Page 33 of Rituals & Rivalry

There’s probably a euphemism there, considering the faux-innocent smile she flashes, but I don’t fall for the setup.

“I can do that.” I look around the cottage and, as it always does, being here tugs on my heartstrings. I’ll only stay long enough to finish my tea. “I guess we have everything planned, then. I can trust you to take care of the magic?”

“Duh.” She leans in closer, effortlessly drawing my attention back to her. As quickly as my mind wants to disappear into the past, I’m stuck in the black hole of her gaze. “Why does this house like you so much? I don’t get it.”

I press my lips into a tight line. “Of course you don’t. The house likes me more than you do.”

“True. I really don’t understand her taste.”

She confirms what I already know. Our night together was a fluke. I’m not her type. Never was. She was probably taking pity on me because of my breakup. That’s for the best, so why does it make my stomach drop and twist?

I lift my tea and drain as much of it as I can in one swig. “Well, on that note…”

“Wait.” She stands as I do. “I was joking.”

“As humorous as you are, I have other places to be.”

“You really can’t stand to be around me for more than five minutes, can you?” She looks up at me, jerking her chin upward, as arrogant as ever. “Do you treat everyone you fuck like this?”

I cringe at the crass word. “No.”

“Then I’m special?”

“Is that what you want to be to me?” I lift an eyebrow. “Special?”

The truth is, I haven’t had someone special in a long time. Maybe I should tell her my distance is nothing personal, but would it help? The best thing to do is give her—and this cottage—space.

Her lower lip trembles. For a second, I regret saying anything. Maybe I went too far, but I’m not sure exactly which button of hers I’ve pressed, or how to undo it.

“Listen,” I whisper, exhaling softly. “I don’t like talking about this house. I didn’t particularly like coming here at all until⁠—”

Footsteps sound against the wooden floors, and someone enters. Luke, her younger brother.

I take a stiff step backward.

“Oh, hey!” Luke offers me a megawatt smile, one that matches his sister’s so well. Somehow, it only makes my guilt worse. “I didn’t know you were visiting. Landscaping?”

“No, just…” I gesture to the table. “Business. Tea. Aurora is helping me with the harvest festival.”

“Sterling was just leaving.” Aurora smooths her tight-fitting skirt and turns her back to me, giving me the perfect view of her thick thighs in those stockings. “But he brought pumpkin cookies. Come try one.”

“Okay,” Luke says.

I tear my gaze away. “Right. Let me know if you like them—I can bring more.”

“Mhm,” Aurora mutters, and Luke thanks me.

It’s harder to leave this house every time I come inside. That’s why I let this place remain abandoned, only visiting the grounds, and why I wish Aurora and her family had never come to Starbrook.

As I leave, Aurora shuts the front door behind me, and it vibrates as if the home is letting out a shuddered breath. The bushes around the entrance shake, the flowers wilting.

My damn magic. Sometimes, it makes caring for these grounds harder. If only I’d become a plant witch, like I wanted to when I was young.

I sigh softly. “I know. I know.”

Time to leave before I create any more damage.

Chapter 10