Chapter 8 Tea and conversations.

Violet froze when she stepped into the kitchen. Ronan sat across from her aunt, laughing so hard he was out of breath as the teapot poured him some tea; Basil sat beside him, also laughing. The scene made her blood boil; she couldn't tell if it was jealousy or annoyance. What was so funny? Why didn't they laugh at her jokes? She could be funny. In fact, she cracked the funniest joke ever earlier today; only her audience was Basil, and he just coughed. Now here he was, wheezing and leaning against Ronan.

She cleared her throat and waited for them to notice her standing by the door, watching them act as if they had known each other for ages. But Aunt Bell just crossed her legs while Ronan sipped his tea. He probably never even had tea; he looked like he was enjoying himself a little too much.

She tried again, this time louder. She opened her mouth to fake a cough, but her saliva rolled the wrong way, and she started coughing. When she settled, she looked up at them, but they were staring back. Basil looked irritated, as usual, and Aunt Bell and Ronan wore worried expressions. She straightened her shirt and looked down at her feet.

"Are you okay, darling?" Aunt Bell asked, her voice soft and gentle. Violet felt all her annoyance wash away.

"I just came for water," she lied. What else would she say? I came because I felt left out, and when I tried to get your attention, I choked on my own saliva. Embarrassing. If they could see her thoughts, they'd see her digging herself into a hole; she'd hide there until everyone forgot.

"Join us for tea," Ronan suggested. He gently placed the cup down.

Violet paused. It did remind her of her friends back home, how they'd laugh at the most ridiculous things. A little tea session with a silver-haired wolf and an annoying goat didn't seem bad, and she could pretend she hadn't almost choked to death.

Ronan watched her reluctantly walk into the kitchen, dragging her feet.

Ronan looked proud, like he had accomplished an impossible feat.

"You came right on time; Ronan said, wiping his eyes. "Your aunt was teaching about witches"

Aunt Bell's face brightened. She waved her hands, and a teacup floated up, moving unsteadily, until it hovered in front of Violet's face. The smell of lavender pooled beneath her nose. Violet watched the cup intently; she reached up slowly, scared she would interrupt the spell, and held it. Her eyes darted to her aunt. She could be in school right now, learning to strengthen her magic until she didn't need a wand for every basic spell. Much like her aunt.

"I was showing him the first basic spell a witch learns." Aunt Bell rose to her feet; she wiped crumbs of biscuits off her dress. "The laughing spell"

"It was my idea," Basil murmured, his mouth full of the tablecloth; he spat it out when he noticed Aunt Bell's eyes on him,

Violet's left eye twitched; they were laughing because of a spell? At least now she knew he wasn't that funny; she took a sip of tea and winced when the hot tea landed on her tongue.

Aunt Bell burst into a loud, hearty laugh. Around her, the brass lanterns brightened the orange light scattering across the room. Aunt Bell turned to Ronan. "I just remembered the funniest story"

Ronan sat up, a small smile on his face. He had never been in a place so warm and bright. Who knew witches were this welcoming?

"On Violet's first day at the witches academy, she cast a laughing spell on her entire class." Aunt Bell paused, trying to stifle a laugh. Violet groaned loudly; her cheeks were a soft pink. She knew the story well.

"Her principal comes to class to scold her, and she cast the spell on him; only she got the spell wrong, and he ended up croaking like a frog the entire day." Aunt Bell's laugh only brightened the room even more.

Violet's eyes landed on Ronan; he was laughing too. It was softer this time.

"I'm surprised you still haven't been expelled," Basil added, his ears perked up. His head was flat on the table, his tongue stretched out as he tried to reach the plate of biscuits in the middle of the table.

Violet pushed the plate a little further away. He was an annoying little goat, but he was right; they still hadn't expelled her. Basil glared at her.

"She's an Isolde after all; she comes from a line of powerful witches, she has potential."Aunt Bell picked up a biscuit and threw it into Basil's mouth. He smirked at Violet as he chewed loudly and slowly. Violet rolled her eyes in response.

Ronan pushed back his chair and stood. "I should go. Thank you for the tea, Madam Bell. And the story."

"You have to come again; you remind me of a certain wolf I met when I was a young witch"

"I'd like that; maybe you can tell me about this wolf of yours." The words came out before he could stop them. He was actually looking forward to it. It surprised him.

"Wonderful idea," Aunt Bell clapped. She faced Violet with a mischievous look on her face. " Vi, why don't you see our guest to the door"

Violet narrowed her eyes. Her aunt blinked back at her, feigning innocence.

Ronan smirked; he raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to take a step. Violet set her cup down with so much force that some tea spilled onto the counter.

She walked ahead of him, down the hallway. The front door swung open before she reached it.

Ronan stopped on the step. The evening light had turned the path gold; the sound of birds and leaves rustling in the wind filled the air.

"Your aunt is wonderful; I had the best time," he said.

Violett gave him a small nod. She was wonderful; she couldn't deny that.

"Goodbye, little witch," he waved as he walked off.

The mark on violet's neck pulsed. She pressed a hand over it and watched him as he walked off in large, confident strides.

When she could barely make out his silhouette, she turned back inside.

Something slammed against the shop window, and Violet turned around immediately, her wand already in her hands.