by Daisy Banks
“Okay, that’s it,” said Lucy. “I don’t want all the alcohol boiled out of it. Into the punchbowl it goes, and we’ll keep it hot with those little candle things we nicked from the Bengal Tiger. Set ’em up, Bal.”
Poppy darted through to the sitting room and dived down behind a chair. Bal went to the long table which the girls had arranged with food and lit the tea lights under the warming dish. Lucy followed wearing oven gloves to carry the steaming punchbowl. She put the silvered bowl over the top of the warming trays and yanked off the thick gloves.
“Right, time to change and become party divas,” Keri said and beckoned them to the stairs.
The three of them left, and with them gone Poppy hovered over the table. Everything was so pretty. Pink and red candles ready for lighting stood in holders among lots of mortal food. The spicy snacks which Bal often brought back from a visit home were piled high on a silver tray. The punch smelled delicious, with the lovely scent of cinnamon, and damsons bringing back the pleasure of lazy September sunshine.
She glanced about the rest of the room. The girls had hung balloon hearts, paper flowers, and streamers, and the soft lighting from lavender and pink light bulbs gave the room a glow. A shiver ran over her. Everything shouted tonight would be something out of the ordinary. The magic seemed to pulse and quiver in the air around her. Her mortals had gone to so much trouble, almost as if they knew how things could be.
Should I grant their wishes when they come back downstairs? Uncertain if now might be the right time she settled back behind a fold in the curtains to wait for the girls.
* * * *
Keri appeared first at the bottom of the stairs, and Poppy smiled at the black, silky sheath dress her mortal wore. The dress hugged tight about Keri’s small waist, the strapless top cupped her breasts, and the long skirt emphasized slender thighs.
Oh my, I bet everyone at the court would love a dress like this. So simple, so elegant and the pearl necklace is wonderful with it. Poppy glanced down at her own wide skirted gown, a little envious of her mortal. Maybe I could make a copy of Keri’s dress?
“Do you think this is okay?” Bal asked Keri, and Poppy couldn’t help but nod. Bal, who had left her hair loose in a dark, silken waterfall, wore a long, red, crinkled fabric dress. The wide sleeves enhanced her very slender arms and wrists as she moved. Bright turquoise and purple beading decorated the sleeve edges and a vee shaped band of the same beading pulled the bodice tight. The floor length skirt fell in heavy waves that swayed as Bal moved.
“Honey, you are glorious. He’ll think you’re some kind of medieval princess, fabulous,” Keri said and leaned over to give Bal a hug.
“You’re sure? I am so wound up about tonight. I want to make sure he doesn’t think I’m waiting like some fly trap to catch him. He’s got to understand I have ideas of my own.” Bal fiddled with the clasp of a silver bangle on her wrist.
“Bal, calm down a bit, take deep breaths and you focus on control. Remember, he can’t carry you off tonight or any night, not if you don’t want him to. If he tried I reckon Lucy might turn into a dragon and roast him.”
Poppy nodded at Keri’s words, and her heart ached for her poor mortal who seemed so disturbed.
“Oh wow,” Bal said, and Poppy turned to the stairs where Lucy stood.
I want that dress!
Lucy smiled, extended her arm and angled her wrist, and stepped forward on tall pink heels. Her dress, like Keri’s, was strapless, a pale rose pink froth of fabric that clung tight formed the top, above which a fine filigree mesh wire, dotted with lavender and pink pearl beads, decorated her sun kissed skin. A huge bow of lavender silk tied tight on one side made her waist appear as small as Keri’s. The shimmer of skirt hugged her long thighs and skimmed down to her knees.
When Lucy twirled for her friends, Poppy could only admire the whole outfit and wonder. How can I wear a skirt as tight as that one and still be able to fly?
“Ah, you’ve really brought out the big guns tonight, hon,” Keri said and laughed.
Lucy glanced down at her décolletage. “I don’t know what you mean,” she said and giggled.
“She means poor James is going to sit like a love struck dog at your feet!” Bal burst into a gale of laughter.
“I think you need a calm pill, dear,” Lucy replied and went to the stack of CD’s. “Okay, what about romantic classics to start the evening, and we’ll let Chris and Louise take over with the selection when they get here?” Keri said.
