“Bird.” Phoebe pointed to a branch several feet above them where a crow had landed.
Indeed the crow was there, the same one that seemed to join them most mornings they came to the rowan tree to offer their thanks. The bird quirked its head at them and hopped closer.
“Aye, it is a bird.” Evina stroked the soft skin of her daughter’s face and Phoebe turned her gaze up at Evina. Duncan’s eyes. Their daughter was a perfect blend of both of them with her black hair and his dark, warm eyes.
“And now we pray to your grandmother, Phoebe.” Evina bowed her head toward her daughter who carefully placed her soft brow against Evina’s. Phoebe’s shoulders rose with elation and Evina knew the small child could feel the pulse of magic transferring through her.
“Mother,” Evina whispered. “Thank ye for sparing my husband, for allowing me to live this life I dinna ever think possible. And for giving me such a bonny, precious daughter.” Phoebe rocked her head side to side playfully, rolling their brows together. “Forgive me for having missed meeting ye, but know that I love ye. And please protect Sorcha for us, and give her our love for we shall forever be indebted to her.”
“Da!” Phoebe squealed and began wriggling in Evina’s lap.
With a laugh, Evina set her daughter down and watched her toddle off through the thick grass to where Duncan approached with Gillespie at his side. Duncan caught Phoebe in one strong hand and swung her up into his arms with a bear-like growl. Phoebe screamed with delight.
“Did I interrupt yer time with Morrigan?” Duncan asked as they approached.
Evina slid over to make room for her husband behind her. “Nay, having my family isna ever an interruption. My mother knows what ye mean to me.”
Duncan settled himself beside her and stretched out his long legs. Phoebe wedged herself between them with a contented smile. “Bird.” She pointed to the crow once more. It had hopped down several branches and was now nearly eye level with them.
Gillespie bowed down onto one knee. “Ye should respect crows, lass. They represent yer grandmother.” He cast a wink in Phoebe’s direction.
Ever the quick learner, Phoebe pushed herself off the bench and strode confidently to the bird. Evina share a smile with her husband and slipped her hand into his. Magic traveled between their connected hands and glowed against their palms.
Their daughter carefully knelt on the ground beside the tree and bowed her head respectfully.
The crow swooped down from the branch and landed gracefully onto Phoebe’s propped knee. Evina tightened her grip on Duncan’s hand. The crow stared up at Phoebe, who returned its curious gaze. They remained thus for a long moment before the bird squawked once and flew off. Two feathers floated down from its wings on its ascent. One landed on Phoebe’s head to the girl’s grinning delight. The other landed in Evina’s lap.
The feathers were extraordinary, even for having come from a crow. Almost as long as Evina’s forearm, far too large to have come from the crow’s body. The sun cast a purple-blue sheen over it and sent the feather shimmering with the promise of magic.
For years now, Evina had hoped the crow might be her mother. And now it appeared that hope may be a true possibility.
Duncan met Evina’s eye. “Was that her?”
“I think so,” she replied. “I think that was Morrigan.” She reached for the feather and grasped the hard stem between her thumb and forefinger.
The world sucked away and everything around her whirled into a frenzy that crashed into the stillness of a forest.
A man stood between the trees, an arrow nocked in his bow. His face was hidden in the shadows, but Evina knew him. She would know him anywhere.
“Da?” she stepped forward. Twigs and the hard edges of dead leaves jabbed into her bare feet, but she didn’t care. All she cared about was being with her father once more.
He lowered his bow and turned to regard her. He was handsome, her father - with a strong jaw and brilliant blue eyes that seemed to glow in the shadows of the forest.
He glanced around them. ”Ye canna be here, Evina. It isna safe.”
“I wanted to be with ye.” Evina ran to him, drawn toward the strength and safety of his arms.
“Ye canna leave,” he said. His words were not chastisement so much as they were factually stated.
“But I did.”
At that, he swung his arrow and held his arms open to her. She ran to him on legs so eager, they almost fell beneath her. He caught her mid-run and cradled her to his body.
It was not safe. She knew as much. But he was strong and brave. He would keep her safe no matter what.
He gazed into her face and shook his head. “I never should have begged Morrigan to let me meet ye.”
Hurtful words Evina knew better than to believe. “Ye dinna mean that.”
He gave her a smile that looked like it hurt and bestowed a cherishing kiss on her brow. “Nay, lass. I canna ever regret having met ye. Ye’re the whole of my heart.”
A shriek sounded overhead and echoed through the forest around them. Her father’s grip tightened on her, almost painfully. Chills raked over her skin and left her hair standing on end.
“The Shadows?” She did not need to ask the question, not when she already knew the answer.
“Ye shouldna have come here,” her father said again.
“I had to see ye.” Tears burned hot in her eyes and poured down her cheeks. “I love ye.”
Her da’s eyes went glassy with his own unshed tears. “I love ye too, lass.” He ducked and, still holding her, he ran. Sticks
