Elyse
Stomping into my shop,I passed my husband and went into the back to work on…something. My headspace left something to be desired.
“Mrs.,” he called, coming in through the beaded curtain.
“What?” I snapped, immediately feeling bad. My mood didn’t have anything to do with him, and it wasn’t fair to take it out on him. My biggest supporter, my anchor through the storms of life, my joy.
Marc snorted and shook a finger at me. “Shame. Shame. Everyone knows your name.”
Dropping my chin, I sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m just so…”
He pulled me into his arms, resting his chin on top of my head. “Frustrated,” he suggested gently.
“Yes. That.” I inhaled his fresh, woodsy scent, then exhaled, letting my whole body relax and melt into this selfless man who’d not only dealt with my eccentricity but also celebrated it. He honored me and my gifts in all ways.
Trying to find the words to express how I was feeling, this man who knew me so well said, “I know you love Skylar like a son. He’s ours.”
And he was. Since the minute Chance introduced us to Skylar back when they were college roommates, I’d known he was one of us, destined to be part of our family. Goddess knew, his own parents were worthless in that department—showing their offspring how wonderful and talented and special he was.
Back then, I hadn’t been able to say anything about the gifts I saw swirling in the depths of his green eyes. Chance had blocked out all he knew about the world beyond the normal—whatever that was. While he’d always loved me, I knew there were so many times he’d been ashamed or embarrassed by me. I’d stayed true to myself, hoping and believing that someday he’d remember and embrace all of his abilities.
This small town, the property, had given me the greatest of gifts—my son back. But it also gave me the opportunity to lead Skylar on a journey to finding his inner strengths. “We were making so much progress.”
Leaning back, I held up my hands. “Did you see him, Marc? He conjured fire during that Hallowed Tree mess. All on his own, without me having to help him or prompt him.”
He pushed the stray whisps of hair off the side of my face, tucking them behind my ear. “I know, Mrs. I’m assuming he passed on training again today.”
Moaning, I dropped my forehead back onto his chest, letting him pull me close. “Yes,” I whined. “He brushed me off to go work on Ego’s house.”
“In all fairness, that’s his job.”
Groaning, I finally snaked my arms around my husband’s waist and snuggled in. “I know, but I can barely even get him to start his morning with yoga. I swear the only reason he shows up for our practice is because Jetty and Kingston are starting their days fencing.”
I felt Marc’s laugh shake his whole body. “You must admit, they make quite the sight. I noticed our son peering through the windows to take in his fill of his man, too.”
A slight grin worked its way onto my face. Chance was so smitten with his man, and it made me so happy. Watching Chance blossom into his own with Jetty by his side was…breathtaking. It didn’t hurt that he’d found a partner who had the same steadfastness and strength as my husband. People like us? We needed men like them. Strong of mind. Strong of spirit. Capable of holding us lest we blow away.
“They do.” I sighed away the last of my angst, and Marc kissed the top of my head.
“Okay, Mrs. Now that you’re done with that, how about you sit down and I’ll put on the kettle. We can have a cup of tea and chat, then you can go play your bowls or meditate or maybe go back out for yoga.”
“Hmm.” I let him go and went to perch on my favorite stool in the back of the shop. The place where I blessed the objects we sold and worked on my potions and spells. “Breathwork sounds good. Would you be interested in joining me?”
He tied up a satchel with a blend of leaves and dropped them into our teacups while waiting for the water to boil. “Be right back.” He winked and went up front. I heard the jangle of the bells over the doorway and the distinct sound of him flipping the sign over to closed.
He came back in, brushing his hands together. “There. Hopefully any customers will wait or come back later. Right now, some Mr. and Mrs. time is necessary.” He smiled at me warmly.
Everything inside of me settled as he brought over our beverages. This was just what I needed. Talking out my concerns over a nice cup of tea and self-regulating would help me figure out exactly what to do.
“So what’s your biggest concern?” he asked.
“I understand how exciting the Dream-veil must be for Skylar.”
“Especially since he gets to do it with Kingston,” Marc interjected. “I could’ve told you they were soulmates before the birthmarks and Dreamwalker stuff came up.”
He probably could’ve. I’d always wondered if he had a little of the sight himself, but he’d never mentioned it, so I let it be. He knew I was a safe space if he wanted to bring it up or explore it, so I listened to his silence and respected it.
“Yes. Landing his man definitely made it more—bigger. And I get that having a psychopomp in that realm makes practicing magic unnecessary for him?—”
