Chapter 20
ZAK
Lylia’s spell that places a ward on Rose is pretty anticlimactic.
Then again, I feel like every display of magic is going to feel dull to me after spending months falling in love with a magical ghost fairy and then witnessing what I did of the fae realm as I helped pull her free.
After all the drama, it’s nice to see that all the ward’s spell involves is Rose holding Lylia’s hands as they stand in the forest here in Titirangi.
Glowing green mushrooms form around Rose’s feet as Lylia does her thing in full fae form, there’s a quick flash of light, and then it’s all over.
Rose sways on her feet — Van warned me that she’d likely collapse — and I step forward to catch her.
“You did so well,” I tell her, carrying her bridal-style as I half-listen to Ellie question Lylia as to why Rose’s antlers didn’t appear. Lylia only shrugs.
“In time they will, I’m sure. She’s barely begun to touch her magic. You’d already received some training by the time I met you. It’s good to see that you’ve made progress. I heard you’ve even started calling yourself a witch.”
“Well there’s not really a better term for it, is there? That’s the only reason why.”
“Hmm. Your husband likes to make similar comments about how neither of you are invested in magic, and yet I visit your vineyard and your touch is everywhere, and he has his pack so well controlled, it’s as if the two of you are experts.”
“No, we’re definitely not.”
“Well it’s just my opinion, but what would I know, I’m merely a five-hundred-year-old witch from one of the most powerful covens in the First. I’m clearly no judge of natural ability. How’s the baby? Feeling any movement yet?”
“A little, here and there.”
There’s mozzies hanging about, and Rose slaps one off my neck as we head back up into the house, leaving Ellie, Van, and Lylia behind.
We’re staying here for the time being. Tonight Van is officially our guard, and then tomorrow we get to meet our new permanent werewolf friend, his uncle Theron.
I’m not really looking forward to that part, but Van’s right; it’s worth it to keep Rose safe.
With the sun setting, Rose begins to look more and more terrified. “You alright?” I ask her. She shakes her head.
“Not really. How silly is it that you and I spent all of our time together in the dark, and now I’m afraid of it?” Rose asks, her chin wobbling.
“Not silly at all. It’s zero percent silly. In fact, it makes complete fucking sense.” Just saying it makes me a little scared of the dark, too. “But I’ve got a solution. It’s this modern day invention called LED lightbulbs.”
She laughs against my shoulder as I walk to the nearest light switch and turn it on, though as I move from room to room, switching on every light that I can find in the house, she begins to sniffle, and my shirt grows damp from her tears.
“I’ll keep the lights on every night for the rest of our lives if it makes you happy, if it makes you feel safe. ”
She lets out a small sob, clinging to me tight, her face pressed to my neck.
“You’re the prettiest flower I ever met, Rose” I tell her. “A garden fairy. A goddess. You were made for the daylight. I promise you, babe, you’re going to have a lifetime of sunshine.” I kiss her forehead, breathing in the sweet scent of her. “I just know it.”