Courage of the Witch

by Deanna Chase

  “God, no!” She jumped out of her chair and strode over to him. “Don’t ever think that, Rhys.” Tears glistened in her eyes but didn’t fall. “I said yes because I love you. Because when faced with the very real possibility that I might lose you, I was holding on with everything I had. I knew in that terrifying moment that I wanted to marry you no matter what challenges we faced. What I told our moms is true. I want as much time with you as I can get, whatever that means.”

  “Okay. I believe you. But—” he started, hating himself for picking at this wound.

  “No buts, Rhys,” she said gently. “I freaked out in a big way, and I was scared to tell you why because we’ve spent literally years trying to get past that nonsense. At first I was afraid you’d run again, thinking that I need something more than you can give me. Newsflash, I’m a big girl. I can take care of me. I know you know that.”

  “My reason for staying away has vanished, Hanna,” he said, watching her carefully. “I’m not at any special risk anymore. Why were you so afraid to tell me?”

  She threw her hands up. “Because, you doofus. I didn’t want you to think I’m a terrible person. I need you to know I was never going to leave your side. I just had a momentary freak-out.”

  Rhys actually laughed. He threw his head back and let the laughter rumble through him.

  “It’s not funny,” she said.

  “It kind of is,” he said softly as he pushed off the counter and held his hand out to her. “This whole time you were worried I’d think you’re a terrible person, and I was worried you were having second thoughts because I wasn’t dying. Man, we’re some pair.”

  She blinked. “What?”

  He shrugged one shoulder. “If you’d said yes just because you thought I might not make it through the night, then I could hardly hold you to that promise, now could I?”

  Hanna clapped a hand over her mouth and giggled.

  “See, it’s funny.” He wrapped his arms around her and smiled down at her. “How about we make a pact to stop assuming what the other is thinking?”

  “I can do that. We’ve never had a problem communicating before,” she said.

  “That’s not exactly true. We’ve never been great at talking about our romantic feelings. Mostly we’ve swept those under the rug and just ached for each other. Let’s stop that, okay?”

  “Deal,” she said softly and pressed her head against his chest. “I love you, Rhys.”

  “I love you, too, Hanna.”

  They stood there holding each other for a long time, until finally Hanna pulled back and said, “You must be exhausted. Let’s get you in the shower and then to bed.”

  “You don’t have to ask me twice.”

  Hanna slipped her fingers through his and led him upstairs to her bedroom.

  He stood in the doorway, eyeing the pretty red poppy bedspread and all of her feminine touches, and yawned so hard his eyes watered.

  Without a word, Hanna tugged him to her bathroom, turned the shower on, and said, “Go on. I’ll find you something clean to wear.”

  “As much as I’d like to see your panties, Hanna, I don’t think they’re going to work for me.”

  She laughed. “Stop. I’m pretty sure I have some of your old sweat pants and a couple of your T-shirts. Just get in the shower. I’ve got it from here.”

  The water was so inviting he didn’t argue further. He reached behind his head and pulled his T-shirt off. The door clicked softly behind him, and while he was disappointed that Hanna wouldn’t be joining him, he quickly shed the rest of his clothes and stepped into the shower. The water beat down on his fatigued body, making Rhys certain he’d gone to heaven.

  He stayed under the hot water for what felt like hours. And when he finally emerged, Hanna had indeed found a pair of his old sweats and one of his favorite T-shirts he hadn’t seen in ages. He pulled both on and inhaled that scent that was one hundred percent Hanna. A tiny smile tugged at his lips. She’d been keeping his shirt for herself.

  When he finally emerged from the bathroom, he found Hanna sitting in the chair in the corner of her room, fast asleep with a book splayed on her lap. He kneeled in front of her, leaned in, and whispered, “Hey, love. Time for bed.”

  She jerked awake. “What?”

  “You fell asleep in the chair. Ready for bed?”

  She glanced from him to the bed and then to the bathroom. “I need a shower first.”

