"Anya Applewhite," Astrid said, stepping out of the car. "Please lower your wand."
Anya stopped and stared at us. I could see from her expression that she knew exactly why we were here. Her grey eyes were awash with fear. That wasn't necessarily a good thing, not while she still held her wand.
“Please. It was an accident," Anya said, taking a step backward. She extended her wand toward us.
“Anya, please lower your wand," I said. "No one wants to hurt you. We only want to talk."
"Do you know how it feels to be expelled in front of everyone?" Anya asked, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Do you know how it feels to be the daughter of two skilled fairies and not be able to do a simple revival spell?"
"I know exactly how you feel," I said. "I'm in the remedial witch class at the academy, remember? When I told you that I had friends who were amazing but not in an academic setting, I meant it. My friend Sophie is a brilliant witch, but sometimes she's a bit clumsy and spells go awry. It doesn't make her a bad witch, though.”
Anya remained firmly rooted to the ground with her wand pointed toward us. Her guard was up. Way up. I mentally prepared myself for an attack. I didn't want to end up like Walter.
"I went to the woods because I thought I would be alone to practice,” Anya said. “Everyone else was in school, so I didn't expect anyone to be there. I didn't even hear him coming. I was so focused on trying to do the spell properly."
"Which spell were you trying to do?" Astrid asked.
"A revival spell," Anya said. "I messed it up so badly in class that they expelled me. They told my parents they had nothing to teach someone of my low caliber. I was devastated. But I was determined to show them they were wrong."
"If you were doing a revival spell," I said, "then why was Walter frozen to death?"
"I was freezing the flowers to death and then reviving them," Anya explained. "I only wanted to practice on the flowers so that I didn't hurt anything." She bit her lip. "He came across the bridge. I turned around when I heard the noise. I wasn't thinking about my wand, that I’d just done the spell. Instead of landing on the flower, it landed on the troll." She squeezed her eyes shut and began to cry in earnest.
"Anya, we believe you," Astrid said. "Place your wand on the ground and we can talk more about it."
"What will happen to me?" Anya cried. "Will I go to Spellbound Prison? This is murder, right?"
"Not necessarily," I said. "Accidental death is different, plus you’re a minor. If you’re convicted, it will carry less prison time."
Astrid beckoned her forward. "Come on, Anya. We know it was a mistake. You don't want to hurt anybody else and make it worse.”
Anya looked uncertain, and I realized that her hand was shaking.
"Walter had a workshop in the woods not far from the bridge," I said. "He was coming home after visiting there. He made amazing inventions. He was a good troll and his loved ones deserve closure."
"I know," Anya said. "When he dropped dead, I tried to drag him off the bridge and revive him. I couldn't do it, though. A spell like that doesn't work on living, breathing paranormals, only things like flowers and trees. I dragged him as far as I could and tried a couple of spells, but nothing worked."
"Then why didn't you run for help?" Astrid asked. "If you had gone for help, then maybe he would've had a chance."
Anya collapsed on the ground in a heap. "I don't know. I’d just been expelled. I didn't want to make it worse. My parents have been so disappointed in me."
Well, they were going to feel more than disappointment now. Still, I found myself feeling sorry for Anya. She’d been subjected to so much pressure to achieve. It was no wonder she cracked.
Astrid advanced slowly toward the fairy, retrieving her wand from the grass beside her. "Anya Applewhite, I place you under arrest for the death of Walter Rivers.”
It was then that Cindy Applewhite emerged from the house, looking confused. "Sheriff? What's going on?"
"You may want to come down to the office,” Astrid said. "Your daughter will need an adult present."
That was the one thing Anya had going for her. She was still a minor. The sentencing guidelines would take that into account, even the existing tougher ones. Under the circumstances, it was the best she could hope for.
Chapter 25
I awoke reluctantly from the most wonderful dream. Daniel and I were in the dining room downstairs, having dinner with my parents. There was no special occasion. It was a typical evening where we ate roast beef with gravy and homemade biscuits and shared the trivial details of our day. It felt so normal. I treasured every fake moment of it.
