A Reckless Witch - By Debora Geary Page 0,48
Aervyn won’t be in the inner circle, and he’s usually my connection to everyone else.” It was thoughts like that keeping her up at night.
“You really are new to this.” He looked up, his brain suddenly serious again. “It’s not like our normal full circles, although it can morph into that if needed. Part of the reason we were picked is because we have the primary talents they expect to need. Water magic in case our little girl comes out blazing. Mind magic to help the healers keep her calm and feeling safe. Birth is a pretty big transition, and some babies handle it better than others.”
Lauren was pretty sure her face was going white now. “That’s kind of a big responsibility for someone who’s never actually seen a birth before.”
“You can handle it.” He spoke casually, still fixing the holes in her knitting swatch, but she could feel his sincerity.
“Why are you so sure?” It was nice to be trusted, but they’d never worked magic together.
He handed back her neatly repaired square. “I’ve seen you in action. But more than that, you hold the power streams for Aervyn in full circle. If my sister and my brother trust you enough to do that, I’d trust you with my life.” And he meant it. Just that simple. Then his grin flashed. “Besides, no way I’m letting you abandon me to watch my sister-in-law give birth alone.”
He clearly meant that, too.
Nat was going to have a baby. That still rocked her to the core when she really thought about it.
Devin touched her shoulder. Back to the intent eyes again. “They’ll be awesome. Can you think of any two people you’d rather trust with a baby than Jamie and Nat?”
She grinned. He was right—they would be awesome. And maybe their backup wasn’t as shaky as she’d thought. However, she was going to sit Sophie down and grill her, first chance she got.
Right after she got her knitting swatch done and Devin’s eyes out of her head.
~ ~ ~
“Are you cold? Do you need to put your feet up?” Ginia tucked a blanket around Sophie’s expanding waist and pulled out a bottle of water to put on the floor beside her. “It’s non-toxic paint, but I still think it’s a good idea to leave the patio door open.”
Sophie grinned. Ginia sounded like a miniature Moira. “I’m fine, sweetie. And you can’t get out of painting by taking care of me all afternoon.” Nell had shuttled her through Realm to come supervise the painting of Sierra’s apartment—and to pick up some clues about what kind of furnishings she might like.
Ginia grinned. “Sierra’s still trying to decide on all her colors.” She motioned to the group over at the counter. “Come over here—maybe Sophie can help us decide.”
In moments, there were about a hundred paint chips spread out over the floor. At least half of them were pink. Tahiti Sunrise. Bubblegum. Pinkify Me. It was a selection that had nine-year-old girl written all over it. Sophie grinned at Sierra. “It’s your apartment—do you have a favorite color?”
She giggled. “Well, I like pink. But I’m not sure I want to live in the middle of an entirely pink room.”
Indeed. Time to impart some gentle decorating advice. “I usually like to pick a pretty relaxing color for my main room. Then you can use funky colors in small spaces, or on furniture, or art.”
Sierra laughed, sweeping her hands around the empty room. “I don’t exactly have a lot of furniture.”
Not yet. Sophie spread out her arms. “Tell me what it would look like if it was done up any way you wanted.”
Sierra just blinked. Clearly no one had asked her a question like that in a very long time.
Ginia held out a paintbrush and tapped her on the shoulder. “I am your Fairy Godmother Giniarella. What kind of room can I bring you, oh lucky peasant girl?”
Now Sierra giggled, obviously more comfortable with goofy games than serious questions. She closed her eyes and spun around a few times. Mia grabbed her just before she bumped into a wall, and four giggly girls collapsed on the floor.
Sophie hoped Sierra offered up some clues soon. The real fairy-godmothers-in-waiting needed the inside scoop, and she really needed to pee. This whole being-pregnant thing was starting to get uncomfortable.
Sierra looked around at her walls, considering. “Maybe something watery. I’d kind of like to feel like I’m floating in the ocean.”
That sounded like a good fit for a water witch, but oceans