Page 45 of Spirit Stones

“She?”

“Aye.”

Sheona was bone tired, but she could not stop staring at the wonderful bundle lying by her side. She recalled the voice with tears forming in her eyes. The enchantress had said her mother would only contact her if she wanted to. All the years of contact from other spirits, and her mother never had. Untiltoday.

Some of us only have so much time with you, love. I can hear your thoughts. I knew my time with you would be short and so I waited until the time would come when you would need me the most—when you couldn’t find any more of the strength you carry inside. Then I would give you mine. And now it is depleted. I cannot come to you again. But know I will always love you with all of myheart.

Sheona sobbed. She missed her mother so much. Now she was a mother herself. She prayed that her little one would not have to suffer without the parents who loved her so very much on thisday.

“We will have to find a name that suits her. Something that shows herstubbornness—”

“Like herfather.”

“—and herstrength—”

“Like herfather.”

“—and her beauty. Like hermother.”

Sheonasmiled.

“We should call her after ourmothers.”

“Aye, I will not challenge you on that. What was yourscalled?”

“Lair. Andyours?”

“Moira.”

“Moira Lair MacDonald. What a beautiful name for a beautiful weelass.”

“Aye, that she is. Thankyou.”

“Forwhat?”

“For letting me abduct you and giving me such a gift as MoiraLair.”

Sheona laughed. “She will have many brothers and sisters I hope. Though I do not look forward to labouring withthem.”

The maids returned and ushered Malcolm from the room again. A wet nurse took the babe and the others washed Sheona from head to toe and changed the linens on her bed. She felt much better once the sweat and grime from the birth was washed away. Her whole being felt lighter, as though this one child would make a difference in all things tocome.

After they were finished, Malcolm was allowed to return. The wet nurse had finished with little Moira and Sheona was sitting up in bed with renewed strength. Hearing from her mother had filled her well of courage. She would need to be abed for a time after the birth, but she was certain they would both come through healthy and she couldn’t behappier.

The wet nurse passed the baby to her. Wide blue eyes looked around to focus on something and when her eyes met her mother’s she locked onto her. Sheona wastransfixed.

“What is this?” Malcolmasked.

Sheona did not look up; she was too mesmerized by the colours passing through her daughter’s eyes; colours she’d seen before, but couldn’t quiterecall.

“This pouch. It feels like there’s something inside. Stonesmaybe.”

That comment drew Sheona’s attention away from little Moira. “Showme.”

Malcolm passed the leather pouch to Sheona and as soon as it hit her hands she knew what was inside. She hadn’t thought about the stones or the enchantress in many years. But how did the colours pass through her daughter’seyes?

And where had the pouch come from? The enchantress had said she couldn’t keep thestones.

The stones and the child come from another realm. You could not take them then because they tied this child to you. She was always meant to be yours and will share yourgifts.

Sheona recognized the enchantress’s voice straightaway.

Your mother could not contact you earlier because she was being prepared to re-enter this world. She has become your wee one, Sheona. Your mother’s spirit will be with you always as you are both bound in this world and the other. Any human or otherworldly form cannot break your bond. You will remain togetherforever.

“Where did the stones come from?” Malcolmasked.

“They are a gift from my mother,” she said. She was grateful Malcolm did not ask any further questions. For the next few minutes she watched the brilliant colours fade from her bairn’s eyes as her spirit emerged into thisworld.

The child blinked, then her eyes turnedblue.