by D. Lieber
The island was packed with taco stuff, and a queue had formed.
“Don’t worry, Tara, Piper,” Wes told the women as Evergreen took her place at the back of the line. “I made black beans for you since I know you’re vegetarians.”
“Are you sure I can’t take this man off your hands?” Piper asked Ria.
“Go ahead and try. You’ll give him back in a week. He’s needy,” Ria said affectionately, rubbing her husband’s back.
“It’s true,” Wes agreed. “I’m like a puppy.”
“You mean, you aren’t house trained?” Devan asked.
Everyone laughed.
After Evergreen had gotten her tacos, she made her way to the dining room. The only free chair was between Morrigan and Piper, across from Sawyer. She sank into the seat, furtively glancing at him.
Their eyes met. He smiled. And as her cheeks heated, she smiled back.
A shiver ran down Evergreen’s spine as Morrigan stroked her hair. Evergreen jumped as if caught doing something she wasn’t supposed to.
“So, what’s going on, Eeva? You mentioned something had changed with school?” Morrigan said.
“Oh, yeah. Well, I was having a hard time finding a job. You know I’ve always wanted to work in a museum.”
Morrigan nodded.
“Well, Sawyer looked some stuff up for me, and he told me that you can get a certificate that really helps you get those jobs. Part of the program is that you have to have an internship. And it sounds like if you do really well, not only can you get a job at the museum after, but they might even pay for higher degrees.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. So, are you going to do it then?”
“I called the university and made an appointment with my academic adviser after the holidays.”
“That’s excellent. I hope it works out,” Morrigan said.
“Yeah, me too,” Evergreen agreed.
Chapter 32
The sun set early that evening, and the meditation room felt enchanted as the coven filed into the space under the watchful light of the waning gibbous. Devan had already cleansed the room, and everyone was smudged prior to entering. The sharp scent of white sage and the mellow saccharinity of sweetgrass still lingered in Sawyer’s nose. He felt light, the burned herbs having blessed him and banished any negative energies. A reverent hush descended as Cory and Dorian carried their daughter into the room and toward the altar.
They turned and faced the coven, who had formed a circle. Everyone had changed into their best garments from cloaks to flowing dresses to jeans and sweaters. They wore them with purpose, which was what mattered.
“We gather on this night to ask and receive blessings for this child, to give her name power, and to introduce her to you and the gods,” Cory declared, gesturing at Ella in Dorian’s arms.
“Please face East,” Cory said, turning in the correct direction.
“Spirits of the East, element of Air, please join our circle. Hail and welcome,” Dorian said.
As Dorian spoke, Sawyer imagined the wind blowing the hair from his face and the sound of rustling leaves.
“Hail and welcome,” everyone responded.
Cory lit the incense on the east side of the altar. Then, everyone turned South.
“Spirits of the South, element of Fire, please join our circle. Hail and welcome.”
Sawyer’s face was warmed by a visualized flame.
“Hail and welcome.”
Cory lit the candle on the south end of the altar.
Everyone turned West, their hands raised as if to embrace each element.
“Spirits of the West, element of Water, please join our circle. Hail and welcome.”
Sawyer imagined the feel of rain dripping down his face and neck.
“Hail and welcome.”
Cory lifted the bowl of water from the west side of the altar, held it at head level, and nodded his head in a bow.
They all faced North.
“Spirits of the North, element of Earth, please join our circle. Hail and welcome.”
Sawyer pictured the warm soil of spring and the scent of freshly cut grass.
“Hail and welcome.”
Cory lifted the bowl of salt from the north side of the altar, held it at head level, and nodded his head in a bow.
Sawyer turned back toward the center of the circle as did the others. He placed his hands, one over the other, at the center of his chest and closed his eyes.
“Divine Spirit within, please join our circle. Hail and welcome.”
He imagined a soft purple glow at the center of his chest.
“Hail and welcome.”
“Goddess, Divine Mother, Sacred Sister, we invite you to join our circle. Hail and welcome.”
“Hail and welcome.”
Cory lit a candle to represent the goddess.
