*Tobias's POV*

Falling back asleep when I got back from Ava's house and after the argument with my mam proved to be difficult.

I know that one day she will snap and force me to admit the truth. And if she does and I admit who Ava is and what she means to me then Ava will be in terrible danger from my mam, and possibly the coven. And I will not allow that to happen, I have to give my mam some sort of answer and one she will like.

As we sat at the table my mam glared at me. Her cold hard eyes burning into my soul as she slowly chewed her eggs on toast. I tried to keep my eyes down, but a few times I did wind up breaking my promise to myself to not look and I stared back into the cold dark eyes. Halin was even feeling uncomfortable. From the corner of my eye, I watched him shuffle on the table. His talons scraping against the wood. His feathers rustled together as he moved. 

After I swallowed the last of my eggs I rushed up and placed the plate into the sink.

" Come on Halin we don't want to be late," I mumbled slinging my jacket on. The cool leather making my skin shiver.

" Yes please master."

He sounded very pleased with the fact we are leaving. Landing on my shoulder his talons made small holes in my jacket.

The air was sharp with cold. Halin told me that winter shoulder starts next week maybe sooner.

Personally, I've always preferred winter. I mean yeah it's freezing and I have to lay under three blankets to keep myself warm. But I do enjoy watching the snowflakes drop covering the ground in a blanket of cold. I only enjoy it because every snowflake is different. I also like the snow. When I was younger I used to love building snowmen. Of course, my mam never liked it, but that didn't stop me.

When she would go to the temple I would sprint outside and build a snowman and a snow fort and make snow demons, they are just like snow angels but I call them demons. And when the cave would start to open, the screeching of the cold rock scraping against more cold rock I would use my magic to erase any trace of me playing in the snow and run inside.

As much as I wanted to go through Hawthorn I didn't have the time. But luckily for me, I will see Ava again tonight.

I took the trail around Hawthorn and dodged a few lumberjacks on their way to work. The last thing I need is another confrontation with someone from the village. When I reached the temple I was met by Naomi leaning against the door.

" What are you doing out here?" I asked crossing my arms over my chest.

" Start considering me as the messenger. Nathan believed you had more than enough training yesterday so he told me to tell you he has given you the day off." She explained.

" Why doesn't he tell me himself?"

" Well, he and Martha are let's just say busy in his room."

" Oh."

" Yeah, I heard the start of it. It was weird." She gagged.

" I know. I've walked in after the business is done."

" Gross." She grimaced.

" What are you seven?" I chucked.

" Asshole."

" Bitch."

" Just go Lizzie wants to talk to the coven."

" The whole coven?" I asked.

" Yeah, the whole coven." She rolled her eyes.

We quickly made our way to the arena. When we got there the whole coven was already seated in their usual places. Naomi sat beside her mother and sister and I went and sat next to my aunt and an astral projection of my mam.

" As we all know the blood moon is next week,"

Shit!

" And as a tradition with a blood moon, we will have a hunt."

At the mention of a hunt, the witches howled with delight.

" As always the familiar witches and our assassin will stay in the temple while the bone and blood witches will go out Hawthorn. And as per tradition you cannot enter a home and snatch a child or person. But you can lure them out. The kill must be witnessed by the blood moon. That is all I wanted to discuss. Initiates should get to class. Dismissed."

A blood moon means trouble. Not for me but Ava. Witches use very persuasive spells to lure children and young women out of their homes to kill them. When they see Ava they will lure her out and they will kill her. I cannot let that happen. I will put a spell on her home and keep her safe. Even if I have to die trying.

I walked home with a smile on my face. I finished training hours ago but I decided to practice some more fighting. Nathan stopped by to see how I was going and he was very impressed by my significant improvement.

Since I'm not in a hurry to get home I will be going through Hawthorn. When I neared Ava's house I heard her voice. She sounded upset.

I stood behind a bush and watched her and Gareth talking and laughing.

What's he doing with my girl?

Calm down Tobias they're probably just friends.

Gareth and Ava began to look in my direction. They can see me but they obviously don't know it's me.

" It's okay sir she's my fiance!" Gareth called out to me.

No!

No!

No!

How could she!

His words are a knife plunging into my heart.

Halin squawked in shock at his words. Even from here, I could see the fear in Ava's eyes from Halin's squawk.

As I ran home my eyes began to cloud with tears.

How could Ava do this to me? 

I told her we are mates and she still does this to me.

When I got home I ran up to my room, jumped into bed, and sobbed. With my hand over my mouth, I allowed the hot tears to flow down my face and stain my sheets. Once I cried every droplet of tears out of my body. 

When I was done crying I sat up against the backboard. The memory of our kiss and last night flowing in my head threatening to make me start crying again.

" Master, there must be a reason why she said yes to him. Maybe she didn't even say yes."

" You can't be engaged to someone if you don't say yes." I sniffled.

" You don't know master. Maybe you should let her explain."

I nodded at what he was saying. He is right, I should let her explain.

" Go see if my man is asleep," I instructed.

Halin beat his giant wings and flew out the window. A few seconds later he returned.

" She's asleep."

"Well let's go." I smiled.

When I reached Ava's house, fear began to twist in my stomach. I'm scared she will tell me she doesn't want me anymore and wants Gareth. But I have to know. I have to hear her side of the story.

I changed into a finch and flew up to her window. Ava was laying on her bed, her body is shaking as she sobs. 

Using my beak I tapped on her window. The sound making her jump and turn towards me.

She ran to the window and opened it for me. Once she closed the window I changed out of the bird form.

" I'm here to let you explain what I saw earlier." I explained.

She breathed a sigh of relief. 

" My dad found your jacket,"

Shit!

" He thought I was sleeping around so he and father Lanik arranged for me and Gareth to get married. I had no say in it." She sniffled.

I smiled, Halin was right she didn't say yes and she didn't reject me.

" Come here." I smiled.

She ran to me and threw her arms around me, pulling me against her.

Cupping her cheek in my hand I pressed her lips to mine. Standing there holding the love of my life in my arms, kissing her I am happy again.

And I know that for now, we will be alright.