Halona smiled. “No worries, knowing Moss, he’ll probably want to go to Poisons and Potions, see Cam.”
“It’s good that Moss will be there. Maybe he can pinpoint something. And as far as Cam goes, why doesn’t he just ask her out already?”
Halona waved her hand dismissively. “You know how he is.” She sighed. “This will be your third date with Lance, right?”
Jenn nodded.
“So, do you think you’ll finally kiss him? You know the old saying, three’s the charm. I mean he’s gorgeous, sexy, kind, polite…”
Jenn raised her brows. “And he just dropped on our doorstop. We still really know nothing about him.”
Halona shook her head. “What?”
Jenn began to stutter. “W-what...I’m sorry. What are we talking about?”
Halona sighed. “I knew I felt something from you. But I thought we were still talking about Lance.”
“Oh, yeah, we were.” Jenn lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. I just don’t feel it, you know?”
“I get that. Too bad, he’s everything you ever wanted in a man. Well, I take that back. Clearly, he isn’t. Okay, but don’t forget, tomorrow, we’re going to Hooligans to listen to the Celtic Knights.” She raised her brows. “We could be nice and invite Nevlin?”
Jenn shrugged. “There’s just something off about him.”
“That something is he’s just so darn gorgeous. You just don’t want to get involved with anyone. Not even sexy Lance.”
Jenn lifted her glass in a toast. “That’s all too true.” She took a sip. “At least Nevlin doesn’t seem dangerous.” She spun on her stool. “Kal got back to me, said he will have more on him later.” She reached in her pocket and handed Halona the coin.
“How did you get it? I thought we were going to wait for Drake.”
Jenn pursed her lips. “Unfortunately, that covert operation is foiled. He’s already seen it.” She leaned her head back. “And don’t ask.”
Halona held the coin and examined it. “What does le grá amháin a ghlacadh fréimhe mean?”
Jenn shook her head. “I don’t know.” She reached for the coin. “Let me see. I’ll write it down and look it up when we’re done. I don’t know how long we have before he misses it. Which reminds me, maybe you can give it back to him tonight? Tell him I accidently kept it?”
“Sure, if he doesn’t come looking for it before that.”
Jenn grabbed a note pad and scribbled the inscriptions down, along with the other various markings and designs. “Huh, there’s a harp on this. I was so afraid to take it out of my pocket for fear I’d lose it. I never really looked at it.” She turned the coin over. “Funniest thing, you know the periwinkle plants on Main Street?”
“Yeah, they’re lovely, but they’ve seen better days.”
“Nevlin spoke to them.” She waved her hand in the air, which caused a slight breeze. “I know, but here’s the thing… on my way back, I looked at them again. They’re gorgeous and healthy looking again. I mean thriving.”
“He said he was a Druid. He’s probably an Earth witch or pixie, earth magic of some sort.”
Jenn pursed her lips and gave a nod. She stuck the note in her pocket. “He does have those cute ears.”
Halona teased, “Among other things.”
“Yeah, yeah. Here…” She handed the coin to Halona, who looked to be getting comfortable on her stool and closed her eyes. Jenn went over and closed the shutters on the windows and turned the front door sign around, which read Will be back in a flash. She locked the door and came back, taking a seat on the stool next to Halona. She crossed her leg, swinging it, under the counter. Leaning on her elbow, she watched and listened intently.
Halona took a deep breath and then another. She nodded and then began to move her head slightly counterclockwise. She sat quietly holding the coin for what, to Jenn, felt an eternity. Then Halona flinched suddenly. Her head moved slightly clockwise and then stilled as a tear ran past her cheek. She let out three quick breaths, and then she gasped as she opened her eyes.
Jenn’s heart pounded. She bit her lip. “What did you see?”
Halona shook her head, as if to focus back in the here and now. “I saw him. Nevlin. Many times, as if, during many lifetimes. And yet it felt as if it was only one. It was strange. I saw the night sky then day. It repeated, maybe a dozen times?”
