Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 68024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Nera runs over to inspect the water and then takes a drink, which has us laughing even more.
“Poor Nera,” Lorelei says. “Come here, good boy.”
My familiar hurries over to her and then falls onto his back, right in the middle of the quilt so he can soak up attention from all three of us.
“You know, you never told us what you and Giles talked about the other day when you went on your walk,” I remind Breena and watch as her cheeks flush a bright pink. “Oh, it must have been really good.”
“Speak,” Lorelei demands, still rubbing Nera’s belly. “Tell us everything.”
“We didn’t really say much.”
“Right. The blush on your face says that was a boring conversation.”
“He wanted to know about the whole crush thing, and he apologized because he didn’t know earlier and was worried.”
“About what?” Lorelei asks.
“That he may have been careless with his words at some point and hurt my feelings, but I assured him that he hadn’t done anything. He said he’d like to take me out to dinner sometime, and I said he didn’t have to.”
“Why would you say that?” I ask with a scowl. “Breen, he was asking you on a date.”
“Because I don’t want him asking me out just because he feels awkward,” she says, pushing her fingers through her blond mane of hair. “He feels bad, and I won’t be a pity date. That’s the worst.”
“Okay, for the record, I’ve seen how he’s looked at you since that morning outside your house,” I argue. “And he’s not looking at you with pity on his face.”
“I’m such a jerk.” Lorelei hangs her head in her hands. “I can’t believe I said what I did that morning. I made such a mess, and I’m so sorry, Breena.”
“Meh, he was going to find out someday.” Breena lifts a shoulder, trying to make us believe that she’s okay, but embarrassment still hangs all around her. “It’s weird how he’s decided to always hang around when we’re trying to figure out the curse and stuff, though. He never used to do that.”
“He’s worried about you.” I can’t help but laugh when Breena just stares at me in confusion.
“Why?”
“Oh, Breena.” I reach over and take her hand. “Because whether he sees you as a love interest or his friend, he cares about you, and he knows that we’ve had some weird shit happening lately.”
“He doesn’t need to worry,” she says. “Can’t we work a spell that makes him forget that he heard what Lorelei said? I’m pretty sure I’ve seen one written somewhere.”
“We can’t mess with someone’s memories,” I remind her. “And you know it.”
“Suddenly, she’s a stickler for the rules,” Breena mumbles, a pout on her pretty pink mouth. “Fine. It doesn’t matter. Eventually, he’ll lose interest, and things will calm back down again.”
“If you say so,” Lorelei replies. “Except what if he doesn’t lose interest? What if he’s…smitten?”
Breena simply snorts and shakes her head. When she looks down, I can see that she’s about to change the subject.
“Do you remember, not long after the three of us made this quilt,” Breena says, “when we took it out behind Agatha’s old house and stood on it and cast that spell?”
The three of us share a look and stand, rooted to the earth through the quilt and our bare feet. We join hands, and in unison, we start to chant.
We are the daughters of daughters.
Our power is multiplied times three.
Wind, earth, and water,
We respectfully call on thee.
The wind swirls around us. The water from the fountain churns, and I can feel the grass and plants growing, reaching for the sky.
What we do is done with love.
What we ask is done with respect.
Hear our call, feel our hearts.
As we will it, so mote it be.
It was an easy little spell we used to do to stir the elements around us, and we all smile at each other, happy that we haven’t lost our touch.
“It always felt so invigorating.” I take a deep breath. “So powerful. Even though it was just a little spell.”
“We are powerful,” Breena reminds me and squeezes my hand before letting go. “And it’s good that we’re all back together.”
“Hey, Lucy, I meant to ask you,” Lorelei says as we start to clean up from our dinner. “What did Miss Sophia send from your mom?”
“Oh, my goddess, how did I forget?” Breena says with wide, green eyes. “Yes, tell us what it was.”
“Come on. We’ll all find out together.”
“You didn’t open it?” Lorelei asks with surprise.
“I couldn’t,” I admit. “I read the letter and had a little meltdown. Jonas consoled me, but I decided that I couldn’t open the rest without you two with me.”
“Well, we’re here now.” Breena lifts the basket, Lorelei and I fold the quilt, and then the four of us walk into the house through the back door. “Let’s go see what Aunt Agatha held onto for you.”