“Really! Truly! We have history and… and shared experiences. You two get me. You encouraged me to take that step, to find what was missing in my life. You knew.”
They smile and shrug. “Yeah, I guess we did,” Kesha says.
“I know it’s asking a lot for you to keep my secret. But you two are so important to me… if I had to choose between turning you into a potato or losing my powers, I would give up my powers in a heartbeat.”
They blink at me.
“Oh, Romy. You’ll never have to do that. We swear.” Kasha glances at Hannah, who nods vigorously.
“I know. I just want you to know that people are more important than powers. Though I do like doing good things with them. It’s very satisfying.”
“I need more wine.” Kesha lifts her glass.
I grin. With a twirl of my finger, her glass is full.
“That’s the best.” Kesha smiles.
“It’s a little thing. But it’s fun. Anyway, I’m grateful to both of you for encouraging me through this whole thing. Knowing I had you behind me helped me stay steady. And I’m so glad you like Trace.”
“Well.” Kesha purses her lips.
“What? I thought you liked him!”
“I do,” she says. “I’m just glad he got his shit figured out. But if he hurts you again, witch power or no, he’s going to have to answer to us.”
I laugh. “I’ll make sure he knows that.”
“Oh, he knows.” She arches an eyebrow. “I told him.”
“Of course you did.” I sip my wine, warmth filling my chest. “I’m glad he got his shit figured out too. He’ll probably always feel guilty about what happened, but I think he’s letting go of it.”
“You’re good for him too,” Hannah says.
I hope so. I love him so much. It’s a feeling that’s so big and powerful, more than I ever imagined being able to feel. I want him to be happy, and I’ll do anything to make that happen.
“So, we did have a little family drama the other day,” Kesha says. “Remember I said my cousin Darius keeps giving everybody plants?”
This makes me smile. I knew there’d be a story. “You got those nice succulents from him.”
“Yes. Well, he got arrested the other day. Turns out he’s been taking some weird drugs and getting high and breaking into people’s homes to steal their plants.”
After a startled beat, Hannah and I both break into laughter.
This is friendship. Love. Home.
Epilogue
ROMY
“A witch of the Orb of Night coven is teacher, healer, seeker, giver, and protector of all things. May you walk this path with honor, humility, strength, and empathy.”
I bend my knees so Ziggy can set the flower hair wreath on my head. It’s made of pink rosebuds and white moonflowers, which Trace planted in the backyard of his house. They only bloom at night, so he got up early this morning before dawn and picked them for my crown. I love them.
“I will,” I answer quietly.
Applause breaks out. We’re in the yard behind Dad and Cassie’s house, with white folding chairs set up in rows for my graduation ceremony. I turn to smile at everyone. My nerves are gone now, and I feel relief and joy. I passed my WED exam a month ago.
After I spoke to the board again, they changed their decision to increase the WED requirements for me, although I was determined I’d pass the exam even if they didn’t.
My gaze goes unerringly to Trace, sitting in the front row, clapping and beaming with pride. We share a special smile, a look… a promise.
Now the ceremony is complete, the guests stand and start milling about, many of them coming up to me to congratulate me. But first is Trace, with a hug and an inappropriately long kiss bent over his arm that has me clutching my floral crown.
I guess I’ve turned into a hugger now. I enjoy showing my affection for my family—my sisters, Dad and Cassie, Grandma and Grandpa Candler, and all the many aunts, uncles, and cousins. So I squeeze people back and accept their good wishes and smile like the happy witch I am.
Someone hands me a glass of champagne, which I gratefully accept and take a sip of. The bubbly tickles my throat on the way down. I feel like my veins are fizzing with champagne and excitement.
Trace stays near me with a hand on my lower back or waist as people cycle in and out to chat. He looks so handsome in his suit, radiating energy and strength.
He didn’t lose his powers. And while the Board of Elders still wasn’t altogether happy with my activities, the women of the coven have been working to change that. I started my own group to work for change, for fairness and equality in the coven, and I’ve gotten so many members. Now we have subcommittees working on various things, and I’ve been back to the Board of Elders to make presentations about some of our concerns.
Trace has even gotten involved. Hey, he’s a feminist. And I love that.
The fact that he stood up to Ziggy about me doesn’t seem to have hurt him. In fact, I think Ziggy has new respect for him. And Trace and I have been talking about him being ready to move into more of a leadership role in the coven. Which I totally support.
“Have I told you how proud I am of you?” Trace murmurs in my ear when we get a moment alone.
“Yes.” I’m sure my smile is huge. “But I wouldn’t be here without you.”
He opens his mouth to deny it, and I press my fingers to his lips. “You know it’s true.”
“Well, I know it’s also true that I wouldn’t be here without you.”
He would. But it would be different. “I will always be here for you.”
“Same, beautiful girl.” The breeze blows the pale green ribbon of my crown over my face, and he tucks it back. “I have a gift for you.”
“Oooh. Where is it?”
“Later. It’s for later.”
“Oh, that kind of gift.” I do an exaggerated wink that makes him laugh. “I can’t wait.”
“Okay, that too.” He curves his hands around my waist and squeezes. “Don’t get me all thirsty in the middle of the party.”
“We could sneak away to your old bedroom…”
He considers this.
“I’m kidding!” I tap his chest.
Cassie has tables of hors d’oeuvres and snacks and drinks set up. People are filling plates and sitting informally to eat.
“I’ll get you some food,” Trace offers.
“I’ll come with you.”
We meet up with Julie and Garrett at the food table. “Hey guys,” Trace says.
“You’re welcome,” Garrett says to Trace.
“What?” He frowns. “Did I say thank you?”
“No, but you should.” Garrett adds some shrimp to his plate.
“For what?”
“That mano-a-mano talk we had.” Garrett lifts his chin, smirking. “Remember? Where I told you to pull your head out of your ass?”
I watch with raised eyebrows. “That must have been good.”
“He can be a real idiot sometimes,” Garrett says. “If it happens again, just let me know.”