Page 37 of Morning's Light

“Well, that escalated quickly!” Karsia drew back when vines whipped by her face. “Guys, please. I’m an innocent bystander.”

Gleefully they beat at each other, never to the point of actual contact. The women threw their mettle together, blossoms threatening to bury one while deep-hued purple light surrounded them all, drawn from an amethyst geode in the corner.

Aisanna did not want any part of the chaos she’d caused, though she enjoyed the show. She and her father made eye contact and she noted the cheer there. He snapped his fingers and Varvara’s sapphire necklace reared back, smacking her on the cheek.

Karsia giggled. “Way to go, Dad!”

“Thorvald, honestly.” Varvara hauled herself onto her chair, with vines and leaves whipping around her like green octopus tentacles. “Don’t provoke them.”

“My dear, I did nothing,” he insisted.

Mashed potatoes spattered the wall when Leo and Astix struck back. Food flew and added to the decorations.

“Well, if this isn’t the best Imbolc celebration we’ve had in years, then I don’t know what to tell you,” Thorvald said with a chuckle.

The gentle sound of a throat clearing interrupted their mock battle. Aisanna jerked around and saw Elon standing in the doorway, his eyes wide.

“I, ah…” he began, “I let myself in. Hope that’s…okay?”

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