It’s #bookqw and the ‘wait’ for someone special is over!
More of the excerpt:
“You must have some,” he persisted in an exasperated voice. “Where you’re from, can Windborne hide it?”
True, the glass teardrop was some magic. It held a spell she’d accidentally worked the first time, and Gran had taught her how to use it again. These kids must not know how she got here—another of Gran’s secrets. But she was curious: Was his magic like Willow’s yellow glow? “Can I see your magic?”
His face flushed red, but Beri shrugged and smiled sheepishly. “Sure.” He stopped and brought up his hand, his empty hand, and a ball of rich emerald-green magic appeared. Not plain like Willow’s or murky like the rip’s. It swirled in clouds of mist, slightly thicker here, slightly lighter in color there, dancing in a mesmerizing play within his long fingers. It was different from her teardrop, but the glow was every bit as appealing.
Above it, Beri watched her.
Her stomach gave another flip. She averted her gaze to the ball of magic. It reminded her of glassworking, when she held the glass over the flame and was bending and shaping it, and the colors moved in ways you didn’t expect, or could exactly control. “It’s, er, very lively, your…ma—energy. Nice.”
“Thanks.” He pressed on the top of the glow with his other hand and melted it into his skin. Well, obviously, he could control it. Beri cocked his head.
“Mine isn’t—” Oops, now she’d blown it. “I can’t do that.” She turned and walked toward Gran’s. There wasn’t anything else she could think to say.
By scrambling over boulders, they got around the end of the ridge and headed into the isle’s central valley. Beyond the treetops, the two mountains rose in a familiar view. The Meadows wasn’t far, the forest bordering it easy walking.
They came to the edge of the woods, and the familiar, sweet scent of the flowers flooded Fern with relief. The morning sun spilled over the treetops to light the grassy land, busy with insects and birds catching their morning meals. Hillux wasn’t far now. She turned to say goodbye.
“If ’tis nae too forward of me,” Beri said in a rush, “would I be able to see your magic sometime?” He looked down at her—which so few boys could—waiting for her answer.
So he had heard her slip. “Uh, sure.” Not that she’d ever be able to do that, but if she could, she certainly wouldn’t mind showing Beri. “Thanks for walking me back.”
“I—uh, also have a favor to ask of you, Fern.”
He was nice and all, but she had projects to do, and now less time than before to complete them. “Could it be later? Tomorrow?” she asked. “I have to work on the pond, our last project.”
His lips turned up slightly at the corners, but it wasn’t a mean smile. She knew those. Beri looked like he had a secret.
“You’re hiding something from me.” She drew herself up to full height and crossed her arms. Usually, this tall stance and her broad shoulders made kids back down. He chuckled and copied her. When Beri drew himself up, she had to look up. This was so unfair. She’d always wanted to meet a taller boy, and now that she had everything seemed so complicated.
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I hope you’ve enjoyed The Witch of the Meadows! It’s available now!
Add it to your GoodReads shelf!
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