Mum falls back into a chair with her hand over her mouth.She exhales, closing her eyes. “Yes. I knew.”
Staring at her in disbelief, I bite my cheek to stop the tears that are building in my eyes.Everything I have known is a lie.
“Why? Why would you keep this from me? What happened to my parents, my… my whole family? How did I end up here?” I sway with the spinning room, suffocating in this whirlwind of emotions. Wyatt grabs hold of my arms to keep me steady.
“Andi, please?” Mum steps towards me, gripping my shoulders. “I can explain it all, I promise. But first, please put your necklace back on, just for now.”
“My necklace?” I push her away. “After everything you’ve kept from me, you want me to wear the very thing stopping my magic, blocking who I am. Why would I put it back on? Don’t you feel safe with me,Mum?”
“It’s not like that.” I back out the door with her shouting after me, “Andi, please.”
For the second time today, I’m running from my problems, only this time I know where I’m going.
To the person who tried to tell me the truth, and I pushed him away.
A warm orange glow lights up the sky as the sun settles below the horizon. The town's usual chatter has faded to quiet whispers as folk scurry home for supper, shop owners brush away the day's dust, cleaning up for an early night. Water from the fountain cascades down into the bubbling pool below. I toss a coin in, I don’t even know what I’m wishing for, Pria can sort through all the wants running around my head.A ring of light shines against the blacksmith’s top-floor window. My heart pounds in my chest, and I can’t recall the last time I was ever this nervous.
With how we left things, can I be sure he will even want to see me? If our roles were reversed, I wouldn’t.
I summon all the courage I can muster. One footstep at a time, I count each agonising step of the old mahogany stairs that lead to the flat above the smiths. I peruse the door in front of me, taking in every knot in the wood, every scratch from being worn down over the years. Dallying, hoping to find the resolve to move my balled fist that’s resting against the door, but unable to knock. “Come on, Andi, just knock,” I say to myself as I stand there immobile.
All the courage I had to make it this far has slipped away. I lower my hand, retreating from the door when it unexpectedly opens.
“What are you doing here?” Myles asks coldly.His eyes narrow on me, his lips thin and unsmiling.
I don’t think I have seen him look so grim before, my heart breaks seeing him so hurt, knowing that I’m the reason for his pain. I hate myself for how I treated him. Why didn’t I listen or laugh off his suggestion instead of blowing up?
“I—uh—”
Myles frowns at me, eyebrows creased, waiting for the apology he deserves, ‘I’m sorry,’ ‘I treated you like crap,’ ‘Please forgive me,’ all races through my head. But as I open my mouth,nothing comes out. I stand there gawking at him with my lower lip quivering.
As if Myles hears the pleas in my head, he ambles towards me. I pull at my fingers, trying to distract myself from the weight of his gaze, turning my head to hide my tear-stricken face. Myles reaches up, placing his hands on my arms, pulling me into him, and I can no longer contain my feelings.
He strokes my head soothingly; I hold on tight to him, whispering,“You were right.”
Chapter Seven
Andi
Through misty eyes, I take in the room's décor, having never been up here before. It’s very modest, a man of few belongings. The room consists of an old couch with a checkered blanket draped over it, and a bed in a dark corner of the room. A small table is placed between the couch and a cosy-looking charcoal armchair—perfectfor reading. I could imagine myself snuggled in there, reading a novel or two. I spin my head round towards Myles, allowing myself to become distracted by his freshly washed hair, still dripping, and his top clinging to his body, emphasising his muscles.
Myles leads me to the couch, grabbing a bottle of wine from the cupboard with two glasses.He pours the claret into both glasses and hands me one. I’ve barely got the glass in my hand before I down it in one, I hand it back for a refill.
Myles smirks, chuckling under his breath, but obliges, nevertheless. He sets the bottle on the side table and squeezes down beside me, taking my hand in his. I didn’t realise I was shaking until he soothed me with his touch.
“Come on, tell me what happened.”
I spill everything, starting from the witch to my revelation in the woods. I describe how the magic danced along my fingers and bloomed flowers. How it tattooed my arm in white glistening spirals and how I almost killed Wyatt, down to Mum’s reaction when I confronted her.
I break down in tears as I slump further into the seat, my muscles are weak from the lack of sleep. Pressing on the tender spot on my shoulders, I knead my muscles, tight and sore with stress.
“Andi. I’m sorry, I don’t know what to say.” Myles shuffles in his seat. “I think you should hear you’re mum out.” He holds his hand up before I can argue. “You might not like what you hear, but at least you’ll know the truth.”
Glowering at him, I know he’s right. “I’m gonna need a refill first,” I concede, holding out my glass.
Myles and I head out into the dark as the town slumbers. We slip down the road until we reach the bridge. The moon reflects beautifully onto the river, a peaceful mirror reflection.Stars sparkle, lighting up the sky, and the breeze carries a perfume of flowers, with a hint of mowed grass. The crisp night air cools my skin after the heat of the past few days.
A candle from the cottage is still lit. I presume Mum is waiting up, hoping I will be back for her explanation.