Page 33 of With This Witch
* * *
Gammy’s house is bustling with activity when Petra arrives. The house, normally quiet, is bursting with all sorts of mystical and magical beings. As she works her way through the large home trying to locate Gammy, Petra passes faeries, gnomes, shifters, and she’s pretty sure someone who is part giant. As far as Petra knows, there was no event planned for today, so seeing so many beings here is surprising.
Finally locating Gammy out in the garden, surrounded by gnomes and fae, Petra stops, standing back as she takes in the scene and the story Gammy is in the midst of sharing.
“See, my friends, there was a time when we were not allowed to gather in celebrations such as this. Many rules existed that prevented large gatherings of magical creatures, let alone smaller mixed groups. There was great fear about what would happen should our powers combine. I believe there was also fear that we may actually like each other and decide to work together against the controlling council at the time—but you didn’t hear that from me,” she stage-whispers, earning a ripple of laughter from her audience. “What the council didn’t know was that our community was already meeting and mingling in secret. This led to many of the great and lasting bonds that we see today. For example, the witches and fae have long relied on connections with each other, the fae sharing their abilities in nature and growing plants, and the witches providing their experience with potions and salves for healing. A wonderful partnership that would not exist today if not for those rebels. It is with this and many other rebel partnerships in mind that we gather here today to celebrate who we are and the bonds we hold so dear.” A resounding applause erupts as Gammy finishes, which Petra happily joins.
Gammy looks up and finally notices Petra standing in the distance, a broad, warm smile breaking across her loving face. As the group separates, moving on to other areas in the garden and home, Petra steps toward Gammy, observing her slightly tired expression, an added slump in her posture, and the cane resting on the stones beside her. Gammy conjures a chair and slowly sits.
“Hi, Gammy. That was a wonderful tale,” Petra says, leaning down and kissing her grandmother on the cheek before sitting on the low stone wall beside her.
“Thank you, darling.”
“I didn’t know all this was going on today. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I knew you were working today, and I didn’t want you to feel obligated to take time off. Plus, I knew you were stopping by so you would see it anyway. It is such a wonderful way to mingle with community members and let your presence as the next Premier Witch be known,” Gammy explains.
“You still could have told me. I was a little surprised when I pulled up and there was a flood of people here.”
“Sorry, darling. Next time I will be sure to let you know in advance.” Petra goes to nod in acceptance, but then realizes she doesn’t know if there will actually be a next time. It’s only been a little over a month since Gammy shared she was sick, and from the looks of it, she is already deteriorating. The thought of not having Gammy here creates a tightening sensation in Petra’s chest, like a hand has found its way past her ribs and is gripping any organ it can find.
“Love, are you alright?” Gammy asks, placing a comforting hand on Petra’s leg.
“Yes,” Petra replies, clearing her throat. “Yes. Sorry. Anyway, how are you doing?”
“Better now that my granddaughter is here.”
“You look tired after all this excitement. Do you want some help going somewhere to lie down?”
Gammy waves her off. “No, no, I’m fine. Tell me, how have your first few days as a married witch been?”
A strange blush rises, causing Petra’s cheeks to warm. She and Lachlan haven’t done anything so she really has no need to blush, but the idea of being married, and then thinking of who she’s married to, seems to be enough to set her off. It’s as if she’s a teenager again, trying to hide the naughty things she did from her Gammy. “It’s been… an adjustment.”
Gammy tilts her head, examining Petra. “Is that good or bad?”
Petra hesitates. It’s not horrible, but it’s also different. She’s never lived with someone other than family. “It’s a bit strange,” Petra says. “This is a new thing for me, and we are still figuring out how it’s going to work between us with us living together.”
“How would you like it to work?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never lived with someone before, so I’m not really sure of how this is supposed to work,” Petra says, looking down at her feet as she swings them. “And I don’t want to risk our friendship, and I think we need to make sure to keep that intact. But…” Petra trails off.
“But what?” Gammy asks, the corner of her mouth quirking up.
“But I feel there’s a thread between us. A connection that binds us together.”
“Maybe there is?”
Petra looks at Gammy, taking in this woman who has guided her throughout her life. “What would that mean, though?”
“It means the Fates have something bigger in mind for you two, my dear. It is best not to question these things and just follow the road before you.”
Maybe all of this, this challenge to prove herself, to show commitment to her world and the Premier Witch role is for something bigger. If only she knew what that something was.
* * *
“You ready?” Lachlan calls from the hallway.
“Just gotta put shoes on,” Petra calls back, running past the sexy demon in a suit. She feels her nerves slip into place and the tension held in her body as she slides her boots on. The last time she was at a council meeting, she ended up married to Lachlan, which, while so far not at all bad, wasn’t exactly what she had in mind for her life at the time. “Good to go,” she says, standing up and fixing her shirt and coat.
