Page 100 of Wedded Witch
I sigh, pressing my forehead harder against the glass. “It’s just...everything.”
“I get it.” He reaches out, his fingers brushing mine where they grip the windowsill. The simple contact sends a wave of calm through me, but it’s short-lived.
“I don’t know what to do, Sol,” I whisper. “I’m—” My voice cracks. “I’m so confused. Everything with you, Kel, Ri—it feels so right. But Oland—” I stop, my throat tightening. “I don’t know how to handle this. How am I supposed to love him too?”
Sol is silent for a moment, his hand covering mine now, anchoring me.
“No one’s asking you to love him right away. Not even Oland.”
I finally turn to look at him, and his eyes are soft, understanding. “But the curse,” I say, my voice trembling. “Ican’t break it without him. I don’t even know how to feel about that.”
Sol sighs, pulling me closer, his arms wrapping around me in a way that makes me feel safe, even if just for a moment. “I know,” he says softly. “It’s a lot. More than anyone should have to deal with. But we’ll figure it out. You don’t have to do this alone, Swyn.”
I press my face into his chest, letting his warmth ground me. His heartbeat is steady, calming.
“I just feel like everything’s spinning out of control. One minute I think I know what I want, and the next…it’s all different.”
His fingers run through my hair, a soothing gesture. “I think that’s normal when it comes to fate and magic and curses.” He pulls back just enough to look down at me, his eyes searching mine. “But don’t shut us out, okay? We’re in this with you, all of us.”
I nod, but deep down, I know this is something I have to come to terms with myself. Sol might be right that no one’s asking me to love Oland immediately, but the truth is, the bond I share with the brothers is already so strong. Adding Oland into that mix feels impossible.
How do I make space for him without losing what I have with them?
Sol presses a kiss to my forehead, and for a moment, I let myself sink into the comfort of his touch.
“You don’t have to make all the decisions tonight,” he murmurs. “Just...take it one step at a time. We’re here. I’m here.”
His words are like a balm to the wound inside me, but as I pull away, I know this isn’t something that will heal quickly.
“I need some time,” I whisper, stepping back.
Sol’s eyes darken with worry, but he nods, respecting the space I’m asking for.
“We’ll be here when you’re ready.”
When he leaves, I’m alone again with my thoughts. The window feels cold beneath my fingers now, but I can’t seem to pull myself away from it. The sun is high and I watch as it lights up the woods where we found Oland.
Where my past collided with my present in the most painful way.
What am I supposed to do?
I try to imagine loving Oland. But everything’s different. I’m different. My heart is tied to the brothers in ways I never expected. And now I’m supposed to make room for him too?
I press a hand to my chest, willing the ache to ease. But it doesn’t. It just sits there, heavy and unrelenting.
Elias’s words echo in my mind. “Your path to break the curse lies with the triplets, yes, but also with Oland.” I can’t break it without him. That’s the truth.
No matter how much it complicates everything, no matter how much I don’t want to admit it—I need him.
But accepting that…accepting him... might mean losing part of what I’ve found with Kel, Sol, and Ri.
I sink onto the edge of the sofa, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. There’s no easy way out of this. No simple answer. But one thing is clear: I can’t move forward without facing what’s between Oland and me.
And that scares me more than anything else.
OLAND
The first thingI register as consciousness returns is the unmistakable scent of sage and something sweet, like honeyed tea. I blink against the bright light that floods the room, squinting until my vision sharpens.