“And what are they made of?”
“Witches. Like me.”
“And why do they want Nina’s baby?”
“Those witches know Nina. They want to hurt her.”
Ammara only nodded. She had to get this information to Nina. “And how far would they be right now?”
“It’ll take a while – a day or two,” the witch confessed easily, and she didn’t understand why. “About six people.”
“Thank you for telling me,” Ammara said, genuinely grateful. “Now could you tell me what they’re like? How they treated you?”
The young witch gave it a proper thought. It had been a while since she allowed herself to think clearly and rationally. The witches she was with weren’t the nicest bunch. Always competing, always tearing each other down. They weren’t as bad as the outside world, but they did suffocate others because of their nature. No one had any real friends there.
And so, she told Ammara everything about that place. How mean the girls were and how violent the boys got for no good reason. How they were always at each other’s throats, trying to rank higher than the other. And there was talk of a prodigy breaking away from them more than ten years ago and how she planned to annihilate the entire community. Ammara knew this is where Nina was being talked of and that a lie had accompanied her image in the community. She listened to it all attentively. At one point, the witch became aggressive as she talked of how spiteful the older ones in the community were to the orphans and rogues. Unwelcoming. Power-hungry. Disrespectful and greedy.
It hurt Ammara to know the state of the witches’ minds. This young witch was clearly hurt about not finding a home with her own kind. She figured they could make a place for her here after she was cleansed of influence.
After the young witch was gently and thoroughly interrogated, she was allowed to properly rest. Ammara promised to keep her free from harm. As she left, she whispered in Cora’s ear to start the cleansing while the young witch rested.
She looked for Kalen on the border of the territory to inform him of what had been extracted. She found him hovering around south, and she floated over to him. Upon spotting her, he landed and changed his form. She jogged toward him, and he held out an arm to her. She gently moved her way into his embrace, and he held her by the waist. Kalen felt good seeing Ammara satisfied and smiling. He wondered what could have happened.
And so, she told him everything. The news relieved him, and he sent his fairies to tell everyone to rest and to summon them to the Silver Table in two hours where he’d held the feast for Dahlia’s return. Everyone needed food in their stomachs, and it would be better to discuss this with everyone present.
***
Dahlia was finally asleep after being fed and changed. She had caused a hell of a racket, and Nina would’ve thought she’d be exhausted enough to fall asleep, but she was pacing around the room restlessly, memories of the prophecies she’d seen running amok in her head. She couldn’t seem to take a breather, especially with the encounter she had with Morrigan in her dream. What did she mean by changing her fate? Could she control the future she saw and bend it to her will? Or could she see the future and take measures to avoid it? Or could she see her options if she chose certain actions? It was all so confusing, but she needed to figure it out if she was going to find out how to keep herself alive in the war to come.
The door creaked open, and she tensed, expecting to receive news of an attack. It was Kevin. He looked weary. She waited for him to deliver the bad news, but he only stumbled over to her and wrapped his arms around her body, burrowing his face in her head. Nina visibly relaxed, moving to hug him back. He didn’t let go, but moved to put his baby in a makeshift cradle next to their bed. Nina moved with him awkwardly and giggled. Kevin smiled and kissed her forehead, and then gazed at Dahlia. He couldn’t get over how cute she was. It amazed him to think that the child was his. That he was her father. He helped make her.
He couldn’t help thinking how amazing it was that Nina, a powerful witch, was his mate. He didn’t understand what he did to have deserved all that he had. He was lucky.
It was strange how positive he’d become being in Nina’s arms like this. He liked how he could focus on better things when he was with her. It eased him.
He pulled his head away to look at her. His hand came to rest over her cheek. She gave him a worried look as she rubbed her cheek into his large hand.
“Luke sent me to get some rest,” he explained. “I’ll go when needed.”
