Page 41 of Secrets of Ruin

“Are you ready?” Kaylia asked as she strode out of her bedroom and into the one full of witches’ supplies.

Sahira’s throat felt like something was creeping up inside it as she followed Lexi and Kaylia. Whatever that something was, it sought to spread its fingers around her voice box.

She should listen to it and keep her mouth shut. She shouldn’t say a thing, but as her conscience warred with anxiety over losing her friend, she blurted, “Do you think he could have used a love potion or spell on you?”

Kaylia’s hand froze on the doorknob. The room went deathly silent; she didn’t even hear the birds singing anymore. It was as if the whole realm was holding its breath in expectation of her response.

CHAPTER FORTY

Kaylia’s head turned toward Sahira, and her brow furrowed. Lexi didn’t move as her gaze shifted from Sahira to Kaylia and back again.

Kaylia finally broke the hush. “What?”

Sahira wished she could suck her words back in; she should’ve waited for a better time to express her concern, but when would be a better time?

When Brokk’s not in a coma, maybe.

Sahira resisted the impulse to slap herself in the forehead, but the words were out there now, and she couldn’t take them back. She’d uttered them because she couldn’t pretend everything was fine, but they would only cause Kaylia more unhappiness if she was wrong.

“What do you mean?” Kaylia asked. “Brokk doesn’t have that kind of power.”

Sahira blinked in response to Kaylia’s odd reply. She had no idea why her friend’s brain had shifted from Fabian to Brokk when they’d been discussing the warlock she was engaged to or why she’d assumed Sahira meant Brokk when the dark fae didn’t possess such magical abilities.

Judging by Lexi’s expression, she wasn’t the only one confused by this, but it also made Sahira question if maybe she was right. If Fabian did do something to Kaylia, he’d also made it so she never suspected a thing.

There were witches and warlocks capable of doing such a thing—Kaylia was one of them. But Fabian was older than her and, therefore, stronger.

“I’m not talking about Brokk,” Sahira said kindly. “Brokk doesn’t have that ability, but Fabian was a warlock.”

Sahira hadn’t thought it possible, considering how pale Kaylia already was, but the color drained further from her face. “No. I would know if somebody used a love potion or spell on me. I’m a witch.”

“I know, but he was older and more powerful than you.”

Kaylia’s eyebrows drew sharply together over the bridge of her nose. The cleft in her chin became more noticeable when her lips pursed.

“I’m not trying to upset you,” Sahira rushed to get out. “You have a huge heart, and I believe you could love two men so deeply, but… but the way you are about Fabian and something you said while talking about him bothered me.”

“And what was that?” Kaylia’s voice had taken on a defensive tone.

“Sahira….” Lexi warned in a low whisper.

But she’d come this far, and it was too late to turn back. “That you weren’t attracted to him at first and he wasn’t your type. Believe me, I get it when it comes to men not being your type. Orin certainly isn’t mine.

“I’ve always hated arrogant assholes who consider themselves a gift to women and the world, and Orin is the king of them, but I was always attracted to him, even when I didn’t want to be. And yes, deep, lasting love does come from friendship; those are some of the best relationships out there⁠—”

“Then why are you questioning what happened between me and Fabian?” Kaylia interrupted.

Sahira clasped her hands before her as she resisted wringing them. What did I start here?

But no matter her regrets, she had started it and would see it through. She didn’t have a choice.

“It’s your eyes.” Sahira had noticed it while brushing Kaylia’s hair. “They’re not the same when you talk about Fabian and Brokk. They sparkle when you talk about Brokk, even though you’re drained, battered, and exhausted. That same twinkle doesn’t come into your eyes when you speak about Fabian.”

Kaylia frowned while pondering this. “It’s been centuries since Fabian passed.”

“I know, but you still claim to love him; shouldn’t that spark be there?”

Kaylia looked to Lexi, who remained unmoving while absorbing Sahira’s words. When Kaylia’s attention shifted back to her, Sahira didn’t look away as Kaylia’s eyes burned into hers. She could practically see her friend’s mind racing while she tried to process everything.