Jenn leaned closer. “What else?”
Halona held her hands two feet above the counter. “There were stacks upon stacks of books, some of which were covered in dust. Particles of dust flew and twisted in the air. I saw some musical notes dance by.” She squinted. “There was a battle of some sort. Swords were drawn, though Nevlin, and others dressed like him, stood calmly in the center. They were postured and confident. It was as if they had stopped it with just being there. I saw forests that were deep, dense, and dark. Men gathered in circles. There was green, lots of green. There were numerous hills and open fields. Then I saw a woman. She was quite beautiful. That was when I felt a twinge of discomfort.”
Jenn felt as if her heart plummeted. Ciara? “Anything else?”
“A tall slender branch that had bells hanging from the twigs. I could hear them jingle as he walked, holding it. There were several men in long robes. I saw him in a similar robe. At one point, he removed it and placed it on a large boulder or something similar. He started to walk away and then came to a sudden halt. As if he had stiffened, frozen?” She took a deep breath. “Then I saw what looked to be arms, his I think, and they became branches. He became stationary, as if…I have no other word, grounded.” Halona shrugged. “His hair was made of leaves. His entire head was covered in dense foliage.” She shook her head. “I then saw a scale, and it looked like the scale of justice, balance maybe?” She looked in Jenn’s’ eyes. “Then, right before I came out of it, I saw another woman.” She wiped her cheek. “I think it was you.”
Chapter 8
After her own dinner date, Jenn managed to call it an early night. Her date had gone well. Lance Cornell was a gentleman and an extremely attractive man. He was someone she had known most of her life and had always been very fond of. They had missed opportunities to ever really go on an official date, as one or the other had always been in a relationship. He had made it clear in their interactions that he found her attractive and had interest in knowing her better. So, while dating seemed something that each of them had often considered, timing had never been on their side. And now, here she was, where she had often imagined herself, and yet, she found herself preferring to be alone.
The sun had begun to set. A few star-struck lovers walked hand in hand down Main Street. There was a slight chill in the air, though Jenn found it refreshing. She needed it. She wanted to clear her head. She walked a few blocks to Sibyls Point. While she often accompanied Halona and Scamp to the larger Blansett town park, where the dog agility course was, this was her preferred park. This was where she could relax and think. She enjoyed the more secluded, intimate setting. It elicited happiness, as it was, of course, magical and full of life, after all.
She opened the gate and gently clasped it behind her. Walking past the center of the park, she sat beneath the largest of the trees. She looked around and realized the fairies were right; there were not many large trees here. With her back against the trunk, she ran her fingers through the clover. She chuckled inwardly as she realized she had begun to look for ones with four leaves.
“I had hoped you would still be here.”
Startled, Jenn looked up to see it was Nevlin. He stood over her, holding out a bottle of white wine. “May I?”
She nodded as she took the bottle and motioned for him to plop down. “How did you know I was here?”
“A little bird told me.”
She smirked as she shook her head.
He smiled. “No, literally, a little bird did tell me. Right before he nestled in for the night, he delivered the message.” He pulled out a glass from each of his jacket pockets. He rai
sed his brows. “I did not take these. I bought these.”
“Now you had to go and ruin it.” She chuckled. “Just kidding.”
He placed the glasses down. Removing his jacket, he laid it aside as he sat next to her. “I hope you are glad I am here.”
To Jenn’s surprise, she was, though she tried to hide her smile as she took a glass from him. She thought of how she had never had as much difficulty speaking with someone as she had him. One minute she felt intrigued, the next aggravated, and, at times, even felt for him. And she didn’t even want to count the number of times, like now, she felt an attraction to him.
“Nevlin, why are you so formal in your speech? It’s not a criticism. It’s just… never mind.”
He poured the wine. “I am awkward around the prettiest of ladies.”
