Page 114 of Anywhere

“Dis be wha’ ya really want?” I asked.

“Yes, it is.” Mari squeezed my hand tighter, desperation in her eyes.

“Aye, I’ll stay, den, but I need ta bring me sister ‘ere, an’ any of da others in me coven if dey choose ta come,” I said.

I’d been leaning toward staying as my decision. The longer I thought about it, the more I saw the benefit for me and the coven women. There was a lot of good that could come from the power and protection that Rook and Rhys could offer. Keeva and the other women could learn to read. And we could learn to work with this world rather than hide from it. We could explore our power, and those who wanted to find a male partner could do so without fear or judgement.

But the final push I didn’t know I needed was the pleading look in Mari’s eyes. I didn’t want her to suffer. She was a kind soul who was fracturing inside. If this would give her some peace, then I’d do it. Letting myself trust the men was tough, but they hadn’t given me a reason to mistrust what they said. I also couldn’t deny that I wanted to keep Mari in my life and leaving meant that I’d lose her as well.

“Done. Whoever you’re wanting to come here can.”

“Rhys gonna be okay wit dem all goin’ ta where we are headin’?”

Mari tilted her head slightly as she stared at me with obvious confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Rook said dat we be movin’ ta a different castle. A Glen somethin’.”

Mari sighed, and the corner of her mouth curled up. “Rhys is moving you all to Glentruan. That explains why all the servants were moving boxes around. This is a good thing. It means he’s decided to take over as head of the McGregor family. He is becoming who he always should’ve been.” She stood from the bench, and I rose with her. “Yes, Rhys would be fine with them going to Glentruan. It’s a bigger castle and has a lot more room for your coven if they choose to come.”

“I’za love dat, but does dat mean I’ma no gonna see ya anymore?” I asked, but Mari smiled.

“No, you will still see me, just not daily.” Mari stared around the ballroom like she was watching ghosts that only she could see. “Did you want to see something else here at the castle?”

“Aye, cannie we go out ta da gardens?” I asked.

“Yes, it’s a beautiful day for a walk outside. I go at some point every day anyway to visit with my ma. I wish she’d show herself to me like she did to you,” Mari said as she hooked my arm in hers.

We didn’t go back the way we’d come and instead walked out another set of large glass doors that led to the gardens around back.

“I dinnie know how ya keep straight where all da rooms and doors be,” I commented as we stepped outside into the fresh air.

“Honestly, I still can’t remember what half the rooms are for,” she whispered, and I laughed.

We strolled along the path, and I took a moment to appreciate the different colours that kept the garden in perfect balance. Even though it was late in the season, the flowers all looked like they’d just begun to bloom. A loud chatter caught my attention, and I looked up to see Barry telling off a larger grey squirrel.

“Be nice, Barry. Dis was dere home ‘fore we arrived,” I called out.

Both squirrels looked at me, then scampered off, which made me laugh. It was cute to see him socializing with more than just me.

I loved having him, but it had to be lonely. I got the feeling he didn’t have anyone, which was why he stowed away with me.

“Da gardens be spelled?” I asked as we walked by a tree producing buds and small flowers that would normally have happened months ago.

“Yes, my ma spelled the gardens long ago. She hated that they all died off over winter, and she didn’t have a spot to walk. So this entire area remains like it is spring all year. Snow won’t gather on the ground, and when the flowers reach the end of their cycle, they start all over again.”

“Dat be a pretty incredible spell. Yer ma musta been powerful.”

“She was. I loved her a lot. Her death was sudden illness and tragic, and I didn’t know if any of us were going to get over it.”

We stepped into the open area with the pink and yellow rose bushes and the walkway that led to the statue of Mari’s ma.

“Mari, I’za wanna give ya a gift.”

“A gift? Why?”

“Because ya’ve been really nice ta me, and yer da first girl other than me sister that I would call friend,” I pulled her over to the statue. “I’za ‘ave a power dat has been wit me as long as me can remember. Spirits would whispa in me ears, but since comin’ here, dat has gotten…more.” I lifted my arms and squeezed me arm muscles, making Mari smile.

“Stronger,” she said for me.