I stretched my legs and arms before flipping back the covers and padding across the floor to the bathroom. Sometimes I didn’t even make it through the night without a bladder break. I completely sympathized with Buck’s urinary needs.
"Someone’s in a good mood," Gareth said.
I glanced over my shoulder to see him hovering in the bathroom doorway. "Privacy, please."
“Since when?”
I grabbed a washcloth and began to scrub my face. "How do you know I'm in a good mood?"
“Because you're humming to yourself," he said. "You only hum when you're happy."
I stared at myself in the mirror. "Do I?" I'd never noticed.
"You get to know a lot about a person when you live together," Gareth said.
"Why do I feel like that statement is laced with meaning?" I went back to the business of washing my face.
Gareth shrugged. "Only an observation. Nothing to do at all with your budding romance of heavenly proportions.”
I rounded on him. "It has everything to do with my budding romance. Gareth, are you worried that I'm going to move in with Daniel and leave you here alone?"
Gareth fixated on the floorboards. "No.” He paused. “But I might be worried that Daniel will move in here. It would completely change the dynamic. This house is only large enough for one incredibly handsome male.”
From out of nowhere, Magpie hissed his disapproval.
Gareth smiled. “Apologies. Two incredibly handsome males.”
I barked a short laugh. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We've only gotten to the stage where we’ve admitted our feelings for each other. I don't think he’ll be showing up on the front porch with his bags anytime soon."
The wind chimes jingled and Gareth and I exchanged an uneasy look.
“I'll suss it out," Gareth said and disappeared.
I hurriedly brushed my hair and tried to make myself presentable. Why would anyone turn up so early and so unexpectedly?
“Just as I feared," Gareth said, returning to my bedroom. "Daniel is here."
“Presumably without his suitcase.”
“Aye.”
I glanced down at my fuzzy pajama set. Not remotely sexy, but it would have to do.
“You're not going to open the door like that, are you?" Gareth asked.
I headed for the stairs, unconcerned. "He loves me, Gareth—old lady pajamas and all."
"It must be love," Gareth muttered. "There's no other excuse for that kind of tolerance."
I hustled down the steps and yanked open the front door. Sure enough, Daniel stood there, looking as handsome as ever in a pair of charcoal jeans and a body-hugging turquoise T-shirt that matched his eyes. His gossamer wings fanned out behind him. Seeing him again let loose a butterfly frenzy in my stomach. I couldn't imagine a day when my body didn't react to the sight of him.
"Good morning," Daniel said, grinning widely. "I'm so glad you're up. I didn’t want to have to wake you, but I was willing.“
"Do we have plans?" I asked. There was no way I would have forgotten making plans with Daniel.
"I was hoping we could spend the day together," he said. "I know it's short notice, but I feel like we’ve missed so much time together recently. I don't want to make that mistake again. Time is precious."
"Says the immortal," I quipped.
He took my hand
. "I am, but you’re not. And I don't want to waste a single moment on my own when I could be with you."
My heart fluttered. No one made me feel the way Daniel did. Like I was the most special snowflake in the blizzard. For someone with my tragic background, that took real talent.
"I'm happy to spend the day together," I said, "but I'd at least like to get dressed first."
Daniel stepped into the foyer. "No problem. I'm happy to wait. You deserve every ounce of my patience.”
"Be back in a few," I said. I raced up the stairs and back to my bedroom where Gareth had already placed an outfit on the bed.
I marveled at him. "You were able to touch the hangers?”
He inclined his head. "Sometimes I surprise even myself."
I studied the outfit on the bed. As always, Gareth’s taste was impeccable. “Thank you.” I hesitated. “I was wondering if you’d be angry that I kept my secret from you.”
“The sorceress thing?” Gareth queried.
“Not exactly a minor detail.”
He waved me off. “I know all about keeping secrets from people I care about, Emma. You had your reasons and I respect that.”
“It means a lot to me that you’re being supportive."