Jenn rubbed her forehead. Though she was somewhat annoyed, she felt flattered just the same, which annoyed her even more. She put her index finger in the glass and stirred. When he raised a brow, she tried to hide the nervousness in her laugh. “It’s custom.”
He shook his head. “You are testing me. You want me to do the same, so you can see if it turns green.”
Her mouth gaped. “Well, the sea did turn green.”
He held his glass in front of her and swirled his finger in the wine. “I thought we established why. I do not blame you. Why would you trust me? You do not have any reason to.” He took a drink from his glass. “It is beautiful here. As far east as a man needs to be.” He leaned his head back against the tree. “I like Blansett. I like you.”
He turned his head and smiled at her. He glanced over to his left. “Do you hear that? It is very faint…it is music.”
She nodded. “The wee ones play their music, sing and dance from dusk ’til dawn most nights. It’s lovely, isn’t it?”
He smiled. “Ah, of course. Yes, it is lovely.” He placed his glass down and stood. He reached out for her hand. “Will you dance with me?”
Her heart raced. She could feel herself perspire. She gave a playful shake of her head in disbelief as she took his hand. He lifted her up and walked her to where there were small flickers and flashes of lights. He pulled her near, placing one hand on her back. The fingers of his other hand twined with hers. He gave her a tender kiss. Her heart beat faster, and she felt breathless. When his lips released hers, she moistened her lips. Why did I do that? What spell does he possess? She took a deep breath. “If you’re relying on the luck of the Irish to get lucky here, think again.”
He chuckled. “I have already had much luck. Though luck is not balance, and that is what I seek.”
“I will say you’ve shown me that there really is so much more to life than order. That all things worthwhile really do have their seasons.” She leaned back. “Of all you’ve seen and done, what was your favorite time and place?”
He cupped her face with his hand. “Right here, right now, with you.”
Her pulse raced, and she found herself leaning in closer toward him. They danced for several more minutes before he led her back to the tree. They sat, and he handed her the glass of wine. He took a sip of his own and then placed his glass down. He gave a tight-lipped smile as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his coin. “What did you see?”
She placed her hand over her face. “How did you know? It wasn’t me, but you were seen.”
“Tell me, please.”
She bit her lip. “You had branches for limbs.”
“Anything else? It could be very important.”
She shrugged. “Me? It may have shown me?”
He nodded. “An answer lies with you.”
“I’m an answer to something?”
Nevlin threw his head back and sighed. “It explains my pull. Not only to this town…to you.”
She leaned in and narrowed her eyes. “To me?”
His eyes sparkled. “Yes, you, Sky.” He cupped his hand on her cheek. “And you are part of my test.” As she pulled away slightly, he reached down and took her hand in his. “Look at me please, as I would like to tell you something, and I want to see that you trust what I say.”
Jenn felt as if she should bolt. Just stand up and run. She didn’t; he had her captive with his voice, his eyes, his touch.
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. “With you, I have found something I never have before. The only thing I never sought.”
She tried to focus on his eyes.
He gave a weak smile. “Though soon, while at this moment it may not feel like it, there will be a day of celebration.” Nevlin raised his brows. “Soon, I will take root. By the Spring Equinox, I am to become what I seek.”
“Balance?”
“Like the Equinox. Of equal day and equal night, to be in full balance.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I have sought it for what to most would be considered many lifetimes. I am now in the equivalent of the thirteenth generation of the time I have been alive. Which is not unlucky. In fact, it is the luckiest in my spiritual knowledge.” He brushed his finger across her cheek. “I have spent these last days seeking my true home. I have found it. I will stay and be a part of this loving community. To look over and upon all of Magicville.” He cupped his hands on her face and kissed her. “Mostly upon you, Sky. I now know where I am meant to lay root.”
She gave a slight shake of the head. “I’m not sure I’m following. You’re moving here?”
“I will lay root here.” Tears welled in his eyes. “I am to be a Dryad, a Greenman. I am to release my human body and be the spirit for the tree that I am to become. To be one, and whole, with nature.”
