by April Wood
“Really?” She fell back in her chair and smiled broadly. It was almost as if she hadn’t received a beating last night. She was tranquil almost as if the world was going to be okay now. I couldn’t believe my strange encounter had done all that to her.
“Are you going to tell me why all the questions?”
“Not now. Aidan is on his way back home. He will be pissed if he sees you here. Go out the back door. Don’t worry I promise I will explain what is going on. For now trust me, it’s a good thing,” she smiled warmly. Then she put up her hands to shoo me out the door. As I walked down the path toward home I could hear Aidan approaching. I wondered how she knew he was coming. There was no way she could have heard him that far away.
When I arrived back home it was already noon time. My mother was in the house frantically cleaning. Father would be home for dinner, but not before. I wasn’t sure why Aidan was coming home early, but I wasn’t confused for long. Sitting on the porch rocking back and forth in my chair, I could hear her crying again. The thought of him beating her again was more than I could bare. My lips pursed together and let out a sigh deep and long from my lungs. As it left me the leaves on my lawn started to kick up. It was more than something the wind would do. They almost danced toward the road. As they kept going I saw the direction they were headed. It was right to my brother’s house. When they reached the house the crying stopped. It just stopped. I stood up and looked in that direction. My hand clung to the middle post on my porch for dear life. My heart was pounding and my blood was flowing hard through my veins. Seconds later I saw my brother ride by on his horse. He was wiping blood away from his face. He looked scared and pissed. He never even turned to acknowledge I was standing there. Normally he would at least scowl at me. Whatever had happened must have shocked even him. When I could no longer see him I ran back to her. I had to see what happened.
She was coming out of the barn when I reached the house. She had fresh red marks on her wrists and cane marks on her neck. She was wiping the tears from her eyes and smiling. I couldn’t believe she was smiling. It was then I noticed the barn door was open. Hanging from the roof was an apparatus I had never seen but knew instantly what it was for. It should have been held up by two ropes, but one was broken. It had been sheared right off. I walked into the barn to find his cane on the ground. Around it were spatters of blood. I could piece together what happened but I wanted to hear it from her.
When I turned around she was on the ground. Her body was crumpled up but she was laughing. It was a bizarre scene to say the least. I bent over and picked her up off the ground. She put her hand around my neck and I cradled her. She looked at me and smiled. She put her head on my shoulder and I took her in the house. I laid her on her side on her bed. I sat down in front of her and put her hand in mine.
“What happened?”
“You,” she laughed. I knew she was exhausted. She could barely keep her eyes open, but she laughed anyway.
“What do you mean?”
“You happened, Riona. You saved my life,” she replied.
“I didn’t do anything.”
“You did.”
“What did I do?”
“You sent a witches wind to save my life,” she breathed out. Then she was unconscious. Now I was even more confused. I covered her up with a blanket and left the house.
My head was so messed up it was actually starting to hurt. I couldn’t get over what Carolyn had said. There was no such thing as witches. There was definitely no way I was one. Someone would have told me by now. Or burned me at a stake. This entire day was becoming taxing on my nerves. I decided the tree was my only option. I could sit and relax my head.
I laid back and let the tree calm me. Once again I could feel its essence running through me. Then I could feel the ground beneath me. They were all reaching out to recharge me. It was starting to make sense. All this weirdness started when I felt connected to this tree. Maybe that one act awoke something that had been asleep inside of me. What it was I couldn’t be certain. I had a feeling witches were a part of this new life of mine.
Chapter Three
Father found me the next morning asleep under the tree. “Get up you lazy girl!” he shouted, kicking me hard with his boot. My back cracked and moaned as he made contact.
“Tá an-bhrón orm, Athair!” I cried. Father found anyway he could to inflict pain as often as possible. I was already certain he hated me. I needed no more proof.
“You would sleep the day away if I hadn’t come. And who will watch the sheep this evening if you are lying here?”
He was incredibly cross. I hadn’t meant to fall asleep out here. When I really started to feel the connection I relaxed entirely. It didn’t take long for my eyes to close. I had to admit it was the best sleep I’d had in a while.
I scrambled to my feet and forgot myself for a moment. “How is Carolyn?”
I didn’t even see father’s hand coming. I felt it hit my cheek none the less. I put my hand up to the spot and a tear rolled down. It was the most painful slap I had ever received from him.
“Your brother’s wife is none of your concern!” He stomped his feet and walked off. I figured another apology from me would fall on deaf ears.
I brushed off my dress and headed for the house. Mother was certainly in the same foul mood. I walked in to find her topping off the bath water. We had a small wood basin we bathed in. It was only for me that it was set up in the middle of the room. Everyone else got to bathe in private. She slapped soap and a towel down on the table and walked out of the house. She would stand guard outside while I bathed. It was her tradition. She hadn’t done the same with my sisters. She would coo over them and wash their hair, but she did it in their room. It was important to her they had privacy, but not me. I looked around just in case and stripped. The water was tepid at best. I put a toe in and then settled down. It felt good to get clean. I washed my entire body and then my hair.
When it was time to step out I put my hands on the side of the tub to push myself up.
