Returned (36 page)

“Training is over,” Tabitha ordered between her bouts of laughter.

Eli came out of hiding just as Jack heard a faint pop and felt his energy return to him. Funny, he hadn’t really thought about it until he felt it return.

“That was fantastic! Jack, you were brilliant. Cora, that was amazing!” Eli praised them as he slapped him on the back.

He nodded, feeling numb. The adrenaline that had got him through had disappeared leaving him utterly exhausted. Cora looked across at him and smiled. Her hair was a mess; her face looked tight and drawn. But those eyes, god those eyes melted his heart. He suddenly felt like he could do it all again.

             
Clay came into the group closely followed by Clio. He saw how Clay looked at Cora. He was trying to catch her eye. Cora couldn't see his look of desperation, but he could and he didn’t like it. Jack didn’t know the full details of what had happened between them previously, he didn't know if they were talking again. He did know one thing. He didn't want Clay near her. He didn’t want anyone else near her because he wanted her near him.

He wanted her.

“Christmas dinner will be at the shop, is that okay?” He vaguely heard Tabitha ask.

“Jack?"

“Yeah, yeah that’s fine.”

Tabitha had her arm across Cora's shoulders. Ayden stood next to Eli talking to him, they laughed about something. Looking at them now he could see it, how the two covens had come together. They were one. 

“Is my mum okay with it?” Cora asked Tabitha.

“Yes, we’d discussed it previously. We knew we couldn’t fit everyone in your house or at Eli's or my little flat, so the shop was the best place. Let’s say noon at the shop, is that okay?”

Everyone mumbled their ‘greats’ and ‘fines’ as they dispersed.  Eli moved away from Ayden to speak with Tabitha. Clio said her goodbyes and headed towards the cottage. He hadn’t seen Ember since they'd split. That left him, Cora and Clay. Clay was stood with his hands in his pockets watching Cora. Was he waiting for something? Jack bit back a remark knowing Cora wouldn't like it.

“Well, I’ll see you later.” Clay gave Cora one more look before turning around and heading back to his.

He scrutinised Cora's reaction. She looked uneasy for a moment. Had he just missed something between them?

“So...” he prompted.

“Interesting day,” she finished and smiled.

He smiled with her. She had colour back in her cheeks. He sucked in a deep breath when her tongue flicked across her lips. He fought the urge to lean forward, to run his hand through her hair, to have his lips meet those luscious rose tinted ones.

Christ, he was losing control.

She moved into his body, her head coming to a rest underneath his chin as she put her arms around him.

“Thank you for today,” she spoke softly.

“Sure, no problem,” he sighed and put his arms around her and enjoyed the way she felt against him.

Chapter 46

CHRISTMAS DAY

She woke to the sound of her mother’s laughter. Excitement fizzed like champagne in her veins, making her legs kick with giddiness. Okay, she was seventeen, well, technically, she was a lot older than that, but it was Christmas. She jumped out of bed grabbing her dressing gown as she ran down the stairs taking the steps a little faster than usual.

             
She tried, but failed, to walk sensibly in to the living room. The tree sparkled, casting multi coloured flashes over the array of soft jade organza.

“Merry Christmas, darling!” Her mother leapt up off the sofa and hugged her.

“Merry Christmas, Mum.”

She turned to Ayden who was sat on the sofa. “Merry Christmas, Ayden.”

‘Merry Christmas, High Priestess.’ He stood and placed his hand across his chest as he bowed.

“Ayden,” she giggled and pulled him
in
for a hug.

“Do you want something to eat?” Ayden asked, his voice was muffled in her hair.

“No, I don't want to spoil the food Tabitha's prepared.”

She looked greedily at the presents stacked under the tree. Silver, pink and purple shimmered as lights danced along the foil wrapping paper. Before she started on her gifts she headed towards the little cupboard under the stairs, her secret hiding place, which wasn't exactly a great spot considering everyone had access to it.

             
Her mother watched with a puzzled expression on her face as Cora ripped the bag letting the many oddly wrapped presents spew all over her feet and the carpet. It was the best she could do with the time that she’d had.

“Can I?” she asked, not managing to keep the squeal in her voice under control.

Her mother laughed ruffling her hair as she made a dive for the nearest pink wrapped present. Her mother must have spent hours wrapping the presents. You could tell. She'd spent the whole of five minutes scrunching the paper together and holding it in place with hastily cut tape. Again, you could tell.

             
She ripped the wrapping paper back to reveal a book: ‘
How to be a witch for Dummies
’.

“I love it,” she smiled. It was rather perfect for her. “Open one of yours.”

Her mother timidly peeled back her wrapping paper. She didn't allow one piece to be ripped. Her mother’s eyes flashed with excitement.

“This is wonderful, perfect. Thank you.” Her mother held up the witch shaped feet warmers.

“Laura, they are perfect for your cold feet.”

“Ayden, you open one.”

Ayden leant forward and picked up the first box he saw with his name scrawled on. He was grinning like a little boy. Ayden attacked the wrapping paper like a dog would a chew toy.

“It’s a knife holder but in the shape of a witch. So when you put the knives in, it looks like it is stabbing it. What do you think?”

“It’s great!” Ayden exclaimed and then started ripping the box open to look at it properly. She knew Ayden would appreciate it.

“It’s very thoughtful, Cora. Disturbing, but thoughtful,” her mother added.

