The Ghost Bride

by Stacey Keystone

  Before I went around the house, though, I came into the nursery, which was right next to my bedroom (there was a door between the rooms).

  Emere was holding Erynn, who was wailing incessantly.

  "Good afternoon, I guess," I said, holding out my arms, giving Emere a break.

  "Hello, Amy," Emere said. "I slept so well tonight. I didn't even remember waking up at night, although Ion told me later it happened. I don't know what's happening with Erynn right now. She was so calm in the morning."

  "That's simple," I replied, looking into Erynn's tearful eyes. "She's itchy. She doesn't like the collar."

  Don't ask me how I know that, but I did.

  "Is she?" Emere asked, doubtfully. But I could see she was desperate enough to try anything, even listen to the advice of an inexperienced, eighteen-year-old nanny.

  "I think so," I replied, laying Erynn in her cot and removing the dress she was wearing. I could then see a tiny red mark on her neck, caused by the collar of the dress she was wearing. "Look," I pointed at the mark to Erynn, who was frowning but not crying anymore. "I had her in much more comfortable clothing, and she didn't complain all night. Let me help you change her."

  As I selected the most practical babywear out of the cupboard, Emere followed me around with a grateful expression.

  "Thank you," she said. "I thought she would never stop crying. How did you notice she was itchy?"

  I don't know, it just came to my head. Like she told me or something.

  "I guessed," I lied. "I just thought it may be a possibility."

  "Well, thank you," Emere said, sitting next to the cot where Erynn, dressed in a comfy onesie, was trying to hit her with a rattle. "I was so on edge I couldn't think."

  "Sure," I replied, not sure of what else to say. "I want to walk around the house, explore it a bit if you don't mind…"

  "Go ahead," Emere said, "just don't open any of the closed doors. The kids like their privacy."

  "The kids?" I asked. "I didn't see any other kids at dinner. Or breakfast."

  "That's because the younger ones have dinner earlier, and breakfast later," Emere said. "But you'll see them at lunch, which is happening in half an hour."

  "Should I be having lunch with the entire family?" I asked.

  It almost felt like I was joining the family instead of working for it.

  "Sure," Emere said. "We don't have separate meals for anybody. Unless you've got a really good excuse." She pointed at Erynn, who was hitting the mobile with her rattle and having the time of her life.

  "Alright then," I said, sitting next to them, and giving Erynn a second rattle for her left hand. Having two rattles seemed to blow her mind, as she tried to put them into her mouth instead of shaking them. "Could you tell me a bit about the family, before I join them for lunch?"

  "Well," Emere started. "You already know my brother-in-law Aegisthus. Ion, my husband, works at the Council of Magic as a structural inspector. He inspects magical portals and things like that to make sure they're safe. I'm a simple housewife; my maiden name is Gwendolen…"

  She continued telling me about the Kaffales, the three brothers, their younger, spoiled teenage sister Kecia, Edric's five-year-old boy and three-year-old girl, and her parents-in-law until the vizor sounded the alarm.

  "You'll get to know them with time," she said. "Just go for lunch. They don't like to wait, but Moira wouldn't let anybody start before everybody sits at the table."

  When I came down to the dining room, the Kaffale family was sitting around the table, which was even fuller than before. Everybody Emere mentioned was there, except for her husband Ion and Captain Kaffale.

  Great.

  I don't know anybody at this table. I smiled and sat on the chair next to a teenage girl who must be the sister Emere told me about.

  "Hello, Mrs. Kaffale, Mr. Kaffale," I said, nodding at those around the table.

  "Hello, Miss Laurendeau," Moira replied. She then nodded towards the kids. "This is my daughter Kecia, and those two are my grandchildren, Bevan and Eirinn. Kids, this is Miss Amy Laurendeau, she helps aunt Emere with the baby."

  "Hello, Miss Laurendeau," the kids said, in unison, while Kecia gave me a dirty look. She didn't seem to like me much.

  Moira waved her hand, and lunch appeared on the table. As everybody started serving themselves, I observed them.

