Fantasy Life
Page 41
Cassie closed her eyes against her mother’s words. If only she had known that years ago. But she hadn’t, and she felt like she had been fighting a new fight all on her own.
“What happens to Cliffside House now?” Lyssa asked.
“It goes on,” Athena said. “This isn’t the first difficulty we’ve faced, nor will it be the last.”
“But everyone’ll know about the magic now,” Emily said from her perch on Lyssa’s leg. “Great-Aunt Roseluna made sure of that.”
Cassie opened her eyes. She looked at her mother, who seemed younger, stronger, than she had in years.
“Things have changed,” Athena said. “But our family has lived through change before. I’m sure there’ll be challenges. I’m sure we can handle them.”
“If we stay together,” Cassie said. She reached for Lyssa’s hand. “We’re so much stronger together than we are apart.”
Lyssa looked at Cassie’s fingers. For a moment, Cassie was afraid she wouldn’t take them. Then Lyssa smiled.
“You know, Mom,” she said, “two days ago, I wouldn’t have believed that.”
“And now?”
Lyssa took Cassie’s hand. “Now I know you’re right.”