Chapter 16
sixteen
CADE
“Don’t be nervous,” Maverick tells me as he squeezes my thigh in the back of the cab.
Or ride share, as he calls it. I’m not sure why it’s called that, since it’s pretty much the same thing as a taxi, but if that’s what it’s called, I’ll roll with it.
I lean my head on his shoulder, soaking up his comfort.
“What if she doesn’t forgive me?” I ask in a voice smaller than I’d like it to be.
But Maverick doesn’t tease me or poke fun at my question. He simply rubs the back of my neck, then kisses my forehead. “If she doesn’t, that’s on her. She has that right. But you have an obligation to apologize and really mean it. She deserves that.”
“I know. It’s just…Blossom is scary.”
Maverick chuckles. “Yeah, she is, but I like her. I think I saw her take some guy’s voice when we pulled up, but from the way he was bowing up at her, I think he earned that.
It seems like she doesn’t arbitrarily punish anyone, she only does it when she’s pushed.
I don’t know her, but she seems fair…even if she trapped you for decades.
Be honest, though. If you had an end date, would you have been sorry for what you did? ”
I shrug, though I know the real answer. I can never keep anything from Maverick, so I tell him the truth. “I would have counted down the days until I was free, then got away from Blossom as quickly as possible, but I would have been sorry for what I did. It was wrong.”
“Now you get to make it right.”
Sighing, I nuzzle up closer to him and watch the world pass me by.
For the past week, Maverick and I have been spending all of our time together—talking, studying, kissing, fucking, planning for our future. It’s all been perfect. Maverick is perfect.
But he reminded me last night when he was cuddled in my arms that I had to go to Blossom and apologize. Enough time has passed since I’ve been freed from the curse, and I can’t wait any longer because I’m afraid to face my past.
He’s right, but it won’t make this trip any easier. Fear coils around my gut, wrapped around like a vice. What if she thinks my apology is shit and curses me again? I can’t go back to being a full-time recliner, not after I found my mate, not after I know what life is like with him in it.
The ride share pulls up to Blossom’s deceptively small house and lets us out. I know for a fact it’s larger inside than it looks, mainly the garage. I give that part of the house the side-eye, skirting away from it as we walk up the sidewalk.
Maverick laces his fingers through mine, feeding me his strength. “It’ll be fine…I think. She seems like a nice woman.”
“Thank you,” Blossom’s sweet voice says as she rises from a chair on the porch. Both Maverick and I jump, not expecting her to be there. “I’m glad you’ve come so soon, Cade. I thought you’d still be deep inside Maverick since you were trapped as a recliner for so long.”
My mate blushes prettily as he looks away. I smile at him, then look back at Blossom. “No, I wanted to come see you. To…talk to you. To apologize.” I stuff my free hand in my pocket, looking down at the ground and kicking a rock from the walkway in front of me.
When I look back up at her, she’s smiling softly, friendliness dancing in her eyes. “Thank you. Come on in. We can have tea.”
Maverick smiles and practically skips behind Blossom, dragging me along.
We step inside her house, and it’s as beautiful as the witch is herself. The decor is bright and edgy, vibrant and modern. It also smells heavenly inside. Like flowers and sunlight, happiness and joy.
Blossom gestures for us to have a seat, then goes off to make tea. Maverick looks around, his eyes dancing with merriment. “Wow, this place is amazing!”
“I only ever saw the garage,” I say morosely.
Maverick nudges me. “Don’t let it get you down. You’re free now.”
Blossom returns with a tray laden with tea, cups, and cookies. “I know you’re a pastry chef,” she says, glancing up at Maverick with a wink, “but I think these cookies will still taste pretty good.”
Maverick’s mouth drops open. “How did…” he cuts off and shakes his head. “Never mind.” He picks up a cookie and bites into it, then closes his eyes and moans. “Jesus, these taste amazing! What did you add?” He pauses, then taps his chin. “Cinnamon and…orange?”
Looking pleased, Blossom pours him a cup of tea. “Orange extract, yes. You have a wonderful palate. Most people never taste either. An old recipe I got from my great-grandfather.”
“I’d love to learn if you’re willing to share the recipe. Not to share with the masses, just so I can enjoy it every now and again.” Maverick’s eyes grow wide, then he practically shouts, “Or you can come over and bake them with me!”
Blossom grins widely. “I’d like that. I see you haven’t worked on that volume control.”
Cheeks pink, he says, “Sorry. I get this giddy, excited feeling when I’m around you.”
“It’s known to happen.” Her eyes slide away from Maverick and land on me. “And how are you doing with your freedom, Cade? Is it everything you wanted it to be?”
I nod. “Yes. It’s…better than I thought it would be.
” I grab Maverick’s hand, clutching it tightly to pull just a bit more of his strength.
Meeting her eyes so she knows I mean it, I say, “Blossom, I’m so sorry for what I did.
Your owls didn’t deserve that. You didn’t deserve to worry about them.
I was a grown man, and I knew better, but I chose to send your owl—”
“Buttons,” Blossom interrupts. “His name is Buttons and his mate is Stormy.”
I incline my head, vowing to remember their names. “I chose to send Buttons to an island that didn’t exist, knowing he wouldn’t give up until he delivered my missive. I was wrong and I’ll always regret that.”
“Because of the curse?” she asks, one of her pink nails rolling around the rim of her coffee mug.
“No, because it was wrong. The curse gave me time to think, but I would have come to the conclusion it was wrong…eventually.”
She grins and sips her tea, watching me over the rim of her cup.
