Page 101 of Wedded Witch
It takes a moment for my surroundings to register—a cosy bedroom filled with mismatched furniture, the walls adorned with photographs and colourful tapestries.
I’m lying on a bed, a handmade patchwork quilt draped over me, and I realise I’m safe.
But as I try to sit up, a sharp pang shoots through my side, and I let out a groan.
“Ah, you’re awake at last!” a voice cuts through the haze, sharp and filled with a teasing lilt. I turn my head, squinting against the light, and come face-to-face with a woman who looks like she stepped out of a vintage magazine.
Her bright blue eyes twinkle with mischief, framed by false lashes, thick with mascara. Her hair, white and perfectly coiffed, sits like a halo around her head.
She wears a leopard print blouse and tight leather pants that emphasise her frail frame, paired with orthopaedic shoes that look absurdly out of place.
A full face of makeup and vibrant red lipstick complete her look, and despite her age—probably in her eighties—there’s an undeniable strength in her presence that commands attention.
“Mavis?” I croak, surprised by how easily the name comes to me. I vaguely remember her from my childhood, her sharp tongue and no-nonsense attitude.
She may appear delicate, but I know better than to underestimate her.
“Well, look who finally decided to wake up! Took you long enough,” she snaps, crossing her arms and tapping her foot impatiently. The corners of her mouth twitch as if she’s suppressing a smile, but the grumpy facade is strong.
“I appreciate the help,” I manage, pushing myself up a little more and trying to ignore the discomfort. “I’m... grateful.”
“Grateful? Oh, darling, I don’t need your thanks. I just like playing with the wounded,” she retorts, sighing and shaking her head dramatically. “Besides, you’re a tough one. You’ll pull through just fine.”
There’s a moment of silence where we simply regard each other. The playful glint in her eyes makes me feel oddly at ease despite the pain.
“Is Swyn here?” I ask, trying to suppress the wave of anxiety that rushes through me.
Her expression shifts slightly, a hint of softness breaking through her tough exterior. “You’ve got a lot of people worried about you, kid. I’ll get her. Don’t you dare go back to sleep on me, though. I don’t have time for any more of your melodrama.”
With a wave of her hand, she leaves the room, and I’m left with my thoughts, battling the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. I need to see Swyn, to reassure her that I’m okay.
With everything, not just my health. I’m okay if she needs time to love me.
Moments later, the door swings open again, and Kel walks in, his presence a balm to my frayed nerves.
“Hey, you’re awake!” His relief is palpable, and I manage a small smile despite my discomfort. “Mavis said you were out cold and hard to heal for a while. You scared the hell out of us.”
“Did I?” I try to sound casual, but there’s a tension that lingers in the air. These three men are my brothers, but we’re strangers. I barely remember our childhood, but I have a feeling in my chest, like intuition, that we had fun together, despite me being ten years older than them.
I can’t really recall the details of why we were separated, but the bond between us is as unmistakable as the one between me and Swyn. Why can’t I remember them properly though?
Some kind of memory spell perhaps?
Kel nods, his expression turning serious. “Yeah, but Mavis worked her magic. You’ll be fine. Swyn is... she’s really worried about you.”
“Can I see her?” I ask, my voice firmer now, determined to push through the pain and wondering why Mavis hasn’t sent her in already.
“Of course,” he replies, stepping back to give me room. “I’ll go get her.”
As he leaves, I take a moment to breathe, focusing on the warmth of the quilt and the soft sounds of the house around me. I think about Swyn and how she must feel, worried and uncertain after everything.
I should have made my presence known to her sooner. I’ve wasted too much time, watching from the shadows, when I should have been open and honest.
We could have been getting to know each other and making up for lost time. All of us.
A few minutes later, Kel returns with Swyn, Sol, and Ri. The moment I lay eyes on her, my heart swells. She looks worn but fierce, a mix of worry and relief etched on her face.
Her hair is slightly messy, and there are dark circles under her eyes, but she’s beautiful, and the sight of her makes my heart race.