“Let me help you,” a male voice said.
My eyes had been closed but they were open now. I stood quickly ripped the towel out of his arms and covered myself immediately. “What are you doing in here?” I asked.
“I wanted to see you,” he replied. Tomlin brushed his hands through his shaggy blond hair. I didn’t know whose face was redder. His blue eyes sparkled as he stared at me. I scanned him over more in shock than anything else. He was wearing a blue shirt and brown pants. His boots were muddy, but that didn’t bother me. I stood there with a towel that barely covered my assets. My round body didn’t fit the classic skinny that was the fashion now.
“I gather you are seeing more of me than you require,” I said, dropping my head. He closed the distance between us with one step. He put his hand on my chin and lifted my eyes to his.
“Never say that again,” he whispered.
“But you always ignore me,” I complained.
“You don’t know much about boys do you?” He laughed a little and then offered me his hand. I stepped out of the tub.
“No.”
“I will let you dress. Then we can talk.” He turned around. I dried my body quickly and dressed it even faster. I threw my hair in a braid and then cleared my throat to signal I was finished.
He spun around in one motion. Then he put out his hand to me. “Shall we sit,” he offered.
“Don’t you think my mother will be upset when she finds you in here?”
“She isn’t at the house. She’s gone down to tend to Carolyn,” he said, pulling out a chair for me. I sat and watched him sit right in front of me. The look on his face was one I hadn’t seen before. I couldn’t quite place it.
“Oh. She doesn’t usually leave when I am bathing.”
“I think they are both very angry with you.”
“How do you know?” I asked. I was playing with my braid. Looking him in the eye was difficult for me.
“I can see your father’s hand print across your face. And when I approached the house your mother smiled and left. It wasn’t a pleasant smile either. More like a devil may care smile. It was unnerving. I wasn’t expecting to find you bathing and I apologize.”
“Um, well thank you,” I replied. Words weren’t my friends right now. They were getting harder and harder to use.
“I just have to say, you keep that beautiful body hidden. Why do you do that?” he asked.
“I was told being round was a sin and I should cover it up.”
“I hate to say this as it is not polite, but isn’t something I would wish you to cover up. Your body is beautiful.” He adjusted himself awkwardly in the chair. I smiled and dipped my head down. People didn’t usually pay me compliments. I wasn’t used to it.
“Go raibh maith agat, Tomlin.”
“You’re welcome, Riona.”
“I apologize. I just assumed you spoke Gaeilge.”
“Tá beagáinín Gaeilge agam. I haven’t spoken it in years, but I remember some,” he said with a smile.
“I get beaten if I don’t use it.” I hung my head. Admitting that was more painful than I had imagined.
“I know.” He put his hand on top of mine. Instantly my body felt much warmer. There was something in the connection that happened there.
“How?”
“I have watched you for years now.”
“Why?”
“I’ve loved you for years. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to tell you,” he admitted. He was nervously licking his lips and looking away occasionally. I couldn’t see anything but sincerity in his words and actions. He even picked at his nails as I did when I was nervous.
I think my heart stopped beating for a moment. I couldn’t quite catch my breath. This couldn’t be real. I had to be dreaming. I pinched myself a few times, but he remained in front of me.
“I’m really here. I’m really telling you that I love you. I really want you to be mine,” he said.
“Why?”
He put his hand on mine again. “Can you feel that?”
“Yes.”
“We are meant to be together. You have to trust this. There is so much more in the world then you know. If you would allow me I would teach you all that I know. I know Carolyn wants to help you too,” he stated.
“Help me with what?”
“Riona, you are a witch. A natural born one at that.”
Blackness.
“Riona, love, wake up.” Something was causing a breeze to flow across my face. It was cold and felt good. My mind came through a little at a time. I could smell the bath water and the mud on his boots. When my eyes were finally ready to open I remembered why I fainted in the first place. Tomlin just told me I was a witch.
“What?” My voice was groggy and weak, but I could see he had me in his arms and he was blowing on me.
“Riona, are you okay? You fainted.”
“I think there may have been a reason for that,” I laughed.
“Now it’s funny? It was scary a minute ago.”
“I can’t help it. This is a lot to process. You love me. I’m a witch. Carolyn’s a witch. I assume you must be one,” I explained.
“You are right. We didn’t know you were until you touched the tree. We both felt you connect. Then we felt her. She is coming for you. You need to be ready,” he said.
“Who’s she? And why do I need to be ready? And why is she coming for me?” I said, sitting up. That wasn’t good enough. I stood up and started pacing the floor. Tomlin stayed seated and watched me. He was eyeing me much like a predator does its prey.
“There are a lot of questions there. I’m not sure I can answer them all. We should go see Carolyn but not until tonight. Your brother is going to a big poker game. He will likely be gone for hours. She can answer your questions then,” he said, getting up. He moved quickly toward the back door. “Meet me there at sundown. We will do our best to help you out.” He bowed to me and stepped out the back door leaving me pacing still. I hadn’t cleaned up my mess or even drained my water. Seconds after he left both my parents walked through the door. Father found his cane immediately and struck the back of my calves.
