Page 44 of The Autumn Leaf Bookshop (Everly Hollow #1)

Speechless

Sylas

M y magic is improving, slowly, but it’s there. The power of my magic simmers in my blood and radiates on my skin. I’m used to the sensation. It becomes a part of me.

However, now that my power is equivalent to a half-charged battery, I can feel it, the hum that only I can hear in my ears. The power of it all radiates through my soul. It’s as if it is a separate entity, but we are one. It needs me as much as I need it.

Ever since I turned my mind to see the positive in my life, and not all the seasonal fuckery things seemed to look up.

All I had to do was turn my focus onto seeing Raene, holding her, touching her, and doing all the things I hoped and imagined during this time, to her . On my birthday. I wanted to see her smile and hear her laugh. To wake up in the morning and see her sleeping beside me.

I opened up the shop the following Monday after talking to her and carried on as normal. I was able to find a way to cast a glamour, so no one knew that anything was out of the ordinary. Having magic that isn’t at its best and casting a glamour that large was a little draining.

I want things to seem a bit normal, even if I was putting a Band-Aid on it temporarily. But I felt better, the tree didn’t lose much more leaves, but it wasn’t really replenishing any either. I want a break from it all. It’s one thing after another. I need this break. I want to see my girl.

Finally, it’s Saturday, and today, I like Saturdays . Today is the day, and nothing is going to stop me from going. I need this Saturday to go better. I have my bag packed, and Nim will be fine here. I’m not sure there is anything more dangerous than a dragon in Everly Hollow. A small one at that.

“I heard that.”

I laugh at his response as I shuffle around the shop, making sure everything is in order and as it should be for my return.

It’s the first time in a while I’ve been away from home.

Besides seeing my parents, now I have another good reason to step outside of this enchanted town for a while.

Grabbing my bag, I turn to leave, ready more than anything.

I’m just one step closer.

“What the hell—!” My foot hovers over a small cardboard box on the porch. It catches me by surprise, and I move my foot to the side so as not to step on it. Tossing my bag down beside me, I crouched to retrieve it, curiosity piqued.

I lift the lid, a sugary scent hits my nose. It's a cupcake.

I don’t know why, but it makes me huff out a laugh. A perfect swirl of buttercream, decorated with tiny, colorful leaf-shaped sprinkles—red, yellow, and orange. I reach in, pulling out the slip of paper lying face down beside the cupcake.

Happy ??? Birthday Ash! You’re going to have the most amazing day. I just know it.

Love, your Goddess, Raene

I read the message again and again, and my heart flips.

Raene.

Did someone from the bakery deliver it? Is she here? Because if she is close, standing somewhere—watching.

Fucking coconuts.

She’s here.

“Ash!” I hear her voice ricochet off my heart like a boomerang.

There she is. Standing a couple of feet in front of the fountain. Wearing black leggings, her white sneakers, and a grey hoodie with a puffer vest over it.

She smiles. I see her eyes glistening from here. They’re radiant, as she sends me a small wave of her fingers, her mouth spreading in a smile that reaches her eyes.

It renders me speechless.