Page 1 of A Curse Between Us

re nodding slowly. Her throat was working around a tight swallow. “Cora had asked me to learn from her.”

“What do you feel from her?” Meela asked softly.

Lenora stepped forward, taking a deep breath. “Resentment. Very sharp. Under it all, it’s peaceful…” She furrowed her brows. “Acceptance, maybe...”

“Peaceful?” Meela’s brows lifted. “Strange, this doesn't feel like a peaceful moment.”

“It would if you knew what was coming,” Ida said.

“You’ve seen tonight, then?”

“Oh yes, I’ve seen it all.” Ida’s lips curled.

“Do you share all your visions with Cora?”

“Not always,” Ida offered. “Not tonight, and none I intend to share with you, either. And none beyond today. I die in a few moments. You kill me. I made peace with it long ago.”

Meela studied her for a long moment. “I see,” she said quietly. “Would you like to die?”

“As I’ve said, I've accepted it.” Ida looked up at the stars beyond the canopy of trees. “I will not follow you, Meela. I’m tired of following others. I’ve made choices, knowing where they would lead. I do not regret them.” She looked back at her. “I’ve welcomed my homecoming for a long time. Please, make it quick.”

Silence fell. She looked deep into Ida’s eyes, looking for any hesitation, any softness. The vines moved quickly, without warning, smooth as breath. Ida’s body dropped to the ground with a final thud.

“Very well.”

Chapter fifty-six

The sun was beginning to rise, casting pale light across the treetops. Warm firelight spilled out of the open door, brushing against Meela’s back. Suzaar flew out, wings silent as he landed beside her.

Meela looked back into the cottage. Alice collapsed into a chair before the fire. Serissa was on the floor in front of her. Lenora sat at the table, her head resting on her arms, speaking with Aerin.

Alden and Orion moved through the kitchen, gathering cloth and water and whatever they could find to tend the wounds that were left.

Suzaar hopped into her lap, his dark eyes watching her. “Hi, lucky charm.” Her hand lifted to scratch the underside of his beak. “I'm surprised you're not out there feasting like a king.”

She felt him, before she heard him. Orion’s presence was always calming.

“I wouldn’t think you’d be out here all alone,” He said softly. “Are you looking for space?”

Meela turned. He leaned against the doorway, a cloth thrown over his shoulder, his dark hair a complete mess. She met his eyes and found something so soft and unwavering that it reached into her and slightly uncurled the pain.

“I never want space from you,” she said gently.

Orion smiled, and without another word, sat down beside her. “You were incredible tonight, Meela. I know how heavy it all feels, but please remember you don’t have to carry it alone.”

“I don’t want them to look at me for answers I don't have yet,” she whispered.

“Let them look. You’ve given a group of people something to believe in again. They don’t expect you to be unbreakable.” He sighed, stretching out his legs. “And what have I told you about questioning the moon's decisions, little witch?”

“I don’t know how to rebuild a coven, Orion. I don’t even know how to belong to one. Do I even want to?”

Her breath hitched, shaky, her chest raw. His steadiness was the only balm she could find.

“Meela,” Orion’s voice was low, certain. “We stood and watched a High Priestess tonight, and you carried yourself with more than enough strength. I don’t know another soul who could’ve held what you did and still stood. I am in awe of you. The power, the grace.” His eyes softened. “The grief.”

He brushed away the tear slipping down her cheek, his thumb lingering on her skin. “Your coven doesn’t need perfection. They need you.”

“What am I meant to do tomorrow? Or the next?”