Chapter 59

SIMON

It's been the longest, most nerve wracking week of my life but finally, finally the Coven meet tonight.

All week, Baz has been on at me to book our flights and pack our bags, ready to head back to London straight after the meeting, but I said no. I absolutely refuse to do anything that might hex the decision. I'm not superstitious normally, what with being a mage and all, but I've spent enough time in the Normal world to pick up a few of their weird beliefs. (No matter how irrational or just plain stupid they might be.) Baz thinks I'm being ridiculous but I don't care. Not today.

It's been seven months and five days since the Coven voted to send me out of Britain. Out of the UK. Out of my home. Seven months of living like a fucking drifter or something, like a person without country. Living out of my duffel and sleeping in other people's guest rooms. It's been fucking horrible.

The last few weeks have been especially hard. After Dev and Niall left, which was a weekend filled with lots of booze, very late nights and endless stories about exactly what those three got up to at school, (and one very short conversation about the woman Baz danced with) Baz and I stayed in the apartment and did nothing much at all except talk about the vote. Much like we have been all day today.

"What about the wand Baz?" I ask again, probably for the hundredth time as I thrown myself down on the sofa next to him. He takes my hand in his and starts rubbing his thumb across the back absently. "Even if I'm un-banished the holes will stay until we get that wand snapped."

My tail starts swishing around behind our heads, ruffling both our hair. He grabs it and wraps it around our linked hands out of habit and to stop it from knocking anything over. I lean back on Daphne's nice modular sofa and let out a groan.

We've spent a lot of time on this sofa lately. It's where we talk and watch films and read and draw and fall asleep together. And we've done a fair bit of snogging here too come to think of it. And shagging, there's been quite a bit of that as well. (Thank magic for cleaning spells.) (Daphne would never speak to us again if she knew.)

As the Coven meeting drew closer I found myself sitting here more and more, going over all the possible outcomes in my head. Sometimes Baz sat with me holding my hand, and other times he'd tell me I'd been inside my own head for long enough and demanded that we do something to take my mind off things. He managed to drag me out for a walk a few times, and we went out for crepes another couple of times, and he found a place that makes brilliant gallettes for lunch as well. The rest of the time I pretty much sat here and thought about all the things that could go wrong with this vote. Over the last week, I've worked out that there's a hell of a lot of things that could go wrong with this vote.

Baz continues to rub his thumb across the back of my hand in slow soothing lines but it doesn't help as much as it normally does. I've been on edge all day. I've been agitated for the last week, but today I'm a complete mess. I haven't been able to do anything for more than a few minutes at a time. I let go of his hand and stand up, running my fingers through my already messy hair as I pace around the room again.

"That was Fiona's crackpot theory," he reminds me. "An untested theory."

"It was a bloody good theory," I snap at him. I don't mean to, I'm just so bloody nervous.

That theory made a whole load of sense to me. I've been going over it in my head ever since she first mentioned it, even after Baz wouldn't agree to any of my half-baked plans about flying into the Coven and using some sort of reverse logic to make them snap the wand. (And those plans were half-baked, I get that now.) But if the Mage did use that wand to give me my power, and my power sucked the magic out of the atmosphere it stands to reason that they're related . . .

"Fiona's," he reminds me again, as if this is enough to dispel any belief in it.

"And what if they don't vote?" I ask him, changing tact. "They might not even get to vote tonight. Then it will be another month–"

"They will," he says, standing to meet me in the middle of the living room. He takes my hand and leads me calmly back to the sofa where we sit in the same position as before, shoulders touching, knees resting against each other's, hands linked. "It's on the agenda."

"But what if they don't? Reggie could refuse to vote, or Alfie, or they might not even turn up."

"They already have. Professor Bunce called when the meeting was about to start. He's waiting outside to give his spiel on the dead spots. He said it's a full house," Baz says, his voice calm as ever.

"Oh. Good."

"And they don't need Reggie or Alfie's vote. They'll still have a quorum without those two idiots."

"Oh, okay." I slump back in the seat but I sit straight back up again, remembering something else. "What if Trixie doesn't vote for me to be un-banished or whatever the fucking word is? What then?"

