“I’m so proud of you, Si. I’ve heard from more than one source about how well you’re doing,” I say, hugging her. “You’ve grown so much, my Little Chocolate Chip Cookie.”
Sienna smiles at me, blushing. “Thanks, but I can’t take all the credit. Jayce has helped,” she says with a little nod before hugging me tightly. I hold her, combing my fingers through her hair. I’m truly so proud of her. To see her regain her spark gives me life, too. She has to live, not only for herself but for all of us.
“That’s good,” Tatum says. “I’m glad to see you coming out of your shell. Jayce can be harsh, but he knows what he’s doing.”
I nod as Allie takes a sandwich before biting it, careful not toget her fingers dirty.
Sienna passes Kaden a pizza slice, wiping his face.
“I like Senna.” He hugs her, making Sienna hug him back tightly.
“I love you, Kaden.”
“No, I love you,” he answers, making Raihana and Mama Mari laugh. I brush my fingers through his curls, smiling fondly.
“Speaking of Jayce, I need to perform the spell to replay what happened the other night. Leo said he’ll be here soon,” Raihana says, ruffling her hair with her hand as she crosses her legs and glances at the time.
I raise my eyebrows. “He’s coming now?”
“We were going to wait until after Sienna’s birthday, but since I was already here, Leo thought it would be best to do it now,” Raihana says.
“You should have told him to eat with us,” Mama Mari says.
“He’s coming from somewhere. I don’t think he wanted us to wait for him; he only texted me a short while ago.”
“I want to try that spell,” Heaven says.
“I’m sure in two years’ time you will be taught it. The control of your magic over such a spell requires a lot of training,” Raihana tells her.
“Yeah, I know, but my control is excellent.”
She’s not wrong, but I also understand Raihana’s worry. Heaven and Raihana both don’t say anything more, and I know they don’t want to get into an argument right now. I did advise Raihana about trying to understand Heaven, too, but she’s still her baby girl after all, and it’s scary to let them go, but like Rayhan said: we have to remember how much we did at theirage.
I glance over at Mama Mari, who is talking to Kaden and Sienna as they laugh over whatever expression Kaden is making. Last night we had a long talk, just me and Mama Mari, regarding Leo’s offer. She wasn’t sure, not wanting to leave us alone, but I think she really is the best option for this job. I can tell the idea was beginning to appeal to her, but because of us, she was hesitating. However, after our talk, I hope she’s making the decision that I know she wants to. I want that for her, and I told her that.
Her grey eyes meet mine, she smiles, and I smile back. Even if Papa Raf isn’t here or my Yum Yum – it hurts, God it hurts so much – but even then, we’ll stay strong until the day we meet them again.
“There’s actually a slightly different spell in our grimoire; it seems similar, but it does require a lot of magic,” Heaven remarks thoughtfully.
She means the book that Ahren had gotten for them from somewhere.
Their grimoire is calledThe Hallowed Blood Trinity: The Book of Flame, Crown and Veil. It is a grimoire that only the three of them can hold, view, and read. They never told us how they came about it, asking us to trust them and respect that they couldn’t tell us.
It still sends chills down my spine, remembering the sensation I felt when I first looked upon it. The book itself has a power that no one can deny. We all knew it was rightfully theirs, and all we could do was advise them to tread carefully. Although Alessandra has not shown any signs of witchcraft, she, too, can read this grimoire.
“You can show me sometime; if you really want to try it, Ican help you during the holidays?” Raihana offers, smiling at Heaven. The younger girl smiles back with appreciation.
“Thank you, Mama, I’d like that.”
Sometimes that’s all a daughter needs, some trust and faith from her mother.
Sienna rests her head on my shoulder, holding my hand. I kiss the top of her head as Kaden suddenly turns, realising he’s missing out on the hug. And pouting, he jumps up trying to hug us both, making Sienna gasp as Mama Mari takes her glass from her, preventing it from spilling.
“This kid is so jealous all the time,” Tatum smirks as he reaches over and tugs Kaden’s cheek.
“Tato, go!” Kaden says with a frown as he points at the door, making everyone laugh.
“Kaden, go,” Tatum responds.