“Sure, they always love the amateur DJ thing. Hey was that the door?” Bal said.
Chapter 5
Poppy waited, twining a section of her skirt in her fingers, as she readied herself to cast the wishes for the girls.
Over the next half hour a steady stream of familiar faces arrived at the house. She barely glanced at the guests, who all came bringing bottles of wine and gifts of food, which her mortals added to the table.
The music got louder, the lights in the garden gleamed, and the energy in the house swelled with the laughter of so many people. Some of the guests gravitated through the patio doors, out into the garden, but though she longed to join them in the crisp, clear, star filled night, Poppy stayed hidden near the long table. She remained twitchy and lurked in wait for a first glimpse of either Lucy’s new man James, or Bal’s dentist.
Unable to still her excitement, she flew up, slipped in behind a handbag on one of the small tables by the sofa. No mortals stood near, so she dashed out and sucked in a large slurp from a glass of punch. The drink settled in her stomach in a fiery ball. By Pan’s dancing hooves, Lucy said this punch would be special and she meant it!
Her stomach flipped when she edged back to her hiding place, for she glimpsed Bal across the room. Bal, with cheeks almost as red as her dress, stood talking with a broad shouldered, dark haired man, who Poppy hadn’t seen at the house before.
This must be the dentist male. The risk of anyone noticing her tonight might be small, but careful all the same, she flew down to the carpet. She stepped, tip-toeing beside the skirting rail to avoid any clumsy feet, to get closer and assess the young man. For a mortal, he appeared very handsome. His dark eyes fringed with curling black eyelashes held a spark, and she nodded her approval. Maybe Bal’s parents know what they’re about.
“I’m glad you could come this evening, Surjan, so we have the chance to talk,” Bal said, and Poppy urged the girl on as Bal moved to the table. Poppy scampered back along the edge of the carpet and Bal ladled out two glasses of punch. She handed one to Surjan and the other to a tall man with dark hair who stood with him.
That must be his friend.
“Thank you for the welcome, Baljeet. I was rather afraid you might be a little put out by me coming over tonight. Jez here, he suggested we might try this to keep both the families happy.” Surjan had a small sip of punch and immediately put the glass down.
Poppy glanced to the man who stood next to Surjan. An inner glow from this mortal cheered her as she gazed at him. The emanation from him tingled through to her bones. This human seemed filled with enchanting warmth. He reminded her so much of the one and only important fairy at the court; the one who could be so beguiling when he wanted. This might be a very unusual male.
Jez smiled in greeting to Bal, and Poppy stepped back into the shadowy corner wrapping her arms tight around her middle. Now he truly is something magical. Keri! With any luck he is the very special one Keri might love. Terrific!
So relieved by seeing these two, she relaxed as she listened to more of the conversation.
“Thanks for the suggestion Surjan and I meet here, Jez. It was a very thoughtful idea. Shall I introduce you both to everyone?” Bal said with a smile and led them through to the garden where most of the guests danced.
Now, where is the “James” man for Lucy?
While the males walked after Bal’s graceful swaying figure, Poppy swiped her sticky palms down the sides of her skirt. She wanted to follow the three mortals, but pe
eked back over her shoulder unsure what to do next. Lucy still waited by Louise and Chris. Poppy flew up and found a place to hide on the table behind a tall bottle of wine. She studied Lucy who, in between glances to the door, handed over CD’s to Louise.
The punch smelled so delicious. The ruby color reflecting the lights from the garden tempted, and as she still twitched so much, Poppy decided to drink another mouthful. With one eye on the room, in case she might be spotted, she edged as close as she dared to where the punch spoon sat on a tray. She darted a quick glance around for safety and drank another large slurp from the puddle of punch left in the wide bowl of the spoon. The liquid burned a trail down into her stomach.
Lucy gave a high-pitched cry. “James!”
Irritation to have to wait to grant them a wish shot through Poppy, but with guests in the sitting room, she daren’t do anything yet. She bumped her head as she nipped up onto the shelf on the wall, wobbled for a second, and clutched at the support bracket.
