Page 148 of The Unbound Witch

You are quite stunning.

Turn around,

B

I whipped around just as the windows I’d been staring through flew open. His black wings, a beautiful contrast to the snowy ground, his hair pulled back into a bun, his beard carefully trimmed. He was poised and patient as he held out a hand.

“Happy Winter Solstice, Little Witch. Shall we?”

“I’ll freeze.” I laughed, moving to the window.

His eyes grazed over the tight white gown I’d chosen, trimmed in a soft fur. “I can assure you, you will not.”

Slipping my hand into his, I let him lift me from the opening, and as promised, warmth greeted me in his arms. He circled above the gathering as we searched the crowd for a witch with half white and half black hair. When he landed before her, she ran, smothering us in a group hug.

“How are you, Eden?” I asked, sweeping a glance over her shoulder to the small group of friends she’d acquired.

She beamed. “Things at home have become normal, though I’m scared to say it aloud.”

“Normal is just the thing you need,” Torryn said, joining us.

“Have you seen Nym and Kirsi?” Atty joined the fray. “I heard they’re back.”

“Not quite as observant as you were, Pup,” Kirsi said, pushing Atlas with her hip so she could pull Eden into a hug. “Thanks again for letting us stay on the mountain. It’s been just the secluded getaway we needed.”

“From Atty,” Nym followed, hugging Eden next.

“You girls are welcome anytime.”

Kirsi took Atlas’ hand and pulled him into a hug next. “Missed you, Pup.”

He beamed. “Missed you too, Ghosty.”

Bastian leaned down to whisper in my ear, dragging me from the happiness of our family. “Ready?”

A knot formed in the pit of my stomach, but I forced a smile and nodded. We had so much riding on this, I worried the king’s words would not be received openly. I worried they’d only come to pass hatred and stare at us. I worried something tragic would happen and the shifters mingling on the outskirts of the crowd would become targets. With no power at all, how would I save them?

The witches were silently watching as we made our way to the center of the gathering. Bastian dipped his chin to an older witch in front of the Fire Coven and the man cast a spell over him, amplifying his voice. I held my breath as he began.

“It’s not a small thing to travel to the center of our kingdom on the first snowfall of the year. I thank you all for coming. I know you expect us to come before you and speak of the former coven leaders, but that is not the plan for today.”

He reached for me, taking my hand and squeezing. I relaxed a fraction at the smile on a witch's face directly in front of us before the voice spell melted over me.

I cleared my throat. “You’ve all seen now the restoration of the Fire Coven. You’ve seen or heard of the isles returning to the sky. Storm Coven,” I said, turning to where the majority of them stood together. “You’ve seen the return of your powerful weather. This world was broken in so many ways. But as the Grimoires have been restored to one book, so should we become one kingdom, one people.”

Wary eyes met mine as I gestured to the group of people standing together in the gathering. One by one, they stepped forward, giving their personal accounts of experiences with the Dark King. Of receiving food or coin, of his secret kindness he’d never let show on the outside. Of tasks he’d given them and trade agreements he’d made as Grey so that the people might have resources the coven leaders hadn’t known about.

When they were done, they listed the names of people they’d helped in spite of the coven leaders, at the behest of the king. Pointing at members of the curious crowd and reminding them of good deeds rendered. Until all were still and silent as the truth came out one by one.

We weren’t naive, though. We knew it would take more than a day, a single gathering. But the only way past the poison was to dilute it. And so we would try. Every day.

Bastian moved forward again, lifting his hands. “As I stand before you today, I would ask first for your forgiveness. I was backed into a corner at a young age and thrust into this position with the greatest target on my back, triggering the fight we all harness in our souls. I stood in a tree line and watched the death of my parents by evil hands and blamed the lineage of my people. You. Hate grew like a weapon in my heart until a little witch with a big attitude, and even bigger fight, stepped into my castle to challenge me. She didn’t let me get away with a single thing. Held every grievance against me with an iron fist. She taught me how to love again and how to fight back. How to fight for each of you, even if you would not do the same.”

My heart beat slowed as he spoke of me with such awe in his voice I wondered if he realized how ridiculous he sounded. Still, if no one else would hear this part, I would. Because it was our story. My favorite ever told.

“Tonight, as you dance around the fires and fill your bellies, I only ask that you share with your fellow witches and shifters alike and begin to heal the wounds etched between us. Happy Solstice, everyone.”

His words were a celebration of joy and a symbol of embarking on a new journey of change. The applause was loud, the crowd was happy, and for the first time in my life, I did not fear what tomorrow would bring.