Chapter 7
Seda
Seda strolled with Luelle around the castle.
The interior, both lavish and vibrant, was vastly different from her small, dusty apartment back in Joro.
Everything was absolutely breathtaking, and everyone seemed to be in a joyful mood.
The servants and guests joked and laughed as they went about their day, and children raced through the halls, their magic freely used.
She saw women using their magic to clean, men moving heavy tables with it, and children flying paper airplanes farther than expected.
They all used the same green mist as Cahir, which emanated from their palms to move objects.
It was the most interesting thing she had ever seen, second to the magic of the Vatte in the Amanita Copse.
Seda’s dress was still too tight, and her breathing felt restricted, causing her to ask Luelle to pause several times to catch her breath.
They slowly stepped through the large front doors and into a green, grassy field lined with rows of colorful roses.
Seda could smell the salt in the air from the nearby ocean, a smell she had never experienced before.
It was fresh and alive, wild and free. Joro air was stuffy and constricting, and she suddenly felt the weight of the vast world around her.
“The roses were planted for Ael’s mother,” Luelle said as she pointed to the colorful assortment beyond.
Seda’s interest piqued at the mention of Cahir’s family, and she looked over to the roses in the distance, perfectly manicured and displaying a rainbow of colors. “They’re beautiful,” she replied. “What happened to her?”
Luelle pursed her lips as she stared into the distance. “She passed when Ael and I were children.”
She wanted to ask more, eager to learn about Cahir and his past, but held back from pushing.
Seda spotted Elco lying in the grass, with children placing small flowers from the field into his mane, and pointed him out. Luelle smiled, and they walked closer to him.
When they neared, Seda said, “Yet again, I find the Lionne with children and flowers in his hair.”
Elco opened a lazy eye at her and huffed warm air around them. The children giggled. “I’m where I want to be, moon-flutter. Don’t disrupt them.”
“I heard that you were eating wolves?” she pried.
“They taste like chicken.”
“Well, I’m glad that you’ve stuck to your word and aren’t eating the Fae.
” The same little girl from the night before looked up at Seda with wide eyes, and the flower she was about to place into Elco’s hair fell to the ground.
She ran away, glancing back at them as she hid behind a nearby green bush.
“Don’t scare them away,” Elco complained. Seda laughed and walked over to the bush, peering around it.
“Elco’s nice, sweetie. He loves the flowers and how fancy they make him look.
He won’t hurt you, I promise.” The little girl looked at her with big, brown eyes and hesitantly walked back over to Elco.
She picked up the dropped flower and placed it in his hair, giving Seda a broad smile after she positioned it perfectly.
Elco purred under the touch, murmuring something about happiness and how it felt like his heart was melting its thick layer of ice.
“Would you like to see the gardens?” Luelle asked Seda. “It’s through the hedge maze.”
“Sure.” The two left Elco behind as his purrs rumbled across the grass. Luelle led her through the large hedge maze, and they came out on the other side. Rows of lush gardens greeted them, and the little green orbs fluttered all around the plants.
“The essence makes our plants grow stronger,” Luelle answered her silent question. “Umbrea’s produce is unmatched in all of Xyberus.”
Seda watched the orbs. “I see that. Back in Joro, we had a plant science division called Gardvord. Cahir and I worked there, studying the decline of produce being harvested.”
Is this what Joro was missing? Magic?
“And what did you discover?” Luelle asked.
“Nothing. Plants need sunlight, good soil, pollination, and water. We couldn’t find anything that could explain the decline.”
Luelle looked at the plants alongside Seda, and the two watched as the orbs fluttered around. Like little bees kissing the tops of flowers, they bounced around, almost as if playing through the fields.
“Life needs balance. Nature needs love,” Luelle stated as she stared at the garden.
Seda glanced over a distant tree line and saw a thin plume of green smoke rising into the sky. “What’s that?” she asked.
Luelle rolled her eyes. “That’s that nasty witch, Tahti. She’s always brewing up something that stinks up the air. Be careful if you go there, Seda. That woman may be an Oracle, but she’s heavy-handed with her broom. Last time I went, she hit me over the head with it. I had a bump for hours.”
“You said she’s an Oracle?” Seda asked, intrigued, recalling her discussion with Cahir. “I’d love to talk to her.”
Luelle huffed, “We can go there if you want, but I’ll stay outside if she allows you in.”
“Do we have time?”
Luelle looked up to the sun and back at Seda. “We’d have to be quick.”
They walked through the trees while pine needles crunched beneath their feet.
Tahti’s cabin slowly appeared, and the smell of roasted meat and chemicals drifted around them.
Luelle paused at the white picket fence gate and turned to Seda.
“This is as far as I go. I’ll be right here. I strongly dislike that woman.”
Seda paused, sensing anxiety beginning to creep up her spine, but she inhaled a restricted breath and moved toward the front door.
Loud screaming came from inside the cabin, and the door swung open.
“Your presence isn’t welcome here!” someone yelled.
Seda quickly jumped back, and Neoma ran out backwards, a broom smacking the woman on the head.
“OUCH! You fucking mean, old thing!” Neoma yelled before spinning around and colliding with Seda. They both fell to the ground, with Neoma landing on top of her.
The door loudly slammed shut.
“I’m sorry, Seda!” Neoma exclaimed as she rose and brushed the dirt from her dress. Her dark hair was a mess, with bits and pieces of the broom tangled within.
Seda was gasping, trying to catch her breath with the stupid dress blocking her airflow. Neoma extended her hand and helped Seda to her feet.
“What are you doing here?” Seda asked her.
“Yeah, what are you doing here?” Luelle asked from behind. They both looked back at her as she picked at her nails, not staring at them as she spoke.
“I… I wanted to see if she could give me a… a love potion,” Neoma fumbled.
“A love potion for whom, exactly?” Luelle asked as she narrowed her eyes at her.
Neoma fidgeted with her dress and said, “Umm… my brother. It was his one ask for me when I came to the castle.”
“Is that so?” Luelle said slowly as she stared Neoma down, her eyes narrowing further.
“Yes. Well… it was nice seeing you, Seda. Maybe we can catch up later? I plan on joining you guys for dinner tonight,” Neoma said.
Seda looked at her in bewilderment. Why would she lie about a love potion? Was it for Cahir? It was clearly not the truth. What else could she want from this witch?
“Yes, I’ll see you tonight,” she replied hesitantly.
“Sorry about knocking into you. She really got me good with that broom.” Neoma walked up the path and slowed as she passed Luelle, who watched her pass. After she cleared the area, she picked up her pace and ran through the trees, quickly disappearing through their camouflage.
“I don’t believe her,” Seda whispered to herself.
Luelle tilted her head and glanced at Seda. “Me neither. No one admits to using a love potion. That’s embarrassing, to say the least. And they also don’t last long enough to make a difference.” Luelle rolled her eyes and continued picking her nails. “You sure you want to go in?”
Seda nodded and tried to take a deep breath to gather the courage to knock on the door. She raised her hand, and the door swung open again. A short, wrinkly woman stood there, staring intently at Seda.
“Finally,” the witch said to Seda, looking up. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
“You have?” Seda asked nervously, fidgeting with her dress.
The older woman moved aside, and Seda bravely stepped in, closing the door behind her but not before glancing back at Luelle to ensure she wasn’t leaving her alone.