  I'd never had extended family; it had always been just mother and me. This seemed to be quite a big family, all living under the same roof. Was it because of magic, I wondered? Does magic force all of them to live together? Is it because they need to live in this house, which, from what I've understood, is special, and has high levels of magic in it?

  Other than a few prodding questions about the Academy, they left me alone at the table conversation, discussing their usual topics, while the kids excitedly shared some nonsense to their father (they found a toad; or was it a frog?). But, somewhere in the end, after the middle course was eaten, I heard something that made me perk up.

  "I heard the Novak's youngest is engaged," Arlene said. "My sister heard it from her brother-in-law, who studies in the Academy."

  "Really?" Moira asked. "I thought the two older Novak boys are still single. Why is Leta spending so much effort on the youngest? He's a bit young to get married."

  "Well, according to my sister's brother-in-law," Arlene said. "Martinus Novak found his fiancée by himself. She's attending the distance department there."

  There was a silence at the table, as everybody, except for the kids, who were oblivious, looked at me. I felt a wave of heat rising from my chest, as my whole faced blushed.

  "That's not true," I said. "I have it, from excellent sources, that the girl hasn't said yes. They aren't engaged."

  The stares I received went from amused to skeptical.

  "My sister's brother-in-law also told her he saw the girl in question talking with Mrs. Novak," Arlene said.

  "She told me she was just trying to convince Mrs. Novak that Martinus is a bit too rush," I said, still pretending the girl in question wasn't me. I could see nobody believed that. But there are other girls in the Distance Department, dammit! Why did they immediately jump to the (right) conclusion?

  "Right," Moira said, taking a sip of wine. "And did it work?"

  "Apparently, when Mrs. Novak learned about the magical compatibility between her son and the girl, she was convinced they were right for each other," I replied, "at least that's what Martinus said. To the girl."

  Even the kids were staring at me now, although I'm not sure they understood anything.

  "Tell your friend," Arlene said, making an emphasis on the word friend, "that it won't work. Nothing will if they're compatible. She should start preparing for the wedding."

  "Isn't that a bit too early?" I asked. "They just met. And, as I told you, she's unconvinced."

  "Why would she reject him?" Moira said. "He's a decent boy, attractive, from what I've heard, and well-off. He can take good care of a girl."

  "Well, the girl who will have him will be lucky, I guess," I said. "Although I personally don't like him."

  "Fair enough," Moira said, elegantly wiping a bit of sauce with a napkin, "should we… I mean the family the girl is staying with expect a visit?"

  "No," I replied. "Martinus doesn't know I… I mean the girl… is in Marn."

  By their silence, it seemed like they were judging me. But it was none of their business, was it?

  "Poor guy," Edric said. "I feel for him. But don't worry, Miss Laurendeau. We won't tell anybody you're staying with us."

  "Thank you," I said, unsure of what else to say.

  I dug into the dessert, a dense fruit pudding that was so sticky it glued my teeth. I had some warm tea, trying to dissolve the sugar, feeling nervous under everybody's watchful eye.

  "It seems like we're done with lunch," Arlene said. "Bevan, Eirinn, go wash your hands before the afternoon nap."

  The kids stood up, kissing their mother before they left.
/>   "Kecia," Moira said. "You also need to go back to your lessons."

  "You always leave me out of the most interesting conversations," Kecia complained, but obediently stood up under her mother's stare. "Alright, I'll go."

  The table cleared, with all the kids gone, while the adults stayed. I had dissolved the sugar that glued my teeth and was now mixing cream into my tea, making circles with a teaspoon.

  7

  Everybody at the table looked at me, not pretending to believe me anymore.

  "So you're Martinus' Novak's fiancée," Moira said. "I thought it was strange that a young female high magician would be alone."

  "I told him no," I said, dropping the pretense. They'd learn the name of Martinus' supposed fiancée soon enough, right?

  "But you're compatible with each other," Arlene said.

  "We are," I said.