Nina sighed, relieved. So, nothing had happened as of yet. That only meant more stressing and pacing around, though. Kevin seemed to have caught onto her train of thought and chuckled, dragging her to bed and pulling her on top of him, wrapping her up tight.
“Don’t think too much, okay?” he whispered. “I’m here for you. I’ll protect you.”
“You always have, sweetheart,” she whispered back as she rubbed his head softly and ran her hand through his hair. He breathed deeply and lifted her higher, letting her rest her head in the crook of his neck. She traced intricate patterns onto his chest. Kevin gently grabbed her hand and kissed the tips of her fingers, then her palm, her shoulder, and her cheek. Then, finally, her lips. Softly and gently. It didn’t last long, but it was enough to satisfy them for the time being.
“You’re still bothered, baby,” he commented. Nina pouted lightly and sat up on his stomach. He looked at her worriedly and rubbed her jaw with his thumb. “What’s wrong, Nina?”
“I keep thinking about the prophecies I saw,” she started nervously. “I keep remembering them clearer each time.”
Kevin carefully sat up against the pillows and drew her closer. “Tell me about them. What did you see?”
Nina looked up at him uncertainly, but she always knew she could trust him. But she didn’t want to distress him. He was already expecting to be called for defense at the border.
“It’s okay, Nina,” he reassured her. “You can tell me. I’m not going anywhere.”
She breathed deeply and proceeded to tell him all that she’d seen. He listened as attentively as ever, without any questions. His facial expressions fluctuated from confused, to calm, to alarm, to disbelief, and so on. He was getting his cheeks and eyebrows quite the exercise.
“Now I don’t understand what Morrigan meant when she said that, but I’ll talk to Amma…I mean, Mom about this later to see if maybe she understands.”
She sighed heavily, “I just…I don’t know, Kevin. Just how hard is our life going to become for Nina to become that way? Will she be okay? Will we be okay to make sure of that?”
Kevin looked uncomfortable. He had no idea how to answer that. And it was about time he accepted that there were promises he simply couldn’t keep. He wanted to reassure her, ease her discomfort and pain, take her away to a place where none of this would ever bother her again. But he knew that it was impossible, and that running away from problems was never an answer. So, he drew her close in an effort to provide her some physical comfort.
“Nina, listen to me,” he whispered in her ear. “You’re strong, you know that, right? You’re more than capable of protecting yourself, and I trust in you because I know that. And I know I’m not the strongest, or the smartest, or the most powerful, but I love you and Dahlia. I promise, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you two. I’ll do my best to take care of myself for you. I’ll try my best. And for that, I’ll need you to trust me.”
“I do trust you, Kevin…”
“Then stop worrying,” he chuckled, drawing her into his chest again, “and let’s get some sleep, okay?”
“Okay…” Nina trailed off. She cleared her head with difficulty and settled herself comfortably over his body. His breathing deepened, and she rose and fell lightly against his chest. She looked up at his face, eyes closed and forehead smooth. He looked so peaceful this way that all her worries flew right out the window at that look. She reached up to give him a soft kiss on
his lips, and snuggled into his chest to get some shut eye.
She trusted him. He’d protect her well.
***
The Silver Table was quiet as they awaited Ammara’s announcement. Fireflies in thousands lit up in the trees, providing them all the light needed. The moon was dark tonight.
She allowed them to start eating before she spoke. “So our young witch is absolutely nameless, but we have a lead of where she comes from.”
She looked at Nina who grew confused. “The ones who sent her know of you. I suppose it’s from the community Asther gave you away to.”
Kalen visibly stiffened next to her in anger, but remembered that Kalen was no more and that their daughter was among them. Looking at Nina calmed him down. She was with them, and that’s all that ever mattered.
Nina paled, and Kevin grabbed her hand for a squeeze, bringing her back to her senses. She shook her head, coming around to the present and stuttered, “Oh, um, y-yeah. I know where that is. Awful place, really.”
