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His obstinate yowl made it clear he didn’t like the Weaver interrupting our spell.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know he’d have access to me there.” I sat up and ran a hand down my familiar’s back. “Besides, the whole purpose of this spell was to strengthen our connection so you can keep me grounded when I’m with him. And… you just proved you could.”
Jenks wound his way around me, purring and nudging me with his little head.
“Yes, sweet boy. I’m so proud of you. You did such a good job.”
Releasing the last tendrils of my spell, I noticed the time—it was barely after noon. If I spent the rest of the day completing my normal chores, it would be close to bedtime once I restocked all my wares for this weekend’s farmers market. There were only a few left this season, so I needed to make them count.
Occupying myself, I dusted, swept, and washed every single dish I owned. Then I stacked the baskets and linens next to the front door before heading into the back room to determine what was ready to sell.
I opened the burlap bags, checking the green beans first. They looked good. The arugula and cabbage were also ready to go, but there weren’t enough leeks left to make the trip. Still, with the vegetables I had and my usual creams and crystals, I’d earn my weekly income easily enough, which made it all worthwhile.
“Milly, one cannot survive on magic alone. You need to earn your place in this world if you are to ever fit in with the community around you. One wrong move and the questions elicited could lead to a full-on witch hunt.”
Mama’s words always needled my mind whenever I was tempted to take a shortcut in life. I learned at a young age money wasn’t a true requirement when you had magic, but it was something you had to earn for yourself. Otherwise, the price for that magic may be far more than you were willing to pay.
Packing and hauling vegetables to the front door filled the rest of my day, and by early evening, I’d completed the creams I wanted to take this weekend as well. Lavender and shea for a relaxing face cream, cayenne-infused body butter for aches and pains, and, one of my favorites, peppermint and eucalyptus for headaches and colds. Not that I got sick often, but I loved the scent and wondered if my preemptive use of it helped in that fact.
The crystals I’d accumulated over the last month would make a good addition to my offerings as well. And as I laid them out across the table on my black cloth, one in particular caught my eye.
A smooth piece of bloodstone pulsed with energy. No surprise, I supposed, seeing as bloodstone was one of the most-used crystals in dream magic. But still, it had me wondering what revelations or new perceptions I was supposed to take note of on my adventure tonight.
I tucked the stone in my pocket, finished my prep work, and moved on to dinner. Soup and grilled cheese was an easy favorite, and after one final cleanup of the kitchen, I was ready for bed.
“All right, Jenks, here we go. Stay close, okay?”
Mr. Jenkins meowed and nestled into my side, nudging my open palm where the bloodstone now lay. Closing my eyes, it didn’t take long for me to drift off and enter the dreamscape. The Weaver greeting me back in the English garden the minute I did.
“Good evening, my lady. Did you enjoy the rest of your day?” His honeyed tone and term of endearment warmed me against the slight chill in the air.
I looked down at the vintage dressing gown—one you might see Marie Antoinette wearing while she tended her cottage garden—and quickly pulled the accompanying coat around my middle, tying it at the waist. “Who is responsible for my clothing here?” I asked. “Are you doing this, or is it coming from me?”
The Weaver smiled. “A little of both.”
“Well, perhaps that’s where we can begin my training. Teach me how to change out of this.” I shivered.
“But why? It’s so becoming,” he teased, his eyes sparkling from beneath his hood.
“Yes, well, you’re not the one dealing with a draft.”
A rumble of laughter enveloped me, warming me further from the inside out. “Fine. Simply close your eyes and let your magic rise to the surface. Once there, I’ll combine it with mine.”
I hesitated. “Will I need to say a spell?”
“No, Milly. Once we’re linked, your magic only requires a thought.”
Linked? Combined? Again, my nerves rose to the surface, not liking the sound of that.
