Page 23 of A Witch’s Guide to Love and Poison

23

B isma returned home to get dressed and arrived shortly after Luna.

‘How was it?’ Bisma asked Luna, who was in the kitchen with Mei. They were making hot chocolate, and their home was thick with the sweet smell.

Luna giggled at Bisma, which adequately answered Bisma’s question.

Bisma squealed.

‘How was it for you?’ Luna asked.

Bisma smiled.

Now it was Luna’s turn to squeal.

Mei giggled, looking between the pair of them, the three sisters positively giddy.

‘I need a complete and total debrief,’ Luna said, pouring hot chocolate into three mismatched mugs. Mei topped them with whipped cream, while Bisma reached for the jar of marshmallows.

‘You first,’ Bisma said.

The three of them grabbed their mugs and sat down on the sofa, Mei between Luna and Bisma, all their legs pulled up and over one another. With a pang, Bisma wished all her sisters were present, but she was thankful these two were at least.

As if having the same thought, Mei said, ‘Azalea will be so jealous to be missing the gossip.’ Her tone was teasing yet sad.

‘Nori would be jealous to be missing the chocolate,’ Luna added.

‘And Deebs would just want cuddles,’ Bisma said, reaching for both her sisters’ hands.

They all sighed.

Luna cleared her throat. ‘Baji, you were right,’ Luna said. ‘I wasn’t giving Haru enough credit—he is wonderful. Just … wonderful.’

‘Aw, Lulu,’ Bisma said. ‘Details, please. I need all of them.’

And so Luna recounted every word she and Haru had shared, along with every expression, and about five interpretations for various key moments throughout the encounter. By the time she was finished, their mugs were long empty.

‘Now tell me all about Xander!’ Luna ordered.

‘We talked and … we’re going out for dinner tonight,’ she said, hiding her face as Luna and Mei squealed.

‘When?’ Luna asked.

‘At seven.’

‘WHAT?’ Mei cried. ‘That’s in an hour! We need to get you ready!’

They rushed Bisma up to her room, where Luna pulled out dresses and ribbons as Mei did Bisma’s hair. As Bisma got ready, she felt a little guilty; should she be going at all? When her sisters were sick?

But taking a break would help her think better, and an hour or two wouldn’t be the end of the world. The freeze potion was holding up, even if the poison was slowly spreading. Bisma watched it every day, tracking its movement.

When she was ready, Mei and Luna walked her down the stairs of the treehouse—giggling profusely—from where she kissed them goodbye before walking to the end of the Forest on her own. She passed through the thinning fog to find Xander waiting for her.

He looked unbearably handsome, dressed smartly in a charcoal gray suit that complemented every line of his body. When he saw her approaching, he broke into a dazzling smile, which he tried to bite back but couldn’t—he was giddy, and the sight made her giddy as well.

‘Well met, Bis,’ Xander said, handing her a bouquet of lilacs that matched the light purple embroidery on her plum-purple dress.

‘Hi,’ she said, pressing the flowers to her nose.

He looked over her shoulders. ‘Your sisters aren’t with you? I was hoping to meet them properly.’

‘Oh … um, no,’ she replied.

‘I’m still not allowed to meet them?’

‘You have met some of them,’ she said. ‘You get to meet them every day!’

He gave her a dark look. ‘Them being poisoned and asleep in my greenhouse does not count, Bisma.’

She knew it didn’t, but she was still hesitant to introduce him to her sisters.

‘I’ll wear you down someday,’ he said, bouncing back with a smile. ‘Now, shall we go?’

He offered her his arm, which she took, the fabric of his jacket soft under her hand. Warmth radiated from him, and she found herself drawing closer. With her other hand, she held the lilacs, the sweet smell drifting to her nose every now and then.

They walked to town, and she tried to mask her anxiety and excitement by looking at anything other than him: the trees, which were nearly bare of leaves now; the buildings, which were mostly closed for the night; the well, the waters of which were strangely murky.

‘Right this way,’ Xander said, as they arrived at their destination. He held the door open for her.

She should have figured he would bring her here. It was the only tavern in town and was frequented by most villagers, which was why when they entered, it was entirely packed.

The sight of so many villagers made her immediately don her harshest scowl and nastiest glare. Her heart beat fast, and she tensed, on guard.

When Xander entered behind her, Bisma felt everyone turn to look, a gasp going through the crowd. More than a few people looked at the bouquet of flowers in her hands, then turned to whisper to one another. She bit the inside of her cheek.

She was so used to being alone with Xander in the greenhouse that she didn’t realize how this would feel, for everyone to see her with the town’s precious golden boy. Embarrassed for some reason, she felt like she did not belong, that she had somehow tricked Xander into bringing her here.

Then a worse thought came: did they all think it was like how it was with Gregory? That she was being … conquered?

She swore she heard someone snickering.

Bisma turned back to look at Xander, who seemed to be enjoying the attention. He put a hand on her back, a self-satisfied smile on his face.

She bristled at the sight. Without another word, she pushed past him and stormed out.

‘Bis, what’s wrong?’ he cried, following her. He sounded confused, but really, he could not be so thick.

She threw the flowers on the ground.

