Maximum Witch by Jodi Redford

Author:Jodi Redford [Redford, Jodi]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Speculative Fiction
ISBN: 9781609287108
Publisher: Samhain
Published: 2011-09-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Willa rolled over in bed, automatically reaching for Max. Instead of his nice warm body, she ended up hugging his pillow instead. Frowning, she lifted onto her elbow. The rich aroma of chicory made her nose twitch. Okay, either Max had snuck off to use the bathroom, or he was out in the kitchen, enjoying Aurele’s world-class coffee.

She threw the covers off and hurried to the closet, where she found one of Aurele’s old fuzzy robes. She slipped on the garment and belted it while she padded into the hallway. A peek inside the guest bath confirmed no Max, although the water beading on the shower stall confirmed that he’d been in there recently.

Aurele glanced up from her mug as Willa entered the kitchen. “Morning.”

Crossing to Aurele, she kissed her on the cheek. Aurele sniffled. “Does this mean you forgive me for lying to you about everything?”

“You did it to protect me. It’d be pretty damn petty to hold it against you.” She walked to the cupboard and fetched her favorite coffee cup, the one with the caption I don’t do mornings suspended over a purple alligator. “Have you seen Max? I thought he’d be out here with you.”

“He left a few minutes ago.”

Willa’s eyebrows slashed low at Aurele’s calm pronouncement. “Where did he go?”

“He decided a visit to the Duke of Atlanta would be more productive and persuasive than a phone call.”

“Oh really.” She filled her cup, splashing a small amount of coffee onto the counter. Grumbling, she grabbed a dishtowel and wiped up the mess. “How convenient that he came to that epiphany while I was still sleeping.” Another thought occurred to her and she banged her fist on the Formica. “Damn it, he took my car, didn’t he? Now I’m really ticked.”

“Dear, it wouldn’t have been a good idea for you to go with him.”

“Why? It’s not like the duke would even know who I was.”

“No, but he might become curious. Particularly considering the reason for Max’s visit.”

Begrudgingly admitting that Aurele had a point, Willa sat in the opposite seat and sipped her coffee. Inhaling the fragrant steam, she eyed the other woman. “Max told me that my mother forfeited her crown when she married my father. Did…did she ever regret making that choice?” She’d spent a better part of the night with the ghost of Max’s conversation tormenting her brain, making her wonder about the sacrifices her mother had made. Estelle Jameson had seemed blissfully happy. But then again, maybe what she was remembering was merely an implant. Maybe the truth would remain forever submerged within the murky recesses of her subconscious, never to surface. She swallowed, her doubts more bitter than the coffee scalding her tongue.

Aurele reached across the table and clasped Willa’s hand. “Your mother loved your father, just as she loved you. She never would have traded either of you. Not even for the throne.”

“Max seems to think I should reclaim the legacy she lost. That is, if Reva is ever brought to trial.

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