He gives me a knowing smile. "She will, Simon. Bunce said she will, she said Trixie was outraged when you were banished. And Bunce should know, she's spent a lot of time talking to the pixie over the last few months. And don't forget, Trixie was at the first rally."

"Oh yeah. I forgot," I sigh, sinking back into the seat again. Baz rubs the back of my hand again. "Or what if Theodore or Lilly or Kendra decide to change their vote? They voted against the banishment last time but what if they vote for it this time?"

I'm starting to freak out a little. This isn't going to work. We've surely missed something, something important.

"Why would they change their minds Simon?" Baz says. "You have a lot of support out there. You need to stop worrying. Try to relax."

"Relax? Hells bells, Baz. I think I'm going fucking insane with all the waiting!"

He takes my shoulders in his hands and turns me to face him. His eyes are steely as he stares at me, determined and serious. "Everything is going to be fine. We've worked too long and hard to get here. It's going to be all right." He locks his eyes on mine, not blinking, not moving. It's like his eyes are boring into my fucking soul or something. "Come on love, deep breaths now," he says, never taking his eyes from mine. I nod and do as he says, taking slow, deep breaths, in and out, until I feel my pulse slow and I finally start to calm down. I keep breathing deeply, trying to keep my nerves at bay.

My phone pings then and I jump as I fumble to pick it up from the coffee table, looking at the screen nervously. It's just Penny.

Penny: Good luck Simon.

Me: thx

Penny: Hang in there!

Me: k

She doesn't text again; she's probably figured that I'm too nervous right now.

I stand up again. "I can't stand this Baz." I'm raking my fingers through my hair nervously. "I think I'm going to have a fucking heart attack."

He stands next to me and turns me to face him again. "Simon," he says, taking my face in both his hands. It feels nice even though my face is itchy as hell. I won the bet by the way, Baz didn't even make it past three and a half weeks because the itch was driving him mental. He said he kept getting blood in the hair on his chin when he hunted, but I reckon he was just looking for an excuse to shave it off because he's such a vain git. "Whatever happens today, you're not alone. I'll be with you." He rubs his thumbs across my cheeks.

I stare at Baz, my beautiful husband. My eyes shift from his steel grey eyes to his (clean shaven) cheeks to his sharp jaw to his full lips, and then back. His eyes are fierce and he has that determined look on his face, the look he gets when he wont give up on something, ever. I've seen it often enough now so I know he means it; whatever happens, we're in this together. It centres me and I'm finally able to calm down, knowing the simple truth of us. Merlin, I love him more than ever, if that's even possible.

"I love you Baz," I whisper. "Whatever happens."

He smiles at me like I've just given him the best present in the world.

"I love you Simon," he murmurs.

He looks so beautiful in this moment that I just have to kiss him. So I do. I brush my lips against his, and then pull back to watch his reaction. He smiles back at me and his eyes darken so I press my mouth to his and kiss him a little harder, brushing my tongue along his when he opens for me. I kiss him again and again, more deeply each time and this time I don't stop. He brings his arms to my waist and tightens his grip and I instinctively wrap my arms around his neck, bringing his face closer.

We stand together and kiss in the silence of the living room as we await my fate and for the first time since I woke up today, I don't think about what's happening in London. I only think about Baz, his soft, cool lips warming as they move against mine, his hands on my waist, his arms as they slide around me and his hair in my hands as I thread my fingers into it.

It's so quiet in the apartment; the traffic and other sounds outside are muted with the snow that finally stuck to the ground yesterday. It's not much, less than a few centimetres, and it will probably be gone by tomorrow, but right now it's beautiful and white and quiet and perfect as we hold each other and I get lost in the sweet caress of our mouths and the slide of our tongues, his soft breath intermingling with mine the only sound I hear.

The moment is interrupted by Baz and my mobiles ringing simultaneously and we instantly break apart. I fumble for mine as he does the same, and our eyes lock as we bring our phones to our ears, ready to hear the outcome. My hands are shaking and my knees feel weak. Baz takes my hand in his.

"He-hello?"

Dr Wellbelove is on the other end of the call. "It's all done Simon. Congratulations, the Coven has voted to reverse your banishment! We did it!"