             
After a blissful thirty minutes, Cora was surrounded by large flakes of paper which littered the floor space. Her presents were piled up next to her.  Socks, a dressing gown (with witches all over it – people would definitely start to think things if they saw the entire stack of witch related items), slippers, books, DVD's and chocolates were from her mother. Ayden had bought her a beautiful satin ribbon watch. The thick ribbon was a luscious deep emerald green. The small face was surrounded by crystals that winked at her as she moved it.

             
Ayden helped her wrap the watch around her wrist before she ran upstairs to get ready.  She stopped when she opened her door.  A soft lavender box sat on her bed with a white ribbon and bow sealing it. She edged towards it like it was going to explode and picked up the label.

Wear this, Tab x

             
With a huge grin, she eagerly ripped it open revealing an emerald green robe. She pulled it against her body. The lush colour shimmered in the light from her window casting a glow around the bedroom. Holding it at arm’s length she contemplated what to wear underneath it. Surely you didn't go commando under it? She really hoped Tabitha didn't. Pulling a face, she put the robe back on the bed and searched among her pile of clothes, she found a pair of white cotton trousers with a green top.  She dressed quickly eager to put the robe on, she couldn't believe she actually wanted to wear a robe.

             
The weight of the material surprised her but it fit her body like a glove. How had Tabitha got the sizing so perfect? Where did she get robes from anyway? She walked down the stairs gliding her hands along the liquid material; she couldn'
t wait for her mum's reaction.
She took a deep nervous breath and walked into the room. Her mother’s hazel eyes widened, tears springing into them. She looked at Ayden who had stood up with her mother. His face was unreadable but his eyes, a deep ocean blue, were shining back at her.

“Cora, you look beautiful,” her mother cried and came bounding over to her, swallowing her in an embrace so tight she struggled to breathe.

“What time are we going?” she asked when her mother had finally let go and walked into the kitchen.

“Now if you like?” Ayden suggested.

“Yeah,” she said sucking in another nervous breath. Wearing the robes meant she was going to be the centre of attention, something she hated.

“Cora, is that you?” her mother called from the kitchen.

“What?”  She hadn’t done anything.

“Have you looked outside?”

Cora moved to the window. Big soft white flakes were falling thick and fast out of the dull slate sky. The flakes were already creating a beautiful layer of crystal white.

“Nope, that's not me, but it’s gorgeous.”

Her phone bleeped. She rummaged in the pocket of the robe and looked at the message.

If that is you affecting the weather, I’m going to bloody kill you x

She laughed out loud. She knew Jack didn’t like cold weather. Heat moved into her cheeks when she looked at the kiss on the end of the message. She was probably over thinking it. She could still smell him, a combination of aftershave and clean perspiration. Things happened to her when she was with him, her mouth always goes dry, her heart bounces around happily.  She felt safe wrapped up in his arms. Common sense told her that they were just friends. He didn’t like her in that way. 

“Ready?” Ayden stood at the side of her.

“Yep.”

             
They walked together
up the already white driveway.
Ayden was holding her mother’s hand as
she walked alongside them.
The new layer of fluffy snow crunched under her feet. She lifted her head and felt the snowflakes fall on her face; they tickled as they melted upon the touch of her warm skin.

             
As they approached the shop, Cora felt nervous. Tabitha liked to do things big and she had a feeling this was going to be big. As the shop came into view she could see that the main window was concealed with dark green covers so she couldn’t see inside. Her pulse jumped with nerves. Ayden stepped aside allowing her to go first.

“Why do I have to go first?” she hissed.

“Because you are the High Priestess,” he said and winked.

“You can’t keep using that excuse you know,” she warned.

She took each step slowly and with a tremor in her hands, she opened the door.

             
Her eyes widened in shock as a gasp escaped her mouth. The window area was the first thing that she saw to her left. Thick garland was weaved around the banister, thousands of tiny stars twinkled. The warm turquoise lights from the trees flashed across the green backdrop.

             
Lining the floor to guide her path in to the shop were small glass lanterns holding a single candle. She caught a glimpse of Tabitha who was stood near the staircase watching them approach. She couldn’t focus on Tabitha, her gaze was moving to various different things in the shop.

             
Along the floor, near the bookcase, cotton candy, sky blue, luscious purple and deep green presents were piled high in groups around the shop. As she approached Tabitha she got a better view of the small table. But it was no longer the small table. There were nine high back chairs placed around the new solid oak table. Each place was set with silverware that gleamed in the soft candle light. Four tall pillar candles stood in the centre of the table, two were emerald green and two were deep red. Tabitha had combined the two covens. The crackers were green; the foil stars sprinkled on the cotton white tablecloth were red. Above the table floating in the air were many more lanterns.

Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she smiled at Tabitha.

“You wore it,” Tabitha whispered as tears filled her eyes.

“Of course,” she said hugging Tabitha, “you’re wearing the same coloured robe as me.”

“Yes, your mother and I used to wear the same robes on Christmas day, I thought we could continue the tradition,” she smiled.

That small piece of information pushed her emotions over the edge and the tears escaped their feathery prison, rolling down her cheeks.

“The place looks amazing, Tab!” Ayden exclaimed.

“Thank you.” Tabitha wiped away Cora's tears. “We must open the presents before the others arrive, Ember?” Tabitha called behind her.

Ember walked elegantly up the staircase whilst holding presents stacked against her chest. Ember was wearing the same robe as herself and Tabitha. Cora's heart squeezed, her throat closed up again.

             
Ember gave out the presents. Cora received one that was the colour of a cloudless sky in summer. Ayden had already ripped his open revealing a ruby red jumper. She ripped hers open and found herself staring at a picture. She stopped breathing, her throat becoming constricted.