Page 75 of A Bolt of Magic

“Are you sure? I don’t have much experience with babies. The last time I tended a baby was when I was fourteen summers old. It feels like a whole lifetime ago.”

“You’ll be just fine.” Maya smiles, carefully transferring Maxwell to my arms. “All you have to do is support his head.” I do as she says. “That’s it. Perfect. I’ll be right back.”

The weight of him is surprisingly substantial for someone so small, and the warmth of his little body against my chest is immediately comforting. His eyes are open, a deep blue that Maya says might change as he grows. He stares up at me with that same intense awareness I’d noticed before.

“Hello, little one,” I whisper, adjusting my hold until he’s settled comfortably in the crook of my arm. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”

Maxwell makes a soft cooing sound, as if he’s trying to respond, and one of his tiny hands escapes from the blanket to wave aimlessly in the air. I offer him my finger, and his grip closes around it with surprising strength.

“You’re going to be strong like your father,” I tell him softly. “And kind like your mother. You’re so lucky to have them, Maxwell. They love you more than anything in this world.”

He blinks slowly, those blue eyes never leaving my face.

“He likes you,” Maya says, returning with something clutched in her hands. She puts it in the pocket of her apron. “Look how calm he is.”

I glance down at Maxwell, who does indeed seem content in my arms. “He’s wonderful, Maya. You and Orion must be so proud.”

“We are.” She settles back into her chair, and I reluctantly transfer Maxwell back to his mother, where he belongs. He immediately begins rooting around, making hungry sounds. “This boy takes after his father with his appetite.” Maya laughs, adjusting her bodice to feed him again. “I swear he would eat all day if I let him.”

“He’s a growing boy.”

“He is, indeed.”

Once the little one is settled and nursing, Maya reaches into the pocket of her apron and pulls out a small velvet pouch, offering it to me.

“What is this?” I ask, taking the soft pouch with curiosity.

“Open it and find out.”

I untie the drawstring and gasp as a beautiful gold necklace spills into my palm. The chain is delicate but well-made. Hanging from it is a pendant with a stone I don’t recognize.

“It’s so beautiful,” I whisper, looking at the deep blue shot through with veins of silver that seem to shimmer in the light. “I can’t accept this.” I shake my head, looking into Maya’s blue eyes that are the exact same shade as her son’s.

“You can and you will. You saved my life. More importantly, you saved Maxwell’s life. There aren’t words for that kind of gratitude. You need to know that I have come to see you as a friend, McColl.”

My throat tightens with emotion as I study the pendant more closely. The craftsmanship is exquisite, clearly made by someone with considerable skill.

“The stone is a starlight crystal. They’re rare,” Maya explains. “My grandmother always said it offers protection to the wearer, keeps them safe on long journeys. I can’t think of anyone who needs that more than you right now. Kian, perhaps, but he wouldn’t accept a pretty trinket like that.” She laughs softly.“Orion went into town especially to trade for the necklace. It is a gift from the two of us to you.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice thick. “This means more to me than you know. Your friendship, too.”

“You’re always welcome in our home, McColl. Always. No matter what happens, you have a place here.” Maya’s expression is sincere, warm in a way that makes my chest ache. “As far as Orion and I are concerned, you’re family now.”

The word “family” hits me unexpectedly hard. When was the last time someone made me feel like I belonged somewhere, like I was wanted just for being myself?

With slightly trembling fingers, I fasten the necklace around my throat. The crystal settles just below my collarbone, and I can feel its weight, not heavy but present.

“It’s perfect,” I say, touching the pendant gently. “I know this is going to sound crazy, but I missed the weight of the amulet, even though the thing was pure evil.”

Maya laughs. “I had noticed your hand going to your throat every so often, looking for something that wasn’t there.”

Then she reaches into her apron again and withdraws a second, larger pouch. This one is leather and clearly filled with something that rustles when she moves it.

“And this? You can’t give me anything else.” I shake my head. “I can’t accept it because it’s too much.” I try to give it back to her, but she shakes her head.

“I insist.” She smiles. “This one is more practical and far less pretty.”

I untie this pouch and peer inside. It’s filled with what looks like crushed leaves and bark. The scent that wafts up is bitter and earthy, with an underlying note that is familiar.

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