Page 91 of The Hocus Pocus Handbook

“I think I understand. So I can eat fae food for now, but if I linger for a long time, there might come a tipping point where I’d have absorbed so much fae magic that I wouldn’t be able return either.”

“Precisely. But for your purposes, that would require decades of meals in mortal timekeeping.”

“An excellent explanation. I’ve jumped into the deep end without my usual planning, and I want to be useful or, at the very least, not to cause complications.”

“A worthy aspiration,” I say, smiling.

I like Thea’s sister. As Thea does, Olive cares with her whole heart. In rare sympathy for another soul, at least one who isn’t Thea, I see Olive out. She waves as she heads down the hallway, presumably to find Taragon. I haven’t seen any of the others since we separated, and I’m surprised to find that I feel concerned, particularly about Govannon. I coaxed him out of that blasted tree twice over, so I search for him to ensure that he’s well.

After asking four castle staff members, I find the gnome ensconced in a small reading room. The copper-and-gold theme is understated here, mainly repeated in the delicately patterned rug. Govannon glances up as I enter; he has metallic pieces arrayed on the table in front of him. I’m pleased to find him clean, hair and beard tidily trimmed, and wearing a dapper new suit.

“You look well,” I observe.

“I’m trying to decide if I should try to reach the Summer market on my own. With the patrols and the conflict…” He doesn’t look eager for another adventure.

I don’t blame him; he must be wild with missing Ragh, however, and I imagine he’s frightened of getting lost again. Perhaps those are problems I can solve.

“I could send a message, advising Ragh that he’s needed urgently as a character witness in the quorum proceedings. If I said Thea needs him to speak on her behalf, I think he’d come.”

Govannon nods at once. “That’s brilliant. While he might seem gruff, he has the kindest heart. Once he decides you’re one of his, he never wavers.”

In the desk against the far wall, I locate stationery and writing implements. I settle in, crafting a message that should draw a certain brownie out of the courtyard he’s guarded all this time, waiting for his true love to return. The prospect of reuniting two star-crossed lovers fills me with delight, and I hope with all my heart that I live long enough to see this plan come to fruition.

“There, that should do it. I’ll dispatch the message with one of Zeph’s crows right away. You’ll see Ragh presently, my friend.”

Though my heart may soon be broken, I’ll take this happy ending in trade.

41

A Spell for Reunions and Revelry

Just as people leave your life, there will also be joyful returns. If there’s someone you can’t wait to see, this spell nudges things along so you’re reunited sooner rather than later. I’ve written before about balance, but this working doesn’t borrow from future happiness. Someone who loves you will always want to see you, so it doesn’t contribute to energies becoming unbalanced. This only greases the wheels and makes your desired outcome more probable. A word of warning—if you put too much force behind this working, it could become a portal spell, and you might startle someone nearly to death if you drop a vortex on them.

This charm has two parts, one to encourage the reunion, and provided the first half works, you finish with your loved one, a joint charm to celebrate seeing each other again. It’s important to mark those moments and count your blessings.

This one is best cast when you first awaken, and go gentle with your concentration. For the wishing-for-reunion part, you’ll need:

Chalcedony, hematite, jasper

Hold the gems in your hand, and touch them to your heart. Focus on the person you’re longing to see, and speak aloud whatever truth you’d share with them if the universe delivered them to you. (Try not to literally open a portal.) If the spell roots correctly, they’ll feel the call and make their way to you as soon as possible. Hint: If you want them to hear your voice, speak near any body of water, as sprites love to gossip.

Once the reunion occurs, invite your loved one to cast the count-your-blessings part with you. For this, you’ll require:

Chicory and cinnamon

Clean water

The joint spark of your magic

A copper teapot and clay cups

Together, brew the herbs into a tea, and drink the entire pot while catching up on all the moments that you’ve missed. It may seem like small magic, but when you’re done, the pot will be empty, and your hearts will be full.

Nerys and Shereth send their love.

Thea

Leaving the suite this morning was agonizing.