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“We ht’ve ht in the darkness, Louella There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, and that will come across in fucked up ways at times Just know I always have your best interest at heart” He cups my face and runs his thumb over the apple of my cheek “I love you”

“I love you, too,” I whisper

“One day you and I are going to share the same name”

I groan “Can we get through the insanity of this year first?” I rest hs

“Of course, reina”

We continue to walk, and I bask in the deeper level of understanding we’ve s have to break down, to be built up stronger

Chapter Eighteen

I hug my knees to my chest and shiver as the heated water slowly fills the porcelain tub drug out into arden Today is all about preparation to receive the mantle of the e I’ll be channeling a large quantity of power, ed by , they could stop the ceremony It’s extremely rare, but not unheard of I’m worried about what they’ll see when they peer into my soul

“You better start thinking happier thoughts, or you’re going to freeze out here while we try to cleanse you of negativity,” Fel says

I wrinkle my nose “Why do so many ritual preparations have to be performed nude?”

“Because modern day people are prudes,” Mémé replies

Ruby chokes out a laugh “Oh, I like her”

“Everyone laugh it up” Luz pours in heated water, and I s has to be done by hand for this We have a large fire pit built, and e, chamomile, rosemary, lavender, lemon balm, and plenty of sea salt float around Modern items won’t play a part in preparations until the celebration

“I feel like we’re trying to make a Louella tea,” I mumble

“It’d be very floral,” Sacha speaks dryly