Chapter 11 #5
When she met his gaze, she gasped at the rush of… something… that hit her. It was like when he’d done reiki on her – only a hundred times more intense.
‘It’s you, isn’t it? The magic…’ The word was strange. ‘It’s coming from you.’
‘Not exactly…’
They both turned at the door’s chimes.
‘It’s you too!’ Mia gasped at Ophelia, who grinned broadly.
‘I told you we needed to come home, Katie. Look who just woke up!’
‘Finally!’ Katie rushed over to hug her friend.
‘So, let’s see if I have this all straight,’ Mia said over another pot of tea. ‘Magic is real. Mist, and a lot of the animals around here, can talk to people – just not me.’
‘Or me.’ Katie shrugged.
‘Right. Because you’re not a witch like Rayenne or Ophelia are.’
‘Right. And Aiden.’
‘And he’s what? A wizard? Warlock?’
Ophelia pulled a face. ‘Witch is fine. We tend not to use the other terms too much.’
‘Do I want to know why?’
‘One of them comes from the old word for oath-breaker, and as for the other?’ Ophelia chuckled. ‘Well, this is real life – not a fantasy novel.’
‘Right, sorry. And my parents… they don’t know about this?’
‘They’re not gifted, or awake. But they are part of the Hudsbury community and life here. And they’re good people, Mia. So, magic will have been helping and protecting them even though they didn’t know it.’
Mia nodded. ‘And is it only in Hudsbury?’
‘There are other places in the world… but sadly it’s few and far between. People – generally speaking – don’t believe in the way that they used to. But the belief stayed stronger in Hudsbury and so did the magic.’
‘And magic only works here?’
‘Hudsbury is a place of old power – there are strong energy lines here, so magic binds more easily. A strongly gifted, experienced witch can spell things to take with them, but it’s a lot more limited.’
‘My teas and biscuits don’t last as long, or work so well, away from here.’ Aiden pulled a face and Mia squeezed his hand, guessing what he was thinking.
‘Although, there was the elf on the shelf thing.’ Katie laughed.
‘What?’ Mia’s head snapped round. ‘Elves are real too?’
‘Of course they are.’ Ophelia smiled. ‘But not like that. Real elves are a lot taller – and usually stunning. Certainly not the type to dress up in stripey tights, cause mayhem in people’s houses and spy on children.
From what Rayenne says, it’s a bit of a touchy subject for the fae – quite embarrassing. ’
‘If not elves, then what…?’
‘Brownies,’ all three answered together.
‘Pesky little things.’ Aiden shook his head.
‘Buggers to clean up after!’ Katie agreed.
‘But good for watchfulness, and reminding people of manners,’ Ophelia added.
‘This is all so amazing. To think I’ve lived here most of my life and never knew…’ She stopped and stared at Katie. ‘Except I did know, didn’t I? We played with pixies when we were children. That was real. But how did I forget?’
‘Children believe in magic more easily than most adults. So it shows itself to them more easily.’
‘But how could I forget that?’
‘The magic protects itself. And the people who use it right,’ Ophelia explained, softly. ‘But it will always be there for the people who need it – whenever it can help.’
‘The right type of people,’ Katie added.
‘Absolutely,’ Ophelia agreed.
‘And what makes someone the right kind of person?’
‘Kindness. And being deserving, or in need. It’s been there all your life, Mia.’
‘But I didn’t know about it, because it was spelling me. Somehow.’
‘Rayenne says it’s the fog,’ Aiden murmured.
‘I’m not sure that’s not a bit creepy.’
‘It might help if you think of it more as an invisible, good-natured fairy godmother, who has been there nudging things in the right direction for you.’ Katie grinned. ‘I mean, how many times has one of those “just a Hudsbury thing” events worked out in your favour?’
‘Like your house,’ Ophelia added.
‘My house? Please don’t tell me it’s haunted!’
‘No, it’s fine. But didn’t you tell me you nearly didn’t get it? That a couple who weren’t local were all set to move in, but it fell through at the last minute – which turned out to be the perfect timing for you?’
‘That wasn’t just luck?’
‘Nope.’ Katie laughed. ‘And do you really think your roses bloom so much earlier and for so much longer than other places because you’re that good of a gardener?’
‘I had… until now.’ She exhaled slowly, trying to keep her equilibrium. ‘But now I’m questioning pretty much everything I thought I knew about… everything and just about my entire life!’ She buried her face in her hands, trying not to freak out.
‘I’m really sorry I couldn’t tell you.’ Katie wrapped her arms round Mia. ‘Are you mad at me?’
‘No. It’s not your fault. By the sounds of it you were under a spell too. And I doubt I would have believed you because, apparently, I was be-magicked. Or be-spelled. Or something. Which I seemingly have been for most of my life.’
Katie rubbed her back, soothingly, and as much as she appreciated the gesture, Mia couldn’t help wishing it was Aiden hugging her. She peeked at her friend through her fingers.
‘It’s a lot, I know. Do you want to come upstairs and binge on sugar until you feel better?’
‘I appreciate the offer, but I think I’ve had more than enough of this place. No offence.’
‘None taken.’ Ophelia laughed.
‘I just want to go home. To the house that, apparently, magic decided I should live in.’
‘I’ll walk you back,’ Aiden offered.
They made it halfway there before Mia worked up enough courage. ‘Aiden, I’m sorry but I need to ask you something.’
‘Anything.’
‘Did you spell me into bed?’
‘No. I swear I didn’t. At least, not deliberately. I did warn you about the cookies.’
‘You did.’
‘And, in my defence, I didn’t know then either.’
‘Really?’
‘Truly. I think Ophelia and Rayenne tried to tell me beforehand, but the whole magic protecting itself thing was working against me. I only truly learned magic existed after our first Friday night.’
‘Aiden, that’s really sweet…’
‘It’s the honest truth, I swear. It’s funny that you thought the magic was coming from me, because the reality is – for me – you were the key that unlocked magic. And I’ll be forever grateful to you for that.’
‘I didn’t do anything.’
‘Whether you planned it or not, you changed my life – for the better – Princess.’
‘I’m glad. But… if you didn’t know, could you have spelled me accidentally?’
‘Ophelia and Rayenne say magic doesn’t work like that.
Spells have to be cast with intention. And magic might give someone the nudge or confidence they need to do something, but it can’t change who someone is.
It’s tied to people’s emotions and works with the nature of a person, and their innate skills, never against. So, it can’t make you act against that nature. Or heal genetic illness…’
‘I’m sorry.’ She tucked her hand into his, and was glad when he squeezed back.
‘Thanks. Me too. But it’s not like we’re any worse off.’ His thumb traced idle patterns over the back of her hand.
‘I guess that means the attraction between us is real then.’
‘It does.’ He raised her hand up to kiss the tips of her fingers.