Page 6 of Charmed

Corbin’s eyes widened with delight. “What other spells could he perform?”

His innocent inquiry only stoked my own curiosity I fought to suppress, one I had few answers for, considering I hadn’t allowed myself to ask the wizard the questions I’d yearned to. “I’m not sure.” I hesitated. “If I had magic, what powers do you think I’d possess?”

His brow furrowed in concentration before he smiled. “You’re always happy, even when things are hard; you always make me feel better just from being near me, whatever you cook is extra delicious, and you tell the best stories.”

Could such simple things truly be magic? While I doubted his observations indicated I truly possessed power, his words caused my heart to swell and I loved him all the more for them.

“I’ve never considered such things to be magic, but it makes me happy I can do anything to bring you joy.” I gave him a snuggle. “Would you like to sit in the kitchen while Mother and I finish preparing dinner?”

At his enthusiastic nod, I carefully lifted his thin body, cradling him in my arms as I carried him into the next room. Mother kissed the top of his head in greeting as I settled him in a chair near the hearth, ensuring he was close enough to enjoy its warmth even beneath his layers of blankets. Once I was assured he was comfortable, I assisted Mother with her preparations, beginning with the mushrooms.

I frowned into the basket. The contents had been as I’d left them when I’d gone to check on Corbin…with one obvious alteration. I held one aloft, drawing my family’s gaze. Corbin giggled in delight and Mother gasped. “I’ve never seen such a large mushroom. It almost seems…unnatural, especially considering to my limited knowledge the woods aren’t enchanted.”

I pursed my lips. “Indeed.”

Though the wizard wasn’t nearby—unless the scoundrel was currently invisible, a possibility I couldn’t entirely dismiss—his amusement at yet another successful trick stretched across the distance separating us. I could almost hear the smug explanation he’d likely render were he present—using magic to create larger mushrooms meant the food I foraged would last longer, with the added benefit that I could perform this longevity spell even from a distance, as he’d so aptly demonstrated.

I was grateful the mysterious wizard wasn’t nearby so I wouldn’t be forced to lie that I didn’t find such a spell useful when in my heart I knew it was. Yet even the chance to use my magic in such a way wasn’t enough to convince me to accept his offer, not when an apprenticeship would separate me from the family who needed me far more than they needed the extra food or the convenience of making my chores easier.

I bit my lip to suppress a sigh as I took up my knife to prepare these engorged mushrooms for the stew bubbling over the hearth.

Mother gnawed her lip as she cast the unusual fungi a wary sidelong glance. “They’re not poisonous, are they?”

That was unlikely, even for a wizard determined to drive me mad. I shook my head and Mother’s shoulders relaxed before she took up her own knife to assist me.

The evening passed with us working side by side, conversing with Corbin from his cheerful nearby perch. When the soup was nearly finished and Mother had just pulled a fragrant loaf of bread from the oven, I took up the bucket to draw fresh water from the well for us to enjoy with our supper.

The garden was aglow in sheens of slanted light from the setting sun, casting a dancing layer of gold across the herbs and vegetables growing in tidy rows. The evening spring breeze felt pleasant against my cheeks, damp after standing so near the hearth. I hummed as I drew the water and headed back to the cottage.

“Did you find the engorgement spell useful?”

I startled and sloshed half of the bucket down my front, drenching me in a chill that seeped through the fabric. The wizard who’d suddenly appeared at my side was instantly remorseful.

“My apologies. Here, allow me.” With a low murmur, he swiveled his finger in a circular motion to summon a small handful of wind, which he guided in my direction to dry my soaked blouse.

I could only stare, trying not to betoocurious about something that had no place in my ordinary life…but the lure was impossible to entirely ignore, especially when it stoked my ever-present curiosity from a flame into a roaring blaze that was becoming more and more difficult to stifle.

“You can control the elements?” The question escaped before I could contain it; I bit back a growl of frustration as the wizard’s eyes met mine with a knowing gleam.

His lips curled upward, somewhat mischievously, as if he’d purposely chosen such a spell to pique my interest, leaving me to wonder whether he’d startled me on purpose so he’d have a reason to demonstrate.

“Controlisn’t the correct word; nothing is strong enough to control the elements—they’re an entity entirely their own. However, magic is a tool we can use to manipulate them to an extent, especially the more we understand them. It’s like building a relationship—the deeper the trust, the more cooperative the elements become, and the more willing to do one’s bidding.”

He patiently finished drying my wet clothes before tucking the gentle breeze away as if he was pocketing the force rather than having borrowed it from the air.

“Imagine how much more efficient it’d be to dry clothes this way rather than hang them on the line.”

He didn’t need to prompt the thought, not when my imagination had already conjured several uses for magical wind…but I was too proud to admit such a thing. I couldn’t allow my desires to sway me, ones already difficult to resist when he repeatedly tantalized me with hints for what awaited me should I accept the offer that still seemed far too good to be true.

He likely would have pressed the matter further if Mother hadn’t chosen that moment to peer outside the ajar window. “Are you talking with someone?”

Her eyes widened with curiosity and surprise, and it was no wonder. Our home was nestled amongst the trees with no near neighbors; while we technically were part of the small nearby village, my parents had chosen to build our home in a more secluded spot. Hence we’d never truly assimilated into village life, though we were friendly with the others when we on occasion crossed paths. However this was a rather rare occurrence as we often had little time for anything other than providing for ourselves and caring for Corbin.

I spun around to face the wizard, but once more he’d vanished. “I was practicing a story to tell Corbin over supper.”

Her puzzled expression relaxed into a gentle smile. “He’ll be delighted. I’m looking forward to hearing it myself now that dinner is ready.” She ducked back inside the house.

Though the wizard was seemingly nowhere to be found either in our garden or the surrounding forest, I sensed his heated gaze following me as I carried the bucket—now full, the wizard having replaced the water he’d spilled without my notice—into the cottage.

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