Gravebriar

by Casey L. Bond

If our secrets ever spilled, everyone would discover that my coven, the Gravebriar witches, were arguably the best liars of them all…

I’d once believed that scars and wounds belonged to the one who earned them, but now realized they could be passed down from generation to generation.

“In all seriousness,” he began, his smirk spreading, “how do you feel about pet names?” I chuckled darkly. “How do you feel about dying at such a young age?”

The apple in Forge’s neck bobbed. “Good,” he rasped. “Look at me like that. Often.”

“We’re acting,” I reminded him, but somehow the words felt half-hearted. I wondered if they sounded the same way. Forge slid an arm around my waist and pulled me in for another quick kiss, one that made my toes curl. “I like acting. Acting is my new favorite pastime.” “Since when?” I laughed. “Since I began acting with you.”

“I’m with you, Forge. Completely.” “And I’m with you, Princess. I swear it.” I didn’t like the conviction in his voice. A promise like that was destined to be broken.

“Be careful in whom you place your trust. Sometimes betrayal cuts to the bone. Other times it cleaves the bone in two.”

“Flying was everything I thought it might be. It was the fall that frightened me.”

“If you’re the briar, I wish to be the stem strong enough to support you, to see you grow.”