“As I was told,” Ammara agreed dejectedly. “They’re pretty far off, though. They could attack anytime tomorrow, or the day after. Six people. They’ll be after Dahlia, so everyone needs to be extra aware of her presence within us.”
“They’ll be very powerful,” Samuel recalled Kaia’s attacks. “How will we hold them off?”
“I’ll have you under protection spells,” she replied. “Adelaide, Willow, and Cora will be there to fight with us.”
“But what would they want with Dahlia?” Kevin demanded.
“Same thing they wanted with me. Same thing as what had happened with Morrigan,” Nina forced out through gritted teeth. “They know she will be the most powerful. They’ll use her to achieve world domination.”
“But why do they want this control so bad?” Abigail demanded, getting frustrated. “Can’t they leave everyone be?”
“Power is a very enticing notion, Abigail,” Ammara stated. “And greed is a stronger evil to overcome than most.”
“You should drop Heather a message,” Samuel told her, and Abigail nodded and excused herself for the time being.
“That’s all the news for today,” the first Caillagh announced. “Now fill yourselves up and get a good night’s sleep, everyone. We need you all fresh and wide awake by the afternoon.”
There were mutters of agreement as everyone took in mouthfuls of food gratefully. They all took their time and fill, but Nina was done particularly early and excused herself for a walk nearby. Kevin took Dahlia into his arms as she left. A few minutes later, Kalen announced his leave to check up on his daughter.
Kalen identified his daughter’s location through his powers and headed over. He came into a clearing where firefly-speckled wisterias rose and sunk to form a beautiful, starry dome. Nina was at the center of it, spinning childishly in circles. He watched for a while in amusement.
“What on Earth are you doing?” he chuckled deeply.
She screamed and tripped, but Kalen was quick to reach her and set her upright.
“Ah, sorry. I mean, thanks, da…I mean, Kalen,” Nina stumbled over her words nervously.
“You can call me Dad,” Kalen happily piped up with a large grin. “I am your father, after all.”
“Sure didn’t act like it before,” she deadpanned, and he laughed, patting her head. She let him, and stood on her tip-toes to rub her head into his hand. Kalen grinned. The mood was particularly good for a father-daughter bonding moment. God knew how much he needed it.
Kalen snapped his fingers, and soft music played from within the trees. He crossed his arms and looked around, and Nina followed suit. More fireflies swam in past the thick trunks, floating slowly and softly around them, coming together to form ever-changing patterns. Nina looked in awe as Kalen smiled at her face.
“Your mother and I would dance here often among the fireflies,” he reminisced. “She was awful at it.”
“W-what?” Nina stammered through her amazement. “But she’s so graceful!”
“Yeah,” he snorted, “that’s what they all think. They’ve never danced with her.”
Nina laughed lightly.
“Say, do you know how to dance?” Kalen asked. Nina gave him a pitiful smile that made him regret ever asking.
“Well, the community I was in didn’t practice all that. Plus, the boys weren’t that nice,” she answered. “Also, I’ve been on the run for the most part, so I never really got the chance to do a lot.”
Kalen felt ashamed. He wished he’d never slept the night Asther took her away.
But she’s here now, Kalen’s heart whispered. Show her what daughters are meant to be.
With that, he grinned and took her arm. “Well, now that you’re here, I can teach you.”
Nina smirked as he took her hands. “You couldn’t teach Mom. How will you manage it with me?”
“I’m the king,” he said haughtily with his nose in the air. “I can do anything.”
Nina snorted as he told her to step on his feet. She protested until he picked her up and placed her there himself.
“Now watch,” he started to move with her. “One, two, three, and one, two, three, and one…good grief, Nina! You’ll wrench my foot off!”
Nina lost her grip and fell, laughing. Kalen shook his head and grinned. “No bed time for you until you learn the steps, young lady.”
“Dad, I c-can’t…” she choked through her snorts.
Ammara and Kevin watched from a distance. It made them happy to see them bond. Who knows when they would get this time again to be happy.