I sit still under her scrutiny, letting her analyze me as much as she wants.
When we met, I was a wild shifter, moving in a way that would have gotten me in trouble if I crossed the wrong person.
Had it not been Blossom, it would have been someone else, and I probably wouldn’t have lived to tell the tale.
Blossom could have done far worse than cursing me to stay in my shifter form, but she allowed me to learn and grow and think about what I did. I’d like to think that during my captivity, I saw the error of my ways, and it made me a better person.
“How is it having a mate?” She glances over at Maverick, her eyes dropping to his claiming mark. “Can you feel that thread that connects you?”
“Yes,” I answer, searching myself to grab onto that bright thread that binds our souls. It thrums with happiness and gives me the warm fuzzies.
“And if that was snipped? If it were cut and you lost him?”
Devastation fills me at the mere thought of it. My mind tries to shy away from the implications, but I force myself to sit with it. If I lost Maverick I would die. I would waste away and fucking pass into the void without him. He means everything to me, he’s my life.
Then it hits me. That’s what this is all about. This is the lesson Blossom wanted me to learn. She wanted me to see how Stormy would have felt if Buttons never returned to her.
The sick feeling settles in my stomach and I want to vomit.
I almost caused her the kind of pain my thoughts tell me are too terrible to even comprehend.
If it had come to pass, I would have been responsible for the death of two beautiful creatures, and maybe Blossom going full dark side at the loss of her companions.
Blowing out a shuddering breath, I say, “I would follow directly behind him to the grave, my soul tattered beyond repair. I get it. And for that I owe Buttons and Stormy an apology as well.”
She smiles and places her cup back on the table.
“I’m glad you understand what you did and the pain you would have wrought.
And I accept your apology. Just so you know, the others that were with you got what they deserved too.
Even though they tried to put the blame on you, I can always tell when I’m lied to. ”
“What did…are they…” I stop, not finishing my sentence. I don’t need to know what happened to them. Whatever Blossom did was more than fair. I’m sure I got the worst of it, though.
Changing the course of my question, I ask, “How did you know they were lying? And why didn’t you tell me?”
“I knew they were lying, just like I knew Maverick was a good person when we met. I’m a witch.” She wiggles her fingers and sparks leap from the tips, making Maverick yelp. He covers it with a quick apology, though he positively beams at Blossom.
Looks like my mate found a new friend.
“Would you like to meet them? Buttons and Stormy?” she asks, getting to her feet.
“We would,” Maverick says, getting to his feet, pulling me up as well.
“I’ve never been close to an owl before.
I only see them when they’re flying. Oh!
CADE TOLD ME ABOUT BARRED OWLS!” Both Blossom and I jump at the sound of his shouting.
His face turns a bright shade of red as he rests his forehead against my bicep.
“Oh my god, I swear I’ll stop yelling at you, Blossom. ”
She laughs that tinkling sound that makes contentment settle over my shoulders.
“It’s okay. I like your exuberance. Come, I’ll show you my babies.
” She takes a few steps, then stops, holding up a finger.
“Oh, one last thing.” Blossom snaps her fingers and something falls from above and plunks me on the head.
“Oww,” I groan, rubbing my crown. “The fuck was that?” I look down at a thick folder with my name embossed on the front.
“Sorry,” Blossom says, though she doesn’t sound as if she means it. “Grab it and see.”
I pick up the folder, open it, and see a birth certificate, a new social security card, my old high school transcripts—updated to this century, of course—and a brand spanking new driver’s license.
Eyes watering with gratitude, I look up at Blossom. I have to blink repeatedly so I can bring her into focus. “This is…I can’t…Blossom…”
I rush over to her and gather her in my arms, hugging her tightly. “Thank you so much. For my future. Now I can take care of my mate like he deserves.”
She rubs my back, the soothing circles making the tears drop from my eyes.
“You deserved a second chance, Cade. I’m glad you got it and you appreciate it.
” She pulls away and frames my face. A furrow dips her eyebrows as she says, “But if you do some shit like that again, I will personally tear you apart.”
I nod, accepting her terms. “Never again.” I look back at Maverick, who’s smiling from ear to ear. “I would never risk what I have with my mate.”
Blossom pats my cheek. “I know you won’t. Now let’s go see my babies, okay?”
Smiling, I drag Maverick beside me, and we follow Blossom to a wing of her house that can’t be seen from the outside, where her owls can fly in and out freely.
When Buttons sees me, he hoots loudly, the shrieks making me cover my ears. Maverick’s face is a mixture of apologetic and awestruck. Buttons and Stormy are beautiful, noble animals and I was wrong for almost ruining that.
Stepping closer, I look directly at both of them and express my deepest apologies. Their intelligent gazes never leave mine as I beg for their forgiveness.
When I’m done speaking, they both stare at me, hooting softly. Then Buttons takes wing and lands on my shoulder, his claws digging in. I wince, but bear it, not shaking him off.
After a few seconds, he lets up, then hops on top of my head. Stormy flies over and lands on my opposite shoulder, giving it the same treatment, punishing me for almost taking her mate.
I silently absorb the pain, knowing I deserve worse.
Just as Buttons did, she loosens her grip and flies back over to their perch.
Buttons hops back on my shoulder, nips my ear, then flies to his mate.
“They accept your apology, I think,” Maverick says, grinning at the owls.
“Yeah,” I sigh, admiring the closeness of the birds, how Buttons places his wing around Stormy, almost as if he’s drawing her closer. “I think so too.”