Page 10 of Shifting Winds
A second fox darted into the clearing. He ran in circles around the swing as the female cracked open an eye, pretending not to watch, then he skulked along the ground until the swing came back at the perfect angle.
In one lithe move, the fox hopped onto the same swing, quickly curling around the female. Hearts bubbled up over their heads as the female reached up to nuzzle the male’s muzzle.
Tess popped into the room with a slight puff of air and a flash of light. Ash and I startled.
“New trick?” I eyed Ash.
“Yes. It’s fun.” His tone was clipped, and he gave Tess a dark look. “She’s figuring things out as she goes along.”
Uh oh. Trouble in paradise?
“So cute.” Tess floated over to stand by Ash. “Those foxes are adorable.”
“Thanks. I thought about putting a woman in the swing, but I couldn’t figure out how to do it.” I shrugged. “It’s easier for me to use botanicals and forest scenes.”
Tess’s brow furrowed. “I could help you. Every time I send a soul on, I retain a tiny piece of their essence. You’ll need it to animate something like this.”
I’d been fussing with one of the blooms on the automaton when she spoke. My hands froze. “Why do I learn something new and unnerving about you every time you say something?”
Tess lifted a pale shoulder. “Maybe you don’t ask me enough questions.”
And with that the banshee floated away, leaving me completely perplexed. I sank into my chair and stared at Ash.
Neither of us said anything for a while. I finally laughed. “Is she like that at home?”
Ash rubbed the space between his brows. “Have you ever met someone you liked so much but just didn’t get?”
“Pretty much every day.”
A faint smile crossed his face. “She has such an effervescent, open joy sometimes, and it makes me feel…” He inhaled. “Glorious.”
I sensed there was a big but coming and waited.
“But she’s a banshee. Death is her purpose. It’s anathema to someone like me.” He rubbed a hand through his hair and slumped onto a chair next to me.
I slung an arm over his shoulder and drew him into a one-armed hug. “I’m not sure what to say. Love is complicated. Simple words, but they encompass the tangled morass of the heart, I think. If I can give you one piece of advice…”
He exhaled and gave me a short nod.
My heart broke for him. “If you can’t see yourself with her for the long haul, you need to cut the cord sooner rather than later.”
“And the shop?”
I’d been thinking about that the moment those two started making googly eyes at each other. “We’re all friends. We’ve been together a long time. I think of this in two opposite ways. First, we’re all adults and we love each other. If you’re both mature about it, I don’t see a reason why we can’t all continue working together. Second, everything changes. Even when we don’t want it to. As much as I’d hate for us to split up, I never expected us to be together forever. Even if I really want it that way.”
He leaned his head on my shoulder. “I love her, you know.”
“I know you do.”
We sat that way for a while until Ash slid his chair away and stood. “Mind if we have the rest of the day off?”
I flicked my fingers at him. “As long as you bring us Brewtide Beans tomorrow.”
“Done. I’ll even throw in some muffins.”
“Even better. Now go home.” My face softened. “And Ash, be careful with Tess. As strong as she is, she’s also fragile. You are her first…everything.”
He swallowed. “Of course.” Ash paused at the door. “But just so you know, it never went all the way. Maybe that will make this easier.”
