“Oh,” I said sadly.
We moved toward the door and met Adelaide there. Adelaide smiled at us and then threw a wave over her shoulder to Finn. He waved back with a grin.
Theo growled. “Whoa.” I placed a hand on his chest. “Down, boy.” I pushed him through the doorway and he reluctantly started down the steps. “That’s right, march, ninja, I don’t need you getting in anymore fights today.”
“Ninja?” Adelaide and Theo both asked with a grin when we reached the bottom of the steps. When they looked at me like that I really saw the resemblance between them.
I shrugged. “He moves like a ninja. All sleek and lightning-fast moves.” I pretended to do a karate chop and failed epically.
Adelaide snorted. “Don’t give him a bigger head than he already has.”
“So, doll face,” Theo said, completely ignoring his sister, “is ninja my new nickname? I like it.”
I laughed. “We’ll see. Now come on, I’m supposed to meet Winston.”
Theo groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Don’t remind me.”
“I’ll see you later,” I said to Adelaide with a wave.
“Have fun,” she called down the hallway.
I found Winston sitting on the stairs of the main staircase. “Hiya.” He grinned when he saw me. “See ya later, mate,” Winston said to the guy beside him as he stood and came toward me. “How was astronomy?” he asked.
“I actually enjoyed it,” I replied with a smile.
“Fantastic.” Winston beamed, and his crooked teeth showed. “Shall we head up?”
When I started to follow Winston, a hand shot out and grabbed my arm. “Theo,” I hissed.
He let go of my arm and looked down at his feet.
When he didn’t say anything, I glanced at Winston and then back to Theo. “What is it, Theo?”
“It’s just—” He bit his lip and toyed his lip ring with his teeth. “If you’re in Winston’s room then I don’t know what’s going on. There’s a charm on his room and I’m not comfortable being blind when it comes to you.”
“What do you suggest then?” I asked and put my hands on my hips.
“Your room,” he replied reluctantly.
I sighed and looked at Winston. “That’s cool with me.” He shrugged.
“Alrighty then.” I stalked past Winston. “This way.”
“Hey, man!” I heard called from behind me. I turned around to see a tall lanky guy with shaggy blond hair come up to Theo and they exchanged the weird handshake chest bump guys do.
“Dude!” Theo exclaimed in a surprisingly happy tone. “What are you doing here? I thought you went back to Texas.”
“I’m back,” the guy said and threw his hands in the air. “It’s a temporary thing,” he added sadly.
Noticing my wide-eyed gaze, Theo explained, “This is my friend Ethan.”
“Nice to meet you.” I shook his hand.
“Hey,” said Winston.
“What are you up to?” Ethan asked Theo. His green eyes were bright with excitement.
Theo pointed over his shoulder to me. “Guard duty.”
I winced. I don’t know why his words bothered me so much—I guess maybe because his tone suggested it was a burden. That I was a burden.
Ethan looked me up and down and grinned. “So, this is the Chosen One.”
Theo slapped Ethan on the back and said, “Come on. We can hang out outside Mara’s room while her and Churchill have their date,” he sneered the word.
I looked at Winston, panicked. “It is not a date.”
“Och, I’m hurt, love,” Winston said and put his hand to his heart like he was mortally wounded.
The boys followed me to my room. I unlocked the door and motioned Winston inside. I turned to Theo and found him grinning. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He grinned and waggled his brows.
My jaw dropped. I smacked Theo’s shoulder and he laughed. “You know nothing like that is going on so don’t try and insinuate anything in front of your friend.” I glanced at Ethan and then back to Theo. “I barely know Winston,” I whispered under my breath.
Theo grinned and said, “Close the door. Your lover boy is waiting.”
“He’s not my lover boy,” I groaned and closed the door. I could hear Theo and Ethan’s laughter on the other side.
Winston stood in the middle of the room looking around. His hands were shoved in his pockets. I suddenly, for some unknown reason, felt very nervous.
“Nice room,” he said in his smooth British accent.
“Thanks. I didn’t really do anything to it.”
He smiled. “They try and give us nice rooms to make us feel more at home since many of us are here for not very good reasons.”
“Like Adelaide and Theo.”
“Yes.” He nodded his head. “And us.”
I sighed and sat down on my bed. I crossed my legs Indian style. “Why did you want to hang out?”
His brown eyes met mine. He leaned against my dresser and shrugged. “I like to talk to you, Mara. You can … understand what all this feels like. More than me, actually.”
“I don’t know about that,” I replied with a shrug. “I’ve only been dealing with this for a week you’ve had to deal with it your whole life.”
“And a lonely life it’s been,” he said softly and came toward me. He motioned his hand and quirked his brow for permission to sit on my bed. I scooted over and patted the space next to me. “I’m tired of being alone.” He picked my hand up in his and began to trace the lines in my palm.
