Gratitude
Heaven
I’ve just finished filling them in, and Sienna gets up, giving me a hug.
“If anyone can handle that power, it’s you. I don’t have any doubts about that,” she says, squeezing my arms comfortingly as she smiles at me. “Will you tell Aunty Ri?”
I nod. Yes. Maybe with your parents there, it might make it easier. I am not having any issues so far in controlling Endora, but I’m sure she’ll look for moments of weakness. I don’t think there’s any way to push me to that point, but I can’t rule it out. So, I am treading carefully.
“That’s wise, and yeah, I think maybe tell someone just in case.” Allie nods. “Also, in our grimoire, there are a lot of spells. Maybe there’s a spell in there that can make it easier for you to access other witches whilst keeping you protected.”
“There is, but we just need to tread carefully. Now that Aunty Ri will train her, I’m sure there’s more we can do,” Sienna says.
I think she should train all three of us. Regardless, I’m going to talk to her, I write. And… I have the book of the first Hallowed Witch Trio. With those words, I twirl my hand until the thick, heavy book lands in my hand.
Allie whistles as she takes it from me. “It’s even thicker than the other one.”
“It is,” Sienna agrees, before combing her fingers through my hair. “Your hair’s grown.”
I’m growing it out now, I write with a smile. So, shall we get to choosing a dress?
“We should. Do you think we should ask Katara to join us? It’s not nice for her to be alone,” Sienna says.
“She’s annoying.” Allie shrugs. “But yeah, why not?”
Yes, I think we should. I agree. Shall I go call her?
“Yeah, sure, but one thing before you call her…” Sienna trails off, glancing at Allie before looking at me. “What happened with Holden?”
We broke up because he’s not worthy of me, I answer haughtily with a flick of my hair.
“Right… and it’s got nothing to do with anyone else?” Sienna asks.
I arch a brow despite my surprise she’d even ask that. Why would you ask that? I write.
Sienna shrugs. “I don’t know… just felt like maybe?”
“Well, I have had the same thought come to my head about a certain idiot,” Allie says, as she fakes gagging, before leaning back and looking at me with narrowed eyes.
I roll my eyes. Who? I know exactly who she means, but I’m not about to admit he came to mind.
Sienna looks between us curiously. “Aren’t you going to share, Allie?”
“Theo.” Allie’s eyes don’t leave mine, and I shake my head.
We’re friends, nothing more.
“You guys became friends?” Sienna asks, eyes wide.
Yes, because I needed Hades’ help to get to the Gods’ Realm. He’s still an annoying idiot, I write with a frown, and Allie nods her agreement.
“That he is.”
A gorgeous one…
“Well, let’s go call Katara, and then we can get ready,” Sienna says.
I nod before I unlock the door, ready to go get her.
“We’re having other guests, too, aren’t we?” Allie asks.
Sienna nods. “Yes, quite a lot. It’s a huge mashup of a lot of things.” She laughs.
Well then, we’d better get ready and be prepared to look our best.
“What are those?” I turn as Phoenix enters the room, folding her arms as she looks at the hair tinsel Sienna is putting in my hair for me.
It’s tinsel, do you want some? We’re wearing the same colour, I write.
“Heaven said it’s hair tinsel; do you want some in your hair?” Sienna asks.
“I can read,” Phoenix says as she walks in and looks up at my hair. “It’s nice. Yes, please.”
“Right away, let me finish Heaven’s, then I’ll put it in your hair for you,” Sienna says.
We’ve all finished getting ready, and I’ve heard so many cars pull up, music is already blaring, and the outside of the Rossi Mansion is ablaze with lights.
Sienna is in a soft pink dress with mauve sequin leaves going across the entire bodice and over the skirt and hem.
Between the breasts is a sheer cutout panel.
It has a slit down the right thigh, and layers of tulle on the right hip that trail onto the floor.
It’s got one strap with a fitted sleeve, leaving the other arm bare.
She’s left her hair open, but has pinned it back from the front.
There’s a scattering of tiny gems in her hair that sparkle every time the light hits them.
She’s wearing silver-coloured jewellery with matching earrings, an arm band and rings.
We’ve also painted over her long red nails, creating a nice cat-eye in matching pink.
Allie is wearing a dark magenta, sequined fitted mermaid gown, which is off-shoulder with long sleeves. She’s paired it with small earrings, a few simple rings, and black nails, with one dark pink cat-eye nail on each hand. Her makeup is neutral, with winged liner and gloss.
I’m wearing a nude-coloured mermaid gown. The pattern on the dress flows around my body in blue, gold, and teal swirls of beads. It fits me like a glove, with a slit down the left leg.