And as everyone went to rest up for the night, they replayed the good times. The memories gave them strength and the will to go on a little longer. Something was in the air. Something different. They knew this might be their hardest battle yet, but something told them that they would get past it. They would be okay.
For now, they had to be ready. And they felt it.
THE END
Witch Academy Box Set (1-4)
Book 1: The Missing Queen
Chapter 1
Desmond awoke with a start, his body tensing up. It took him a moment to figure out exactly what the problem was, his magic finding its way up to his brain.
He realized after a moment that it was a crash from his kitchen that had woken him. However, the presence that he sensed was not anything that would cause him harm. His dishes and food supply might be in danger, but he was not.
Running a hand over his face, he tried to pull the sleep from his eyes, glancing at the time piece. He was planning to get up now anyway; the alarm would beep after a moment or two. It was later than he normally got up, but he didn't have anywhere to be for another hour.
“Nathaniel,” he said as the door to his chambers whooshed open at his touch. “What are you doing?”
His former Tiro looked up at him, a piece of toast in his mouth.
“You're awake.”
Desmond raised an eyebrow, leaning against the doorframe.
“You think I can't still sense when you are causing chaos? Eleven years of training you, Nathaniel. I promise that the bond is not broken yet.”
Nathaniel smirked as he searched for more bread, and Desmond decided it was a losing battle. Besides, he was meeting Mariah for breakfast anyway, so he didn't need food here.
He had trained Nathaniel for eleven years as his third Tiro, readying him as a full-fledged witch; the guardians of the galaxy. Magic was dangerous and destructive if not controlled and well trained, and those born with it often didn't survive it unless they were taken from their families and devoted their life to its control. Witches, who were taken to the academies around the galaxy and trained by Maestros, became warriors, guardians, peacemakers, and healers. They were well respected, strong, and completely devoted to keeping the galaxy safe.
It came at a price, of course. They rarely, if ever, saw their families again. They were not supposed to form attachments or have fami
lies of their own. They were completely devoted to their craft and their quests. When they were young, they were usually devoted to their Maestros. When they came of age, they were put through a series of rigorous tests that determined whether they could go off on their own and become a new generation of Maestros.
There were exceptions to every rule, of course. Tiros were supposed to be in the academy from the time they started walking, and they needed to be with a Maestro by the time they were thirteen if they wanted to be able to take the tests. Otherwise, they remained at school until eighteen and could work in a minor role. Any time after eighteen, they could take the tests and become a full-fledged witch.
Desmond knew that he and Nathaniel had broken almost every single one of those rules in their years together. It wasn't necessarily on purpose, because he didn't always believe in everything the Jurors dictated. But Nathaniel had been almost fourteen when Desmond finally took him on after a disastrous last Tiro. Nathaniel was stubborn, mouthy, and more interested in fun half the time. Desmond knew Nathaniel would never be the serious, quiet, thoughtful Witch that was expected. Nathaniel was twenty-four when he finally took the tests, passing with flying colors in everything except his attitude.
Now, nearly two years later, they remained at the academy. Nathaniel was teaching some of the classes, and Desmond sat on the Jurors part time, dealing with the intergalactic issues that came their way. Both of them were expected at some point soon to take on a Tiro. But after a bumpy eleven years, Nathaniel didn't seem quite ready to be self-sufficient
Desmond, despite being technically free of a Tiro, found it hard to find time for himself and Mariah – not that he publicly wished for it.
The first day Desmond saw Mariah was nearly thirty years ago. They had both been young witches on their first Tiros. They had locked eyes across the room, and Desmond knew that he was in trouble.
Neither of them had broken any rules, at least in public. But as they started to age toward retirement with a quiet life of advising only in their near future, he found it harder to make sure they were in line and not just existing in a grey area that the Jurors raised their eyebrows at.
A Shift in Power (Shadow Claw Book 5) Page 11
