soon as she sat down. Suddenly, the forest fell silent, and Ishia snapped out of her trance. Her heart lodged in her throat and her hands trembled. The brush rustled behind her and a small twig broke. Someone was watching. She drew up her knees and buried her face in her hands. Her shoulders trembled as if she were crying. “What are you doing here?” Her brother, Jaron, broke through the brush, his bow at his side. “You should be home helping Mother prepare our meal.” Ishia pushed her thumbs into her eyes to redden them before she looked up. “Jaron, please, let me have a few moments of peace. You heard Father order me to marry Fayad before the next full moon or to find someone else he approves of. You know how I feel about Fayad. I can’t stand to be near him. Not after the way he cheated Father out of our best land.” “All the more reason you must marry him. And quickly. Then our families can work the land together. Besides, I’m not allowed to marry or find my calling until you’re settled.” “You’re young. Only seventeen. You can’t marry for several years. And if you found a trade you wanted, someone would be happy to take you as an apprentice.” “I don’t want a trade.” Jaron almost spat the words. “I want our land, and you’re the one who’s going to get it back for us.” He grabbed her arm and jerked her to her feet. “The Gods didn’t bless us with much, but they gave you golden hair and a beauty that’s as good as currency. Now, get home and do your duty, or I’ll beat you if Father won’t.” Ishia didn’t need to force her tears as she stumbled home. Jaron hadn’t found her by accident while hunting. It was the wrong time of day for hunting. He had been following her. He’d be the first one to denounce her if he thought it would benefit him in any way. Even if it meant her death. Even if it meant death for Father and Mother. The next few days were crucial. She had to find time alone to cast a spell. Jaron would watch her every minute. He’d never let her get away. His greed and jealousy were more dangerous than any arrow. As she approached the cabin, the aroma of meat roasting on the spit enveloped her. She slipped unnoticed into the kitchen and began preparing the turnips.
“How was your walk, my dear?” Ishia’s mother, Margrath, placed her arm gently around her daughter’s waist. Ishia shook her head slightly and kept her eyes on the turnips. “Jaron thought I needed to get home and help with the meal.” “Ssssst.” Margrath blew air between her teeth. “Foolish boy. He’ll get us all killed.” “Yes, and then he’ll have the house, the farm, and the livestock all for himself.” Ishia’s heart turned to stone. “No, my darling one. He simply doesn’t understand that he’s playing with fire.” Of course, her mother couldn’t admit Jaron knew exactly what he was doing. He was her son after all. “It’s not right.” Ishia stood and put her arms around Margrath. “I’ve only had ten years with my power. I’m not ready to give it up. Certainly not to the fat slob Fayad. How will I stand it?” “Maybe you won’t lose your power. I didn’t lose all mine when you were born. I can still nudge things when I want. And you’re much stronger than I ever was. We can keep you from getting with child for a few years. If you have to marry Fayad, you can do a love spell on him so he’ll be wrapped around you finger even if you lose your power. Your father is still under my spell and it’s been twenty-three years since you were born.” Ishia fingered the glove hidden in her pocket. “I’ll try again at daybreak, but you must keep Jaron occupied. If the Thane I saw today in the marketplace gets too far away, the spell won’t work and there’ll be no one left for me but Fayad.” “Are you certain he’s the one, daughter?” Margrath twisted the hem of her apron and glanced into the main room where the two men rested after a day spent working in the fields. Ishia tried to speak, but her mouth was dry. “I know I felt him the moment he rode into the village. My heart tells me he’s the one that appears in my dreams, but I’ve never seen his face before today, and my visions don’t tell me why he searches for me.” “If you’re mistaken, things will go badly for you. He could be searching to destroy you.”