this time. "I hope we'll travel together soon, you and I."
Beth looked up, eyes wary. "You want me to come visit your home?"
Aye, but that could wait. "No, my dear. I'm hoping that one day in the not-too-distant future, you'll do me the great honor of allowing me to be a guest in yours."
The silence lasted several sips of tea. Moira waited - she knew how to be patient when it really mattered. Beth found her spot watching the faeries again. "Why?"
"I'm an earth witch, my dear. A gardener. When I see a beautiful flower, I want to know something of the place where it grew."
Her companion puzzled that one out. "It's just a small apartment above a store."
"I live in a tiny cottage myself," said Moira briskly. "There's nothing at all wrong with a small space. And I've a penchant for small bits of stone and crystal - might you have anything like that in your shop?"
"We do." Beth smiled. "Or rather, Liri does. The books are mine. The little bits of things are all hers."
Ah, and in true Irish fashion, now they were getting closer to the heart of things. "I've a love of books, too. Perhaps you'll let me spend some time in your library. I'll browse the pretty trinkets on my own."
"I don't really understand collecting, but some of them are quite beautiful."
"You've a gorgeous wee dragon, as I recall."
Beth reached hesitantly into her pocket and drew out the bit of shiny glass. "Yes, this one is mine. A small gift from Liri as I was coming here."
It was exquisite, now that she could see it in full light. A gorgeous, infinitely detailed little creature with just a hint of turquoise in its poised wings. As a thing of art, it was lovely. As a message and a gift from one who had obviously studied the old arts, it was magnificent.
Dragons lived long, had one great love, and always returned home.
Moira leaned in and brushed a finger over a glass wing. "She's exquisite, my dear. Your Liri must know you very well."
"I think she would like you," said Beth quietly.
Moira looked at the dragon again. "I already like her. She has fine taste in dragons and in those she chooses to love."
Beth's cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink. "Perhaps we could go visit in the morning. The shop is closed until noon, and it would be quieter then." She studied her tea. "It would be nice to go home."
"I would like that very much." Moira got to her feet, delighted in their young fire witch. "I'll let Aervyn know we'll be wanting a ride." And she'd beg a little time in Ginia's garden to brew up a small gift or two.
Something that would honor the women she was about to visit.
Chapter 20
Beth stood in the middle of the shop, wishing she had something to do. Liri was bustling, shifting a book here, a crystal there. Merchandizing. Beth had been banned from that activity long ago, and the rest of the little details that got the shop ready to open had been taken care of hours ago. It had seemed like the thing to do when she'd beamed in at the crack of dawn.
They had a visitor coming.
Liri looked up from her arranging. "You can make the hot chocolate, if you like."
That was a brave offer - Beth's idea of the ratio of chocolate to sugar didn't suit the palate of most of their customers. "You think we should do that this early?"
"No." Light laughter shook her partner's shoulders. "I forgot we're not opening for hours yet."
It was throwing their entire routine off kilter. "I'm sorry - maybe this wasn't the best time to invite someone to visit."
"Of course it is." Liri frowned and moved a trio of pink crystals for the fourth time. "Our home is always open. You know that."
She did - but this was the first time in eleven years that she'd been the one who invited a surprise guest. "I think you'll like her."
"I'm a sweet Irish grandmother - what's not to like?"
They both swung around at the voice in their midst.
"Whoops!" Moira smiled brightly at each of them in turn. "Aervyn forgot