The Witching Hour

The night before the wedding, Rowan goes to church and prays for Ellie’s forgiveness. She lights candles for several Mayfair women. At the wedding, Rowan wears the emerald, and Aaron walks her down the aisle. After the ceremony, Rowan and Michael agree that it is the happiest day of their lives. Hundreds of Mayfairs come to the reception at the First Street house and admire its restoration. Michael mingles with the few guests from his family. Later, he has a vision of Stella, and there is a storm. Rowan throws her bouquet and most of the guests dance. Around 11 pm, Ryan kicks the remaining guests out of the house and leaves.

At midnight, “the witching hour” (909), Rowan and Michael discover that Bea and Lily prepared their bedroom with flowers, champagne, and other gifts. They drink the champagne and have sex. Michael’s post-coital cigarette makes Rowan feel nauseated, so she goes down to the kitchen for some medicine. There, Lasher appears and tells her that he loves her. She makes him swear not to hurt Michael or Aaron. He makes her swear not to tell Michael that he came, then he disappears.