  “All right.” He stood and held out his hand to help her up. Then he led her to the bathroom, turned her shower on, and said, “I’ll find you something to wear. Just get in.”

  She gave him an amused smile. “Is this your way of getting permission to rummage through my underwear drawer?”

  “Is that a problem?” He raised one eyebrow in challenge.

  Hanna peered past him into her bedroom and then at the shower and the steam already filling the bathroom. “Nope.”

  “Good.” Rhys leaned against the doorframe, waiting.

  Hanna pulled her T-shirt off, revealing her sports bra, but when she noticed him standing there, she covered herself with her shirt. “What are you doing?”

  “Just watching my fiancée get into the shower. Is that all right?”

  Her cheeks turned pink, tickling him, but she nodded and went back to the business of undressing.

  His girl’s movements were slow, meant to torture as she took her time working her way out of her leggings one leg at a time. Good gracious, she was even more gorgeous than he remembered. He’d seen her in less plenty of times at the river or the pool. But this was different. Now she was officially his.

  Hanna turned and stared right at him as she slipped out of her sports bra, baring her breasts to him. He sucked in a sharp breath and started to move forward, unable to keep his hands to himself. But Hanna put her hand up, stopping him. “Nope. I’m in desperate need of that shower, and before anything happens with us, if anything happens with us tonight, I’m getting in there and cleaning off this dirt.”

  Disappointment rippled through him, but he understood. And instead of torturing himself further, he nodded and slipped out of the bathroom to find Hanna some clothes. He opted for a silky red pajama set and matching panties and then placed them on the counter in the bathroom, pausing only for a moment to eye the outline of her body visible in the frosted glass of the shower door.

  Gorgeous, he thought again as he retreated to her bed and climbed in. He had every intention of waiting up until she was out of the shower and cuddled next to him, but his body was fatigued and his eyelids were heavy. As the scent of Hanna rose up around him, he smiled contentedly and fell into a deep dreamless sleep.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Hanna woke just before the predawn light and rolled to her side to watch Rhys sleeping peacefully. The night before when she’d finally emerged from the shower, she’d found him passed out, completely lost in slumber. She hadn’t had the heart to wake him after the day he’d had, so she climbed in beside him, curled up on his chest, and sighed when his arm came around her.

  It had been the perfect way to end the most imperfect day.

  Staring at him now, she wanted to drop kisses on his chest and run her hands over his muscled body, but she refrained. There was no time to luxuriate in him before she had to get to the café. If she woke him now, she’d never make it on time. With a small sigh, she rolled out of bed, grabbed a change of clothes, and slipped into the bathroom. Twenty minutes later, she reemerged to find him still knocked out.

  Hanna walked carefully over to his side of the bed, pressed a gentle kiss to his temple, and tiptoed out of the room, closing the door gently behind her.

  “Hanna!” Faith came flying into Incantation Café, her face lit with excitement. “What the hell, girlfriend? When were you going to tell me?”

  Hanna grinned at her friend. “Maybe when you came in for your morning caffeine fix? Who told you?”

  “Half the damned town.” She pouted. “They totally ruined it for me. But o
hmigod! I’m thrilled for you both. It’s about time you two got it together! Where’s the ring?” She grabbed Hanna’s hand and gasped. “Holy sparkles, this thing is gorgeous!”

  “Thanks.” Hanna smiled so wide, her cheeks started to ache. Ever since their talk the night before, when she confessed her freak-out to Rhys and he absolved her of any perceived betrayals, she just felt happy. A sweet, soul-deep happiness that she hadn’t ever really experienced before.

  “Goodness, Han. You look like sunshine is just bursting from you.” Faith pulled her into a giant hug and whispered, “So, did you two finally do it?”

  “Faith!” Hanna pulled back from her friend and shook her head. “Stop.”

  “So that’s a no?” Faith sighed heavily. “What is wrong with you two? You’re engaged now. Time to get busy.”

  Hanna rolled her eyes. “Why don’t you worry about your own bedroom activities and just let me worry about mine, okay?”

  “But yours are about to get really interesting,” Faith said and leaned on the counter.