"What? Are– are you sure Doc?" I turn to face Baz and he's grinning back at me. He squeezes my hand and I try to squeeze back but it's like I've suddenly got no strength.

"Yes Simon!" he hoots down the phone. "Seven votes to rescind your banishment, four against, two abstained."

My heart's beating a wildly and my head is buzzing so I don't really take in what else he says after the first sentence. "Does that mean I can come home Doc?" It's the only thing I want to know. Everything else is just fuzz. My hands are shaking harder than ever and I can hardy hold the phone, and my knees are trembling so much I can hardly stand. Baz releases my hand and wraps his arm around my waist and I lean into him. I turn to look at him and he's grinning madly as he speaks into the phone.

"It absolutely does Simon!" Doc says. "The curse has lifted. You can come home right now if you like."

"Tha-thanks Doc," I whisper, my voice is shaking as well.

"I'll let you go. The Magickal Record is asking for statements outside. I need to be there."

"Oh, okay. Thanks," I whisper again. I don't think my voice is working right.

"Congratulations again, Simon! We'll see you soon back here in London," he says heartily before hanging up.

My phone pings with another text from Penny: Fuck a nine-toed troll Simon! WE DID IT!

I send her a thumbs up emoji. I can't type anything else, my hands are shaking so much.

My phone pings again with another text. It's Daphne this time: Congratulations Simon, we're outside the meeting and Professor Bunce just announced the news! See you home soon! Xxx

I send her a thumbs up too.

My mobile rings again. This time it's Lady Salisbury. "Hello Simon! Did you hear the news?"

"Yeah Gran, Doc just called."

"It's all done, you can come home now," she declares, sounding quite chuffed. "I'm so very pleased for you."

"Yeah, thanks." I'm a bit breathless and my knees are still shaking so I sit heavily on the couch. Baz sits next to me and takes my hand again and continues with his conversation.

She goes on to explain the vote and the subsequent uproar from the remaining four of the senseless seven, especially when she voted for me to return. She says that Alfie nearly had a coronary right there and then.

"I dare say he won't be inviting me to his next Summer Solstice Soirée," she chuckles. "Not that I mind, they're so very dreary Simon. You have no idea."

I grunt in reply. I can't find my words.

"You tell young Basil to take care of you now dear. I'll see you when you get back home."

I let out a nervous laugh and we eventually hang up. I think she can tell I'm in a bit of shock.

I bring my hands to my face. I'm shaking like mad and I can't seem to stop so I take a few deep breaths to try slow my racing heart. Baz rubs the back of my hand as he talks with Professor Bunce, they're deep in conversation – probably planning their next strategy or something.

My phone rings again. It's Mordy this time and she's talking so fast and yelling into the phone so loud I can hardly make out what she's saying.

"Simon, isn't this brilliant? I'm telling the whole school! I'll see you back at Oxford soon! Oh Merlin and Morgana! We really stuck it to those old codgers didn't we? When are you coming home? Can we go flying again when you come back? I guess it's a bit cold to fly but can we, pleeeeeeze? And the twins want to too, but don't tell mum, she'll freak if she finds out. Wow Simon I can't believe it! I'm going to organise another protest rally – time for an all-girls football team at Watford! What do you think? Maybe I'll start a petition as well!"

Penny texts me again while I'm talking to Mordy: I keep trying to call you. Get off the phone!

I finally get off the phone from Mordy and my mobile immediately pings again. It's Agatha.

Penny just told me. Congratulations Simon! Xx

I send Agatha a thumbs up emoji. My hands are too shaky to type anything else.

Penny again: Are you off the phone yet? Call me I can't get through!

I get a whole bunch of other texts from old school friends and people I don't even really know that well. Most say congratulations and stuff like that.

Penny again: Go home! Are you home yet? Kidding. Morgan's tooth, I'm so fucking excited for you!

Micah: Congratulations Simon! We're having a drink for you right now. Cheers mate.

I smile at his text; hanging around with a bunch of Brits has rubbed off on him a bit. I send him a thumbs emoji up as well. I might just have to send one to everyone later because there are so many congratulatory texts coming through.