The punch is so strong. I’d better not drink any more or I’ll be too frazzled so I’ll never be able to grant the wishes.
“So, you found us, James. Come and get a drink. Do you want to try my punch?” Lucy led the fair-haired man over to the table.
Poppy gave a hiccup and grinned. Oh yes, he is exactly as Lucy described him. In mortal terms, this male is close to perfect. She stared hard at him, but there wasn’t the same warmth she’d felt before from Jez, though this male didn’t seem a bad sort. He stood tall, head and shoulders above Lucy, and his dark jacket covered the muscles Lucy had said were so interesting. He had waves of blond hair, a little darker than Lucy’s. His strong jaw line told of character, and his smile for Lucy glowed.
“No punch yet, I want to say hello,” James said.
Poppy unfurled her wings and got ready to go to work. He’s the type of male with opinions of his own, but now’s my big chance.
She stepped forward toward the edge of the shelf, where full of tension, she wobbled. This is it.
The wish for Lucy began, and Poppy waited, her toes curling until the power of the wish swelled through her. The energy soared more forcefully than it ever had before, and when James caught Lucy in his embrace, the wish throbbed hot, about to fly.
A rush of energy surged so strong to hold it back made her unsteady. Shaking she clawed at the metal bracket in a frantic attempt to still herself. Unable to stop, she slipped, and landed on her rear with a bump as she sent the wish.
No!
Instead of the power of the wish spreading over Lucy and James, all of it shot in a brilliant flash, straight into the punch bowl.
The punch turned a bright shade of pink for a second, before returning to the deep burgundy color. Poppy stared open mouthed as little fizzles of energy snapped and cracked briefly until the dark red surface settled and became glassy smooth.
Oh, by the wind in the leaves, what have I done? All the passion is in the punch. Whoever drinks it now won’t stand a chance. They’ll be lucky not to fall in love with the first thing they see, and Lucy and James are on their own.
How do you take wishes back?
She didn’t know.
While she hauled herself up off her behind, James gave Lucy a soft kiss and slipped an arm around her waist, and the pair went out on to the deck where they stood, talking in low voices.
“Surjan, would you like some punch too?” Keri asked she came back inside and poured a ladleful into a glass.
Poppy held her breath too frozen with apprehension to do anything else. Keri sipped and the wish took root.
No. Oh no. Oh no!
Surjan came in through the patio door, and Keri’s dark eyes gleamed with amber light.
This can’t be happening. Poppy clutched her hands to her chin.
“No thanks, Keri, I should have soda for now.” He opened a can, while Keri stared, her expression full of blatant adoration.
“But we made it special for tonight, please have a taste,” Keri murmured.
He accepted her offered glass with a bemused smile. “Okay, but only a sip, I’m the one driving tonight and this punch is powerful.” He sipped, set the glass down, and instantly the glazed expression spread over his features. “I’ll go get them to put some slow dance music on.” He stumbled backward; his gaze fixed on Keri.
I’ve got to do something, got to act fast. Undaunted by the risk of discovery, Poppy called “Jez,” as loud as she could. With luck, it won’t be too late.
But as soon as she saw Keri’s indifferent glance when Jez walked in, she understood it was much too late.
Keri has fallen for the wrong man and it’s all my fault.
“Hi Keri, is it okay if I help myself?” Jez asked.
Oh, by Pan’s twin horns, this is getting worse by the second.
“Of course, Jez, I’ll go and make sure Surjan isn’t feeling neglected,” Keri murmured, turning to the corner of the room where the music came from.
Fine, at least Jez will be alone when he drinks the punch.
Oh no!
The unmistakable tip tap of heels on the deck filled her with dread, and when Jez swallowed the first sip from his glass, Lucy stood beside him to refill hers. A second later James joined her.
A squeak left Poppy’s mouth, because Jez turned a fraction before he glanced up from his glass, and Lucy stood directly in front of him.
And yes, there goes the wish. Poppy clutched both her hands together in horror.
His pupils dilated, and her knees shook at the enormity of all this. Unable to watch any more she sank down on the shelf. She locked her palms tight over her head.