  “Maybe you and Hunter need to spice things up. Go over to that adult toy shop in Eureka? Pick up a few silicone—”

  “Hanna!” Mary Pelsh said from behind her. “That is not the kind of thing you should be talking about in the café. What’s gotten in to you?”

  “Oh, crap.” Hanna glanced at her mother’s stern expression and winced while Faith cackled. “Sorry, Mom. I was just trying to needle Faith because she was… um, getting too personal.”

  “That’s all fine and well, honey, but everyone knows if you’re going to frequent an adult toy shop you should go to the one in Arcata. They have a much better selection.”

  “Wha… what?” Hanna sputtered.

  Faith erupted into full blown laughter as she bent over at the waist and gasped for air.

  Mary smirked at her daughter and strolled back into her office.

  “Holy bells, that was funny,” Faith said when she got herself under control. “Who knew Mom had such a strong joke game?”

  Hanna shook her head and slipped back behind the counter. “Did you want something, or are you just going to continue to torture me?”

  “I need the largest mocha you have and half a dozen chocolate pastries. Or muffins. I don’t care just as long as I get my chocolate fix.”

  “Rough day?” Hanna asked.

  “My mom called this morning.” Faith shoved her hands in her pockets as all her humor fled and was replaced by a troubled expression. Her mother was a potions addict who was in treatment after accidentally burning Faith’s house down a few months earlier.

  “What does she want?”

  “To make amends. She wants me to come visit so she can apologize in person.”

  “Didn’t she already do that when you and Hunter went to see her before she cut her deal?” Hanna asked as she steamed the milk for her friend’s drink.

  “Yes. But now she says she has to make amends for stuff she did when we were kids. She wants Abby, Yvette, and Noel to go, too, but I think that’s a pipe dream. Noel won’t go for sure. She’s still holding on to her anger. Yvette and Abby might. They’re more forgiving.”

  “And you?” Hanna passed her a bag of chocolate croissants.

  “I’m probably with Noel on this one.” She closed her eyes and gave her head a tiny shake. “I don’t want to deal with her. Why does she always call me when she wants to reconnect?”

  “Because you’re the baby, the one who doesn’t remember as much as your sisters. Likely she has less guilt where you’re concerned.” Hanna gave her a sympathetic smile. “You don’t have to take her calls, you know. You don’t owe her anything, Faith.”

  “I know.” Faith’s shoulders slumped. “But every time she reaches out, I become that little girl who’s desperate for answers. I need to know what she wants.”

  “I’m sorry. I know that’s got to be hard.”

  “It is. But I’ll deal.”

  Hanna finished off the mocha, topped it with a generous portion of whipped cream, and then passed it to Faith. “No charge today. Go back and enjoy the crap out of your busy spa and bask in your success. You deserve it.”

  “Thank you, Hanna,” Faith said, reaching over the counter and giving her another hug. When she pulled back, she dropped a ten in the tip jar and winked. “Later gator.”

  “Later skater,” Hanna said.

  The door chimed, indicating Faith’s exit just as Hanna’s phone vibrated. The call was from Healer Snow.

  “Hello?” Hanna said.

  “Hanna, oh good. I’m glad I caught you,” the healer said. “We got your blood test back, and I need you to come in to talk about the results. Can you get here this afternoon by four?”

  “My results? I thought you just needed to make sure I was right for the drug trial?” Hanna said.

  “Yes, that’s true. It turns out we have another one that is better suited, but it requires a consult. Do you think you can make it today? Four o’clock?”

  “I hadn’t planned on driving to Eureka today,” she hedged. Hanna was planning a special night with Rhys. If she had to go all the way into town, it meant she might not make it back in time for their dinner reservations at Woodlines.

  “Please, Hanna. It’s important,” the healer said.

  A trace of unease crawled up Hanna’s back. The trials she’d done so far had been important, she was sure, but she’d never heard that much urgency in Healer Snow’s voice before. “All right. I’ll be there. Just a consult, not a treatment, right?”

