“Does Derek know you’re using magic in here?” I ask.
She snickers. “Not yet. It may be my tiny secret with Wiggles. But I don’t think he’ll mind a little twinkling.”
“He’ll warm up to the idea. After the commotion of the children’s return, we didn’t get to chat about how you feel now. You must be floating on a cloud.”
She smiles, admiring the sparkling stars above. “I am. And I’m so grateful the universe blessed me with this gift of life.”
The corners of her mouth dip, and she grimaces. She lays a hand on her belly, staring at it as if she’s experiencing discomfort. I wrap an arm around her shoulders.
“What’s wrong, Ronnie? Are you hurting?”
“I realize I have no reason to feel like this. But a sense of dread still clutches at my heart. I can’t explain it.”
“It’s normal to react like this. You’re going to be a mom, so you better get used to it. That feeling never leaves. I still worry about Tyler.”
“Well, fuck that. I didn’t sign up for the continually stressed mom division.”
I laugh and give her a squeeze. “You’ll find your own path, I’m sure.”
“I damn well better. Because I hate this daily dose of doomsday intuition. When does the fun start?”
“Soon, friend. Count your days of independence, because they’re flitting away.”
Ronnie waves her amber magic at the stars one more time, and they glimmer. “Sometimes freedom is overrated.”
Her words remind me of the conversation I had with Archie before I left. She’s right. Maybe it’s worth the compromise?
Aidan isn’t a problem at all Monday afternoon or following dinner when I return. He plays games with me, whining very little. He even entertains himself for a while, to my chagrin. I’m enjoying this new role as a substitute grandmother. I wonder why Ashley hasn’t mentioned grandparents on either side, hers or her dead husband’s. How odd. But it’s not my business. There could be family issues of estrangement, and I won’t pry.
My witch’s intuition recognizes no magic residue or evidence of Nuada’s presence around Aidan. At least for now, he appears safe. Ashley doesn’t need to stress over the kidnappers, and I won’t have to approach Jeff about the issue. After a quick bath, I put Aidan to bed.
“You were such a good boy today,” I say, stroking his blond hair. “And I hear you went to a few play groups with other little boys and girls. Did you have fun?”
“Yes, Miss Gwyn. We laugh a lot. They don’t have invisible hands like you.”
I chuckle. “No. They probably don’t.”
“Miss Gwyn? I have invisible hands?” He raises his hand and waves it in the air.
Holy crystals. How do I answer this question? “I don’t think so, Aidan.”
He giggles. “I think I can.” He waves both of his hands around.
Oh, my gods. I should have never used magic to discipline the boy. But I have to humor him now. “You can always try.”
“Mommy says I shouldn’t.” He yawns and stretches his arms.
What a strange answer. He must be confused. “You need to go to sleep now. Goodnight, Aidan.”
“Night, Miss Gwyn.” He closes his angelic blue eyes and rolls over onto his stomach.
While I wait for Ashley and Jeff to return from the concert, I flip through a few Welsh reference books left out on the dining room table. I pick up a lone book with a tattered spine and skim through stories of fairies, stumbling upon a few about the Tylwyth Teg. One story tells of fairy maidens who dance, make rings, and live under the water. They’re enamored with those who have golden hair, sometimes becoming wives of human men. But they must avoid touching iron…
The doorknob rattles, and the two young lovers enter, deep in discussion over the performance. Ashley notices me holding her reference and rushes to me. Jeff’s eyes widen.
“What are you doing?” She takes the book from me and presses it over her heart. “I didn’t mean to be rude. This is a personal copy of stories my husband gave me.”
“I’m sorry. I supposed the book was one of your school references. But I understand why you cherish it so much. It is a wonderful collection of Welsh folklore, especially the stories on the Tylwyth Teg.” My gut pinches, and a slight aura whooshes over me. But my intuition points nowhere.
She averts her eyes. “Yes. My husband wanted me to have the collection because of his ancestry.”
“Ashley, I have a few questions about the Tylwyth Teg. If you have time in the future to discuss them with me, I’d love to learn more.”
“I…um…I don’t think I’ll have time until the semester is over. Do you mind waiting?”
“Of course. No rush.”
Jeff locks eyes with Ashley. “Gwyn, would you like me to give you a ride home? It’s freezing out there.”
“No. I don’t have far to go, and I need to get my steps in today.” I grab my purse and head to the door.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” Ashley says with a crack in her voice. “Did Aidan have any trouble going to bed?”
I turn around. “No. He closed his eyes and went right to sleep. He was sweet. I hope you enjoyed the concert.”
“It was amazing,” Jeff says, messing with his wavy brown hair. “I hadn’t heard most of those instruments before.”