Jenn’s heart felt heavy, and it ached. She had trouble breathing. She was about to be sick. This can’t be. He’s just talking in circles. There’s got to be a different meaning here.
Tears began to stream down her cheeks, as she knew it was true. She recalled Halona’s vision. She placed her hands on his shoulders. “You don’t have to do this, see this through I mean. You don’t have to become the Earth.”
He pressed his lips together and nodded. “I do.”
“No, you don’t. I can help you find a solution.” She managed a smile. “It’s what I do. Research, numbers, whatever it takes. It’s what I excel at.”
He made no expression. Jenn shook her head. “I won’t be a party to any of this. Certainly not you turning into…a tree.” She lifted from the ground. “I won’t. You’re on your own there.” She ran off.
* * * *
Nevlin held up the nearly full bottle of wine. He shook his head and poured it out. He stood and slammed his foot into the ground. He leaned down, picked up his jacket, and walked several yards. He looked up at the top floor windows of Sibyls Point. He bent down and began to dig vigorously. He made an indentation, which created a central circle. Then, with fluid and fast movement of his hands, he created five spirals, extending beyond the center. He stood and stomped on the ground to further compact it. He looked to the sky.
“May the sky gaze upon here, allowing my being and non-being. May the sun warm as I come to fruition, when the wind swirls to propel me to my destiny.”
Chapter 9
Friday, March 17th
Early the next morning, Sydney had given Jenn access to her extensive library collection at Mystic Tides. Jenn slipped on the white cotton gloves, which were laid out for her. She went to the shelves and selected several volumes. She placed stacks and stacks of books on the table. She then took a seat with many centuries of knowledge surrounding her. With each book she went through, she gently turned the pages with the flick of her finger in the air, flinging until she could locate what she was searching for. What exactly that was, she was still not sure. A remedy for a curse, an answer to his predicament, a clue to his prophecy. And now, much to her surprise, hope for herself. Her eyes burned from lack of sleep, and her focus was cloudy.
She stopped when she saw a page that spoke of the Spring Equinox. “March 20th… March, the third month, and then twenty, condensed down to a single
digit, added, equals five.” She wasn’t sure where it was leading, but it resonated nevertheless, and she jotted it down on her paper. Then, as if her hand had a mind of its own, she quickly wrote. Five virtues, five petals on the periwinkle. And don’t forget the primrose...and the five-leaf clover. She kept making notes. She lifted her pen and tapped it against her lips. The thirty-two points of the Compass Rose… the wind rose. Broken down to one number is five. She jotted it down. What more? The five principal layers of the Earth’s atmosphere.
She then, once again, gently moved through the pages of the large volume by flicking her finger in the air above the book. The ways in which to obtain knowledge. She stopped and leaned back in her chair. The five senses. I see him, hear him, touch him, smell him, and …She felt herself get warm. I definitely tasted him.
She wrote it all down and then reached into her jacket and took out the note from yesterday. Le grá amháin a ghlacadh fréimhe. She stood and searched the shelves for a book of ancient script and old Irish. She reached for a book and looked through it. Here it is. “With love, one may take root.” She had a chill go down her arms and throughout her body. She carried the book back to her table and brought her pen to her mouth as she leaned back in her chair.
She checked her notes and leaned over the book, delicately turning the pages by hand this time. Ní bheidh thy ghrá bás. “Thy love shall not die.” Her pulse quickened. She was getting close; she knew it. She picked up her drawing of the coin. Five distinct sections. Writings in one, the unicorn, the cloud, the clover, and the harp. She held her head in her hands. Clover can represent earth, and so can the unicorn for that matter. Though it’s fast and powerful like air. Of course, the cloud would be air. Could also be water though, such as rain clouds. Interesting how they can blend…the harp could be harmony.
Mystic Luck (Mystic Tides Book 2) Page 16
