The Black Witch (The Black Witch Chronicles, #1)

by Laurie Forest

I’m way behind in my Apothecary and Metallurgie studies, I have a Mathematics exam in two days and I’m supposed to have drawings of virtually every species of Verpacian cornflower done by tomorrow. And I don’t care.

So real

“I’m in love with her, Elloren.” My breath catches tight in my throat. Oh, Ancient One. There’s nothing but the deepest of sincerity in his amber eyes, his expression one of raw anguish. I let out a deep sigh. “I respect that. I know your people don’t say that lightly.” “No. We don’t,” he says. “I want to mate with her, Elloren. For life.”

“But you’re Lupine, Jarod, and she’s Gardnerian. Her family is incredibly conservative.” “I don’t care,” he says. “I don’t care what she is. I don’t care who her family is. I love her. I can’t help it. I just do.”

“Jarod,” I say, placing my hand on his shoulder. “Give her some time. She didn’t expect to like kissing you so much. It came as a bit of a shock. She always thought of kissing as a rather unpleasant chore, actually.”

“Randall’s an idiot,” Jarod snarls, exposing his gleaming canines. “When I think of him taking Aislinn to mate, I feel physically ill.” I let out a long sigh. “I think she feels the same way.” He gives me an imploring look. “Do you think she’ll speak to me again? Before she wandfasts to that fool?” “I think so. But you might have to give her some time. I think she loves you, too, and it’s scaring her.” “She’s the last person on Erthia I want to frighten.” “I know that.” “You’ll speak to her? You’ll tell her all this?” I hesitate, but the devastation in his eyes softens me toward him. “I will.” He breathes a long sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

“I won’t let anyone hurt you,” he says with firm certainty, like it’s an unassailable fact.

“Rafe,” Diana finally says, her voice uncharacteristically soft. “I’m falling in love with you.” Rafe’s face immediately grows serious, and he inhales sharply. “Oh, Diana,” he breathes as he reaches up to cup the side of her face, “I’ve already fallen...” He pulls her toward him and kisses her hair, her arms twining around him. He brings his mouth to hers and they kiss, gently at first. Then Diana moans and presses herself into him, their kissing quickly becoming passionate.

A violin case. Heart thudding, I open the case and gasp when I see what’s inside, nestled in deep green velvet.

He gifted her a violin im mad ag him though but he gave her this knowing hkw much she loves to play but what he did was wrong i wanna blush at thr gesture but he did ehat he did

“You’re pretty,” the little voice says. “Thank you,” I reply, and I can hear her giggling through the leaves. “Yvan thinks you’re pretty, too.” “He does?” My cheeks grow warm with surprised delight. “I told him you look like a princess, and he thought so, too.” “Oh,” I say, charmed and lit up by this.