“God, Divine Father, Sacred Brother, we invite you to join our circle. Hail and welcome.”
“Hail and welcome.”
Cory lit the candle that represented the god. Then, he took the bottle Wes had filled with faux mead and poured it into a bowl between the goddess and god candles. “To the Lord and Lady,” he declared. “Blessed be.”
“Blessed be,” they echoed.
“Before we finish casting our circle,” Dorian said. “Let us raise energy with a chant.”
The group listened as Dorian sang the chant and then joined in as he repeated it.
“Circle, circle, circle of light, protect us as we work this rite.”
Sawyer lifted his voice in song, harmonizing with those around him. And as they repeated the chant over and over, his heart lightened, and the room seemed to hum with the energy they raised.
As the last note died away, Dorian turned to Ria and took her hand. “Ria, hand to hand I cast the circle.”
Ria turned to Wes, who stood on her left. “Wesley, hand to hand I cast the circle.”
And so it went on around the room until Cory turned to Dorian and said, “Dorian, hand to hand I cast the circle.”
“The circle is cast,” Dorian declared.
“Tonight, we stand at this altar, and ask that the gods, goddesses, spirits, and elements give us guidance on the path ahead,” Cory said. “May we teach Ella all she needs to know to prepare for her to stand on her own, and may she ever have love and support when she needs it most.”
Cory took the incense from the altar and turned to Dorian and Ella. He moved it in a circular motion so the incense wafted around her. “Spirits of Air, we ask that you bless Ella with curiosity and communication. May she be ever curious to learn new things and expand her knowledge. May her voice be strong and clear so she may never suffer in silence.”
Cory replaced the incense on the altar and took the fire element candle. He carefully circled it around Ella. “Spirits of Fire, we ask that you bless Ella with protection, passion, and courage. May she have the passion to have dreams, the courage to follow them, and the protection that her feet may never fail her.”
Cory replaced the candle on the altar and brought the bowl of water to his daughter. He dipped his fingers into the bowl and sprinkled the water onto her forehead. “Spirits of Water, we ask that you bless Ella with peace and compassion. May her heart have few troubles, and may her actions heal the troubles of others.”
Cory replaced the water on the altar and took the bowl of salt. Taking a pinch, he sprinkled it over her head, carefully avoiding her eyes. “Spirit of Earth, we ask that you bless Ella with prosperity and conscientiousness. May she be a good steward of the planet and all the life it supports, and may her hard work be rewarded.”
Cory returned the salt to the altar and faced the center of the circle. “We call on the ancestors to guide Ella as she learns and grows.”
“We call on the Mother Goddess and the Father God to nurture and protect Ella as she walks her own path,” Dorian said.
“If anyone would like to bestow blessings on Ella, please do so at this time.”
Dorian presente
d Ella to Ria. “I would like to bestow the blessing of health and vitality on you, Ella,” Ria said before kissing the baby’s forehead.
Dorian presented Ella to Wes. “May your belly always be full and your heart big enough to share what you have with others,” Wes said. Then he kissed Ella’s forehead.
Dorian presented Ella to Morrigan. “For you, Ella, I wish the fae will forever be friends.” Morrigan kissed Ella’s forehead in turn.
Dorian presented Ella to Cassandra. “May you have the foresight to make wise decisions.” Cassandra gave Ella a kiss.
Dorian knelt down so Sol could reach the baby. “I want baby Ella to always be happy. I want her to laugh a lot.” Sol pressed a kiss to Ella’s cheek.
Then, Dorian brought Ella to Eeva. “I hope that you will easily find love and kindness, Ella.” Eeva sealed her blessing with a kiss.
Dorian approached Sawyer, and Sawyer gazed down at the beautiful baby girl in his arms. Her wide, blue eyes looked directly at him as if she knew exactly what was happening. He smiled at the child. “Ella, I wish that you will always see the wonder of the natural world around you.” He leaned down and brushed his lips against the baby’s soft, fine hair.
