by J. E. Lezah
“Wait!” Aldara cried. “What about me? I can’t do magic. I can’t even think of anything magical or about the craft without it backfiring.
“Please there must be something you can do,” Magnie pleaded. “I will give you anything you want. Just help my daughter.”
“There may be one thing.” Again the hedge witch dug into her skirt. She brought out a bottle not much bigger than a shot glass. “Here. Drink this.”
Aldara took the stopper from the bottle. “Blech. That smells like Ismarelda after a bath.”
Aramanthia threw back her head releasing a blood curdling cackle. “Of course it does. It’s hair of a dog.”
“What’s this going to do to me?”
“We can’t stop the leeches, but with any luck, the little buggers will be too busy fighting these things off to do more damage. Now, bottoms up, dearie. One gulp works best.”
Aldara pinched her nose, and downed the bottle in one swallow as suggested. Still, it didn’t stop her from hacking and sputtering. Praise the Goddess her mother had a glass of sherry waiting. That too Aldara took in one gulp.
“Thank you, Aramanthia. If there is anything you want….” Magnie said.
“I do have my eye on that shiny doodad there.”
She pointed a crooked finger toward one of the doodads in Magnie’s hair.
“Not that one,” she directed. The one above your ear. The dragon fly.”
“Certainly,” Magnie agreed, pulling it from her hair.
Aldara’s hear hurt for her mother. The dragonfly had been given to her mother by Keene on their wedding day. “Mother, no. It means too much to you.”
“But you mean more,” she said and handed the trinket over.
Again, Aramanthia cackled as she placed the sparkling ornament in her own hair. “Aldara.”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“There may be a few side affects from the tonic.”
“Like what?”
“If you get the urge to chase a cat. Don’t.” Aramanthia’s voice echoed through the room as she disappeared.
Aldara slammed her fists against the settee. “Great.”
Magnie sat beside her, opening her arms wide. “Come here, darling.”
She was too deflated to argue. Laying her head on her mother’s shoulder was all it took for the flood gates to open. There was a jarring of the cushion on the other side of her. Downy soft fur of Ismarelda, brushed against her elbow. The presence of her constant companion was enough to calm her tears.
“What if I lose my powers.”
“Oh, darling. You’re not going to lose your powers.” Magnie tried to reassure her, but the look on her face was not as convincing as her words.
“If I lose my powers, I lose Enchanted Events, my reputation. Giles.” Aldara hated to admit it, but Giles had become as much a part of the company as she was. To be without him? What then? The pain was almost too much to think about.
“I can’t lose him too, momma.”
“Who, darling?”
“Giles,” Aldara whispered.
“You love him. Don’t you.” Magnie’s words were more a statement fact than a question.
“I’m…I’m not sure. I only know my life would be empty without him.”
Aldara watched as Ismarelda jumped from the cushion and headed out the door. “Ismarelda? Where do you think you’re off to?” she asked. Ismarelda glanced back at her mistress, and with a swish of her tail, scuttled through the open door.
15
Giles seated himself behind Aldara’s desk. Since she left he had done little of nothing in the way of work. Both the e-mail, voice mail, snell-mail, all the mails had piled up, and with Aldara’s return only a day or so away. He figured now would be as good a time as any to work on that.
A beam of sunlight broke through the curtain warming the back of his hand. He lifted his face, allowing the golden warmth to seep into his skin. He had spent a great deal of time in the garden since Aldara had been gone. He so enjoyed being outside with his hands in the soil and breeze on his face.
It was often hard to do with Aldara around. Anytime he began a job, she would come behind him and “poof” it into existence. Not that witchcraft had a sound, but he was sure if it did, it would be “poof”.
He made his way out into the backyard, and began walking the fence line. He pulled out a notebook, jotting down which boards were in need of repair or replacing. Aldara despised when the fence wasn’t just so – so. As he rounded the back left corner, he remembered the time Aldara wanted to put a gazebo there. At the time she was contemplating opening her house and office as an event venue. It was when she realized strangers would be “trotting through her house” that she decided it was a no go.
