“Where are ye off to in such a hurry, lass?”
Lillith turned toward her Uncle Brus’s voice. He was already crouching in front of her, so that his face became immediately level with hers. “Why are yer cheeks red?” Lillith blurted, wishing she hadn’t been caught crying.
“Too much celebration,” he replied, tipping up the wine goblet clutched in his hand. “Now, why are ye crying?” he asked, pushing her hair back from her face with calloused fingers to tuck it behind her ear.
Lillith’s bottom lip trembled again, this time out of gratitude. At least her uncle loved her. She bit down on her lip to try to stop the trembling, but it was no use. Fresh tears welled up and spilled over. “Da does nae love me and Lenora,” she blurted out, her voice breaking.
Without a word, he pulled her into his arms, enfolding her in an embrace that smelled of wine, leather, and the faintest trace of the forge where he sometimes helped the blacksmith.
“Hush now,” he murmured against the top of her head. “’Tis nae ye. ’Tis him. He’s forgotten how to love ever since yer mama broke his heart.”
Lillith hiccupped, confusion momentarily cutting through her distress. “By dying?” she asked.
Uncle Brus opened his mouth and looked like he was going to say something, then he fell silent for a moment, before finally saying, “Aye, lass. By dying.”
Lillith wrinkled her nose, trying to make sense of it all. “Mama died, and da forgot how to smile?”
“Something like that,” he replied, chucking her under the chin as a small smile played at the corners of his mouth. “Do nae grow up to be like him, wee Lillith. Ye keep yer happiness and smiles, ye hear? Do nae let sorrow turn ye to stone.”
“Brus MacLeod!” came her Aunt Elena’s sharp voice above them. Uncle Brus rolled his eyes at Lillith, but when he looked up at her aunt, he had a somber expression on his face.
“Hello, sister.”
Aunt Elena knelt beside Lillith. Her silk skirts pooled around her on the rush-strewn floor. “Do nae pay him any mind,” she said, her tone gentle. “He’s in his cups.” She shot Uncle Brus a dark look to which he shrugged. “And he’s vexed with yer da.”
Lillith got the feeling she was supposed to nod, so she did. Aunt Elena patted Lillith on the head, before her aunt poked Uncle Brus in the chest. “Ye should be ashamed, filling Lillith’s head with such talk. Can ye nae see she’s upset enough?”
Brus scoffed, rising to his full height with only a slight wobble. “I may be in my cups and vexed, but my words were true,” he replied, his tone defiant despite the slurring of his words. “Love broke our brother.”
Aunt Elena shook her fist at Uncle Brus. “I’m going to break yer thick skull if ye do nae get out of my sight.”
“Fine, fine!” Uncle Brus said, throwing up his empty hand. “I’m going.” With that, he straightened his plaid, gave Aunt Elena a mocking bow, and strode away.
“Do nae pay yer uncle any heed, child,” Aunt Elena said.
Lillith nibbled her lip, considering. She knew her aunt wanted her to feel better, but her uncle’s words were actually making her feel better. She finally understood. Her da was broken by love. If she could fix him, then he’d dance, smile, and laugh, and not think her and Lenora pesky burdens. “I’ll nae, Auntie Elena,” Lillith lied, sensing it would be easier this way. “I’m going to go find Lenora.”
“All right, Lillith. Are ye certain ye’re alright?”
“Aye, Auntie,” Lillith fibbed again. She felt bad about it, truly. She loved her aunt, but some adults did not seem to understand certain things, like how love could break you and that sometimes monsters were under beds.
Her aunt kissed her on the cheek, then Lillith made her way toward Lenora as Uncle Brus’s words filled her head. Love had broken her da. If love could hurt someone as strong and big as her da, maybe she should guard against it? She had no notion at all how one did that, but she’d figure it out. Before she even came to a complete stop in front of her sister, she blurted, “I ken what’s wrong with Da now.”
Lenora’s eyes went wide. “He told ye?”
“Do nae be daft! Uncle Brus told me.”
“Oh! What did he say?”
Lillith leaned in and cupped her hand to Lenora’s ear. This was a secret, and everyone knew secrets should be whispered. Of course, Uncle Brus had not whispered it, but he was in his cups. “Uncle Brus says love broke da. Love for mama,” she added in case Lenora was confused. “When mama died, da’s heart shattered, and he’s nae been able to piece it back together.”
“How do we fix him?”
Lillith’s lips curved into a smile. “We need to go to the Wishing Tree by the fae pool tonight.”
“The fae pool?” Lenora gasped, pulling back. “Whatever for? Are ye daft? ’Tis freezing outside, and dark, and there are wolves in the woods. Nae to mention the seer’s cave is nearby, and ye ken what they say about her—”
“I ken exactly what they say about Eolande,” Lillith interrupted. “She’s full of magic. And she’ll cast a spell on ye if ye cross her. We’ll nae cross her. We likely will nae even see her. Everyone says wishes made at the Wishing Tree on certain special nights come true without fail.”
