Cordelia's POV

December 2013

A few months have gone by and a lot's changed. My mother has almost lost her powers completely and all the girls are getting stronger by the day, especially Misty's. But as her powers grow, so do my fears. She'll have to attempt the seven wonders and I won't lose her again, I can't. Misty loves life, she deserves to live a full and happy one instead of fighting for a position she doesn't even want.

Wrapping my arms tighter around her and burying my face in her golden hair, I hold Misty close to me. I have to protect her. She's everything to me. During these past months Misty and I have grown closer. I've never trusted anyone the way I trust Misty. I've never loved anyone the way I love Misty.

Despite my previous reservations, I couldn't deny the tugging in my chest for her. When she took me to visit her shack in the swamp and asked me to be her girlfriend I couldn't say no.

When Misty is beside me I feel better, more confident and at ease. I know she feels the same way because she tells me every chance she gets. Teaching Misty in the greenhouse is a great excuse for us to get alone time together, and whenever we are there we steal secret kisses behind the lilies.

However, during our time in the greenhouse, we do more talking than practicing. Misty begged me to recount every part of life for the past 21 years, so I eagerly told her. And I listened while she told me all about her life before the burning and her little sanctuary in the swamp.

Only Myrtle knows about our relationship. We are waiting for things to settle down before telling the girls. Honestly, I'm terrified to tell them. What if they act the same way that the girls from my class did?

Misty twitches a bit, slowly waking up. She rolls over to face me, her eyes still clouded with sleep. "You okay darlin?" I love it when she calls me that. Misty snuggles into my neck, hugging me tighter. "You're eyes are all watery."

I offer her a small smile. "It's nothing Mist, probably just from rubbing them too hard."

She knows I'm lying, somehow she always knows, but she leaves it alone. Truth is, I'm scared. Scared for the seven wonders, scared to come out, and scared for the future. Misty doesn't press me to talk about it; she just peppers soft kisses all over my skin until I'm relaxed again.

It reminds me of the first time we made love. The cool air from the open window drifting over our heated skin, our bodies meshed together until I didn't know where Misty's began and mine ended. Her lips tasted like honey and her skin like rain.

Making love with Misty was just that, making love. It wasn't sex or fucking. It was beautiful and wonderful and everything good in the world. When Misty was inside me I swear that our souls reached out together to touch galaxies.

"Hey Delia, can I ask ya somethin?"

'Anything, love." Misty shifts so that she's propped up on one elbow. She traces patterns on the palm of my hand with her fingertips.

She looks at me with those huge blue eyes and I melt. "Do you think I'm the next supreme?"

"No one can know for sure, but I do know that you're special Misty. You're different from everyone else, you're unique. And I really hope you're the supreme. You would do amazing things for this coven."

"Well I guess we'll find out real soon." She seems to be nervous, frightened even.

I cup her cheek and brush my thumb over her warm skin. "I believe in you Misty."

My lips meet hers for a deep kiss, one that seems to be filled with the promises tomorrow holds. I want to spend the rest of my life with this woman. "I love you."

"I love you too Miss Cordelia."

xxxxxxx

"You may begin." Myrtle places the final candlestick on the table, nodding towards Zoe to start.

My stomach is in knots; it's a good thing I haven't eaten anything today. Misty is hopping back and forth from foot to foot anxiously awaiting her turn. Everyone is nervous. Even Madison isn't as confident as usual.

Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Zoe lights the candle. Then Queenie and Madison do as well. Misty focuses hard. I can feel her magic tingling in the air and after a few seconds, the candle ignites.

Misty squeals happily. "I did it, Dee!" I smile back at her. I'm so proud of how well she is doing.

"Telekinesis now girls." Myrtle is no nonsense today. She stands with her back straighter than usual. This must be intense for her. I know that Myrtle wanted to be supreme at one point, and she would have been perfect for the job, but unfortunately my mother got there first.

Queenie manages to pull the candlestick to her with just a bit of difficulty. It only takes the other two girls seconds, leaving only Misty left. She tries, but falters.

"Stronger intent." I encourage, mimicking my words from our first incantation.

Misty puts her hands on the table and focuses harder. The candle goes flying to her. Her accomplished smile is infectious.

"Now it's time for descensum, the most dangerous and emotionally taxing of all the wonders."

Misty looks at me with fear reflecting back in her beautiful, blue eyes. I try to put on a strong face for her to be reassuring. While she's moving to the floor, I can't help going to her. "I love you Misty."

I don't care that everyone sees as I quickly kiss her lips. She means more to me than anything and I need to show her while I have the chance. "I love you too, darlin." She gives me another passionate kiss, one that sparks a fire in me that I thought had been permanently blown out, before I'm forced to go sit on the couch.

Madison mumbles under her breath. "I knew it." Her tone is light-hearted and joking, trying to ease the tension in the room. It works and we all chuckle.

"Do you girls understand the rules? You must be back before the time runs out with the rising sun, or you will be trapped in he1l forever. No one on the outside can help you; you are totally alone down there."

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I watch helplessly as my Misty descends into hell…

Minutes tick by, then hours. Each second feels like an eternity. All the girls have woken up except for Misty, and she's running out of time. My heart is pounding out of my chest and I can't think straight.

"Myrtle please, please let me help her! She won't be supreme, but she won't be dead either! Please!"

I'm on my knees begging, sobbing, and frantic to save my angel. She doesn't deserve to die like this, in such a cruel and harsh way. All she ever was was kind and pure.

"You know the rules child, we can't help her." Myrtle seems devastated for me as she says those words, but I know there is nothing I can do.

The sand drips down the hourglass quicker and quicker. The first rays of early morning sun are hovering just below the horizon. It's almost done.

I clutch Misty to my chest, cradle her in my arms, and let my tears fall on her pale skin. Every piece of me is being torn apart. "Sequere lucem, venite ad me."

And just like that, Misty Day, my angel, turns to ash in my arms.