I snatched the bathrobe from off the bed and was about to pull it on when the door opened. Boaz stepped into the room. He had showered and changed his clothes into dark pants and a gray V-necked sweater.
I pressed the robe against me, trying to hide the red gown. “I said give me a minute.”
“My mistake, I thought you said ‘Come in’.”
“Sure you did.” I took a tentative step back.
His eyes narrowed. “What are you hiding?”
Busted. I sighed and dropped the bathrobe. “I’m sorry, but I just wanted to try it on. It’s so beautiful.”
Boaz eyes widened, and his eyebrows lifted. “It’s not the dress that’s beautiful. It’s you. The dress only compliments what you already have.”
“Regardless,” I said, turning toward the bathroom. “It’s not mine. I shouldn’t have tried it on.”
Boaz frowned. “Of course it’s yours. All of this is: the room, the clothing, and most importantly…” He took my hand before I could stop him and pulled me toward a dresser. “These are yours.”
Boaz pulled open the first drawer. Lying on black velvet were all kinds of jeweled necklaces. Diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires twinkled in the light.
I shook my head. “I don’t understand.”
Boaz closed the drawer and opened another one. It was filled with gold and silver rings, all of which were adorned with the same exotic jewels. “These belong to you. I bought them to show my devotion.”
Boaz moved to open a third drawer, but I stopped him. “I don’t want all of this, Boaz. It’s too much.”
He laced his fingers through mine. “It’s not enough. You deserve more.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t accept them.” I let go of his hand and stepped away.
The corners of his mouth turned up, and he said, “Then earn it.”
“What?”
“Let me teach you to use your powers.”
My shoulders sagged. I’d let my guard down. Boaz was just like my parents and wouldn’t quit until magic was a part of me. “I know how, but I don’t want to. Don’t you understand?”
“But this is what I want in return for all that I give you. I want to help you become the greatest witch the world has ever seen.”
“Why does it matter?”
“Because I can’t stand to see your potential wasted. You’re like a thoroughbred stallion that’s never ran a race. I must know what you’re capable of.”
“I’m not a dog trying to learn a trick.” I moved to the bed and sat down, exhausted. It hurt to even think.
“Learn from me, Eve. I beg you.”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry, I can’t. Anything but that.”
“Now it’s my turn to ask—why?”
“I don’t like the way it makes me feel or what it does to the world around me. Everything goes dark.”
Boaz knelt in front of me on one knee. “Did you ever consider that the world might naturally be dark?”
“Then why don’t I see darkness now, when I’m not using magic?”
He pursed his lips and then said, “How about if I help you to control magic so you can do small things like controlling fire, moving objects, and growing flowers? You would like that, wouldn’t you?”
“Don’t patronize me.”
“I’m not, love. Just learn a few things that will protect you and others if need be. It won’t change the world around you, I promise. Besides, you’ve already used your abilities, so what does it matter?”
Crap. He was right. Or maybe I was just tired. “I don’t know.”
“We’ll start out slow. If you feel it’s too much, then we’ll stop.”
It sounded harmless enough. Before vowing not to use magic, I would sometimes use it. It still had the same bad side effects, but I managed to keep it under control then. Why couldn’t I do it again, especially with the help of someone? Someone who wouldn’t force me to use it.
“Fine, but you must promise to stop when I say.”
“Deal.” Boaz held out his hand for me to shake.
I moved to accept it, but stopped. Something inside whispered that I was making a pact with the devil. I searched his eyes, but they revealed nothing.
He sensed my reluctance. “I promise, love, everything will be fine.”
I reached out, but when my fingers touched his open palm, dark images flashed through my mind like a lightning storm. They were of torn bodies, decayed flesh—shocking violent visions beyond anything I could ever imagine. Recoiling in fear, I tore my hand away and scrambled back to the bed, no longer caring about hurting the dress.
“What is it?” Boaz’s eyebrows raised in what looked like genuine concern.
He took a step toward me, but his movements only made me scurry farther away until my back hit the thick headboard.
“Eve, please. Tell me what’s wrong.”
I couldn’t answer as I was holding my breath, hoping it would keep me from screaming.