I hugged myself, feeling suddenly cold while he spoke.
“I’ve been thinking about everything that’s happened since I met you. Your psychic abilities, that day with the butterflies. Your cousin Rowan...I still can’t figure out how she messed with my head like that.” He stood and began to pace. “The way the door slammed shut at the spice shop—you made a similar hand gesture then too. I watched that surveillance video a thousand times. Somehow your hair and dress were rippling in the wind. And you were inside! That kid was horrified when he backed away from you, and he called you a Witch.”
“What do you want from me, Henry?”
“How about a little honesty darlin’? Think you can you manage that?”
That did it. Now, I was angry.
“I don’t owe you any explanations.” I rose to my feet and we squared off. “If you could put your Southern pride and monumental male ego aside maybe you could admit that I saved your life the day of the fire.”
“Tell me what is going on!” he snapped. “Just tell me the truth!”
“The truth is, very few people can handle anything that would be considered different, and because of that, we keep certain things to ourselves.” I struggled as the element of air responded to me, as it did whenever I was very upset or angry. I saw with some alarm that storm clouds had begun to gather.
“We?” he zeroed in on that. “Are you talking about your family?”
“There are some things I can not discuss, Henry,” I said very carefully, trying to pull my temper back from the edge. “Not even with you.”
“Not even with someone who loves you?”
His words stunned me into silence. I opened my mouth, no sounds came out and I tried again. “You love me?” I finally managed to say, as the last of my control over my powers slipped away. The wind began to rise, and the dragonflies I’d admired earlier began to circle around me.
“For god sakes, Hannah!” He spun away in frustration and turned back. “Yes, I’m in love with you, damn it! And all you can say after everything, is that you can’t discuss it?” Suddenly Henry froze in place and his eyes flared wide.
“What are you staring at?” I asked.
“There are dragonflies in your hair and on your shoulders,” he whispered.
A jewel-bright hummingbird zipped between us, making Henry jerk back, and the man who had just professed to loving me gawked open mouthed and silent as more birds and dragonflies began to gather.
“Mama?” Eli’s little face was pressed up against the screen door. He was crying.
“It’s okay Eli,” I said carefully. He’d been watching us as we fought, I realized, and my stomach rolled over.
Eli’s bottom lip quivered. “Mama, I want to go home.” He pushed the door open and ran to me.
Henry stood stock still and stared as the air between us filled with winged creatures. Bees, dragonflies, butterflies, birds...They swarmed around, landed on the porch railings, and on the steps. I shut my eyes and held my son. It was a defensive and foolish move. Because I knew when I opened my eyes again...I wouldn’t like what I saw.
Henry Walker stood transfixed by the creatures of air that had descended. “What in the actual fuck…” Henry whispered, his face turning pale.
Silently, I leaned forward, grabbed my handbag and slung the strap over my shoulder, I picked up my son, and hitched him on my hip.
“Henry is scared, Mama,” Eli whispered.
“I know, baby.” With one hand I gestured and my heart broke a little. “Element of air,” I said under my breath. “I call upon you. Please grant my request, distract him, and buy me a little time.”
It worked. Henry didn’t even see us anymore. His eyes were too big in his face, and he was breathing far too quickly as the birds and insects gathered around him—creating a shield between us. I took a step back, and another, and still Henry didn’t move. The glamour spell was holding. I walked away and got Eli into the car as quickly as I could.
“Bye, Henry,” Eli whispered, and his forlorn words had me struggling against tears as I drove down the gravel lane, and out of Henry’s life.
The magick started to slip, and I felt the impact in my chest as the spell ended. Above us the clouds went dark, and rain began to fall.
***
I called Edmund. I didn’t know who else would really understand. My parents took Eli for the night, and Edmund arrived at my apartment within minutes. We sat on the couch, and he listened while I explained everything. “He told me he loved me,” I sniffled. “I never expected that he felt that way…but after tonight, he’ll never want to see me again.”
“So you had to spell him after all.” Edmund tucked me under his arm. “I’m sorry Hannah.”
“After the spectacle the creatures of air put on, I had no other choice. I glamoured him, kept him focused on the show, so he wouldn’t see us leave. His memories are probably still intact.”
Edmund sighed. “Stubborn ass.”
“Me or him?” I asked, and it came out all watery.
“Both of you.” Edmund handed me a tissue. “Do you love him?”
“I was beginning to trust him, hoped he’d be satisfied thinking I was only a psychic. I thought maybe we might have a chance at a future.” I sighed and rested my head on Edmund’s broad shoulder. “But I was so busy trying to keep my magick hidden, and him distracted away from the truth, that I never realized he’d put the pieces together weeks ago.”
“Oh, Hannah.” Edmund shook his head.
“Henry’s clever, so much more than
