Edmund pressed a kiss to my cheek. “And for you, protecting the legacy had to come first.”
I wiped my eyes. “Yes.”
“That Osborne-Pouge family vow of silence with outsiders is archaic,” Edmund said. “It might have been necessary back in the day, or maybe a hundred years ago, but today, it’s obsolete. No other families are nearly as secretive as yours.”
“You think I like that it’s this way?” I balled up the tissue in my hand. “I’d do anything to change it.”
“Maybe you need to reevaluate what keeping this vow has cost you,” Edmund said. “Trying to keep your Witchcraft a secret from Henry might have ruined any chance of a relationship you could have built with him.”
“I can’t ignore over three hundred years of my family’s tradition and practices,” I reminded him.
“I’m not saying you should ignore it,” Edmund argued. “I’m encouraging you instead, to be the one who revolutionizes it.”
The front door opened and to my surprise, Henry walked right in. I squeaked in surprise and started to sit up from where I’d been curled in Edmund’s arms.
Edmund tightened his grip and kept me where I was.
Henry glared. “You’re damn lucky that you’re my best friend, Edmund.”
“Back at you,” Edmund said, “because if you weren’t one of my oldest friends, I’d punch you for making my best girl cry.”
“Hannah and I need to talk,” Henry addressed Edmund.
“No we really don’t,” I muttered.
“Yes, you really do.” Edmund shifted and rose to his feet. “I’ll be right outside,” he said to both of us. “If I hear anything I shouldn’t, I’m coming back in here.”
“I didn’t come here to fight with you,” Henry said directly to me, in a quiet tone that had my hackles rising.
Edmund stopped at the door. “Remember what I said, Hannah. Be the one who begins a revolution.” He winked at me and shut the door behind him.
Henry remained standing, and I stayed where I was, sitting at the far end of the couch.
“Where’s Eli?” Henry asked. “He was crying when you left, is he okay?”
How was I supposed to keep my heart protected when the man asked about my son—before anything else? “He’s over with my parent’s. He’s okay.”
“May I sit down?” Henry asked formally.
“I guess.” My mind was whirling.
This polite, cautious Henry was a stranger to me. I was used to the Southern scoundrel, with the underhanded charm. I was much more comfortable with that side of his personality. I clasped my hands in my lap and stared at the floor as I tried to work out how to begin, and what to say first.
He sat on the opposite side of the couch. “After everything that happened today, the least you could do is look at me.”
I steadied myself and met his eyes. The silence stretched for a good minute as we waited to see who would speak first.
“You disappeared,” Henry finally said. “You took Eli and left. I told you that I loved you, and you ran from me. Why would you do that?”
“When we argued I thought it best to leave. Eli was upset, I was losing control of my temper, and you were afraid.” I exhaled. “Of me.”
“I wasn’t afraid of you.”
“You were wide eyed, pale and shaking,” I argued. “You were afraid.”
“Stunned maybe,” Henry corrected.
“Henry, there was a time when that sort of reaction would have caused people like me to be hunted down, drowned, hanged or even burned at the stake...” I trailed off, struggling to continue.
“It’s okay.” Henry’s eyes were intense as he leaned forward. “You can trust me.”
I shifted my body on the couch, made eye contact and took a leap of faith. “In my family, Henry, there’s a tradition. A legacy, and one we’ve kept closely guarded for over three hundred and twenty-five years. With this comes certain gifts, and those gifts carry very specific obligations.”
“Such as silence with outsiders.”
“Correct.” I nodded. “The tradition of silence is one that, to my knowledge, had never been broken with an outsider, until today.”
“I understand.” Henry reached for my hand. Held it.
“No I really don’t think that you do.” I slid my hand away. “We’re different, and not everyone can handle that. Seeing your reaction today broke my heart.”
“Maybe you could cut me a break, Hannah,” Henry said. “You can’t expect a man not to have a reaction when you whip out a display like that.”
“Display?” Despite myself, I was offended.
“Element of air, right?” Henry pointed at me. “Darlin’ you put on one hell of a show. Ticked all the boxes, called all the...hang on,” he trailed off and snapped his fingers. “Ah, I got it now. Associated creatures that relate to the element.”
He’d stated that information so casually. All I could do was stare at him.
“Nothing to say?” He crossed his arms, waited.
“I’m simply surprised at your level of information,” I said.
“Well I figure if a man gets involved with a Witch, then he damn well better hit the books and study.”
“You’ve been studying?” I raised my eyebrows.
“Sure, I’ve been reading all sorts of books. Got a bunch of them at my apartment. Edmund even recommended a few.”
My mouth hit the floor. “Edmund?”
“Well, yeah he saw the first book I bought, threw it in the garbage and hauled me down to a metaphysical shop and loaded me up with better books.”
“Edmund, took you shopping for books on the occult?”
“Yeah he did. I drew the line at going shopping for clothes with him—he claimed I needed a new wardrobe...but anyway, I’ve learned quite a bit, actually.”
“I can’t tell you how very reassuring that is to me.” I sniffed.
“You go right on talking all snooty like that—it gives me hope.” Henry grinned. “Besides, you know what it does to me.”
“This is hardly the time to make jokes, Henry.”
“I’m not trying to make light of your legacy, as you call it. Not at all. I love you Hannah, I meant what I said. You can trust me.”
My heart began to speed up. Was it possible?
