On their way back to Dewhurst, Noah was in a daze as he held the wheel. He could not stop smiling.
"I just kissed a mermaid. I kissed a mermaid," he sighed dreamily, his heart galloping wildly.
While he struggled to digest the fact that he had indeed kissed a mermaid, Aralyn sat on her side with her arms crossed, scowling. The Jeep reeked of lust, and she had been suffocating ever since they got in.
She huffed quietly in her seat. Though she tried to be subtle, the icky, prickly bitterness within her kept sprouting.
Noah peeked at her from the corner of his eye. Her brows knitted together one second, then smoothed out the next. Her jaw tightened slightly within his peripheral vision.
"You alright over there?"
"Yeah."
Her voice was small, clipped. It made him wonder if he had done something wrong.
"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked again, gentler this time.
By the time he spoke, Aralyn felt a sudden ease. The reek had softened into something lighter… pillowy. Her head tilted slightly at the word.
"It's nothing," she said curtly, but Noah only raised a brow, focusing back on the road.
"I know that face. You made it that night when you almost tried to kill me."
"I did not try to kill you."
"Spill it. What did I smell like this time?"
Aralyn blinked a few times, then sighed. "The same."
Noah flashed her a toothy grin. "Yeah, sorry. Can't help it. Who else gets a kiss from a mermaid? That is just awesome!"
Despite herself, Aralyn managed the smallest smile. Then she turned to him.
"Drop me off at my house first."
"Why?"
"I just… I need to do something."
Noah dropped her off, and Aralyn dashed inside, already expecting he would drive back into town to join the festival. She glanced at the clock in the living room. It was almost eight.
"There's still time," she mumbled, unwrapping the scarf from her neck. The cool air made her sigh in relief as she sauntered into the kitchen. "Rye cinnamon rolls, let's go."
She rolled up her sleeves and began working the dough, her movements quick and practiced.
"What're you making?"
"Ah!"
Aralyn shrieked and spun around, almost headbutting Noah's chin, but he caught her by the shoulders, laughing under his breath.
"What're you doing here?" she asked, disbelief lacing her voice. "I thought you left for the festival by now!"
"I didn't! I was behind you the whole time. You're the one who didn't notice me," he shot back. He nodded toward her flour-covered hands. "What'chu making?"
Aralyn gave him one last once-over before turning away. "Cinnamon rolls. For Mrs. Collin."
"Cool. Can I help?"
"No. Just sit over there and look pretty," she said without thinking.
Pride surged into his veins. He licked his fang as he stepped around the kitchen and perched himself on the stool facing her.
"You think I'm pretty, Scarf?"
When she lifted her eyes, every bit of resistance she had broke like a dam, a small laugh escaping her.
Noah rested his chin on his palms, blinking at her prettily.
"Stop looking at me like that. You look ridiculous," Aralyn said, though a small smile tugged at her lips.
"There it is. The smile I've been waiting for," Noah said softly.
Aralyn stilled for a moment, distracted by his words, before shaking her head and returning to the dough. As she worked, Noah seemed to remember something.
"Scarf, where were you going this morning? You looked like you were in a rush," he said, tilting his head.
Her hand paused midway as she placed the tray into the oven.
Should she tell him? But he helped me this far!
Aralyn stayed quiet for a moment before sitting on the stool across from him.
"There's something I should tell you. About your dad," she started slowly. Noah's brows drew together into a frown.
"What about him?"
"I don't know how to say this, but... I think your dad is an initiate."
"An initiate?"
Aralyn nodded slowly.
"Of what?" he asked.
She bit her lower lip, her gaze drifting away, but Noah pressed on. "Of what, Scarf? Tell me."
"He may or may not be an initiate... of a coven."
Noah stared at her. "Are you saying he's a witch?"
"No. I mean... not yet, I think."
Noah scoffed, looking up at the ceiling. "My dad? Are you sure we're talking about my dad?"
Aralyn had expected that reaction. "I did say he may or may not be."
"What makes you think he's an initiate?"
"The candles I saw in your house. The salt. The dreamcatcher. All of those point to being an initiate. And the new salt he poured over the window wasn't like any normal salt."
"That dreamcatcher is just decoration, Scarf. It's nothing important. I don't believe in its 'superpowers'," he said, curling two fingers in the air, "to catch bad dreams or whatever. Though, I did have a few of those nights ago."
He looked momentarily distracted, which made Aralyn raise a brow.
"Point is, none of what you're saying makes sense. My dad got those candles because it's what-what my mom used to do before she passed. He keeps them because he misses her. That's all."
The ding! behind her pulled her attention away. Aralyn took the rolls out and set them on the counter to cool. She already knew Noah wouldn't believe her. Who would?
"Look, I know you're trying to look out for me, and I appreciate that. But I'm serious. I know my dad, and he's not an initiate," Noah said, his tone curt.
There was no way his dad would give up everything to become a witch. He knew Nathaniel.
"Okay. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you," Aralyn said softly. "Just... promise me you'll be careful around him."
Noah only nodded stiffly. Then he noticed it. Her neck was glowing again, brighter than he had ever seen. "You okay?" he asked, eyes fixed on her neck.
Aralyn's breath hitched. A warm sensation spread through her body, a dizzying buzz like electricity beneath her skin. She looked toward the window and saw the full moon hanging in the sky.
She turned back to the counter, grabbed her phone, and began tapping.
"What's wrong, Scarf?" Noah asked, but she didn't answer. He frowned. "Aralyn?"
She lowered the phone and looked at him, guilt flickering in her eyes. "I don't think I can go to the festival."
"What? Why?" Noah looked genuinely heartbroken.
She clenched her jaw and glanced at the window again.
"It's a full moon tonight," she said. "On nights like this, my magic is at its strongest. This," she gestured to her neck, "won't stop glowing until dawn."
"Huh," Noah breathed, still staring. "Interesting. And beautiful."
Aralyn blinked, caught off guard.
Noah clapped once. "I tell you what. You can still come with me."
"Did you not hear what I just said? This thing glows. I can't risk anyone noticing. Not now, not when I know they're hiding," Aralyn said firmly.
"I wasn't finished," he cut in. "I have just the right costume back home. It covers your neck completely. I promise, no one will see it."
Aralyn hesitated.
The idea did sound fun. Tempting, even. After years of isolating herself, she was finally being invited. She should have stayed true to her oath but the thought of joining without being seen was tempting.
"Besides," Noah added with a smirk, wiggling his brows, "it comes with a wig."
"I will look ridiculous," she sighed.
"Wrong," he said, softer this time, a small smile forming, "I think you'll look ridiculously cool."