Every time I move, the light catches on the beads, making them glitter.
My favourite parts are the neckline and the sleeve – if you can call it that.
One beaded strap wraps from the right breast and over and around the left shoulder, with a swirl of chiffon fabric formed into a wave that drapes around my upper left arm, resting there gently.
My eyeshadow incorporates all three colours to match the beadwork on my dress, just like my nails, jewellery and heels.
Thank you, Si, I write, as I admire the tinsel that runs lightly through my hair.
“My turn,” Phoenix says as she sits down on my stool and looks in the mirror.
She has very straight hair, much like Azura’s.
I take a strand of the tinsel from Sienna and place it against her head to measure the length before grabbing the scissors and snipping it to the correct length, and then measure two more before passing the cut ones to Sienna, before doing the same to a few more.
Katara, would you like some? I ask her as she steps out of the bathroom. You look gorgeous, by the way.
“No thanks, and thank you,” she says with a small smile as she looks at the three of us. “You girls look great, too.”
“Thank you,” Sienna says as I smile at her, and Allie nods.
“Personally, I feel it’s prickly,” she remarks, looking down at her dress disdainfully.
Katara smirks. “Good.”
Want me to do your eyeliner? I write, noticing she is holding the tube in her hand but hasn’t applied any yet.
“Can you? I’m not great with makeup,” she admits.
“I want eyeliner, too,” Phoenix says.
“Should we ask Azura?” Sienna whispers.
“No,” Phoenix states before we can reply.
“Eh, it’s fine, Azura was always putting makeup on me, besides, I’ll take the blame,” says Katara.
“Although you can’t do eyeliner,” Allie smirks.
Katara rolls her eyes. “Shut up, Allie.”
“Don’t want to,” Allie replies as I apply Katara’s eyeliner.
“Thanks,” she says with a smile before I turn to Phoenix, doubtful.
You are so pretty, you don’t need makeup, I write slowly.
Phoenix reads them, taking her time before she frowns deeply and gives me this cold, blank stare. “I know I’m pretty. I don’t need makeup, I want makeup,” she says, as if this is obvious.
I smile at that as Sienna hides a giggle.
“Oi, brat, stop acting like you’re ten,” Allie growls.
“You really are like your dad,” Katara states.
“Sadly, I can’t say the same for you,” Allie counters.
“Why do you both keep arguing?” Skyla says from the door as she folds her arms and looks at us. “You girls ready?”
“Almost,” Sienna says, and Skyla smirks.
“Looking damn fine, ladies. Shame your man ain’t here, but this attitude of his won’t last for long. He’s a stubborn one,” she adds to Sienna, who simply smiles and nods. I know that must sting, but she’s holding herself together well. I give her a small smile.
“Thanks,” Sienna says after a moment.
Katara looks at Sienna, and I see what looks like a glimmer of sympathy before she looks away and busies herself with putting on her earrings. She’s wearing a stunning pale gold strapless dress with a princess skirt.
“And what is this one doing here?” Skyla asks, looking at Phoenix, who frowns at her.
“I’m getting ready,” she declares, as she closes her eyes so I can do her eyeliner. I keep it as thin as possible; she’s already got a dusting of shimmer on her eyes. She inspects it and nods in approval. “Thanks. I’m going to go show Daddy!” She runs off as we all get ready to leave.
I wonder what Theo’s wearing- stop.
Remember, Heaven… Ignore Theo.
The idiot.
The party is no small event; there are so many people here, and I’m impressed by the number of guests who made it on short notice. Mama and Aunty Delsanra probably got the décor done by magic, but still, there was a lot put into this. There are kids from school, and I’m glad Jaddati is here, too.
“Shahira!” Sienna calls, before she whispers an ‘excuse me’ to both of us and hurries to meet the girl wearing ocean green.
I turn my attention to where Mama is looking glamorous in a deep blue dress, and Aunty Delsanra is in a deeper pink than Sienna’s.
I smile at that; we’re both coordinating with our mamas.
I scan the room, but there’s no sign of Scheherazade or Tatum yet.
Ahren is standing by Dante, both the tallest in the room, although Dante has a lot on Ahren.
I hide a smile when I see Theo’s tiny mama slap Dante’s arm; she’s literally so small at 5 feet tall, and Dante, who is 6 feet and 9 inches.
Aunty Raven looks great in a navy blue dress.
My eyes roam the crowd, wondering if he’s here already.
I stop when I see him standing off to the side.
He’s wearing black pants, paired with a loose black shirt, which has a couple of buttons open, tucked carelessly into his pants.
A belt is around his waist, and he’s paired the look with black boots.
He’s currently talking to two of his brothers, with a smirk plastered on his face.