Dorian moved on, presenting Ella to Tara. “May you have balance, baby Ella, to never feel overwhelmed by what you encounter along the way.” Tara kissed the child’s head.
Dorian next presented her to Hazel. “May you be a force to reckon with.” And Hazel kissed the baby.
Dorian then stood before Piper. “I hope that you can always find solace in the stars, Ella.” Piper placed a kiss on Ella’s head.
Finally, Dorian presented Ella to Devan. “May you learn from your mistakes.” Devan leaned down and kissed the child.
Taking his place beside his husband again, Dorian passed Ella to him. Then, he went to the altar and took a moon cookie from the plate and the chalice of faux mead.
He held up the cookie. “May I never hunger,” he said before eating it. “Blessed be.” Then, he held the chalice aloft. “May I never thirst.” He drank from it. “Blessed be.”
Dorian took up the plate and chalice and turned to Ria. She followed his pattern, asking that she may never hunger or thirst. And so the ritual of cakes and ale continued around the circle, gently grounding the energies that had been raised.
After Dorian had offered the sustenance to Cory, he placed the plate and chalice onto the altar, took Ella back from Cory, and faced the circle.
“Thank you for your blessings. We will now release the circle,” Cory told them. He turned to the altar. “God, Divine Father, Sacred Brother, we thank you for joining us. Go if you must. Stay if you will.” Cory snuffed out the god’s candle.
“Goddess, Divine Mother, Sacred Sister, thank you for joining us. Go if you must. Stay if you will.” Then he snuffed out the goddess’s candle.
They all turned North, and Cory continued. “Spirits of the North, element of Earth, thank you for joining us. Go if you must. Stay if you will.”
They turned West. “Spirits of the West, element of Water, thank you for joining us. Go if you must. Stay if you will.”
Again, they turned South. “Spirits of the South, element of Fire, thank you for joining us. Go if you must. Stay if you will.” And Cory snuffed out the Fire candle.
Finally, they turned East. “Spirits of the East, element of Air, thank you for joining us. Go if you must. Stay if you will.”
As everyone turned back into the circle, Cory said, “The circle is open but never broken. Blessed be.”
“Blessed be!” everyone answered.
Chapter 33
Evergreen sat cross-legged beside Sawyer on the floor of the common room as Dorian and Cory opened the gifts everyone had gotten for baby Ella. Evergreen had given her a dream catcher for her bedroom.
Everyone’s attention was on the couple as they smiled and expressed their thanks. Baby Ella wasn’t much interested in her presents, but she watched curiously from her car seat.
Muir and Larkspur played with a discarded ribbon bow nearby, sometimes batting at it, sometimes picking it up and playing keep away.
Evergreen’s legs started to tingle painfully from sitting in the same position for too long. She stretched them out, crossing them at the ankles, and leaned back. But as she placed her hand on the floor behind her, her fingers landed on Sawyer’s.
Her heart jumped, and she glanced over at him. His wide eyes softened, and he smiled gently at her.
“Oops, sorry,” she murmured, shifting her weight and moving her hand from his.
“It’s okay,” he answered with a nod.
She directed her gaze back to Dorian and Cory, who were holding up a handmade crib mobile with sacred symbols dangling from it. A moment later, Evergreen’s breath hitched as Sawyer’s hand covered hers. The slight pressure, the warmth, a jolt ran through her, and her nerves stood on end.
She looked over at Sawyer again. His eyes were soft and solicitous. “Is this okay?” he whispered.
Evergreen nodded once, not sure her voice would be stable enough to answer. Her consent was rewarded when Sawyer gave her a brilliant smile. Her breath left her in a rush as if she’d been kicked in the chest. That look, that light in his eyes. Only in her most outlandish dreams had Sawyer ever looked at her like that. It was the gaze that said all his little kindnesses had meant something. It said he’d never forgotten her.
Warmth bloomed in her chest. A pleasant ache squeezed her heart, an ache of anticipation, an ache that made promises.
Evergreen averted her gaze, not wanting to draw attention only slightly more than wanting to keep her eyes locked with his. She couldn’t have said how long they sat like that, but it was long enough for her hand to miss the feel of his when he pulled away.
