until she pulled out a small purple book that was thick with pages. “I believe this is what you were looking for, but I only have one copy. For you, it’s half off.”
“Thanks, Siona,” I said. I paid her the cash, then Kiara and I got two caramel lattes before we slid into two chairs by the window. I put both books on the table, while Kiara got out a notebook and quill.
“Where should we begin?” Kiara asked.
I wasn’t sure. I flipped through the grimoire, trying to get a feel for what I should translate first. Common sense said to start with the first page, but I didn’t want to do that. It didn’t feel right. I turned the pages until I came upon the picture of an apple tree branch, wrapped with some kind of ribbon. The blossoms on the apple tree were drawn so beautifully, and I felt bewitched by the artwork.
“Let’s start here.” Kiara and I got to work. It took an hour to translate the page, letter by letter. Sometimes we got things wrong and had to restart. But eventually, we got it. I sat back in awe and took in the book with wonder.
“A spell to ward off hexes,” I read. “To destroy any curses against you cast by fae or otherwise, take the branch of an apple tree and wrap a ribbon from your clothing or hair upon it, chanting the words, ‘The negative energy sent to me by another is bound to this branch. No dark power can harm me.’ The branch and the host tree will therefore absorb the curse, leaving you unscarred. Carry with you for ultimate effect. Spell lasts until the branch turns black.”
My heart beat frantically. My first Unseelie spell! I couldn’t believe it.
“Do you want to try it out?” Kiara asked.
“Why not?” I said. Kiara and I waved goodbye to Siona, then hurried out the door. We walked the streets of Dolinska, looking for an apple tree, until we found one lingering near the square.
The tree had shed a few branches from the storm the night before. Kiara and I picked up two small ones. I took a ribbon from my hair, while Kiara plucked one of the black strands out of her head. We wrapped it around our apple branches before I said, “Ready?”
Kiara nodded, and we chanted together, “The negative energy sent to me by another is bound to this branch. No dark power can harm me.”
Nothing happened. “Do you think it worked?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” Kiara said slowly. “I guess the only real way to find out is to hex each other, right?”
“I’m not going to curse you,” I said in revulsion.
“Me, either.” Kiara pocketed the branch. “I guess we just have to wait and see. In the meantime, we can work together on deciphering the rest of that book.”
My heart pounded in anticipation at her words. It was going to take me a long time to learn and translate the grimoire, but it would be so worth it.
“Emma!”
We turned as Delmare came racing toward the two of us. Her black hair was in a mess. She panted by my side as she slid to a stop and said, “I need your help. I’ve been invited to have dinner with Stefan’s parents tonight.”
Kiara wiggled her eyebrows. “Ooh, meeting the family. That’s a big step.”
“It’s not like that. Ugh, I don’t want to go!” Delmare threw her hands up in frustration.
“So don’t.” I shrugged. “Tell Stefan no.”
“It’s not his invitation, it’s his parents. I can’t refuse an invitation from a dragon fae high-born. What would that look like?” Delmare said.
She had a fair point. You didn’t do those kinds of things with fae. They found it incredibly rude. “So what do you want me to do about it?” I asked.
“Make it a double date. I’m allowed to bring guests. Come with me, and bring Ethan,” she pleaded. “He knows Stefan’s family. It won’t be as awkward.”
The offer was intriguing. I was interested to see how the high-born fae outside of the royal family lived, and I couldn’t let Delmare down in her time of need. “I’ll be there. What time?”
“Five o’clock, sharp,” she said, shoulders sagging in relief. “You’re a lifesaver, Em.”
“Bring condoms,” Kiara teased. Delmare smacked her with her book bag.
I thought it wasn’t that big of a deal, but Delmare seemed truly relieved. I bet after Stefan had more or less met her crappy mom, Delmare felt inferior. Meeting his parents had to