots. Maybe I should remove them, but I was content to stay there beside him instead.

A sensation of tightness and warmth enveloped my chest, while an intense feeling coursed through my bones. Inhaling deeply, I shifted my gaze toward August and rested my head on my hand. It wasn’t enough. My hands needed confirmation that he was there, too. I leaned forward and laid my palm over his chest. His steady heartbeat and warmth through his clothes eased my worry. Without reason, I moved closer. I rested my head against his chest and boldly placed one of my legs over his.

It still wasn’t enough. The restless energy within me felt like an insatiable hunger. I followed the contour of his nose and then his lips with my finger. His breath softly brushed against my hand. I experienced a thrilling sensation that traveled down my legs, leaving me immobile. There was throbbing in my body for a few seconds, and it was uncomfortable. I had the urge to rub my thighs together. Adding to the severity, I had the urge to rub myself against him.

August Reaper gave me a hunger that terrified me and made my body feel weird. It made me feel as if I had experienced a lifelong deprivation, not just of food.

There was a knock on the door, and I jumped to my feet.

“Nova?” It was Isabella.

When I opened the door, my shoulders relaxed. She smiled. “August is likely going to be out for a while, so I wanted to invite you to hang out with me?”

“Hang out?”

“Yes, I want you to meet my coven.”

“Other witches?”

The only witches I’d met in my life had been proxies. And all of them died before they reached puberty. There were so many spells I didn’t know. I could destroy things easily, but it would be nice to learn if I could save as well. A coven might be the perfect place.

_____

The building Isabella brought me to was dark. Lanterns floated alongside the walls, casting an eeriness to the place. Witches scrutinized me. Some peered down over the banister from the second floor as I walked beside Isabella. Others whispered in darkened corners.

“Is it true you ripped Grim’s world apart?” one dared to say before another shushed her.

“Yes.” Isabella grinned. “Nova’s magic was glorious, but don’t worry, we fixed her mistake. The woods are like new again.”

I felt my forehead wrinkle. “Glorious?”

“Yes. I’d love to do what you did to Harvest. You kept crushing him with that debris flying around.”

“You can,” I said.

“Not everyone has power like you.” Melinda had entered the room without me hearing.

While everyone greeted her by bowing their heads, I remained focused on Isabella. “You can,” I said again.

Isabella snorted. “Melinda’s right. Not everyone has magic like yours.”

“You don’t have my magic, but Harvest no longer has me,” I whispered, then my eyes widened as my words hit me like an unexpected attack. “He no longer has me.”

Suddenly, the witches and their dark home seemed so far away. My head spun. I could hear myself breathe and my heart beat. I knew I was awake, but the realization wouldn’t rest inside me. Everything felt like a dream.

I was free and surrounded by other witches. Their energy pressed against my skin and seeped into my bones. I couldn’t pinpoint what I was feeling. Then my shoulders sagged and the echo in my head stopped. They were my kind, my people. We were kindred spirits. I felt peace.

“Harvest no longer has me either,” Isabella said. “Which is bad news for him. Everyone knows you don’t anger witches.”

“Izzie, you can’t do anything if your sloth doesn’t stop babying you,” a witch piped in, and the others giggled.

“If you’re jealous, Callie, find your own mate,” Isabella countered.

Everyone laughed.

They reminded me of my family. I had never been good with jokes or having fun, but Sofia and the boys hadn’t cared. A little flutter, like magical waves, pinched my stomach. I yearned to be accepted, to have an identity, and to be Sofia’s family again.

“So, you’re the toad’s mate?” asked a cloaked witch, stepping forward.

“More like a snake,” someone whispered.

I felt a wave of relief when the woman took off her hood and chuckled. “Oh, Hades. What have you done to that poor man so long ago to make him hate witches so much?”

I arched a brow. “Huh?”

“August came here once, threatening to show his cock to everyone.”

Isabella palmed her forehead.

“And let’s not forget he tried to kidnap Isabella from his brother!” someone yelled.

I narrowed my gaze. My gut twisted with such intensity that I nearly trembled. I felt neither fear nor coldness. It was as if I wanted to battle August again.

Isabella exclaimed, “August thought I could help his curse, similar to how I helped Sebastian! It was before we discovered I was Sebastian’s marked mate.” She faced Melinda. “If people were more straightforward, we would have discovered the Reapers’ mates earlier.”

“You know why I must be careful,” Melinda replied.

Isabella sighed. “Yes. You can upset the balance or change the future. Yada, yada.”

I crossed my arms beneath my chest. “What else has my mate done?”

It didn’t escape my notice how sharp my voice got when I said my. August hadn’t lain with anyone, but he was threatening to show his private places to witches. Why? And why could I hear my blood roaring in my ears?