He walked up onto the porch and into the hall. One of the younger sisters was in the hall, humming as she swept the floor. Mae was not there.
“Hello, Mr. Hunt,” she said. “Can I help you with something?”
“I’m looking for Mae. Do you know where she might be?”
“She’s back in her cabin, I think.”
“Thank you.”
Cedar strolled out of the hall and headed to the small shack they had given Mae. All the other travelers had stayed in rooms in the great hall, but they had placed Mae in a cabin on her own, almost as if to keep her apart from any other person.
She had told him it wasn’t that they didn’t want her among them, but he knew even she didn’t believe that.
Because it wasn’t true. The sisterhood, while being generous, did not like having Mae there. They treated her with caution, with suspicion.
Cedar didn’t like it. But this was Mae’s home. These were her people. If she was happy here, then he was happy for her.
He knocked on the cabin door, and took off his hat.
“Come in,” Mae said.
Cedar lifted the latch and pushed the door open.
Mae was standing next to the narrow bed in the only room of the house, packing a satchel.
“Mae?” Cedar said. “I need to speak to you.” Then the meaning of her actions sank in. She was packing. “Where are you going?”
She latched the satchel and turned to face him. “With you.”
Cedar held very still. “I don’t understand.”
“I…talked to Miss Adaline,” Mae said, as she walked over to a hat stand, pulled a shawl off it, and wrapped it around her shoulders. “We came to an understanding. I am no longer tied to the coven.”
“They broke the spell?” he asked, his mind still not working as quickly as her words.
“I broke the spell, with their help. But, well, breaking the spell means I am no longer welcome here. No longer part of the sisterhood.”
“No,” he said, “that can’t be true. You are a witch, Mae. You told me it’s something you’re born into.”
“Yes, I’m still a witch, but I have—it’s hard to explain.” Her voice shook a little and he knew it was also a thing of sorrow. “Time changes us all, Mr. Hunt. We adapt.”
“Mae, you don’t have to do this. You can change it. You can stay.”
“Even if I wanted to? If things were different?” She shook her head. “I don’t think I would. I’ve seen too much of the world. And still want to see a fair share more.”
“Mae.” He didn’t know what else to say.
“It’s fine. Truly.” She put on her coat, then glanced around the room one last time and smiled. “I am happy…happier than I’ve been in a long while. Now, let’s go.”
Cedar finally gathered his wits. “You can’t go with me, Mae. Wil and I, and the Madders will be looking for the other pieces of the Holder. You’ve seen what it can do. It won’t be safe for you to travel with us.”
“Can’t?” Mae’s eyebrows raised. “I don’t believe you can tell me what I can and cannot do, Mr. Hunt. And as for danger, we came through the last few weeks still breathing. I’d like to point out that on several occasions I helped keep us safe, even without magic. And I was under great distress. Think of how much more useful I will be with a clear mind.”
“Do you care so much about the Holder that you’re willing to tramp across this country hunting it?” he asked.
“No,” Mae said quietly. “I care that much about you.”
Cedar felt like lightning had just struck him from out of a clear blue sky. He didn’t know what to say, didn’t want to say the wrong thing and break this fragile moment.
Mate, the beast whispered contentedly inside of his mind.
Should he tell her he felt the same? Would she understand that he more than cared for her? That he loved her?
Cedar held his breath. Then, “From the moment I first set eyes on you,” he said, “I have cared for you a very great deal. I can’t bear to leave you behind. But I can’t bear to see you hurt either. It’s safe here.”
She crossed the room, her deep brown eyes searching his.
She stopped so close, he could feel the heat of her. But she was not touching him. Not yet.
“I’m not looking for safety.” Mae reached up on tiptoe, her hand brushing his face. “I’m looking to live.”
Cedar leaned down. He wrapped his arms around her and drew her close. He kissed her slowly, passionately, making promises with his touch that no words could convey.
“If you two are done sealing the deal,” Alun Madder said from the door, “then we need to be leaving now.”