“I mean right this minute. I want to know how you are.”
“Fit and fine, as you see. Planting pansies today, as they’ll take the cool, and it’s been cool this spring. And cabbage, of course, and a bit of this and that. You’re teaching her well, Branna, as she tells me. And you, Connor.”
“She learns well. And she’s needed.” Branna reached out a hand, took Nan’s. “I want to say to you, you were right to send her, right to give her the amulet. I’m grateful to you.”
“No need for that. It’s ours to do. It’s our blood.”
“It is, and it will be. He’s stronger now that the three are together, but we’re stronger yet. I’m sorry we can’t have a proper visit.” Branna rose. “But she’s only begun on this skill.”
“Even a moment is a great treat. You take care, my girl. And keep your heart and your mind open, Iona. That’s when the best come into them.”
“I remember.” She kissed Nan’s cheek, hugged her hard. “I’ll come back if I can.” On impulse, she took a lemon from the bowl. She felt its skin against her palm and, lifting it, caught its scent. “I know it’s silly, but can I take this with me? Is that possible?”
“Let’s find out.” Branna took her hand, and when Iona pushed the lemon in her pocket, Connor the other.
“We’ve missed you back home, Cousin Mary Kate,” Connor told her.
“And I you. You’ll take me hawking one day soon, won’t you, Connor?”
“It’ll be a pleasure to me.”
“Tell your mother, and hers, when you see them, I look forward to a good gossip in person.”
“Come to the Dark Witch,” Branna told Nan. “There’ll be a fire burning for you, and the kettle on the boil.”
“I will, and thanks. My love goes with all of you, and every hope with it.”
“Bye, Nan. I love you.”
And again, she lifted, floated. Flew.
18
SHE FELT AMAZING, AND STILL BRANNA PUSHED A POTION ON HER.
“Your first time. It’s best if you level it out a bit now.”
“Can I do it again?”
Branna quirked her eyebrows while Connor grabbed two more cookies. “Now?”
“No, not this minute. I mean can I do it? Am I capable? On my own?”
“Connor and I were just along for the ride, you could say.” She stepped over to check her candles. “Helping you prepare, then going along to see you through.”
“Like being on a learner’s permit?”
“Sorry?”
“Learning to drive a car—I really have to deal with getting a car. It always gets pushed back, but . . . I am a little buzzed,” she admitted, and drank the potion.
“Learning to drive.” Connor considered, nodded. “Like that in a sense, yes. Where you need supervision until you can handle it on your own.”
“At least one of us
should go with you when you try again.”
“You sort of hypnotized me.”