Page 33 of Wedded Witch
But this time? This time it’s different. Because it’s not just about us anymore. Ri’s never let anyone get close, always keeping his emotions locked down. But Swyn stirs something primal in him, something that terrifies him, because it means he’s not in control anymore. And that scares the hell out of my brother.
“Fine,” he mutters, but his voice lacks conviction. “But if she proves to be a liability?—”
“We’ll handle it,” I cut him off, meeting his gaze. “Together.”
The words hang between us, a fragile truce born of necessity. But I can see the doubt still lingering in Adria’s eyes. He doesn’t trust her, but there’s something else there, too. Something he’s not saying.
I glance at Sol, who’s still watching us with that same grim expression. He knows, too. We’ve all seen the way Adria watches Swyn – how his jaw clenches whenever she’s near, how his fists tighten like he’s fighting himself.
I know because I feel it too. The instinct to protect, to stand guard. It’s what we’ve always done – look after the people we care about, even if it costs us.
But with Swyn, we’re all struggling. We want her, but we’re terrified of what that means. And unlike me and Sol, trying to work it out but getting close to her, Ri is pushing her away, trying to maintain control, trying to protect himself.
I shake my head, forcing the thoughts away. There’s too much at stake to dwell on it. As I step toward the barn door, the feeling of dread lingers. Swyn is walking a dangerous line, and whatever dark magic is calling to her, I’m not sure we can protect her from it – or from the shadows that loom just out of sight.
SWYN
I stumbleinto the motel room, the door creaking shut behind me, and I lean against it for a moment, trying to shake off the heaviness that clings to me.
The shadows in the room feel deeper, the air thick with an unsettling energy. I glance at the bed, and fatigue washes over me like a tidal wave. I didn’t even realise how drained I was until now.
With a sigh, I let myself fall onto the bed, the rough sheets cool against my skin. I close my eyes, hoping for a moment of peace, but the darkness pulls at me, heavy and insistent.
I drift into a shallow sleep, plagued by restless dreams with visions of swirling shadows and whispers of the dark magic that beckons me.
When I finally wake, the light has shifted, casting long, golden rays through the curtains. I sit up, rubbing my eyes, the remnants of dreams fading, but leaving behind a gnawing sense of loneliness.
I look around the empty room, feeling the weight of isolation pressing down on me. There’s nothing to do, no one to talk to.
With a resigned huff, I pull on a jacket and head out. The diner just across the road is a small beacon of warmth and new familiarity in a world that feels increasingly foreign.
I guess it’s becoming a safe space for me. Or maybe it’s just that there’s literally nothing else to do and nowhere else to go. I don’t want to risk venturing to one of the other towns with my rental car acting up.
As I walk, the chill in the air bites at my skin, and I pull my jacket tighter around me, the sense of being watched lingering at the back of my mind.
Shake it off, Swyn. You’re being paranoid.
Inside the diner, the smell of coffee and fried food envelops me, a now comforting embrace. I slide into a booth, glancing around at the other patrons, feeling a little more at ease. I order a coffee and a slice of cherry pie, hoping to distract myself from the unease that’s settled in my chest.
Moments later, the door swings open, and in walks a familiar figure. Kel. As he approaches, I notice the concern in his eyes that makes my heart race. An unfamiliar but pleasant scent - vetiver - washes over me, making me feel safe and secure.
“Hey, Swyn,” he says softly, his voice laced with warmth. “Are you okay?”
I blink, a rush of embarrassment flooding me. “Oh, hey,” I admit, offering a weak smile. “I guess I’m just…a little out of it. I took a nap and now I don’t know which way is up.” I shrug at him.
He smiles back, putting me at ease. “May I join you?”
“Of course.” I smile back, wondering if I should mention last nights’ kiss.
He slides into the booth across from me, his expression softening to one of concern. “You look exhausted. Did you get any sleep last night?”
I shake my head, trying to brush off his concern. “I did, thanks. And, like I said, I’ve just taken a quick nap. I don’t know why I’m feeling so exhausted. Must be jet lag, I guess.”
He studies me for a moment, his brow furrowing. “It’s not just that. You seem… different. Is something bothering you?”
The weight of his gaze makes it hard to breathe, a mix of warmth and pressure. I shift uncomfortably, thinking of the dark magic, the shadowy figure. “It’s just…I’ve got a lot going on, you know?”
He nods, his expression serious. He wasn’t this…intense last night. We had a good time. A great time. But he was much more carefree and fun.