Chapter 25
25
JOSEPHINE
I ’ve lost track of how long Roman’s been holding me. My back is pressed to his chest and his arms are wrapped around me. I’ve never been more relaxed or content in my life. My stomach lets out a loud grumble and Roman chuckles.
“Hungry?”
“I barely ate a piece of fruit before I was whisked away.”
Roman quickly untangles our bodies and jumps out of bed. I shiver at the sudden absence of warmth. He hops on one foot as he yanks on his pants and then darts out of the room without bothering to button them.
“Where are you going?” I call after him, scrambling out of the bed. Our clothes are scattered around the room, and I have no idea where my underwear or, hell, even my shirt is. I find Roman’s shirt dangling off a chair and tug it on. Just when I’m about to see where he’s gone, he reappears in the doorway with the canvas bag in one hand and the bottle of wine in another.
“Let’s move this picnic to the bed.”
I scramble back to the bed and slip my legs back under the covers. Roman drops the bag on the bed, and eyes his shirt, a hint of a grin on his lips.
“I like the way that looks on you.”
I pluck at the neck, a little self-conscious, which is idiotic considering everything Roman and I just did. “I don’t know where mine went.” Roman hums and snatches a sweatshirt off the ground, leaving it unzipped and so much tantalizing, sculpted muscle on display. He holds out the wine to me while he fishes around for another glass.
“Don’t bother.” I take a drink straight from the bottle.
Roman joins me on the bed, both of our backs pressed against the headboard. He opens up the containers, handing the strawberries over to me. He snatches the wine from my hand and takes a long drink.
My magic has settled down from earlier, but it’s still glowing in my chest more warmly than usual. I’ve never been with another witch before. It’s possible this is completely normal. Or what if the reason my magic keeps going supernova is the same reason I can touch Roman? I pop a blueberry in my mouth to keep from asking Roman if his magic is acting just as strangely. Because what if it isn’t? What if this whole thing between us is because I mute his curse and am therefore his only option. What if I’m a stand in until someone better comes along. Someone who’s beautiful like Roman, and with more confidence than me.
The berry is sour going down, and I take another drink of wine to wash the taste away.
“I have to admit, this was not the surprise I was aiming for tonight.” Roman angles his head in my direction and grins at me.
“Uh-huh. Sure, Romeo. I see through you. A secluded cabin, finger foods, a hot tub.”
“Don’t blame the hot tub. It has nothing to do with this.”
I laugh and my shoulders relax. Actually, my entire body feels incredible. Warm and loose, any aches I had from earlier today are gone.
“Can I ask you a question?” I eat a strawberry and suck the juice off my fingers. Roman watches my mouth and then nods. “Growing up, what were you told about the difference between light and dark magic?”
Roman wraps a piece of cheese in some thinly sliced meat and pops it in his mouth, his eyes contemplative as he chews. “We were always told that dark magic was under the influence of the Mother and has the potential to be stronger than light magic.”
“They told us that light magic is a blessing from the Maiden and is all about life and renewal.”
“To be honest, I don’t think there is anything different about our magic. Maybe our core powers. You can heal with your magic, which at its most basic level is light magic. My family, on the other hand has the ability to rip the very soul out of someone. That is a very dark thing. But fundamentally, we all have some skills that allow us to manipulate the elements or concoct potions. There might be shades of magic, but to label them light and dark puts a stain on our powers they don’t deserve.”
I set aside the dish of fruit and turn to face Roman. I twist the blanket between my fingers. “When we’re together, does your magic do anything?”
Roman sets the wine on the bedside table and shifts to face me. “Like what?”
My courage deserts me and I look away with a shake of my head. “Never mind. It’s stupid.”
Roman’s fingers tuck under my chin and he lifts my face until I’m looking him in the eyes. “Like a growing flame?”
I suck in a breath, my finger clutching the blanket like a safety net. “I don’t know if that's… Is that what usually happens?”
Roman leans in, dropping a lingering kiss on my lips. When he breaks the kiss, I’ve nearly forgotten what we were talking about. Roman hasn’t.
“There is nothing about us that’s typical. You are a wonder.”
We stay up talking until the sun comes up in the morning.