and stepped back. “I can’t wait to talk spells and languages after this.”
“Can’t wait.” He smiled and then turned and walked to the center of the circle.
I could not believe we’d come full circle already. Being Marked for The Coven twice was unheard of…but it couldn’t have happened to a better man, or a more deserving man. He’d suffered too much for twelve years, I wanted him to be happy. And being back in The Coven with his family, both blood and not, might make a dent in the pain his heart had endured.
“Moonshine?”
I jumped and looked up as Jackson pressed his palm to the small of my back. “Yes, Lancelot?”
He gave me a cheeky grin. “We’re starting, love.”
I cursed and turned my attention to the circle. Haven stood directly across from me with Saffie on one side and Tegan on the other. I looked to Uncle Tim then back to my brother and saw my own wild emotions reflected in his eyes. His eyes were glassy and I knew by the tightness in his jaw that he was trying to keep himself together for this.
If you two don’t get your shit together imma make you leave, Tegan grumbled in my head.
Haven looked down at the ground and smirked. His crown was so tangled in his hair I briefly wondered if we’d have to cut it out.
If you make me cry, there will be revenge.
Haven chuckled. I sighed and shook my head. My best friend and her aversion to emotions.
Tegan arched one eyebrow at me, her crystal crown sparkling like ice in the midday sun. It will hurt, na mean?
I do na mean. I said back while pushing my magic into the ground through my feet. Imma be good.
Tegan nodded then cleared her throat. “Let’s dance, y’all. Willow, get her going.”
Willow nodded and rubbed her hands together. Pink and orange flames flickered around her hands and then blue lines shot out over the field. A split second later, the lines were black in the shape of a pentacle with a circle around it. Tegan materialized at the top point. Bentley moved to the right point. Emersyn was already standing at the bottom left point. There was a flash of light and then Haven took the last point. Everyone else spread out around the circle.
Cooper started toward the left point then stopped and turned to me. “Bettina, why don’t you take this one?”
My cheeks flushed. “Okay. Thanks.” I hurried over to take the left point of the pentagram and then smiled at Uncle Tim who stood in the middle.
“Oh, right, I was going to have Jackson take the right.” Bentley chuckled and smacked his forehead. He hopped to stand in the circle between his parents. “Go ahead, Lancaster.”
Jackson’s face was bright red and it made me smile. He didn’t say anything but he hurried over to the point opposite me.
A bitter cool breeze swept through the trees, brushing over my skin and through my hair. The air was crisp and cold. Just like earlier, snow clung to the tree branches and leaves around us. I didn’t know if anyone else was cold but with my ice magic I was perfectly comfortable. Although the Elsa jokes were a lot less fun now that I was raven-haired again.
“Perfect.” Tegan smiled. “Mom?”
Devon nodded. The air around her shimmered and then there were about a dozen of her. Blue mist rose up from the ground around the outside of the circle then shot up into the air, to the tips of the trees far above our heads. Something moved in my peripheral vision, and when I looked, I found the moon sinking lower and growing fuller. Stars that hadn’t been there suddenly twinkled in the midday blue sky.
“I love this part,” Tegan purred. “Lily?”
Lily raised her left hand up and bright yellow light shot out of her palm. A second later, the sun slid behind a huge cluster of clouds. She smiled and flicked her long black hair over her shoulder.
“Yo, Timmay, what’s your favorite flower?”
“Huh, no one’s ever asked me that.” Uncle Tim pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes. “I’d have to say…baby’s breath.”
Deacon snorted. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Is that a real flower?” Easton scowled.
“Yeah! They’re the little white ones!” Saffie grinned and nodded. “They look like snowflakes on grass.”
Deacon arched one eyebrow. “Are you sure you weren’t seeing snow on grass?”
Emersyn elbowed him in the ribs and rolled her eyes. “I’m sure the fairy here knows flowers, taco.”