“You don’t have any friends?”
He shook his head no. “I am sure your protector has spoken to you about who to trust and who not to trust.”
“He says to trust no one.” I stared at my hand where it was tingling from his soft touch.
“Exactly.” He lay back on the bed and his white shirt rode up a bit. He turned toward me and let go of my hand so he could touch my cheek. “The only person here I can trust is … you.” His eyes zeroed in on my lips. My breath caught. This is what I wanted, right? To forget my unrequited crush on Theo? Besides, Theo wasn’t the right guy for me. He was moody, infuriating, cocky, and a pain in my butt. Winston was kind, sweet, and caring. Winston knew of the pains I felt. But then, so did Theo.
I shut my thoughts off and leaned a tiny bit closer to Winston. He took this for the permission it was, pulled my face down to his, and kissed me. His lips were warm and soft against mine. There were no sparks, no fireworks or anything like that but it wasn’t a bad kiss. It was … nice. Pleasant. He was careful and hesitant not forceful. This wasn’t raw possession. Pulling away his brown eyes were flooded with warmth. He caressed my cheek and smiled before pressing his lips to mine once more.
With a grin, he gently brushed my hair from my face. “I’ve wanted to do that ever since you mowed me down in the hallway.”
I laughed. “I didn’t mean to knock you down.”
He chuckled. “I’m glad you did. If not, I might not have ever met you.” He leaned in closer. “I’m going to kiss you again?” he said but it came out as a question. I couldn’t help thinking of the gray-eyed boy who would never ask for permission for a kiss, he’d just take it like it belonged to him.
I nodded my head and Winston pressed his lips to mine.
“Doll face,” someone whispered and the door to my bedroom opened, letting light from the hallway peek inside. I had fallen asleep. I tried to sit up, but a heavy iron bar blocked my way. I looked down to see Winston lying on his stomach and his arm thrown over me. He was smiling in his sleep and his eyes fluttered with dreams. I looked back up to meet Theo’s stunned gaze. “Oh.”
Yeah … oh.
Chapter 15
H
APPY BIRTHDAY TO ME,” I sing-songed, my expression in the mirror glum.
In the past, I had always looked forward to my birthday. My dad always planned something special, but not this year. No, this year I was going to become a witch,
an enchanter. I looked down at my hands as if they were suddenly going to start spewing sparks or flames or something.
Sadly, the whole thing was very anti-climactic.
Figures.
It was the weekend, which meant no lessons. I almost wish we did have them. It would have given me a distraction.
I splashed my face with some water and then watched it drip down my cheeks, to my chin, until it finally dripped onto my pajama shirt. My hair was a mess of rats and tangles but I didn’t feel like brushing it. I just wanted to mope.
I turned the light off in my bathroom and climbed back in bed, pulling the covers over my head.
Darkness and solitude was all I wanted today. But then I worried maybe the dark would suddenly trigger my powers so I sat up and pushed the covers forcefully away from me. I drew my knees up to my chest where I then rested my elbows. I buried my head in my hands and blew my hair from my face with a breath.
My door suddenly burst open and Adelaide came in singing “Happy Birthday”, holding a cupcake with a single candle stuck in it. Winston was behind her grinning from ear to ear and then Theo came in. He sulked by the door. He had been strange ever since the night Winston had slept over.
“Why aren’t you dressed?” Adelaide asked, wrinkling her nose in distaste at my haggard appearance.
I looked down. I was still in the very short shorts I had worn to bed and a tank top. I suddenly felt underdressed with my current company. I pulled the sheet up to cover my body.
“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 speci
al.
“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.”
I wasn’t so sure about that. I took a bite of waffle slathered in syrup. The manor had the best tasting syrup. It was sweet, thick, and almost … flowery. It was delicious and, if I could, I would put a little on everything I ate.
A loud bang at the end of the table turned my attention from the syrup to the commotion.
I suppressed a giggle when I saw Naomi splattered out on the floor with her legs in the air and flashing everyone her … naughty bits.
“Um, you might want to close your legs.” Winston wrinkled his nose at her and I had to suppress a snort.
Naomi blushed and closed her legs. Ethan seemed stunned, probably wondering why her tongue was no longer in his mouth, and looked around blankly.
Theo helped her up and she batted her eyelashes. He flashed Naomi his cocky smile and scanned her legs while she tried to pull her too-short skirt down.
I hated the flash of jealousy I felt as Theo helped her and then checked her out. He didn’t even like her. I had the unnatural urge to claw her eyes out.
“Love!” exclaimed Winston as he forcefully pulled his hand from mine. “I thought you were going to squeeze the life out of my hand.”
He held it up and I could see the red, crescent shaped, marks that my fingernails had made.
Enchant (The Enchanted Book 1) Page 14