Still, Giles reckoned a gazebo would be a nice addition to the yard. He could image it strung with white lights and lit up against the darkened sky. He would add a swing where he and Aldara would cuddle together on cool evenings with a glass of wine or maybe warmed cider.
With a loud smack, Giles slapped his palm against his forehead. Where in the cat’s whiskers did that come from? He didn’t think of Aldara like that. Did he? No. Of course not. Nope. Not even close. “Who are you trying to convince?” he asked aloud. “You do think of Aldara that way.”
His shoulders drooped. Deep inside he knew the feeling wasn’t mutual. In Aldara’s mind he was merely her assistant, and as her father always reminded her, not a wizard.
Maybe his mother had been right. Maybe he had become too comfortable there. Maybe it was time he found a new job, a new place to live, and an “acceptable woman” to settle down with.
He had no idea what the acceptable criterion was since his mother never explained that part. He merely assumed Aldara didn’t fit the list. Then again, his mother had grandma fever. Giles told his mother he could give her a grandchild without having to find a wife, but that hadn’t set to well with her.
He took in the garden and the grounds of Aldara’s house. Aldara’s house. He reminded himself. He had shared the home with her for so long, he had almost forgotten the fact, he was her tenant.
With a sigh of resignation, Giles dropped his head. He would miss this place and Ismarelda, he mused at the sound of a dog barking in the distance. Bark. Bark. Bark. The sound came nearer. That really did sound like Ismarelda. Bark. Bark. Barooooo. Giles spun around to find the dog standing on the wall of the water fountain, barking into the water below.
“Ismarelda. Where did you come from? Where’s Aldara?” He searched the area, but no Aldara. Pawing at the water, she huffed and paced along the ledge her barking becoming louder and more ferocious by the second.
“Ismarelda. Stop that!” Giles commanded. As usual, the dog ignored him, choosing instead to bark so hard, she began to lose her voice.
“I mean it, Ismarelda P. Hastings,” he scolded, using her full name. “Do you want a time out?”
The dog’s head jerked up, as she seemed to think about his suggestion. Her silence lasted all of fifteen seconds before she started her barrage again.
“Oh for goodness sakes,” he said looking into the fountain. “What is it that has you so mesmerized?” Giles looked past his and Ismarelda’s reflections into the depths of the water below. An image of Aldara ebbed like a mirage beneath the tiny ripples of the fountain.
He rubbed his eyes, unsure of what he was seeing. Twigs of blonde hair lay plastered against her forehead and cheeks. Her mascara smudged beneath her eyes, rimmed red from tears. Never had he seen her so forlorn, and his heart clinched at the vision.
Calling to her, Giles dipped his hand into the pool of water, distorting her features. He waited for the image to clear, unaware for the dark shadow sneaking up from behind. He felt a strong push against his backside, sending him plummeting into the water below. The water seemed deeper than it should and he continued to fall deeper and deeper.
He forced his eyes open, only to find he was submerged in water and darkness. Disoriented, he looked back in the direction
he thought he had fallen from. He could make out Ismarelda smiling and wagging her tail, before the hole to surface closed.
Giles fought down his panic. It wouldn’t do him any good. A pinpoint of light appeared above him, and he swam with all his might toward it. His chest burned with the urge to breathe. His mind raced with thoughts of Aldara, and how sad she had looked. He thought of how much she needed him to take care of her, and how much he wanted to take care of her.
Even as the light grew brighter, Giles knew he wasn’t going to make it. The more he fought to stay conscious, the cloudier his mind became. He pushed his hand upward, praying to any and all to give him strength enough to break the surface, but he could fight no longer. His last thought was that of Aldara, and how happy they would have been in the gazebo.
***
Aldara pulled the damp towel from her head, tapping at the ends of her hair, as she dropped onto the edge of her bed. She was bone weary from the events of the day. All she wanted to do was to crawl in bed and sleep for about one hundred years.
