“Yeah,” Breakfast said, grabbing his bag. “Comedy or horror?”
“Oh, for the love of Christmas, comedy,” Una said emphatically, pushing Breakfast in front of her and into the living room.
Juliet showed up halfway through the film and eagerly jumped onto the couch next to Tristan.
“I love this movie,” she said, grabbing herself a throw pillow and half a blanket.
They spent the entire day together, and luckily, Rowan stopped dropping hints about the rest of the group’s hidden talents. Tristan even started to warm up to Rowan a bit, almost like he couldn’t help it. Rowan certainly knew how to be charming.
You’re good at this, Rowan.
Of course I am. I had years of practice as head mechanic to the witch, you know. The Salem Coven was expected to entertain often.
That’s right—you were Lord Fall, weren’t you? So strange to think of you as a lord.
Where did you hear that title?
Lily couldn’t lie to him in mindspeak, so she shrugged her shoulders, playing dumb. Samantha saved Lily from a grilling by coming down the stairs. Rowan got up to check on her and offered to make everyone dinner.
“Thank you, dear. That would be lovely,” Samantha said, smiling at Rowan like a son.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to take you for a walk or something, Ma?” Lily asked nervously.
“Or I could take you,” Juliet suggested.
Neither of them was comfortable having new people around their mother yet, especially since new people made it harder for Samantha to find herself in the blizzard of alternate universes that swirled in her head.
“We can all take a walk together after dinner,” Breakfast said, his eyes narrowed knowingly at Lily. “Sit next to me, Mrs. Proctor.”
Lily was surprised to find that Breakfast handled her mother well. He didn’t even blink when Samantha mentioned a recent war with Canada.
“I think you meant to say Afghanistan, Mrs. Proctor,” Breakfast corrected gently.
Samantha frowned deeply, resetting her worldview. “That’s right. We’re not at war with Canada here,” she said, and changed the subject.
After dinner, while everyone was bundling up to take a walk, Lily sought out Breakfast and pulled him aside.
“Thank you,” Lily said. “That was very thoughtful of you.”
Breakfast smiled. “I have an uncle like your mom,” he said quietly. “Not as serious, but sometimes it feels like he’s in another world.”
“Another world.” Lily laughed weakly. “That’s a pretty accurate way to put it.”
“Anyway, you don’t have to be embarrassed. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
Lily swallowed hard and nodded. “Thank you.”
“Lily? It’s really cold out. I think even you are going to need to dress warmly tonight,” Rowan said, bringing her a jacket.
Did you hear Breakfast and me talking, Rowan?
The bit about his uncle. It means he has spirit walking in his blood. He could be a huge asset for your coven.
Lily frowned as she put her coat on. She tried to tell Rowan in mindspeak that she didn’t want a coven, but she couldn’t. Because it was a lie.
The well-fed group spilled out into the frigid night. Everyone shivered and laughed around their chattering teeth and frozen cheeks. It was so cold the snow crunched and squeaked underfoot. Lily went to Rowan and pressed against his side. After a moment he put his arm over her shoulder. He hadn’t been affectionate with her all day, and Lily knew it had something to do with Tristan. She glanced over at him and saw him staring at them.
He loves you, Lily.
And I love you, Rowan. If he wants to stay friends with me, he’ll have to accept that.
Don’t push him away.
Lily looked at Rowan, confused. She knew Rowan wasn’t the jealous type, and she appreciated that about him, but asking her to stay close to an ex-boyfriend seemed a bit much, even for him.
Rowan suddenly stopped dead, his body going rigid as he pushed Lily behind him.