The Deck of Omens (The Devouring Gray #2) - Christine Lynn Herman Page 0,19

her a pointed look. “Justin Hawthorne is laying it on thick, I’m sure, trying to sway her to his side.”

“Justin’s not a bad person.” Violet frowned at her mother. “I’m your daughter, not your tool. And Harper isn’t your tool, either.”

“Of course she isn’t,” Juniper said. “I’m just concerned that Augusta has some sort of personal vendetta here, especially considering our history.”

“Your history,” Violet echoed.

They hadn’t talked about this, but Violet had seen the way the two women looked at each other when Juniper got her memories back, and a whole lot had started to make sense. She’d been waiting ever since to see if it was something Juniper was ready to talk about.

Violet had been doing a lot of waiting lately, she realized. For Isaac to open up to her. For Harper to cool down. It was starting to make her antsy.

“Yes,” Juniper said. “Augusta Hawthorne and I dated back in high school.”

“I sort of guessed,” Violet said. “You know you could’ve told me, right?”

There was a vulnerability on her mother’s face that Violet had never seen before, but she recognized it all the same. She’d seen it in the mirror.

“I always told myself I would talk to you and Rosie about my sexuality, but… it was hard for me to do. People weren’t as open when I was growing up as they are now.”

“Yeah,” Violet said. “I get that.”

The only person she had ever come out to was Rosie, and she’d always felt like that had barely counted. Because Rosie had come out to her first, and she’d been delighted to show Violet her favorite queer musicians and TV shows and books that had helped her figure out her own sexuality.

She knew that whatever she and her mother could give each other would be different. But she saw, suddenly, that this was something they could share, that she had been so lonely without realizing it. And Violet wanted there to be someone, somewhere, who knew the truth about her.

So she took a deep breath and looked Juniper in the eyes. Her mother’s face was backlit in gold and orange, and Violet realized that she looked anxious, too, that no matter how old you were or how many times you’d done it, coming out was scary. It was weirdly comforting to know that they were both frightened about the same thing.

“Thank you for telling me,” Violet said softly. “And, Mom? Um. Me too.”

Juniper’s eyes went wide. “Violet—are you saying?—”

“Yeah. I mean, I’ve never dated anyone, period. But I’m bi. And one day, I’d like to date someone.”

Juniper leaned forward and took both of Violet’s hands in hers. Her grip was firm and reassuring.

“I love you,” she said hoarsely. “And I’m so glad you trusted me enough to tell me. I know neither of us is very good at this kind of thing, but I promise, you can always talk to me about whoever you might want to date, and I’ll always support you.”

Violet let out a soft snort and tried not to think about Isaac’s dark curls. “There’s nobody to talk about.”

“Well, if that ever changes, I’m here.” Juniper paused, then added, “Honestly, Violet, I’m glad to see you making so many new friends. I’ve never seen you tolerate such a large group of people before.”

“You mean the group of people who all hate each other right now?”

Juniper paused, guilt crossing her face. She pulled her hands away from Violet’s. “I didn’t mean to drive a wedge between you and your friends, you know. I just… I failed my family all those years ago, when I ran away from Four Paths. This is my second chance, and I can’t fail again.”

“I understand that. But if you handle this the same way Augusta does, you’re no better than her.”

“You’re right.” Juniper shook her head; the words were hesitant in her mouth, and Violet knew they both weren’t used to talking like this. Like they were mother and daughter, but something else, too. Mutual survivors?—the only ones left to carry on their family name… and to shoulder all their family trauma. “I was wrong to try to use you to get to Harper, and I’m sorry.”

“Thank you,” Violet said, and meant it. “I’ll do my best to talk to Harper about this meeting, but I can’t guarantee anything.”

Violet twisted a red lock of hair around her finger. No, her mother wasn’t wrong that the Hawthornes did not deserve to have Harper on their side. But Violet wasn’t sure her family could