  "Then you'll say yes," Moira said, cynically, "eventually. There is no resisting the pull of magical passion."

  "I don't see why not," I replied. "He doesn't seem that attractive to me."

  "That's how you feel now," Arlene said. "I didn't initially like Edric that much, either."

  "Hey!" Edric exclaimed. But then, calming down a bit, "I didn't like you that much at first, either."

  "Until we kissed," Arlene said. "And then we just felt drawn to each other."

  "We kissed," I acknowledged, interrupting the lovers' cooing. "But I wouldn't say I feel drawn to him."

  "But you don't hate him, either," Edric said, looking at his wife and placing his hand on hers. Was he even talking to me?

  "I wouldn't say so, no," I replied.

  Martinus, as much as an asshole he'd been toward me at the beginning, was improving. He tried to protect me from my crazy father, risking his life. He'd declared me his fiancée despite my refusal, but other than that, he never forced anything else on me. I didn't like him, but I didn't dislike him, either.

  I noticed the look Arlene and Edric exchanged before they looked at me. It was full of amusement, as if they were sharing memories.

  "Well, that's how it starts," Arlene said. "You don't like him at first, you're just not keen on him. But he'll grow on you, as you keep seeing him. And it will be harder and harder for you to avoid him with time. Until you miss him if you don't see him every day."

  "And is there no way to avoid it?" I asked.

  "You can try," Edric said. "God knows how much I tried. It didn't work."

  "And that's good," Moira said, "because otherwise, I'd never have grandchildren."

  "Nobody will force you to marry him, Amy," Arlene said. "When compatibility exists, there is no need to do anything but wait. Why waste energy on forcing you, when in a year you'll come around on your own? Martinus is not a bad guy."

  "And what happens when a genuinely awful person is compatible with somebody?" I asked. "Like an abuser. Or a criminal."

  "That can't happen," Edric said. "Or at least it hasn't happened in recorded history. Usually, people like that just end up alone."

  "And why do you have bride price, then?" I asked. "If nobody forces girls to do anything."

  "Raising a magical child is hard," Arlene said, "and costly, as you've already seen. Bride price is just compensation for that. Since the family loses a daughter."

  "We also have groom price," Edric said. "When the groom joins the bride's family. But that is exceedingly rare. It only happens when a family doesn't have sons."

  Bloody sexists.

  "Now that you know this," I said, "will you be OK with me continuing to work?"

  "Oh, we'll be delighted to have you taking care of Erynn, for as long as you want to," Moira said. "Emere and Ion were struggling so much with her. Even if you stay for three or four months only, it will help get Erynn through the most difficult phase. She'll be teething and growing her magical core. It's the worst time."

  "I have no intention of leaving," I said. "Not for the next few years, at least."

  Moira nodded, and the silence at the table was not so uncomfortable anymore.

  "What are you going to do this afternoon?" Arlene asked.

  "Well, I'd like to go around the house, see the park," I said.

  "It's a lovely day outside," Moira nodded. "Just remember to stay within the estate's perimeter. Aegisthus mentioned you need to stay in for your safety."

  "And how is the perimeter marked?" I asked.

  "It's a magical wall," Arlene said. "It's unmissable. You'll like the Kaffale estate. It's big enough you can get lost in here. You can call any of us if you do."

  "Thank you," I said. "And now, if you don't mind, I'll go."

  "I need to go to work," Edric said. "Mother, father, dear," he nodded to each of them, kissing his wife, and heading outside with me.

  Once outside, he stood on a big circular stone.

  "This is our portal," he explained to me, tapping something on it. "I'm indicating the coordinates now. You can only use the portal with the family's explicit permission. All your guests will need permission from one of us."

  "Thanks," I said, observing as he stood on the round stone, starting to disappear. "And have a nice day."

  The estate was huge, indeed. I only saw the perimeter once; it was a magical wall, invisible at first glance, but you could see the lack of movement between the two sides. There was a clear line with nothing growing on the soil. I also saw how the wind moved a feather, only for it to fall after hitting the invisible wall. I stared at it for a while, and then just turned, exploring the other paths in the garden.

