Page 74 of Sprite Wedding
I laughed. “Both.”
CHAPTER19
LUCAS
The next couple of months went by in a flash with wedding planning.
While I dealt with the never-ending task of pulling weeds, my least favorite task in the garden, Ursula stepped out from beneath the weeping Japanese maple where the sprites often went and fluttered closer to me.
“Good morning, Ursula,” I greeted her with a smile.
“Good morning.” Her dour expression didn’t match her greeting.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m coming to say goodbye.”
I blinked at her. “What?”
She let out a tiny sigh. “Thank you for letting us live here, but it’s time we leave.”
I stood upright, my muscles tensing. “Why?”
“We miss home.”
“You don’t like it here?”
“We do. It was good to explore someplace new. But we miss Bermuda.”
I pictured the beautiful gardens where I’d met them, starting with a bop on the nose from Marty. “I can understand that.”
It was strange after all that had happened with being cursed, but I’d gotten over it. I enjoyed their company when I worked outside. They were generally friendly and helpful, and we shared a love of the garden. Like green witches, they often used plants in their magic, which they’d formulate into a fine, translucent dust. They might have looked different, but we had more similarities than differences. They simply wanted to live in peace and harmony with loved ones.
At nighttime, they’d sometimes glow like fireflies, especially if they were happy. Sprite magic was mysterious yet fascinating.
“I’ve enjoyed having you here. I’m gonna miss you.”
“We’ll miss you too.” Her little wings buzzed as she hovered. “I hope you come visit us one day.”
“Absolutely.” I gazed out over the gardens, picturing how barren and quiet it would be without my little buddies nearby. It hit me with a pang of loss. “When are you leaving?”
She sighed. “This weekend. There’s a ship sailing to Bermuda.”
What a bummer. Although I understood what it was like to be homesick, having started over here, my life had turned out to be so much better. I had found my mate, my roommates, my new family, and a job where I felt that I was appreciated and made a difference. Too bad it hadn’t worked out the same for the sprites.
“Can you do me a favor and wait until after the wedding? It’s only a few more weeks.”
We’d booked it in a botanical garden. The roses where we’d say our vows would be in peak bloom.
“You want us there?”
“Of course. I’d love it.”
“Indeed.” Ursula nodded. “We’d be happy to celebrate with you. It would be an honor.”
“You’ll love the place I found,” I said. “The gardens are magnificent.”
She laughed. “I’m sure we will.”
