Page 64 of The Unbound Witch

Kirsi snorted. “How long until Nikos shows up?”

“If we have any chance at all of catching the coven leaders, it better be soon,” Atlas said, turning to lead us deeper into the forest toward a tall, hulking figure leaning against a magical door.

“Oh, Grey, so lovely to see you,” Kirsi said before vanishing over the threshold.

“Don’t mind my glowing red eyes,” Atlas said to Bastian before following.

I paused, kicking at the dirt with my boot. He raised an eyebrow, but I shook my head. “It wasn’t great. My parents were less than helpful. Your mother, however, is the reason my power was bound. And apparently, all the witches think I’ve gone mad.”

He wrapped a strong hand around my waist, pulling me toward him. A golden lock falling into his eyes. I didn’t have to remind myself this was Bastian anymore. I moved the stray hair and stood to my tiptoes to press my nose to his. A welcome moment in the tumultuous night I had. His solid form grounded me, and I may have even felt the headache lessen slightly at his touch. His longing.

“It’s taking everything in my power not to chase those witches down,” he confessed, the hardness of his tone, the force behind his words proof of his true nature.

“They are not our enemies.”

He pressed a thumb under my chin, forcing my eyes up to his. “Anyone that casts a spell toward you is my enemy. Anyone that has a single cruel thought about you is my enemy. Anyone that stands between you and whatever it is you want in this world is my enemy.”

“Even if it’s me?” I sighed. “I’m not sure bringing the Moss Coven Grimoire here was a great idea. I know Eden wanted to come home, but surely, Endora feels that magic. She might be on her way to us right now.”

Fire lit his eyes. “Good. Saves me the trouble of having to hunt that bitch down.”

We walked through the magical door to Crescent Cottage seconds before it disappeared. Torryn stood at the window, hands clasped firmly behind his back, watching the quiet, moonlit street. The backdoor creaked open, and Kirsi, Torryn and I all spun in surprise. The strain in the room budding as we prepared for the next part of our plan. But it was only the captain, standing with dirt-covered hands, holding onto three squash and a small pumpkin.

“You should consider bathing once in a while,” Kirsi said, moving away from him.

I rushed forward to take the pumpkin, noting the soft side.

“If we don’t get these out of the garden soon, they will go to waste.” Eden reached for the squash. “I’ll make soup for supper.”

Crow’s stomach growled as if on cue.

I turned to Bastian, leaning into his ear. “Is there a bath I can’t remember in the mountain cabin?”

“There could be,” he growled back.

My body jerked in response to his answer, a blush creeping across my cheeks. I tucked a curl behind my ear, smiling. “I meant for the captain. We have to leave soon if tonight is the night, and I hate to leave him without the option.”

Bastian turned his back to me, gesturing with his hands to conjure a door, this one made of pure black stone, refusing to acknowledge the plan he completely disagreed with and happy to delay it.

“Aw, come on,” Crow whined. “It’s not that bad.”

“Yes, it is,” we said in unison as Bastian pushed him toward the door.

The second they stepped through, a tiny black note drifted down from the ceiling. I snatched it from the air with a half-smile, remembering our days in the castle that was now rubble.

Ms. Moonstone,

What favors might a king tally for helping a stinky old captain bathe?

Suffering silently,

Bastian, more handsome than Grey, Firepool

I stifledmy giggle as the edges of the note ignited, the embers burning away the evidence.

“Debatable,” Kirsi whispered over my shoulder.

I turned, wondering what she meant, but she just pointed to my hand. “Grey is definitely more handsome.”