Is this what Joro was missing? Magic?
“And what did you discover?” Luelle asked.
“Nothing. Plants need sunlight, good soil, pollination, and water. We couldn’t find anything that could explain the decline.”
Luelle looked at the plants alongside Seda, and the two watched as the orbs fluttered around. Like little bees kissing the tops of flowers, they bounced around, almost as if playing through the fields.
“Life needs balance. Nature needs love,” Luelle stated as she stared at the garden.
Seda glanced over a distant tree line and saw a thin plume of green smoke rising into the sky. “What’s that?” she asked.
Luelle rolled her eyes. “That’s that nasty witch, Tahti. She’s always brewing up something that stinks up the air. Be careful if you go there, Seda. That woman may be an Oracle, but she’sheavy-handed with her broom. Last time I went, she hit me over the head with it. I had a bump for hours.”
“You said she’s an Oracle?” Seda asked, intrigued, recalling her discussion with Cahir. “I’d love to talk to her.”
Luelle huffed, “We can go there if you want, but I’ll stay outside if she allows you in.”
“Do we have time?”
Luelle looked up to the sun and back at Seda. “We’d have to be quick.”
They walked through the trees while pine needles crunched beneath their feet. Tahti’s cabin slowly appeared, and the smell of roasted meat and chemicals drifted around them. Luelle paused at the white picket fence gate and turned to Seda. “This is as far as I go. I’ll be right here. I strongly dislike that woman.”
Seda paused, sensing anxiety beginning to creep up her spine, but she inhaled a restricted breath and moved toward the front door.
Loud screaming came from inside the cabin, and the door swung open.
“Your presence isn’t welcome here!” someone yelled.
Seda quickly jumped back, and Neoma ran out backwards, a broom smacking the woman on the head.
“OUCH! You fucking mean, old thing!” Neoma yelled before spinning around and colliding with Seda. They both fell to the ground, with Neoma landing on top of her.
The door loudly slammed shut.
“I’m sorry, Seda!” Neoma exclaimed as she rose and brushed the dirt from her dress. Her dark hair was a mess, with bits and pieces of the broom tangled within.
Seda was gasping, trying to catch her breath with the stupid dress blocking her airflow. Neoma extended her hand and helped Seda to her feet.
“What are you doing here?” Seda asked her.
“Yeah, whatareyou doing here?” Luelle asked from behind. They both looked back at her as she picked at her nails, not staring at them as she spoke.
“I… I wanted to see if she could give me a…a love potion,” Neoma fumbled.
“A love potion for whom, exactly?” Luelle asked as she narrowed her eyes at her.
Neoma fidgeted with her dress and said, “Umm… my brother. It was his one ask for me when I came to the castle.”
“Is that so?” Luelle said slowly as she stared Neoma down, her eyes narrowing further.
“Yes. Well… it was nice seeing you, Seda. Maybe we can catch up later? I plan on joining you guys for dinner tonight,” Neoma said.
Seda looked at her in bewilderment. Why would she lie about a love potion? Was it for Cahir? It was clearly not the truth. What else could she want from this witch?
“Yes, I’ll see you tonight,” she replied hesitantly.
“Sorry about knocking into you. She really got me good with that broom.” Neoma walked up the path and slowed as she passed Luelle, who watched her pass. After she cleared the area, she picked up her pace and ran through the trees, quickly disappearing through their camouflage.