  “That’s correct. The treatment will be tomorrow if we move forward.”

  “Tomorrow? Whoa. You’re not messing around with this one,” Hanna said.

  “No, I’m not. I’ll see you later today.” The healer disconnected, and Hanna stared at her phone, wondering what was going on. Healer Snow had never been that pushy before, nor had she asked Hanna to switch trials at the last minute. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of the situation, but as usual, Hanna was determined to do whatever she could to help. If it brought Healer Snow closer to a cure for the autoimmune disease Charlotte had, then Hanna would gladly postpone any plans. Even ones with her gorgeous fiancé.

  Hanna hurried into the clinic where she normally met with Healer Snow and rushed over to the receptionist’s counter. “Hey, Tai, I’m a little late,” she said to the woman behind the computer. “I was supposed to meet Healer Snow—”

  “Ten minutes ago,” Tai said, cutting her off. She bounded out of her chair and opened the door to the exam room area. “Healer Snow is waiting for you, Ms. Pelsh. Right this way.”

  Hanna followed the petite woman down two hallways until she came to a stop in front of Snow’s office. Tai knocked twice and said, “Hanna Pelsh is here to see you.”

  “Send her in.”

  Tai opened the door and gave Hanna a tentative smile.

  “Thanks,” Hanna said.

  “Good luck,” the receptionist said as Hanna passed by.

  “Good luck? For what?”

  Tai stammered.

  “Never mind.” Hanna strode in and shook the healer’s hand before taking a seat. “Thank you for all you did for Rhys. I can’t tell you how relieved we all are. It’s like you gave him a new lease on life.”

  Healer Snow muttered a curse.

  “What?” Hanna asked, straightening her spine. “Something’s wrong. Is it Rhys? Was there another mistake? What don’t we know?”

  “It’s not your fiancé, Hanna. He’s fine. Or at least he should be as long as he takes care of himself.”

  Hanna leaned in and said, “Just tell me whatever it is You’re making me really nervous.”

  “All right.” Snow straightened her shoulders, met Hanna’s piercing stare, and said, “It’s your bloodwork, Hanna. You’re not eligible to participate in any more trials as a baseline.”

  “What does that mean?” Hanna frowned.

  “It means you can’t be the control case anymore because your blood test indicated
that you’ve developed the same autoimmune disease that your sister had.”

  Hanna heard the words but wasn’t sure she could process them with all the sudden buzzing that was going on in her head. “It’s a mistake,” Hanna said. “It must be.”

  “It’s not,” The healer said. “I double-checked. Triple-checked. Sometime between the last trial and this one, you’ve developed the early stages of Charlotte’s autoimmune disease. I’m sorry, Hanna, but the science is clear. Are you all right?”

  No. Of course she wasn’t all right. Hanna felt like she was floating right out of her skin. Autoimmune disease. The two words just kept rolling over and over in her brain. Weak, fragile, breakable. That’s how the two words autoimmune disease made her feel. And in that moment, she really wanted to punch someone.

  “This isn’t fair,” Hanna said.

  “It never is,” the healer agreed.

  “So now what?” Hanna demanded, not sure who she was angry at. The healer? Herself? Charlotte? Tears burned hot in her eyes, and she forced out, “You need my blood for some other trial?”

  “No, Hanna. You’re the subject of the trial. We have what we need. We just need you to come back tomorrow so we can administer the antibodies.”

  “Yeah, sure. Tomorrow.” Hanna stood. “What time?”

  “Ten a.m.”

  “Got it. I’ll be here.” She felt her tears finally start to fall, and she angrily brushed them away as she ran to her car. Just when her life had finally fallen into place, she learned the worst possible news. Her body was cold, and her limbs felt numb as memories of Charlotte’s sickest days flooded back to her. She saw Charlotte pale in her bed, unable to move; vomiting after yet another experimental treatment; guzzling two extra energy potions just so she’d have the vitality to spend the evening out with her friends or her boyfriend, Drew. And then there was the morning when they found out that Charlotte had died.