Sweet & Bitter Magic by Adrienne Tooley (best ereader for textbooks .txt) 📕

eyes, she saw herself. She hoped that Marlena saw herself in Tamsin, too.

“Come on,” Tamsin said, offering a hand to her sister. “We’ll go together.”

She pushed the front doors open with a soft whoosh, the sunlight straining to illuminate the dark marble floor. The air was thick and silent and stale. They made their way through the labyrinth of hallways without meeting a single soul.

Tamsin led the way up the familiar stairs to the High Councillor’s tower, holding so tightly to Marlena’s fingers that she feared her own would lose their feeling. Wren trailed behind, the worry on her face illuminated by the flickering blue flames of the torches lining the walls. Tamsin let them into the antechamber, pausing before the door to her mother’s office. There was light coming from the crack beneath the door.

“Enter.” Vera’s voice was tense, calling them inside before they had even knocked. Tamsin pushed open the door, Marlena and Wren at her heels. Vera looked up from the paper she was examining. Her eyes widened as she took in the faces of her daughters, both very much alive.

In her haste to reach them, Vera’s chair clattered to the floor. Then she was upon them, her arms pulling her daughters to her chest the way she had held them when they were little girls. Only now they were nearly as tall as their mother. Still, Vera’s touch sent something warm flooding through Tamsin’s chest. Her newly working heart felt the effects of her mother’s relief.

“The bond?” Vera pulled away from them, her eyes darting back and forth between Tamsin’s and Marlena’s identical faces.

“Is broken,” Tamsin affirmed. She glanced at Wren, who was hovering awkwardly in the doorway. “Thanks to the Coven’s newest source.”

Wren gave Vera an awkward half wave. Stomach twisting anxiously, Tamsin watched her mother take Wren in. She hoped Vera’s appraisal was positive.

“And what of the plague?” Vera’s eyes had moved back to Marlena, distrust pushing its way to the forefront.

“Not Marlena,” Tamsin interjected quickly, taking a step forward to shield her sister from her mother’s scrutiny. “It was another side effect of my spell.” She twisted the hem of her cloak nervously. “If you are to punish anyone, punish me.”

Vera’s eyes lingered on Tamsin for a moment, and then she sighed heavily. “You always were a bit of a martyr, dear,” she said, tucking a lock of hair behind Tamsin’s ear.

Behind her, Marlena snorted. “A bit?”

She and Vera shared a small smile. Tamsin cleared her throat. She did not particularly appreciate them sharing a joke at her expense.

“You were already punished,” Vera continued. “I hardly think we need to add time to that sentence.”

Tamsin frowned. She had been prepared to be banished twice over, if not executed. It was surely the least she deserved for causing harm to so many people. For putting the Coven in an impossible position. For forcing her mother to choose between her daughters and the world Within.

“There are, however, a few more pieces of business to discuss,” Vera said, stepping back to rest against her desk. “There is, of course, the matter of the boon.”

Beside Tamsin, Marlena stiffened. Tamsin remembered her sister’s flippancy, her belief that Tamsin had come after her only because she stood to gain something in return. And certainly, Tamsin could think of many ways to use the boon. But she didn’t want her sister to think her an opportunist. She didn’t want to ask for forgiveness for herself when she did not think she deserved it. But Wren deserved to live a life she had chosen for herself, not one that was forced upon her.

“I don’t need a boon,” Tamsin said quickly. “But,” she added, turning to Wren, “Wren should take it. Ask for anything. Whatever you wish.”

“What?” Wren spluttered. “I can’t.”

“You can.” Tamsin took a step toward her. “I got you mixed up in all of this. Now I can get you out of it. Go home. Be with your father. Whatever it is you want, ask it.”

“I…” Wren glanced shakily from Tamsin to Marlena to Vera. “Okay.” She nodded resolutely. “I know what I want.”

“Very well.” Vera looked curiously from Wren to Tamsin.

“I ask that the Coven forgive Tamsin her transgressions and welcome her back Within.”

“What?” Tamsin blinked stupidly. She had thought Wren would ask to be released from Within, and that they would return together to Ladaugh. She had not anticipated that Wren would give up her freedom for Tamsin’s.

But Vera’s face was pinched. “I don’t know if that is something the Coven will allow.”

“You’re the most powerful witch in the world,” Wren said. “Do you mean that you can’t convince them?” She tugged briefly on her braid. “You don’t truly believe the world is going to repair itself, do you? You need Tamsin.” Her eyes skimmed Tamsin appreciatively.

“Wren, I don’t think…” But Tamsin didn’t know what she didn’t think. The selflessness of Wren’s action was more than she deserved.

“Hush,” Wren said sharply. “I’m trying to do the Coven a favor.”

Vera let out a low chuckle. “It seems as though my daughter has finally met her match.” Her eyes lingered on Wren. “I will go to the Coven. I will present the situation and ask for their verdict.” She pressed her hands together beneath her chin, her eyes on the three girls. “You all stay put. I’ll be back soon with an answer.”

Vera moved swiftly from her chambers, the door shutting firmly behind her. The room felt suddenly suffocatingly small. Tamsin slumped into one of the hard-backed chairs. Wren leaned against the door frame. Marlena wandered behind her mother’s desk, pressing her fingers to the spines of the ancient books.

“Well, that’s everything wrapped up neatly for the two of you, then.” Marlena’s voice was bitter. “Must be nice.”

“We don’t know what the Coven will say,” Tamsin said quickly, defensively. So much of her life hung in the balance of the Coven’s verdict. Arwyn, especially, was going to be a tough sell.

“They’re going to let you back in,” Marlena laughed softly.