The other Professor Bunce calls me and I have a quick chat with him. He tells me how he gave his report at the start of the meeting and then Penny's mum called for a vote immediately.

Penny texts me again: Still can't get through. Who are you talking to?

Penny again: I can't believe it. You're no longer banished! Go home Simon!

Penny: I'm having a glass of wine to cebelrate

Penny: *accelerate

Penny: *cerebral

Penny: *celebrate

He talks for a while longer, giving me a recount of the aftermath of the vote, and then Professor Bunce finally says his goodbye.

Me: no vodka cruiser

Penny: I'm not fitfeen simon

Penny: *fifteen

Baz rubs the back of my hand in soothing circles and I sit and watch him on the phone until he says goodbye to Professor Bunce. He turns and grins at me, and it's not until this moment that I believe that it's finally real. I can go home.

"We did it Simon. You can go home," he says quietly, and then he pulls me into him and holds me tight. I lean my head against his shoulder and hold him just as tight, I don't think I ever want to let go.

"You did it Baz," I mumble against his shoulder. "You did all of this. Thank you." I squeeze him tighter with the truth of it, pressing him closer to me. I don't know where I'd be without him – I'd probably be permanently banished from home, left to wander the world aimlessly, alone. Or locked in the tower at any rate. "I love you so much."

"I love you Simon," he whispers back. "Always have, always will."

I sit back and grin stupidly at him, and he's grinning just as stupidly back at me, not saying anything either. I think I'm in shock or something because I don't know what to say or do, I guess a part of me never believed this would actually happen. My phone is going crazy so I sit down and look at the texts. Most are from Penny.

Penny: Have you booked your fight yet?

Penny: *flight* damn autocorrct

Penny: *autocorrect

Penny: Simon why arent you answrng me?

Penny: are u shagging alredy?

Me: no pen we're talking

Penny: good okay talk fist, shag l8r

Penny: *first fucking autocorrect

Me: . ur pissed? im not talking to u if ur pissed

Penny: rongo me now simon or so help me ill curse you into the groond myself

Penny: *ring!

Baz is back on his phone, reading and answering texts even though he hates it so I finally call Penny. (She was so busy texting she forgot to call.) We have a long conversation and she pretty much repeats what she said in her texts, although with loads more swearing thanks to the two glasses of wine she managed to down between learning I won the vote and finally getting through to me. We hang up eventually after a lot of I told you so-s and you just had to be patient-s and fucking autocorrect is fucking shit. It's a while before I get to ask Baz why he was talking to Professor Bunce for so long.

He turns to face me and hesitates for the briefest moment before he finally starts talking. "Another two places have opened up on the Coven. Odella and Luella resigned directly after the vote. Mitali wants me to run again . . . if you want me to–"

I cut him off, before he can start doubting the idea. "That's brilliant!"

He's the one that should have been on the Coven in the first place. If it was him instead of me, then maybe I wouldn't have caused all this mess and none of this would have happened and he would be half way through his course and I'd be back at work. And he's so fucking smart. He'll probably be running the whole magickal fucking world one day.

"You should absolutely do it Baz," I grin, nodding my head up and down like a yo-yo, "You'll be brilliant."

He smiles at me, looking relieved, like he thought I'd say no or something. Of course I wouldn't say no, if there's anyone that's meant to be on the Coven it's Baz.

"Luella and Odella abstained from the vote. Mitali thinks they'd already decided to resign before the meeting. It seems they've finally had enough," he explains.

I nod, still grinning. I'm so fucking happy right now that nothing could faze me, and Baz on the Coven if the best idea ever – he knows everything there is to know about the realm and the laws and magickal history and stuff. Besides Professor Bunce he's the next perfect choice. Fuck, he could probably be running Watford in a few years if he wanted to.

"There's more Simon," he says, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Yeah?" I smile at him. I can't help smiling, I don't think I'll ever stop smiling today.

"Yes." He hesitates again and looks down at our hands before turning his gaze back to me. "Mitali wants to know if you want your seat back. It seems now that your banishment has been rescinded, you still have your place on the Coven."

"What?"