There was still the Witches Dance-off to oversee tomorrow. Aldara rubbed the spot between her eyebrows. How was she supposed to have it go off without any problems when she was a witch with a glitch?
Then there were the closing ceremonies. The whole thing seemed impossible at this point. Even if Giles were here to help, he couldn’t perform the spells or enchantments she needed. Still, it would have been nice to have him here.
Dropping her head back, she stared at the mural of Tatiana, the Queen of the Fairies on her ceiling. Normally, she found comfort in the soft colors of the sky and entwining vines. The mural had hung above her bed since she was an infant, but it wasn’t until she was about to graduate Witches Academy that she figured out the vines were painted into a sigil of protection. Too bad it was unable to protect her from the leeches.
The bed beneath her shook. “Awe, come on,” she blurted out as the bottles on her dresser toppled over. “I wasn’t even thinking of anything.” Flinging open the door to her bedroom, she half expected to see a herd of wildebeest running through the hallway. Instead, Zoe and Zerlina charged toward her. How two petite women could make such a ruckus, Aldara would never understand.
“Aldara! Aldara! Aldara!” they yelled.
“What?”
“It’s him,” Zerlina panted.
Aldara wrapped her robe tight about her waist. “Who?”
“Your pool boy,” Zoe added.
“My what?”
“Your pool boy,” they screamed in unison.
“Seriously you two, I don’t have a pool… oh, ra….” She clamped her hands tightly over her mouth, and glanced at the ceiling. Good. No creatures were falling. “Where is he?” She asked without waiting for them.
“Udra’s Mirror,” Zoe said.
“He fell out,” Zerlina added.
Aldara clamored down the staircase. The blood drained from her face and hands, at the sight of him sprawled on the marble floor. Running to him, she sank to her knees at his side. “Go get father,” she commanded to her sisters.
“You go. I’ll stay with Aldara,” Zerlina offered.
“No you go. I’ll stay with Aldara,” Zoe said.
“No, you.
“No you.” The twins argued.
“Both of you go.” Aldara snapped, not taking her eyes from his lifeless form.
Giles lay in a puddle of water. She reached a shaking hand toward him, and placed it on his chest. His body was cool beneath her touch, and she waited, silently begging the Goddess to feel the rise and fall of his chest. Aldara swallowed hard, trying to stifle the cry rising in her throat. From everything she could tell, he wasn’t breathing.
What was she doing? She knew CPR. She had never performed it on an actual person, but she could do this. Calming herself, Aldara took a breath before leaning in.
Strong hands wrapped around the top of her arms, pulling her back. “Don’t Aldara,” her father said, lifting her from the floor.
“No, Papa,” she cried. “He needs my help.”
“Not you, Aldara.” She felt more than saw him nod to one of the servants, Cemeyus, who made quick work in performing the life saving maneuver.
Aldara buried her face against her father’s chest. She couldn’t look. She heard the puffs and compression counts being exchanged between Cemeyus and Giles. For once her sisters were silent. The fact scared her more than she wanted to admit.
“Papa.”
“Sssh, Aldara,” he cooed striking her hair. “Give it time.”
She clung to her father’s robes for fear of crumpling to the ground. If Giles were to die, what would she do? She needed him. He kept her life running smoothly. Not just his assistance with her company, but in her life. He made her the most frustrating days enjoyable with his stubbornness and smart-ass condescension.
Gurgling sounds came from behind her. She turned in time to see Giles spewing water from his mouth.
“Giles?” She stepped near. “Giles?”
“Where am I?” he whispered.
“You’re in Shadowfield,” she answered.
His eyes were wild with confusion. Aldara didn’t want to think of how long he had lain in the entrance way or how long he had been without oxygen. He reached for her to help him up.
Placing her hand in his, she planted her feet, allowing him to use her strength to stand. Aldara grunted when Giles fell into her unable to hold up his own body weight. Without her asking, Cemeyus and another servant came forward taking him from her.
“Take him to the West Wing and put him in the Jarl’s suite.” Keene ordered.
“Papa?”
