Page 39 of Slaying With Sylphs (Haven Ever After #6)
As I stack crystals on a new table in Alkemi’s front window, I consider how much my life has changed in the last few months. From the triplets’ first text message about finding Ever, to the thrall attack, to Leighton’s death and everything since… It’s been a whirlwind.
Some days I still think about Leighton and want to cry. He was a victim more so than me. Connall would tell me that’s not true, that I’m equally blameless, but I still struggle with it. Even the process to release him felt violent and awful to me, although Leighton seemed peaceful at the very end.
Laerith stayed an extra week and talked me through some of the mindset shift that comes with being a blue witch. Now we have weekly chats to keep in touch about my power as it grows. I can call my flames easily now, but that desire to serve, to help, to protect is growing along with it. I don’t know what will come of that, but somehow I’ll find a way to channel all that energy into something good .
Connall and Richard traveled to the haven where Leighton’s parents moved to let them know what happened in the end. I didn’t go. I thought it might be harder for them to see me, knowing my role in Leighton’s death.
But I know Connall would also tell me that healing isn’t a linear path. That I have to be gentle with myself and let the emotions flow. Experience them, let them have their moment, then allow them to move on.
“Great job, Lou.” Malik joins me to admire the window display.
“I’ve got a knack for displays,” I say with a laugh.
“Honestly, that’s a whole job you could travel around and do. Some of the other havens are pretty damn swanky, and stores pay a lot of money to designers for their window displays.”
I shrug. “I don’t think that pace of life is for me.”
Malik sighs. “Do you think you’ll have a choice?”
I set down a crystal and turn, resting against the moss-covered wall. “Evenia’s comm’d me three times this week. I haven’t answered, but I won’t be able to avoid her forever. And, truly, I feel called to help with my magic.” I consider a future where I travel around to help keep havens safe.
“I think I’d like to help, but on my terms,” I say finally.
“I’ll miss you here,” Malik says quietly. “Although Alba has agreed to come help me from time to time.”
I grin wickedly up at my boss as pale sunlight filters through the glass and highlights his elegant features. The sign painted on the front door catches my attention.
“You know what?” I look up at him with a grin. “Maybe I was always meant to be here. Alchemy is the study of turning normal things to gold through chemical processes, and that’s pretty much what happened to me here. I turned from a regular human sad girl into a blue witch. That’s worth something, right?”
Malik snorts and swishes his tail lazily. “You were always pure gold to me, Lou. You’ve been golden since the beginning, my friend. You were a treasure the day you stepped in here with Richard and inquired about the job, and you are equally a treasure now.”
My heart is full to the brim with love—for Malik, for Ever, for my nieces and my found family. For the mates I can’t get enough of.
“Lou, get your ass out here!”
The harsh command makes my magic bristle, spikes of fire emerging along my skin. I whip around to where the voice came from, only to find Bellami standing on top of a mushroom on the mushroom display in the center of the store. He taps one foot, then lifts his hand and looks dramatically at his tiny watch.
“You were supposed to be in the gnome village five minutes ago, girl. Shirking your duties already now that you’re a blue witch? Typical.” He crosses his arms.
I stalk to the tiny gnome, bending down to get in his face. “Bellami, I told you I had to finish this display today.”
He waves my comment away. “And I’d like to have a new home to bring our bride to. So can we go or what?”
A bride? A bride?? I’ve never even seen a female gnome. Gods, I have so many questions. Plus, I saw him kissing Penn?!
“Well.” I turn to Malik, but he just smiles and gestures for me to go. “Fine,” I say to Bellami. “But now that I’m a blue witch, you’re gonna need to be less bossy, or I might do something crazy.”
Malik shoves me out the door with a kiss on the cheek. Outside, Dirk and Connall stand holding hands. Dirk’s new wedding band flashes bright in the sunlight. It matches the band I designed for Connall that should be arriving any day now with a ring he picked out from a jeweler back home in Arcadia.
Connall reaches for me when I exit, but Bellami tsks at him.
“No, sir! She’s with us tonight!”
I shrug and give my mates a wink. “Sorry, boys, it’s all mushies for me for the next couple hours. Why don’t you grab a drink, and I’ll meet you at Biergarten for a late dinner?”
They grin broadly, and Dirk smiles up at Connall. “Oh, I dunno. What do yeh think, Wolf? Shall we manhandle wood for our Louanna? I’m not sure I can bear to be parted from her at the moment.”
“Yeah,” Connall rumbles with a lascivious drop of his eyes down my body. “Me neither.”
Heat flares through me as his eyes go full wolfy emerald.
“Ugh,” Bellami snorts. “Can we get going or what?”
I toss my braid over my shoulder and stick my tongue out at my mates. “Don’t forget to leave some wood for me!” I call out as they chuckle and follow.
On to the next adventure. I can’t wait.
THE END