Page 60 of A Keeper of Time

“I imagine she does,” Daire said. “Please sit with us.”

Maggie and Angus took the two available chairs and pulled themselves up to the table.

With a blink of Melusina’s eyes and a wave of her hand fresh fruit, scones, and a bowl of softened butter appeared in front of them.

“Coffee anyone?” Mardella asked, producing a pot and cups.

“Aye, please,” Maggie said. “I could use a little caffeine this morning.”

“That was quite the show ye put on yesterday,” Melusina said.

“I had plenty of help from Biera.”

“Speaking of Biera, where is she?” Mardella asked.

Maggie looked around and realized that her tent was gone and so were her horses. “She must have left. She did no’ say goodbye. Auntie will be disappointed she did no’ get to see her.”

“What a shame. I had some questions for her about her magic.”

“She’s been friends with Auntie Edna for many years. I’m sure ye could ask her. She’d probably ken how to reach her.”

“’Tis no’ important.” Mardella said. “It would seem that yer following in the footsteps of all the witches who’ve come before ye in yer family.”

“’Twas a surprise to me. Me mother has nae talent for it,” Maggie said.

“Or perhaps she is no’ interested.”

“I guess that’s possible.”

“She was no’ happy when Maggie moved to Glendaloch,” Angus added. “She did no’ wish her to be a witch.”

“Is that true?” Daire asked.

“Unfortunately it is. She’s better with it now. She kens I wasn’t happy and now that I have Dylan she’s just waiting for grandchildren.”

“I believe every mother dreams of grandchildren. Soon, aye?” Melusina cast a knowing gaze Maggie’s way.

“That’s the plan,” Maggie said.

Angus got the feeling Melusina knew something that Maggie didn’t know. Was he about to be a granduncle? The thought made him smile. He knew Edna would love having a little one running around that she could spoil.

***

Making her way back to Angus and Maggie, Edna noted the Council seated at a table with them chatting happily and enjoying breakfast.

“Edna!” Melusina said as she approached. “Come join us. Daire another chair please.”

A chair appeared in front of Edna and she sat, pulling it in to the table beside Angus.

“We’ve much to speak with ye about,” Mardella said.

“Ye do,” Edna replied. This was it, they were going to tell her that everything she’d done would have to stay undone.

“Ye sound nervous. Doona be.” Daire said, smiling warmly.

“Let’s finish our breakfast and then we can talk more about what ye’ve been doing with the bridge.”

Edna wished they could talk right now. She glanced at Angus who gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. Never having to answer to anyone, with the exception of her mother, Edna didn’t like the feeling of being judged, but there was nothing she could do about it now.