"How could I not be supportive?" he asked. "You deserve every happiness, Emma. And I want to help you in any way I can. Dead or not, I still have a lot to offer."
"Of course you do," I said. I quickly changed my clothes and swilled my anti-anxiety potion.
"Have fun today," Gareth said. "I'll be here waiting for you."
Daniel was in the living room when I returned downstairs. He stood in front of the mantel, admiring the blue and yellow pot.
“That's from the Mad Potter, isn't it? We went there together when you first came here.”
“Yes, it was your gift to me. I gave it pride of place in the house."
He smiled softly. "I hope it's the first of many gifts I’m able to give you."
I linked my arm through his. "I don't need gifts, Daniel. Not when I have you."
“It's a beautiful day," he said.
I laughed, feeling more light-hearted than I had in ages. “When isn’t it a beautiful day in Spellbound?”
“Then let’s not waste it.”
"Where are we going?"
He bumped me gently with his elbow. "Does it matter?"
No. As long as we were together, it really didn't.
He waited until we were clear of the front porch to spread his wings to their full capacity. "Hop on.”
I hesitated. "Are you sure?"
He pulled me toward him. "What's the worst that can happen?"
That list was far too long. "I puke on your gorgeous head?"
"Then I'll wash my hair. It’ll be fine." He flapped his wings. "Let's go, Hart. While the sun is still shining.”
I walked over to him and looped my hands around his neck. He lifted me into his arms and leaped into the air.
“Try not to strangle me," he choked out. I loosened my grip on his neck.
We flew over Spellbound and I forced myself to keep my eyes open and enjoy the passing scenery. The clock tower and the dramatic church spire. The Mayor’s Mansion. The majestic forests and the hills in the distance. It was important not to go through life with my eyes closed and my walls up. Otherwise, I’d miss all the good stuff.
I knew where he was taking me before we even got there. We came up and over the cliff and landed gently on the cliff’s edge. Swan Lake glistened below.
"Your Contemplate the State of the Universe spot?" I queried.
"It used to be," he said. “Then it became the place where I thought about you." He pointed to the road that ran along the other side of the lake. “That's where I first spotted that silly green car of yours."
I gave him a playful punch in the ribs. "Sigmund is not silly. He’s a wonderful car.” And the last physical link I had to my grandparents.
“He'd better be. Do you know how difficult it was to get him out of the bottom of the lake?"
I stared at the place across the lake where my life changed forever. "Do you ever wonder what would've happened if I hadn't seen you up here? If I had kept driving?"
"All the time," he admitted. "I'm so grateful that you’re a distracted driver."
I jerked my head to glare at him and saw the hint of a smile on his lips. "Daniel, that's not funny. I am not a distracted driver. I saw someone in need and I reacted."
He wrapped his strong arms around me and pulled me against his chest. I felt the soft, steady thump of his heartbeat reverberate between us.
“I was someone in need," he said. He tipped my chin upward. "I just didn't realize that what I needed was you."
I remained perfectly still as his lips met mine. It was the softest kiss I’d ever experienced, infused with more love than I’d ever hoped to feel.
“I’m so glad I found this place,” I murmured.
He leaned down and pressed his forehead against mine. “Me too. It doesn’t feel cursed anymore. Not since the day you showed up and turned this town upside down.”
I pinched his waist and he laughed. “What if the curse was broken tomorrow? Would you leave?”
“That depends,” he said, kissing me again. His fingers danced through strands of my hair.
“On what?” My whole body warmed, responding to his touch.
“On whether you wanted to stay or go.”
“You’d leave your home to be with me?” Although I felt the same way, it was nice to know we were on the same page. I’d follow Daniel to the heavens, with or without wings and a shiny halo.
“No, I wouldn’t have to leave home,” he replied.
I frowned. “Because you think I’d stay?”
Daniel smiled and cupped my cheeks with his hands. “No, because home is wherever you are.”
“Ditto,” I said, and kissed him again for good measure.
Thank you for reading Cast Away! If you enjoyed it, please help other readers find this book so they can enjoy the world of Spellbound too ~
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Cast Away Page 17