“He will be fine, Aldara. I will send for Dr. Bluegill. He will know what to do.”
Aldara noticed a small smile curling the corner of her father’s lips. “Why are you smiling?”
“Nothing…except….”
“Except?”
“Hearing you call me Papa gives my old heart joy.”
Aldara didn’t know what to say. She had been so upset, she hadn’t even noticed.
“It’s okay. Go with him. We will talk later.”
16
As Aldara moved a chair closer to Giles’s bedside, the door creaked open followed by the unmistakable tip, tip, tip of Ismarelda’s nails on the wooden floor. The dog leapt onto the bed, stretching out between Aldara and Giles. “And where have you been?” she asked, stroking the dog’s velvety ears. “Napping in the sun I suppose.” Ismarelda yawned, before placing her head on his arm.
“I know baby girl. I’m worried about him too.” She had wanted to see Giles, but note like this, and she couldn’t stop thinking his being here was somehow her fault. She pushed dark hair back from his forehead, allowing her fingertips to brush along his whiskered cheek. She wanted to linger there, comforted in the feel of his skin.
She pulled her hand away, admonishing herself for acting like a silly, school girl. The silence of the room made her nervous, and when she was nervous, she talked. Well, ramble might be a better word.
“I’m sure Dr. Bluegill will be here soon,” she said, not quiet sure what or how Dr. Bluegill would be able to help. “But he is the best when it comes to water illnesses.”
“Sounds a bit fishy to me.”
Aldara’s gaze shot to his face. Giles’s eyes were still closed, and she wondered if she was hearing things. Aldara’s breath rushed from her lungs. “Giles?” she whispered. Did you say something?”
His eyes fluttered open. In a creaky voice he repeated, “Said it sounds fishy to me.”
A giggle escaped Aldara’s throat. The man was a smart-ass to the end. “Glad to see your sense of humor is intact.”
“You dropped the bait and I reeled it in.”
Aldara rolled her eyes. Not to be ignored, Ismarelda stood on his chest, licking his face.
“Hey, pup.” He patted her on the head. “I guess I have you to blame for this.”
“What do you mean? You have her to blame?”
/> “I found her barking into the fountain. I went to see what she was looking at, and guess I lost my balance and fell in. The next thing I know, some strange man is trying to break my ribs.”
“That was Cemeyus, and he was giving you CPR. But back to Ismarelda, she couldn’t have been at the fountain. She’s been here the whole time.”
“I don’t know what to tell you. She was there.”
Aldara squinted at the dog. Was it possible Ismarelda had gone home. No. That was impossible. Wasn’t it?
The door opening took her attention away from Ismarelda, who, in Aldara’s estimation, looked a bit too innocent, or maybe smug. “Knock, knock,” Aldara’s mother’s sing-song tones announced her arrival. “The doctor is here, Aldara.” Magnie said, leading the doctor into the room.
Portaniu Bluegill reminded Aldara of a basketball with toothpicks for legs. The fact he wore an orange and brown plaid suit, did little to dispel the image. With little regard for Aldara, Dr. Bluegill pushed her out of the way. In his words, he needed to examine the specimen.
“Came through the aqueduct, did you?” Bulging green eyes darted between Aldara and Giles.
“I…I suppose,” Giles stammered.
Aldara did her best not to giggle at Giles’s discomfort. She was pretty sure if he scooted any further away from Dr. Bluegill, he would fall off the bed.
“Take off your shirt,” Dr. Bluegill said.
“I beg your pardon?” Giles asked.
Although seeing a shirtless Giles was an interesting proposition, Aldara thought it might be best for her to leave. “I’ll be right outside,” she said. “Come on Ismarelda.” The dog jumped across Giles to the other side of the bed.
“Stay,” Giles said.
“But…”
“But, no.” he said with an emphasis on the “no”.
“I just thought you would be more comfortable with me out there.” She pointed toward the door.
“It’s nothing you haven’t seen before,” Dr. Bluegill said.
“We’re not a couple,” Aldara explained.
“No?”
“No,” she and Giles said in unison.
