We were both so polite to each other that it made me a nervous wreck. I couldn’t eat a thing. I merely pushed the eggs around on my plate instead of eating them. Finally Willow went to her room to change out of her pajamas, and I found myself alone with Thomas.
“I’m sorry,” we said simultaneously.
“You have nothing to apologize for.” Thomas said seriously. “I knew that Leilah was troubled, but I never would have guessed she’d take things to this level.”
“You should know,” I began. “I used magick against your daughter yesterday.”
Thomas nodded. “Yes, I know. Holly told Julian, and he shared it with me.”
“It was dark magick, Thomas,” I said. “The type I learned from my mother. The kind of ruthless magick that I had sworn to put behind me for the rest of my life.” I took a moment to steady myself. “But it was my only real option for making Leilah remove the thrall she had over Willow.”
“I’m sure you did what you felt was necessary,” he said gravely.
“I won’t apologize for it.” I said, folding my hands on the table and meeting his eyes. “And I’d do it in again in a heartbeat if it meant keeping my child safe.”
“I would expect nothing less from you.”
I did a double take at his words. He’d almost sounded proud.
“Yesterday, you stood up for your daughter, did what had to be done, and owned your power.” Thomas placed one of his hands over mine. “I’m very proud of you, Maggie.”
“Oh.” Was about all I could manage, as I struggled not to cry.
“As to you continuing to live in the cottage,” he said, “I find that unacceptable.”
My heart sank, but before I could speak, Thomas was continuing.
“There’s been far too many hexes and curses laid against this cottage. It’s been broken into twice, even after I had security updated. So it makes sense to me that you and Willow should move into the mansion, permanently. With the rest of the family, where you rightfully belong.”
I blinked. “Where we belong?”
“Exactly,” Thomas said, giving my hand a brisk pat. “I would certainly feel better, not to mention, sleep much easier, if I could keep an eye on the both of you, myself. Plus it would certainly be more convenient to continue your training there.”
“My training?” I’d been reduced to parroting his words, I was so caught off guard by the turn of events.
“Absolutely, you have the makings of a fine magician, my dear. According to Julian, you have remarkable gifts.” He paused and leaned forward. “Did you really send him up to the ceiling?”
“Yes, I did,” I said. “He was goading me into to trying to lose control at the time,”
Thomas smiled. “I would have like to have seen that.”
“It was the first time in fifteen years I let my magick off the chain,” I admitted.
Thomas rubbed a hand over his chin. “I see…Tell me, Maggie, do you speak or read Latin?”
“Ah…” I tried to keep up with him. “Nope, no Latin.”
“We’ll work on that.” Thomas gave me a wink. “You know your grandfather Phillip was an excellent magician, he taught me quite a bit.”
“He did?”
“Yes,” Thomas said, “I still have his journals. I’d love to share with you what he taught me.”
Now I began to smile. “I think I’d like that.”
“I’m back!” Willow shouted, sliding across the hardwood floor in her stocking feet. “What are we going to do today, Thomas?”
He scooped her up and set her on his knee. “You’re going to pack up…Because you and your mother are moving into my house. Today.”
“Can I bring all my dolls and toys?”
“Absolutely.” Thomas nodded.
“Do I get my own bathroom?” Willow asked.
“Of course,” Thomas said.
“Can it be pink?”
“Willow!” I warned her. “Maybe you should say thank you before you start wheedling to get the bathroom painted in your favorite color.”
“Thank you.” Willow leaned back and gave Thomas a winsome smile. “I’m gonna want W’s on my towels.”
“I’m sorry?” Thomas tipped his head in confusion.
“Monograms,” I explained. “She wants a W for Willow.”
Willow giggled. “That way everyone knows they’re mine.”
“Are you sure you’re ready for all of this?” I asked Thomas. “Pink bathrooms, dolls, and monogrammed towels?”
“Honestly?” he said, “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Hooray!” Willow jumped down. “I’m going to go get my stuff!”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The rest of our summer passed quietly into fall. Willow and I had indeed moved into the Drake mansion the day after Willow’s abduction. It was lovely to settle in with the family and comforting to have them all so close. We were given a set of rooms in the family wing, on the opposite end of the hall from Julian’s.
Thomas had invited us to make ourselves at home. So we did. My bedroom had a small attached sitting room, which allowed me to have a television and a love seat so Willow and I could have private time if we wanted it. I was also told to help myself to any guest room on the third floor, for use as an office for my bridal consultant business. I selected a small one and rearranged it to suit my needs.
I redecorated my bedroom in the casual farmhouse style that I preferred. Thomas and Julian hadn’t grumbled too much when I asked them to help me haul in an old wrought iron bed from a guest room. Thomas even sat on the floor and helped me put it back together.
Nina, Diego, and I went antiquing with our girls and found a few more rustic, vintage pieces to add to my personal space. Diego and I hauled everything up the stairs, with a lot of good-natured swearing, and put things in place. My rooms do look completely different from the rest of the house’s more formal style, but they are my own personal sanctuary…Which, I’ve come to discover, is vital when you live in a house with
