“I understand you have Unseelie blood,” Bapa said to Ethan.
“I.. have some,” he admitted. “Though I’m not sure how to use it properly.”
“Then it’s time you were taught,” Bapa said firmly. “We have multitudes of Unseelie knowledge we need to pass on.”
“Yes. Both of you should bring your mates along as often as you can,” Babcia said to Arthur and I. “There is much to learn.”
“Do you have Unseelie blood, Vara?” I asked her.
Vara shook her head. “I do not. But I am open to learning about different fae paths as a journalist, and this is all very interesting.”
“Today’s lesson should be something you all should be able to do,” Babcia said. “We’ve been working on transporting ourselves to Edinmyre. But today, we’ll be working on creating aUnseeliehearthfire.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Every Unseelie should have a hearthfire,” Babcia explained. “It is the heart of the home, the spirit of where you live. Ours is the hearth, which you see here.” She gestured to the fireplace.
“It doesn’t have to be an actual hearth or fireplace. The proper designation is a spiritual headquarters in which you can pull magic from,” Bapa said. “Typically, it is an altar which Unseelie fae keep their magical objects, and practice their dark art.”
“However, you can also create a hearthfire in Edinmyre, which we will teach you how to do,” Bapa said. “If your spirit is strong enough, you will be able to store objects and use such a place as a home. Whether it be on Earth or in Edinmyre, your hearthfire will be a place where you can draw energy from it at all times.”
“How do you set up a hearthfire?” Arthur asked.
“On the physical plane, you need to designate a space that is yours, which you own,” Bapa said. “If you don’t have a traditional hearth, set up an altar with your Unseelie supplies— your crystals, any incense, the salt of the earth in a wooden bowl, and a black candle— make sure the black candle is there, as it will protect you from dark energy. And always include a reminder of your fae ancestors.”
I looked up at the hearth, noticing that all of these things my grandparents had sitting on the mantle above the fireplace. I’d never noticed these small details before, but now I realized how important having a hearthfire was to them.
Babcia sat back. “We’ll begin by entering into a meditation, which will take our spirits to Edinmyre. My prince, have you been able to transport your spirit to Edinmyre through astral means?”
“I’ve tried,” Ethan admitted. “It’s something I haven’t yet mastered.”
“Then you’ll try again,” Babcia said simply. “Let us take our souls to Edinmyre.”
I closed my eyes and began the meditation. It was easy now, almost like breathing after so much practice. I blinked, and within a few moments, I’d transported myself to Edinmyre. We were in a clear yellow field, nestled against a grouping of purple trees. Arthur and Bapa were here, in their shifter forms. Babcia was already brushing off her apron like this was nothing.
A few moments passed, then Ethan popped up at my side, shaking his white fur. “I did it!” he exclaimed in surprise.
“You did!” I said. I was gleeful. I was hoping he’d get it this time.
“It is strange, seeing you this way in a different land,” Ethan said. He reached out and ran his nose over my tail. “Wolfish ears and all.”
“It’s how we’re supposed to be,” I told him.
Vara was absent. Perhaps she hadn’t achieved the mediation, or maybe she was just observing us back on Earth. Puck had chosen to stay with her, as he wasn’t here, either.
Babcia gestured for us to come closer. We gathered around her in a group, and she said, “Creating a hearthfire in Edinmyre is very different from creating one on Earth. You can use your illusion magic to manufacture whatever you wish here much easier. Better than that— unlike on Earth, what we do here in Edinmyre is permanent. What we craft out of our illusions here will stay, until we destroy it. Emma, stand by me.”
I came forward, and Babcia placed her hands on my shoulders. “Imagine the perfect hearthfire, a home of your own. What do you see?”
I took an introspective breath. “I see a yellow-brick cottage, with a thatch roof and green shutters. There’s a water wheel that turns in a tiny creek, and white roses climbing up the windows. A hearth is in the living room, which is connected to the kitchen. There are mismatched chairs around the dining room table, and herbs drying over the cast-iron stove. It has a door that leads to multiple rooms— however many you need. Multicolored rugs are placed on wooden floors, and there’s a bouquet of flowers sitting on every surface. There’s a clawfoot tub in the bathroom, and the bedroom has a king-sized bed, topped with the softest blankets you’ve ever felt. It smells like freshly made blueberry pancakes, and maple syrup. There’s a writing nook in the corner, and everything is cozy. It’s the most comforting place in the world.”
“Then believe it, and it is real,” Babcia whispered.
I did. I had the wish that the cottage was standing in front of me, and without a second thought more, a building materialized right before my very eyes. Arthur and Ethan both gasped, and I reached a hand out to grab the antique knob. Delight bubbled in my insides as I walked inside the cottage. It was full of sunlight and cheer. When the smell of pancakes hit my nose, I knew it was my magic that had created it.
“It’s exactly how I imagined it,” I said, walking around in awe. The cottage was decorated in a type of farmhouse-style, each piece of furniture and decor colorful and antique. Every detail was perfect, right down to the soft blankets I’d imagined.
“It’s perfect, Emma.” Ethan had his nose pressed to the couch, smelling everything. Arthur’s head swiveled from this way to that, taking it all in.