  The estate included a manicured, small rose garden, which bored me after the first ten minutes I spent in it. But there was also a forest, wild and messy, with fallen trees, plenty of shrubs, and even animals (I saw what looked like a squirrel, and a rabbit).

  I'm a city girl, and I prefer to walk between houses, stores, cafes, seeing people walking by me. I couldn't do it now, for my safety, but at least I could get out. Listening to the birds, and the wind, ruffling the oak tree branches, smelling the slightly wet soil, and tasting the clean air, my mind could rest.

  I'd been studying so much lately, reading books upon books, trying to learn about this new world I would have to settle in. Thankfully, now that I wasn't bed-bound anymore, even if I was working the night shift, I could at least talk to people and get outside for a bit.

  Feel the sore muscles on my legs, untrained after a month of home confinement, and a week of bed rest. Enjoy the swishing of my skirt with the slight breeze and the steps I made. I had stopped wearing my jeans and short skirts in favor of the long, ankle-length dresses the women here used, because I wanted to blend in. And if I was going to become a local, I had to get used to wearing these clothes daily.

  Right now, it wasn't going very well, as the edges of my skirt were feeling heavy after absorbing all the water from the evening dew on the tall grass. I had to figure out how to do this without getting soaked all the time.

  When I went back to the house, wet and dirty, I felt happy. I struggled to unbutton the heavy, wet fabric before I took a bath, but, once my toes felt the sensation of the warm, soapy water, a shiver of pleasure went through my body. Being physical is so nice.

  I never thought about how much I enjoyed feeling my body, how alive it made me feel, moving things, feeling their weight, feeling my own hands, being able to touch and feel my skin. I'd been spending so much time at the Academy lately, learning magic in my ethereal form, that I missed all those simple things.

  I never appreciated it this much before.

  Nobody mentioned my supposed engagement at dinner anymore. They asked me how I liked their estate, and I praised the garden and the forest. After that, they moved to other topics, letting me seat through dinner quietly. When dinner was over, I went to the nursery, carrying a bag with books and notebooks. If Erynn was going to spend the night sleeping, I could read a bit.

  When I came in Erynn was crying again.

  "Shhh," I told the baby, gently rocking her in my arms. She cal
med down, although I could see she was so overexcited she couldn't calm herself and needed help. "Where is her pacifier?" I asked Emere.

  "Here," she said, grabbing it from the table and giving it to me. "But she has spat it out several times already."

  "Let's see if she accepts it now," I said, offering Erynn the pacifier. She frowned for a moment, but then she opened her mouth and started sucking, at first nervously, and then finally calming down.

  Emere was looking at me with awe.

  "I've been trying to calm her down," she said. "I fed her, changed her, tried singing… And as soon as you grab her, she calms down. How did you do this?"

  "I don't know," I shrugged, sitting on the armchair with Erynn in my lap. She was heavy, after all, and my legs were still sore after walking today. "She just calmed down."

  "I can see how you could read last night," Emere said. "Since she's so calm in your presence."

  "Is there something wrong with me reading?" I asked. It seemed like a complaint.

  "Oh, no, nothing wrong, as long as you don't ignore Erynn's needs. I just never get to read in her presence. Or do anything else, for that matter. She's usually hungry or crying most of the day, and the few moments she sleeps, I eat or rest myself."

  "Well, that's what you hired me for," I pointed out. "So you can rest."

  "Indeed," Emere nodded. "I just fed Erynn; when she wants to eat, you can come to my bedroom, like you did last night. I had the best sleep in weeks yesterday, thanks to you. Keep up the good work."

  It was really easy work. The baby was calm, sleeping for most of the time I was with her. But I was smart enough to know I shouldn't say anything like that to a frazzled mother who was barely holding to her marbles from sheer exhaustion.

  I smiled instead, rocking Erynn, and patting her back gently, as she started releasing bubbles from her mouth again.

  "Good night, Emere," I said. "Don't worry; I'll manage."