Page 61 of Pure Magic
“How would you know that?” His mother frowns and props her fists on her waist.
“I read the stories, Mum. The hart serves the fae king. Everyone knows the Northshire Woods hold the door to the fae world.” He rolls his eyes.
Laura laughs. “As impertinent as my nephew is, he’s not wrong. There are dozens of old stories about those woods disappearing for a hundred years and then coming back. They’ve been there for all my lifetime, but Mother said there was not one tree there when she was a girl.” She shrugs.
“What would the fae king care about any of this?” Adam asks.
It’s a fair question, but he’s not going to like the answer. “Balance. All these powers like balance in the worlds. Witches in the light also like balance, and so they don’t disturb that which should be. Your sister wants all the power for herself. If she gets the power here and in the world of the old gods, there will be little to stop her from searching for ways to attack the fae world next. I don’t know how many other worlds exist, but one is bound to lead to the next and the next.”
Laura’s eyes fill with sorrow. “When everything is so out of balance, it will all crumble. This sister of yours may think she’s winning, but literately, she and all she’s conquered will fall. What will be left behind will be rubble.”
Sitting on the arm of Laura’s chair, Lynda says, “From the rubble, they shall all begin again. We’re talking about the end of the world. At least the world as we know it.”
As I suspected, Adam is not happy with the ideas we’re putting forth. “So, if the world will rebuild, why should we mess with it? I can run, so I have no part in Ariana’s plan. If we’re lucky, we survive until she collapses this world. Then we rebuild. Why are the other worlds any of our business?”
With a wide smile, Laura watches Adam. “It’s interesting Goddess would pick a doubter as her champion.”
“Isn’t it?” I say, then take Adam’s hand. “It could take thousands of years for this world to rebuild, and the foundation would be shaken. The children of this world, like Isaac and ours, if we’re so blessed, would be left to grow in darkness. There are no guarantees any light would survive the fall of worlds.”
He looks from my eyes to my abdomen where he wishes a child were growing. “I want our children to live in the light of your magic.”
“I know you do.” My heart fills with love from him and for him.
“I suppose we have no choice but to go to the fae king’s woods and find the sacred hart.”
I love this man so much; I wish we were alone at this moment.
Laura clears her throat. “I don’t want to ruin your moment, but how did your sister find you, and how will you keep her from finding you again? The hart is sacred in all worlds. If it chooses to reveal itself to you, you’re bound to protect it.
“I imagine the fae king will be more than a little distressed should his hart be harmed by your sister and brother.”
Letting go of Adam’s hand, I sit back against the deep brown overstuffed cushion. “She didn’t know about the staff, that much was certain.”
Looking equally deflated, Adam adds, “But she was suspicious about us being here.”
“I hit her with my strongest spell, and she slumped.” Isaac stands taller.
“My spell got through as well.” Laura goes to the fire and adds a log. “She only protected herself against the two of you. Quite arrogant of her. I’m sure we hurt her, and Kaden too. They’ll need time to heal and recover.”
I stand. “High Priestess, I’m sorry to decline your offer of a meal, but I fear we must leave right away.”
Standing, Adam rubs the back of his neck. “We’ll settle up at the inn and get the horses, but Sara Beth is right. Our best chance is to go today before Ariana is healed.”
“We will pack and head toward Windsor,” Laura announces.
“Why would you do that?” I’m astonished and not sure what else to say.
She pulls her shoulders back and might be a queen, she’s so elegant. “If this world and others in the light need defending, this coven will stand. We’ll gather our witches and the other covens along the way. I wonder that the standing stones might not be the true destination.” She seems to say the last more to herself.
Of course. The stones have been doorways to other worlds. That’s why the old gods put them there. “They’ve not been used in centuries, but I think you’re right, Laura. We’ll come as soon as we have the item. If we’re not there by the third of March, we’ve been defeated.”
Laura takes my hand and pulls me into a brief hug. “You will be there.”
My heart thunders, and I feel more courageous from her belief in me. “We will do everything in our power to succeed.
When she releases me, she stares at Adam a long moment. “You may have to kill your siblings before this is over.”
“I know.” He keeps his gaze on her, but I feel his sorrow at the likely outcome for the MacNab children.
