Page 73 of Wicked Curses
“That must be a difficult way to live,” she said.
“I’ve enjoyed it for the past six hundred and thirty-seven years.”
“Do you ever plan to settle down?”
“And what? Farm in the Gloaming? Raise a family? Build a house and live in one place? Do you honestly see me doing anything so mundane?”
“You don’t have to farm or raise a family, but you could stay closer to yours for a change.”
“I have stayed closer to them since we came back into contact with each other. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for trying and failing to find the crudue vine.”
“Neither would I,” she muttered.
“What about you, Sahira? Do you have grand plans of settling into a mundane life with babes clinging to your skirts and boredom your constant companion?”
“I’m sure it’s not as awful as you think. Cole’s happy to have settled down.”
“Cole’s always been the more responsible one; that’s not my life.”
She couldn’t argue with him.
“So, do you have plans for babies and a husband?” he asked.
She couldn’t be sure but believed she detected a slight edge to his voice. It had to be her imagination, as there was no reason for it to be there.
“My only goal is to return to my family. After that, I’ll see where the realms and life take me. Once Lexi and Cole establish a firm hold over the realms, there will always be those who will seek to take it from them.”
“Too true.”
The sound of running water caught Sahira’s attention, and she smiled at the familiar, cherished ripple of water over rocks. It had been far too long since she heard the calming, musical rhythm.
“It’s not completely awful here,” she said.
“The sound of running water and grass makes you suddenly like this place?”
“No, the life, the rhythm, and the stark beauty make me like this place. If we weren’t stuck here, it would be a great place to explore.”
“But we are stuck.”
CHAPTERFIFTY-ONE
The witch perplexed him.The serene look on her face as she closed her eyes and inhaled was captivating.
“It’s not completely awful,” she murmured.
“It’s not,” he agreed, although he loathed everything about this place.
When she opened her eyes and their gazes met again, confusion emanated from her, but she couldn’t be more confused than him. He’d bet she was a lotlessconfused than him.
Cursing himself and her, he turned on his heel and stomped through the trees to the stream. He’d been in a good mood earlier; irritating every witch and warlock he encountered was great fun.
That good mood was gone. In its place was a whole lot of pissed off. He didn’t know why, but he did know it was the witch’s fault.
Except he couldn’t blame her when all she’d done was find some joy in this soul-sucking, bleak realm.
When he got to the river, he set his basket down and leaned back on his heels to study the water cutting through the rocks, trees, and grass. He supposed it was nice in alook at me, I’m so pretty while you’re stuck here and rottingway.
If he could punch a river in the face, he’d punch this one.
