Chapter 175: Quaid At Last
This time when I flew down the stairs in my pajamas and out the back door I knew who I was running to kiss. No doubts, no confusion, just pure joy and the need to throw my arms around his neck and never let go.
Quaid caught me as I leaped, my legs wrapping around his waist as I dug my hands into his hair and locked my mouth on his. For one blissful, amazing, beautiful moment, I was full of his scent, the sound of his leather jacket creaking, the feel of his black hair, the way his stubble scratched my cheek. He tasted delicious, his heat transferring to me as his power stretched out like hot taffy and engulfed me completely.
I wanted it to last forever. And in that endless moment, I felt he did too. We were perfect for each other. It had never been so clear to me, this truth. He was my other half, the part filling me up and making me complete. I was never going to let him leave me again.
Until I felt him tense, start to pull away. My throat tightened even as I let my lips part from his, the sigh of his breath drawn into my lungs as we separated. Quaid looked into my eyes, his so dark, endless pools, full of something I couldn't read.
Why did I let him set me down? Why did I not fight him when he released me from his arms? He turned and sat on the bench, our familiar place, his leather pants sighing as he shifted his weight.
I sat beside him, miserable no matter our closeness, knowing despite the fact he was back he wasn't mine anymore.
"I found them, Syd." His voice vibrated with excitement and I tried very hard to be happy for him. "My family." He took my hand and squeezed it and I allowed myself to believe maybe I was wrong.
"That's awesome." And it was. But it also made me so afraid.
"They are coming here." He tapped his fingertips against the armrest of the bench, knee bouncing in excitement.
Um, weird. "Why?" Covens didn't just up and visit each other. Not that it was illegal or anything, but a visit wasn't typical. Tended to end in power plays and property damage. Witches didn't exactly know how to play nice with others.
"Only a few of them," he went on, as if that mattered. "It's a huge coven, Syd, over four hundred members."
Ours was around a hundred. "Must make for crowded rituals." I choked on a laugh. Not really funny.
He didn't seem to notice. "They aren't as strong as we are." He scowled then, shook his head. "You, I mean." The frown remained a moment as he continued. "Did you know how rare we are?" Quaid met my eyes. "The fact most members of this coven can use all five elements?" He sat back though his knee continued its jiggle. "I had no idea."
Me either. "What are they like?" I didn't really care just then. I only longed to keep him talking. Not because I adored his voice, which I did, but because with every moment that passed I felt him leaving me, drifting farther away. And as long as he was talking, he was still here and still with me.
"They're great," he said softly. "The Dumont coven. They're my family."
I wanted to sob in grief. I heard the finality in his voice.
"They are the biggest in North America," he went on while I barely heard him, "originally from France. Just recently migrated to New York as a group, since I was born." He grinned crookedly, making me want to kiss him again. "Imagine that," he said. "I'm French."
I choked on a giggle, not really amused, but not wanting him to sense my bitter disappointment. If I just pretended he was staying, maybe he would.
"Why are they coming here?" Finally, a good question. A smart one, even. When I allowed myself to think about it, the idea didn't make much sense. Covens just didn't visit each other. Especially ones that weren't connected by blood.
He fell quiet, his body tensing, and I knew then this was really happening. It was over and he was lost to me.
"I have to go." Quaid lurched to his feet and I followed, the stupid, desperate girl I swore I wouldn't be, clutching at his sleeve with tears threatening.
"Mom would love to see you." I gestured at the door, knowing it was impossible now.
"I can't, Syd." He had to say it, didn't he?
"And that talk you promised me?" I hated myself then for throwing it in his face, but I couldn't help myself, couldn't. I'd waited for this moment, for him, we'd been through so much together it just wasn't fair.
Wasn't.
"Things are complicated now." He looked away from me, hands clenching. "I just wanted to come and see you before the family arrived. To let you know I was okay. That I found them. And to tell you I'm happy."
I let my hands fall, gathered my strength around me while my demon howled her sorrow and my Sidhe side wept silently so I wouldn't have to show it.
"I'll see you soon," he said as he backed away, long stride widening the distance between us. "I promise."
I nodded, made myself smile. Watched him round the corner of the house and disappear into the dark.
Only then did I crumple a little, letting my shoulders sag, sobbing softly into my hands that still smelled like him. No way was I letting Quaid Moromond or Dumont or whoever the hell he was destroy me because of his stupid family. But I was allowed a moment to cry, damn it, and I was taking it.
Arms slid around me, the familiar scent of lilacs. I turned and hugged my mom as she stroked my hair and whispered her love for me in my ear until I fell still.
I snuffled as I pulled away, wrung out but stronger for the cry, oddly enough. I looked up, met her eyes, and felt surprise. I didn't see the sympathy I was expecting. Instead, her gaze was strong and more than a little worried.
"Syd," she said, "come inside. We need to talk."
***