“Oh, are you guys all right?” Bal asked as she came in. She half-filled a glass and sipped. Poppy peeked through one eye, as James raised his glance from the glass Lucy had handed him, his gaze fixed on Bal whose eyes sparkled, now filled with a midnight dark blaze.
That’s it.
Unable to bear any more, Poppy covered her eyes with her hands.
All three girls are with the wrong young men, all three young men have fallen for the wrong girls, and the wish might take years to wear off. If I ever go back home, how can I admit to doing this? I’ll be laughed out of the fairy court. They’ll think I’m lying. There hasn’t been a catastrophe like this for centuries.
Chapter 6
Poppy stared, shaking her head, unable to believe the enormity of it all.
Jez lead Lucy out into the garden to dance. Those Jimmy Choos will be ruined, but Lucy doesn’t seem to mind. James guided Bal out to dance. While the music drifted up to the stars, Poppy tried with a frantic effort to recall the wish.
The result of her attempts didn’t reassure her, for the punch shimmered a little, pops of blue and pink bubbled on the surface before finally the dark liquid reflected the candlelight from the holders on the table. In desperation, she flew down to the table and reached out to try to tip the silver bowl over.
Ouch, it’s hot!
She backed off, determined she’d sit there and try to make sure none of the other mortals helped themselves to any more of the punch.
The numbers of people returning for food or drinks lessened, and she could only be thankful that now most of the mortals didn’t seem to want more of the warm mixture. The only person to try it was Chris, a mortal she’d seen here many times. He promptly fell in love with the last of the pakora, picked up the tray with what was left, and strolled over to the stack of music C.D’s.
That’s not a problem. Chris has been in love with spicy food since I first saw him when I arrived here.
Despondent, she hid behind a jug full of celery sticks where she sat on guard, to make sure none of the other poor unsuspecting mortals suffered because of her wish. She ached to go and find out what might be happening with her girls, but daren’t move.
Tears stung her eyes because never had an evening seemed longer. Tonight she didn’t even enjoy the music, let alone suck in any of the energy which floated and streamed through the air.
&nb
sp; * * * *
The moon had disappeared from her view, the music lulled soft and sweet, and her knees ached where she crouched. People called “Bye,” and finally she thought it might be safe to check where her three girls were, and find out what had happened.
In the garden Lucy and Jez danced close, arms entwined. Bal and James sat on the decking near the heater, deeply engrossed in conversation, hand-in-hand.
So where are Surjan and Keri? A huge tide of panic swept over her. They can’t be, can they?
Too many people remained for her to risk an open flight up stairs. When she spotted the pair in a tight embrace under the leafless boughs of the old apple tree, she gave a massive sigh of relief, and sank with slow wing beats down toward the ground.
“There yer are, I knew yer were here. I’ve been waiting for ye all night.”
She spun around at the velvet caress of a voice she remembered so well. “No,” she squeaked.
Him!
Not possible.
Her stomach knotted and she wanted to crawl away and hide.
His golden hair glinted in the glow of the colored lights and he smiled wide in greeting. She could hardly keep herself in the air. A wave of heat scorched her face.
“Poppy, ’tis me, Cedar Heartwood. Yer remember me, don’t ye, darlin’?” He flew a little closer, and she nodded as she sank down toward the lawn.
Her knees sagged.
Jellified.
I remember you…who couldn’t? You haven’t changed at all.
His eyes still entranced with hazel gleams. She ached to throw her arms around him, and as she steadied herself, she swept her gaze up to his face again. He still had the most enticing lips she’d ever seen.
Oh, by the wind in the leaves. How many hours did I sit among the daisies and wonder what it would be like to kiss him? She shook herself, torn between long held hopes and tonight’s despair. He had to go, at least until later. “I can’t speak with ye now, Cedar. I’m busy.”
“Yer can’t be busy, ’tis all nearly over. Come sit with me for a while and we’ll talk. I’ve messages for ye from yer brother. I’d like a long chat with ye.” He reached for her arm and led her down besides the decking, to where the purple winter heather offered a fragrant and comfortable bower. Her suspicion grew he might be offering something she’d always wanted. The familiar tingling sensation he induced made goose-bumps race up her arms and she fought against losing herself in him.
