Page 124 of This Witch Is Not Wicked

“We’re safe,” he said, his voice so far away that I could barely hear it. “You saved us. Rest, Enid.” He kissed my forehead. “Just rest now.”

And, for once, I decided to listen.

CHAPTER 50

Nevan

“Do you promise you’re done scaring me?” I asked Enid as she sat next to me, staring at the canyon her magic had created.

“Probably not,” she said.

Enid had been barely conscious, vine after vine shooting up from the ground, blocking the brotherhood from pursuit as the portal behind us sucked all of Fairwitch into it.

Then a few of the brotherhood had started slashing at the vines. It had been terrifying, and there was nothing I could do but hold on to Enid and hope we survived this mess. As the brotherhood came closer, I’d been prepared to lay Enid down and fight with my bare hands if I had to—but then the ground had started quaking, splitting open, eating up the brotherhood who’d stood there. I’d watched in awe as the last of Enid’s magic had sliced through the bog, creating a canyon between us and the wall of vines. It had been the most glorious thing I’d ever seen.

Enid’s knees were drawn to her chest, arms looped around them as she stared ahead.

I huffed, then reached out a thumb and grazed her cheek. “Can you at least promise to not almost die ever again?”

“Now that I’m mortal?” She shot me a look, eyes glinting with mischief. “Definitely not.”

I rolled my eyes. “Can you stop being difficult and give me any reassurance at all right now?” She leaned over and pressed a kiss to my mouth, and I sighed against her lips. “That’ll do.”

“I still can’t believe my magic did this.” She gestured to the canyon. “I also can’t believe I’ve only been asleep for a week.”

I choked on the water I was drinking. “Only a week?” It had felt like a fucking lifetime. I’d been worried sick, but Ambrose had visited daily to bring food and fresh water and to assure me that all of this was completely normal for the amount of magic Enid had used. He’d told me all I could do was wait.

I’d thought about just letting him portal us to our new home, but I wanted Enid awake and conscious before she portaled anywhere.

“I miss Vine,” she said. “I hope it isn’t too worried about me.”

“I’m sure Ambrose has told Vine you’re healing, and I’m also sure Fiona is giving Vine lots of cuddles and pets right now.” I paused. “What I’m more concerned about is you.”

I’d never asked Enid about her immortality, what it would mean for us if I aged and she didn’t. I’d never dared ask her to give any of it up—or to stay with me as I grew into old age.

Now she had no choice, and I didn’t know how she felt with her magic gone. This thing she’d carried with her for her entire life had just vanished. All to save a city that hadn’t been entirely kind to her.

She turned to look at me, dark eyes flashing with an emotion I couldn’t read.

“Do you regret it?” I asked. “It’s okay if you do. This is a . . . safe space to tell me how you’re feeling. If you want to.”

“Nevan,” she said, groaning, “you think too much, and it’s hurting my brain.”

I laughed but raised my eyebrows.

She leaned back on her hands, stretching out her legs on the grassy ground. “To be honest, I feel like this heavy chain I’ve been dragging around my entire life has finally been cut loose.”

Relief flooded me. I would’ve supported her no matter what, but I was glad she wasn’t devastated by the loss. I suspected maybe that would change at some point. That there would be ups and downs as she navigated life as a mortal. But I’d be by her side. Always.

“Does it feel different?” I asked.

She nodded. “I feel fragile and weak.”

I barked out a laugh. “Thank you.”

She nudged me with her shoulder. “But it also makes me feel more alive than I ever have before. Because now I know life is fleeting. That it will pass me by if I’m not careful. If I don’t make sure to enjoy every moment.”

I stared at the green wall of vines before us, thinking about just how fragile life was. Thinking about how I’d seen Lor through that wall. I hadn’t been mistaken. I’d seen my older brother, and it had broken my heart to know he was on that other side, choosing to be there. “Well, I hate to break it to you, but you won’t enjoy every moment just because you’re mortal.”