Page 29 of Bewitched By the Voodoo King (The Bewitching Hour #7)

Babette was a pest I’d been looking to squash for a long time.

She put on a good show, and if she hadn’t been such a jealous creature and so manipulative while we were together, I probably would have married her.

She was a powerful diviner witch, but she just couldn’t see past her own ego.

She was selfish, catty, and petty. Not a single one of those traits needed to belong to the future Voodoo Queen.

She was fun and the sex wasn’t bad, but the rest of her was poison.

I was glad I saw it before it was too late.

Hearing the nasty things she said to Maple made me see red like never before.

I couldn’t believe she had the nerve to try to sway the coven against me in such a manner. I should have known better.

“Rune,” my mother’s voice was commanding through the space, though she smiled.

It was enough to stop Babette in her tracks, but keep everyone else placated.

She was happy with my response but not thrilled with Babette’s presence.

If Babette continued to live in the compound after this, I would be shocked.

The rest of her family already lived in the Quarter; she didn’t have to stay here.

The only reason she had was because of me.

Her family was in attendance tonight, and I wondered if it was their gazes I could feel piercing the side of my face. “May we speak?”

I dipped my head. “Of course, Mother.”

Gently, I tugged on Maple’s fingers, but she shook her head and hung back.

She was welcome to hear whatever it was my mother was going to say, but I respected her need to keep her distance.

I hadn’t done a good job of making her feel welcome, and then I’d proclaimed things I hadn’t ever said to her in private.

Knots tangled in my stomach as I left her in the arms of Adelle and followed my mother away from the ball.

My mother was usually a free spirit. She loved her incense and her fun colors. She was never one to conform to what anyone else expected of her. She was a wise woman with many talents, and as I watched her retreating form, I wondered who I was more like—her or my father.

Her head was held high, and her shoulders were back as she marched down the long hallway. When she stopped, I met her curious stare as she turned back to me.

“You have come a long way in such a short time,” I had no idea where she was going to go with this. “But it is probably time that you take up the mantle that I usually carried. Though I love my lavish parties and planning them, it is no longer in my place to stand and address our coven.”

Everything I could have said didn’t feel right. What did this mean? I knew I was technically the Voodoo King, but this felt different… Strange. Like she was preparing to leave.

I blinked. Maybe she was. Maybe there was nothing left for her soul here now that my father was gone.

Instead of waiting for me to reply, she continued.

“I know this transition hasn’t been easy on you.

No one is prepared for the paperwork that comes with leading people, but you have done it with grace and dignity.

Your father would be proud,” her eyes shone with unshed tears.

“I know you were hoping to sneak off with your wife tonight, but tomorrow is the full moon.” She reached forward and linked her fingers through mine.

“Tomorrow we fight and we will win. I don’t know what you have planned, but we will bring our people to greatness again.

Which means, tonight, you must address your coven.

You must give them hope for their future. ”

I closed my eyes for a brief moment. As if the pressing weight on my shoulders couldn’t get any heavier, here it was… that much heavier. I gritted my teeth in frustration and some fear, but I didn’t deny her. I would never.

“Does this mean that everything will be passed over to Maple, as well?” Maple wasn’t anywhere near ready for this.

My mother watched me with calm and loving eyes. “Yes, eventually. But not now. I will continue to plan and throw the parties. I will be here for the both of you, but I will do it from the backseat. It isn’t my place to make decisions for this coven anymore.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She patted my cheek affectionately and turned to walk back to the party.

“What do I say to them?”

Her lips twisted mischievously. “I’m sure you’ll think of something. Come on, you have a speech to give.”