There are a lot of people from Mystic Hollows who’ve come out to celebrate. The dance floor is already full, and the band keeps playing lively music. There’s a table full of food and another completely stacked with desserts. No one is going hungry tonight. They won’t be thirsty either. Beside the bartender are giant tubs of ice stuffed full of soda, juice, and beer.
Everything is perfect.
The smile falls off Piper’s face, and she takes a step toward me. I cock my head and mouth,what’s wrong?
She jerks her chin behind me and crosses the lawn until she reaches my side. I turn to find my mother walking out into the backyard. Surprisingly, she hasn’t dressed herself in a mother-of-the-groom dress. Despite our distance, I can see her wanting to milk this moment, but she didn’t even show up for the ceremony. Maybe she’s learned something. She’s wearing a pair of linen pants and a quarter-length-sleeve blouse that’s elegant and gives vacation vibes.
Piper slides her hand into mine and stands at my side as Bianca heads our way. Her mouth is pinched and her gaze wary as she stops in front of us.
“I didn’t want to take away from the ceremony, but I thought I would stop by and offer my congratulations.” She runs her hand over her hair and fluffs the bottom. “It seems you’re now members of the coven council too. I’m surprised you finally found time to celebrate your wedding.”
“Thank you,” Piper interjects before I think of something snarky to say. “We appreciate your well wishes.”
My mother looks like she’s about to say something snooty, but she reels herself in. She offers Piper a tight smile before she turns to me. “Your father and I are leaving for Nice tomorrow. You seem to have things figured out here at home,” she says softly, and there’s a flicker of something in her eyes. Regret, maybe. “I really do wish you the best, Ambrose. You deserve it.”
“Thank you.” I don’t know if my mom is looking for a hug or for me to forgive her lack of involvement in my life. But I’ve learned something these past few months. I don’t actually owe anyone anything. I’ve tried to please people my whole life. I was afraid they would leave me if I wasn’t the funniest, most cheerful person, but that didn’t matter in the end. My mother has her own demons she needs to work through. I’m also not obligatedto forgive her. She chose to curse me and then she chose to run away from the consequences of her actions. Piper loving me unconditionally made me realize that I don’t have to put up with scraps.
“Have a safe trip, Mother. Thank you for stopping by.”
Bianca hesitates for a moment, and then nods, as if she knows that’s as good as she’s going to get. “Congratulations again. I hope…” she trails off, as if she has no idea what she hopes for. Reconciliation, peace, forgiveness. “Yes. Well, take care.” With those parting words, she turns around and leaves the party.
Piper sinks against my side as soon as my mother disappears through the door. “I’m sweating. Why was that so tense? She’s not even my mother?”
“Oh, but she is your mother-in-law.” I chuckle when Piper gives me a stricken look.
“Don’t worry, they rarely come to town. I have a feeling they’ll be visiting even less now.” I pull her into my arms, dragging a hand down her back and leaning in to kiss her. I’ve probably kissed her a thousand times since my curse was broken, but it’s never enough. Each brush of her lips against mine feels like a gift.
“I love you,” I murmur and kiss her again.
“I love you, too.” She sighs against my mouth. “By the way, have you heard from Stellan? I’m starting to worry something is really wrong.”
In all the craziness of the wedding, I completely forgot about him. Our friends gather around, wanting to check and see if everything is okay after my mother’s departure. Everyone has a drink in hand, except Odie. “You need a drink. Let me go get you something.”
Odie shakes her head. “No, I'm not drinking. Thanks.”
“What do you mean, you’re not drinking?” Bram frowns at Odie. It’s not that she’s a party girl, but she’s never walked away from a good time.
“We don’t need any designated drivers tonight. You can crash here.” I don’t know if Odie, or any of my friends, think they can’t stay at the chateau because I’m married now, but that’s nonsense.
Odie’s cheeks flush. “I’m just not drinking. Has anyone seen Stellan?”
Piper’s head is cocked and she’s watching Odie.
“No.” Ava frowns and pulls her phone out of her dress pocket. “I’ve been texting him since he no showed on the ceremony.” Ava gnaws on her lip.
Everyone’s frowning now. It’s not like Stellan to blow people off. He might be a giant goof, but he’s reliable. Ava calls her brother, her face growing tighter the longer the phone rings.
“Pick up,” Ava commands as she calls again.
“Wait, do you hear that?” I cock my head. It’s hard to hear over the noise of the party, but there’s a phone ringing and it’s getting closer.
I face the back door of the house, and a moment later, Stellan comes stumbling out.
“Crone’s sake. He’s already wasted. I’m going to strangle him,” Ava says, but Odie takes a step forward, her hand pressed to her mouth.
Stellan.She mouths his name, and then runs toward him.
“What’s happening?” Piper asks as we take off after Odie. Stellan falls to his knees, and Odie practically slides across the lawn to get down to him, staining her knees green.
Stellan looks up. His brown hair is matted to his head. It’s so dark I don’t realize at first that it’s blood. There’s a gash on the side of his head.
“What happened?” Ava reaches out to her brother. Odie has his head in her hands, trying to inspect the wound.
Stellan’s eyes are glazed as he stares at her. He blinks and looks up at his sister. “Who are all you people?”
The End
