“Come on, make a wish.” Adelaide shoved the cupcake under my nose. I blew out the candle but didn’t bother making a wish. Wishes never came true. She placed the cupcake on my end table and then turned to the guys. “Go on, get out. Obviously, I have to help Mopey Mara get dressed. She’s like a zombie.”
Winston smiled and said, “Happy Birthday, Mara.” He glanced over his shoulder at me as he left.
Theo lingered for a moment. His gray eyes bore into my hazel ones and it felt like he was reading every emotion in my body with one glance.
“Go on, out with you too.” Adelaide flicked her hand at her brother. He turned and closed the door.
She sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. She gave me a quizzical look. “Why are you—” she motioned to my cocooned form “—so mopey? Today’s your birthday; you should be happy.”
I looked up at her and asked, “What’s going to happen?”
“What do you mean?” she asked, her brows scrunching together in confusion.
“When I come into my powers what will happen?”
“Is this why you’re … like this?” She motioned to my disheveled self.
I nodded my head.
“Well …” She scooted closer to me. “I can’t speak from experience but, apparently, it’s … magical. No pun intended,” she added with a stern face.
I couldn’t help but laugh anyway.
“You don’t need to worry, Mara. Really, everything will be fine.” She stood and took my hands, hauling me from the bed. “Now get that cute tush in the shower. You smell like the bottom of someone’s feet.”
“All right, Mother,” I grumbled.
“I’ll be waiting,” she warned, narrowing her eyes, “so please don’t take forever.”
The warning hung heavily in the air between us as I closed the door.
I stripped myself of my pajamas and climbed into the shower. The water was hot and steamy and eased an ache in my shoulders that I hadn’t realized was there. I scrubbed myself with the lavender-scented body wash that the manor provided, then proceeded to vigorously scrub my scalp and tried to untangle my hair a bit so it wouldn’t be such a pain to brush. Once I no longer smelled like the bottom of someone’s foot, I wrapped myself in a towel and wiped away the condensation that had formed on the mirror with my hand. I grabbed a small towel and used it to dry my hair.
When my hair was almost completely dry I sprayed some detangler in it and began the tedious process of ridding it of tangles. Adelaide knocked on the door.
“What are you doing in there? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I said through the thick wood door. “Just brushing my hair.” When I reached a particularly stubborn tangle I thought I might wrench a clump of hair from my head. “Ow.” I blinked away tears.
“Well, hurry up,” Adelaide said, choosing to ignore my exclamation of pain.
After my hair was brushed smooth I grabbed a section, twisted it back, and secured it with a bobby pin. Making sure the towel was held safely around me, I opened the door.
“’Bout time,” Adelaide grumbled. She had made my bed and was lying there skimming through one of the books I had borrowed from the library.
“You didn’t have to do that.” I indicated toward the made bed.
“Pssh.” She waved her hand in a no-big-deal gesture. “But I expect you to return the favor on my birthday.”
I rolled my eyes and entered the closet. I pulled on a pair of dark-wash jeans and a loose top. I placed some studs in my ears and then put on a necklace that hung down to my navel with a feather made from silver.
“I’m ready.” I opened my closet door. Adelaide had left the book and was now devouring my birthday cupcake. “Hey! That’s mine.” I pretended to be offended.
“You snooze you lose.” She stuck a chocolate-icing-covered tongue out at me. “Besides,” she said with a shrug, “I’m hungry.”
My own stomach growled as if it suddenly remembered it was time for breakfast.
“Let’s go.” I nodded my head at the door.
“Oh, so now that you’re hungry we can all go to breakfast. I feel the love, Mara.” She put her hand to her heart.
I laughed. “You really turn into a grouch when you’re hungry.”
She pouted her plump lips. “Do not.”
I opened my bedroom door to find Winston and Theo still in the hallway. Only they weren’t alone. Ethan had joined them and with him was Naomi.
Naomi was draped over Ethan and her tongue flicked out and licked his ear. Her eyes were on Theo to see if he was watching but he was oblivious. He was leaning against the wall with his arms over his chest talking to Ethan.
Winston smiled when he saw me and grabbed me around the waist. “Hey, beautiful, glad to see you out of those pajamas.” He kissed me. “Even if you were awfully cute in them.” He tugged on the hem of my shirt. I couldn’t help but blush.
“Can we please go to breakfast before I throw up?” asked Theo.
Adelaide glanced at her brother and a wrinkle appeared in her brow as she studied him.
Winston took my hand in his and began to lead me down the hallway away from the others. “Are you feeling better now?” he asked.
I glanced over my shoulder at Adelaide and Theo. They were engaged in a very intense, hushed conversation.
“Did you hear me?”
“Huh? What—”
“I didn’t think so,” Winston muttered, almost irritated. “I was wondering if you were feeling better.”
“Oh … um … yeah,” I mumbled.
“You seem distracted.”
I forced my eyes to his and smiled. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine.” He squeezed my hand.
“I’m all yours now,” I said as we descended the steps.
“I’m glad to hear that.” He pushed open the dining hall door.
We grabbed our breakfast and sat down. Winston squeezed my knee and leaned over to whisper in my ear, “Happy birthday, again.” He grinned as he pulled away.
“Thanks.” I kissed his cheek.
He beamed. It was so easy to make Winston happy, unlike some people.
“So, what are we doing today?” I asked Winston as the others sat down.
Winston shrugged. “There’s nothing special that we can do. We’re not allowed to leave.” He shrugged like it was no big deal but it did kind of suck. Granted, it was for our safety, but still.
Theo wrinkled his nose and narrowed his eyes when Winston said nothing special.
“Don’t worry, Mara,” Adelaide assured. “We’ll make this a day you’ll never forget.”
“I really just want to hang out with you guys. Well, maybe not you,” I added with a disdainful look at the skank draped over Ethan. I was shocked at my brazen words. I never spoke out.
Naomi’s ice-blue eyes leveled their gaze at me. I half expected her to hiss at me but instead she flipped her hair over her shoulder with a “humph” sound and went back to kissing Ethan.
Ew.
Under the table, Winston’s hand found mine and entwined our fingers. I smiled up at him.
Theo tore apart a biscuit and looked at the table. Adelaide whispered something in Theo’s ear and he glared at her. With a determined look, he slathered some butter on a torn piece of biscuit and shoved it in his mouth.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Fine,” he said and biscuit crumbs dribbled from his mouth, “perfectly fine. Absolutely dandy.”