“Lazy insolent child. Clean this up now or I will beat you until I leave,” he commanded.
“Sea, Athair.”
Even though my legs hurt I got to work quickly removing the tub and water. Then I put the towel on the line and placed the soap back on the dish by the sink. Mother got right to work on dinner. She didn’t try to stop him or comfort me in the least. I wanted to cry but I refused to give him that satisfaction. We all sat in silence and ate the dinner mother had prepared. Then he stood and kissed her on the cheek.
“Win big, my love,” she whispered. So, she did know about his nasty habit. That didn’t improve my opinion of her in the least.
She snarled at me and got up to do the dishes. I took that as my cue to leave. The sun was starting to go down anyway. I took the rifle so she would think I was doing my job. I had no intention of doing it. I had a man now. He loved me. He hadn’t asked me to marry him yet, but it was only a matter of time. Men didn’t make declarations unless they were serious. I feared I would have to make my own before he would marry me. I loved Tomlin. I had always loved him. It shouldn’t be that hard.
I walked out the back door and took the path to Aidan’s house. Surely if father was gone so was he. I approached the house quietly just in case. Before I could reach the path to their house, someone wrapped an arm around my waist and one around my mouth. His scent gave him away. It was Tomlin. I let him pull me into the bushes.
“Quiet,” he whispered.
“Why?”
“He is still there. Apparently Carolyn couldn’t stop her bruises from healing. He is trying to get her to fulfill her wedding vows. I’m not sure how much longer she will be able to resist him,” he explained.
“How do you know that?”
“Close off everything else and listen.”
I did as instructed. Then I heard them. He was trying to get her to the bedroom. She was resisting. He was using profanity and being mean. Finally she broke through his stupid and reminded him he couldn’t be late to the game. He gave up but told her he would be back later. I hated him more now. We continued to listen. When he was on his horse we knew it was safe.
“Give me a minute I am not in a place to have visitors,” Carolyn said in my head.
“What was that?” I asked.
“We can communicate telepathically. But only after years of study,” he explained.
“That makes sense.” It didn’t but I didn’t want to look stupid either. He smiled and took my hand. The warmth was comforting. It made everything else go away.
“Now we go.” He kept my hand in his as we walked down the path to the house. Carolyn opened the door. She was in a robe and her face was red from crying.
“What the hell is wrong with him?” I shouted.
“I told you he is evil. That is why I won’t be with him.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, sitting down at the table.
“If I were to get pregnant my children could be evil. I will not bring a dark witch or warlock into the world. It’s just not going to happen. I will keep taking his beatings until something happens.”
“Like what?” She sat down across from me and Tomlin sat beside me. He took my hand under the table. I felt his warmth and strength flowing through me. Carolyn smiled at both of us.
“My death or his,” she said dryly.
“I won’t allow that,” Tomlin stated.
“What mine or his?” she sharply replied.
“As if you have to ask,” he retorted.
“Okay the familiarity between you too is unnerving.”
“We have been training together for nearly fifty years,” Carolyn replied with a smile.
“Hold up. Did you just say fifty years? But neither one of you is older than twenty five,” I questioned.
&nb
sp; “You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, Riona.” Carolyn looked at Tomlin and they both laughed.
“Is there something more going on?” I asked, ripping my hand away from him. I didn’t want to be some third wheel in an already established relationship.
“Calm down, Riona. We are not together we are brother and sister.”
“Is this ever going to make sense to me?”
“It will, my love. I promise.” He took my hand in his and I was calm again. I could live with them being brother and sister. I just wasn’t sure about the age thing. It was kind of throwing me.
“We will explain everything as soon as we can. Right now I think we need to do a hand-fasting and seal your bond.”
“What is that?”
“It’s like a wedding for our kind,” Tomlin explained.
“You want to marry me?” I asked with tears in my eyes.
“Of course I do. I want nothing more.”
“Then I have to say it. Tomlin, I love you,” I said, looking deep into his eyes. I saw the same love reflecting back to me.
“I know,” he said, tenderly touching my cheek. That was it for me. There was no turning back. What did I have to go back to? Nothing. Abuse and Neglect was all that waited for me at home. I would take this man. He was my saving grace in a world of chaos.
“What do we do?”
“Take this ribbon and follow me,” she said, while pulling a long piece of blue ribbon out of her hair. We got up and followed her to the garden. We stood there under a beautiful blue moon. The shadows it cast were heavenly. Carolyn closed her eyes and the area was suddenly covered in roses, tulips, daisies and marigolds. They were mine and I suspected Tomlin’s favorite flowers. Then between us appeared and altar with two white candles.
Carolyn started with, “Be with us here, Elements of Air with your clever fingers closely bind between these two the bonds of eternal love. Be with us here, Elements of Fire give their love and passion your own all-consuming ardor. Be with us here, Elements of Water give them the deepest of love and the richness of the body, of the soul and of the spirit. Be with us here, Elements of Earth let your strength and constancy be theirs for so long as they desire to remain together. Blessed Goddess and Laughing God give to these before you, we do ask your love and protection. Blessed Be.”