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“That’s it, right up there,” Soren shifted his barrel to one arm, pointing toward the expanse just beyond the library.
Between the bay, the males, and this strenuous walk, she’d been successfully distracted.She hadn’t thought about her gift, not until the library greens neared.
The festivities were in the midst of creation.
Mabelton Library was modest, made of brick like the path leading up to it. Stained-glass windows flanked the garland-decorated entryway. Its greens were vast, and full of marquee tents draped with gray linen canopies, braziers blazing, and witches scurrying around.
She hadn’t paid much mind to the Elemental soldiers on guard, not until they started lighting the lamps. As the sun drew closer, and the sky cast a golden hue, Thessa remembered it was called Summoning Day for a reason—it was supposed to happen during the day.
Leora may have come to the same realization; she eyed Thessa warily as they stepped onto the greens. They were quickly consumed by festival hosts, the Mabelton Society members, and were shuffled toward the food and beverage vendors.
Familiar smells of smoke and herbs filled her nose. Pigs and goats were roasting while cauldrons were boiling. One food tent was full of breads and cheese wheels, while another was packed with berry-topped cakes and chocolates.
Her mouth was watering.
She noted the next tent, stacked with elixirs and mood-benders, before getting distracted by the massive willow tree across the field, and the stage beside it. Musicians were tinkering with their flutes, fiddles, and enchanted amplifiers.
Slicing through her daze, Emiel wrapped his arms around their barrel, relieving her and Leora from duty. “Thank you. I’d like to offer you both some mead once everything is set up. On me, of course.”
Leora declined, “Thank you but we’ll be leaving.” She moved some of her chestnut curls out of her eyes; the longing in them was not lost on Thessa.
Thessa looked toward Emiel. “Mead sounds perfect, thank you.”
He smiled but looked confused.
Leora met her stare with a brow raised high. “Are you sure?”
Thessa nodded. She needed this. She hadn’t known that before, but she knew it now. Maybe her gift would call for her soon, but probably not. Jerking her head toward the weeping willow tree, she asked Leora, “Can we talk for a moment?”
“Sounds settled then. I’ll see you both soon.” Emiel winked at Leora before taking his exit.
Thessa watched the rosy color bloom on Leora’s cheeks as she watched him go. She gave it all of a moment before clearing her throat. “Shall we?”
Leora snapped out of her love spell and grabbed Thessa’s hand. “I was hoping you’d ask, let’s go.”
As they walked toward the old tree, witches holding trays of tulip-shaped glassware and buckets of ice hurried past them. Ice in Andera was harvested from the mountains in Greenshire, kept cool magically by the Elementals who transported their supply across Andera. After release from the army, work for Elementals varied. There were artistic avenues like fire dancers, glassblowers, and ice carvers, then the more practical applications, like cooking, lamp lighting, sailing, and blacksmithing. Others were hired by the most fortunate, contracted for heating and cooling their homes.
Thessa rested her shoulder against the furrowed bark and began. “I think we both know my gift isn’t coming, there’s barely any daylight left.” She gestured to the dimming sky between the swaying branches. “I feel somewhat relieved, in a way. I’ve been orphaned my whole life. I’ve always suspected my birthday may have been some placeholder, and now I know. So, I want to stay. I want to drink Emiel’s mead, and those mood-benders we saw, then I want to forget about mygift.” She shook her head, before adding, “At least for tonight.”
Leora forwent words and embraced Thessa.
The long, wispy tree branches swept around them as cooler, night air blew past. Their breath synchronized on an exhale before releasing their grasp.
Leora’s round eyes met Thessa’s with sincerity. “Thank you for talking to me, I can’t imagine how you feel. But when your day does come, I’m going to be right here. And I think enjoying the festival is a good idea, but when you’re ready to leave, you’ll let me know, okay?”
Thessa nodded, but she was certain of her decision: to stay and forget.
Leora continued, “Let’s go see about that Emiel—I mean mead.” She grinned wickedly.
11
LECTURE NOTES FROM HERBOLOGY 101:
Elixirs are herbal only, whereas potions are both herbal and charmed. Charms are a temporary form of magic, diminishing with a set time. They require a carrier, so an herbal liquid is common.
Today was not her birthday. How old was she? Who was she? Those were not questions Thessa needed to worry about this evening. She’d spent enough years doing that.
This night was for feeling less, or more, or something else—anything but her thoughts.