All in all, the naming ceremony had been a resounding success. They all welcomed Ella to the path and wished that her journey would be more full of love, laughter, and learning than theirs had been thus far.
As Evergreen lay beside Sawyer in the dark meditation room that evening, she stared up at the starry night sky, stroking Muir beside her. The room was silent but for the whir of the space heater, and that silence was thick and oppressive.
“Do you remember when we all went on that trip to the beach?” Evergreen asked, the words squeezed out of her as if from the pressure of the silence.
“Yeah, that was the summer before my senior year. Wasn’t it? We went for the solstice. Piper was so disappointed that we couldn’t see as many stars as she’d thought we would be able to,” he answered. “She moped the whole time.”
“But Hazel was happy,” Evergreen countered.
“Oh, I don’t think I’ve seen Hazel happier. But then again, she’s a sea witch, so that’s to be expected.”
Evergreen giggled under her breath. “That’s true. I think that was our first trip with Cory, too. Wasn’t it?” She glanced over at Sawyer, who nodded, still staring up at the ceiling.
“Yeah, Dorian and Cory had just gotten together. Remember they kept sneaking off to be alone thinking no one would notice?”
“Oh my gods, and Devan kept getting lost,” she added, laughing louder.
Sawyer chuckled, and the sound made Evergreen shiver like a string that had been plucked. “Do you think that the reason he’s always late is because he has a horrible sense of direction?” he asked, glancing over at her.
Their eyes locked, and Evergreen’s smile relaxed. “I bet you’re right,” she murmured, her response coming out quiet and confused as if she’d forgotten his question.
The silence squeezed her lungs, and her breaths were slow but shallow.
Sawyer’s eyes were steady and earnest, and she knew what he wanted. She was certain her expression wasn’t much different. He propped himself up on his elbow, staring down at her with intent.
Evergreen’s heart raced, and the sweet ache of desire spread through her core. As he leaned down closer, she closed her eyes, anticipation making her body hum.
When he kissed her, it wasn’t as sweet and fleeting as the first time. His lips were insistent, fiery and fierce as they branded hers. She lifted her head to match his urgency.
And then, a loud trilling sounded in her ear as Muir complained that she’d stopped petting him.
Sawyer pulled away. He turned to the cat and laughed. The sound of his chuckle broke the moment far more than Muir’s interruption.
Then, Sawyer reached out and scratched Muir’s ears. “Well, all right then,” he told him.
The cat flopped down on his side and rolled onto his back.
“Is this a trap?” Sawyer asked him.
“No, Muir actually likes belly rubs. He must like you if he’s offering you his belly,” Evergreen said.
Sawyer stroked Muir’s chest and stomach, and the cat wiggled, unable to sit still in his excitement. “You’re a funny one,” Sawyer told him.
Evergreen smiled at the pair. “You’re in trouble now. He’s not going to leave you alone after this.”
“That’s fine,” Sawyer answered, glancing back up at her. His smile was soft and warm, the passionate heat mellowed in his eyes. “We should probably try to go to sleep,” he said. “I’m sure your mom has something planned for us all tomorrow. We wouldn’t want to miss it.”
Evergreen nodded, her disappointment tempered with the thought that she finally knew what old movie kisses felt like.
Chapter 34
Sawyer didn’t think he’d ever felt as good as he did the next morning. The sun shined brightly off the snow, and the outside world sparkled as if covered in eco-friendly glitter. His chest was warm, his heart light, and his head fuzzy as if he lay on a bed of pink cotton candy.
Eeva and Muir no longer lay beside him, but that didn’t dampen his mood. Anticipation zipped through him, and he knew he wore a goofy, self-satisfied smile as he changed his clothes.
The pressure of his joy built up inside him, and he felt as if he’d have to shout at the top of his lungs just to let off some of the steam.
He took a deep breath, pushed his shoulders back, and strode into the common room. Eeva sat on the couch, Muir pawing at her as he placed himself between her and the book she was trying to read.
