Chapter Seven

 

 

 

“Meghan,” Sirius whispered, his warm breath against her temple.

She studied him. “You're not a tree whisperer, are you?”

“No.” His silver-blue eyes, softer now, held her captive, penetrating her very soul. She buried her face against his warm throat.

I love him, she thought.

“Come, sit with me.” He stretched out a beckoning hand and she followed him beneath Lady Enchantment. Resting her back against the trunk, she looked up at the beautiful canopy of golden leaves.

“There's magic here.” She spoke prayerfully; her words hung in the air.

Sirius nodded in agreement.

“I saw you in my dream last night,” she went on softy, her eyes on his. “You and Poppy, here together, laughing and smiling.”  

Sirius held her gaze.

“I know how much you miss your grandfather,” he told her gently. “I chose to come to you through him, so you wouldn't be afraid.”

“Poppy was happy in the dream,” she murmured. Sirius caressed her face, and Meg basked in his comforting touch.

“So, who are you really, Doctor Lamspagetti, and where did you come from?”

Barking out a laugh, Sirius ran his finger over her delicate cheek and answered, “I am Sirius, Warlock Prince of White Light Castle Coven. I am from a universe far beyond the stars.”

He reached inside his jacket for the ancient parchment and unrolled it before her. Leaning forward, she read the script and pointed to the verse containing the word “swan.”

“And I'm the swan?”

“I have a passion for a certain ballet, and only the gods know how much I love that story.”

“Swan Lake—my favorite as well,” she told him.

“I know.” A smile creased his face. She looked up at him in question.

“I know everything about you, Meghan Alexandria,” he said tenderly.

A faint flush tinged her cheeks. “Carya ovata?” Meg asked, stirred by his admission. “What does it mean?”

“Shagbark hickory, but I prefer Lady Enchantment.”

Overwhelmed, Meg leaned back against the massive hickory and closed her eyes. She was about to say something when she heard Pruitt call her name. Her sister came running, a tall, blond Adonis following behind her.

“Meg! What the hell is going on?” she gasped breathlessly. “I was at the library when … when he came in.” She pointed at Morton. “And … and the next thing I know … I'm here!” On a second breath, she said, “Doctor Lamborghini?”

Sirius smiled, nodding to Morton.

“We'll explain, Pru,” Meg said, patting the space next to her as an invitation for her sister to sit. “Just like Poppy, there's a story in need of telling.”

Sirius explained everything, from needing their permission to extract the oil from the hickory nuts, to the rush to return to his ailing coven before midnight on All Hallows’ Eve.

The story told, both sisters granted permission. Then together, they formed a plan.