‘Where are you going?’ He jogged up to catch her, grabbing her arm. ‘Bisma.’

‘Why did you bring me here?’ Her voice broke.

‘Um, it’s the only decent place to eat,’ he said. ‘I thought you’d be more comfortable there than at a formal dinner with my parents.’

‘No, that’s not why.’ She shook her head. ‘You wanted them to see me with you.’

He blinked. ‘Well … yeah.’

She let out a scoff. He wasn’t even ashamed!

‘I knew this was a bad idea,’ she said, her voice hardening. ‘I’m going home. Don’t follow me.’

‘Bis, wait!’

She whirled on him. ‘Why?’

‘Of course I wanted people to see you with me—look at you.’

‘Now you’re being cruel.’ Unbearably, her eyes welled with tears. ‘I know what I am. I’m the monster in the wood, the Unwanted Witch. I know what I am.’

‘No, I don’t think you do.’ He stepped closer. ‘Look at you! You’re stunning. Fit to be worshipped.’

Those words stopped her in her tracks. They sounded familiar, but she couldn’t recall why. Her cheeks warmed.

‘I wanted everyone to see you were with me so they could witness my good fortune,’ he said, face gentle. ‘I wanted them all to be jealous—you’re the prettiest girl in town.’

She rolled her eyes. ‘You are so full of shit.’

His mouth fell open as if he couldn’t believe she thought he was lying.

‘Bisma, I am being deathly serious,’ he said, his eyes vividly green. ‘You’re … breathtaking. As in you literally take my breath away every single time I look at you, worse when you look at me. It’s better than magic, that gaze of yours.’

She didn’t believe him, how could she? Xander couldn’t mean all those words, not about her anyway. She crossed her arms, scowling.

He let out a frustrated sound. ‘I don’t understand why you’re upset,’ he said.

‘Of course you don’t!’ she snapped.

He flinched. ‘I’m not him . Please don’t punish me for what he did,’ he said, sounding angry.

This time she was the one who flinched.

Then something changed in his expression. His face softened as if he realized something. ‘Don’t punish yourself, either, Bis,’ he said.

She shook her head, hearing but not truly understanding what he was saying. She wouldn’t look at him.

‘It is not your fault you loved an idiot who did not deserve even a fraction of your affection,’ he said.

But it was her fault. It was completely, entirely her own fault.

‘Let me let you down,’ Xander implored.

‘What?’ She brought her gaze back to him.

He sucked in a breath. ‘Disappointment is inevitable,’ he said. ‘I can’t promise that I’ll never upset you. But allow me to make amends, allow me to improve, allow me to be better. Let me let you down, if only so I can pick you up again. Please, Bis. Just give me a chance.’

His voice was a whisper on those last words, as though he was praying.

She bit her bottom lip, thinking about it, even though she didn’t want to think; she just wanted to say yes and yes and yes to everything he ever said, ever asked of her.

But she didn’t trust herself enough for that yet. So she thought. And thought. And thought again.

‘Alright,’ she finally said, releasing a long breath.

A smile broke out across his face. He held a hand to his heart. ‘Phew.’ Catching his breath, he fanned himself.

She rolled her eyes; the dramatics never ceased with this one.

Tilting her head back, she looked up at the stars. It was a bit cloudy, but she could still see a few between the clouds, shining bright.

Xander tipped his head back to look as well, and she took the opportunity to look at him unobserved: the long column of his pale throat, the sharp line of his jaw, the tilt of his mouth. His bright eyes.

Fondness crept into her heart, spreading across her chest. She was overwhelmed by the urge to hold his face in her hands, to look at him, to just look.

‘I’m sorry,’ she said.

His brows knit. ‘For what?’

‘For storming out like that.’ Her gaze went to the lilacs on the ground. ‘And for throwing away your flowers.’

‘Don’t worry, silly. I’m a garden-witch, remember?’ he said, stepping toward her. ‘I’ll grow you new flowers—I’ll grow you flowers forever.’

‘And thank you,’ she whispered. He brought his gaze to hers, and a current ran through her. ‘For what you said.’ She swallowed. ‘For thinking I’m pretty.’

‘Pretty is an understatement,’ he said, taking a step closer.

Her breath hitched.

He ran his knuckles down her cheek, and she leaned into his touch. ‘That’s like calling the stars pretty.’

His hand opened, his thumb rubbing against her jaw as he cupped her face in his hand. He stepped closer, his voice lowering, and she felt the heat of his skin filling the space around her, banishing the cold night. She wanted to tuck herself into him, to wrap herself in him so tight she could never be extricated.

‘“Ethereal” is a bit more accurate,’ he whispered.

His gaze went to her mouth, and he released a slow sigh. Her body pulsed in anticipation as they grew nearer, cheeks almost touching. They were breathing the same air now, lips mere inches apart.

All it would take was one step … just one—

‘Baji!’

Bisma whirled to see Luna. Her stomach lurched.

‘What is it?’ Bisma ran to her sister.

‘It’s happened again,’ Luna said, catching her breath. ‘Why does this keep happening? Why won’t it stop!’

Bisma grabbed Luna by the shoulders. ‘Luna, what’s happened again?’

‘Mei,’ she sobbed. ‘She’s been poisoned again.’