The Prophecy

Chapter Two

I think they could feel just how uncomfortable I was discussing my inability to specialize my magic because much to my delight it was Waylon who changed the subject and lead us into a normal dinner conversation as we all sat down to dig in. Turns out Callen was a scholar like his dad and though he’s not nearly as gifted as my momma was he enjoys gardening and helping with the running of the orchard and studying botany. He was obviously shy, but I loved the enthusiasm that emanated from his very being as he spoke of the things he loved. His passion was endearing and he was letting his whole personality shine in these moments and I loved it.

Athen went to Le Cordon Bleu a famous culinary school in France which explained how he busted out the impressive spread we were all eating. He was nice enough and my god he was handsome but he had no problem tooting his own horn. Even though he wasn’t the type that normally caught my eye, I normally didn’t go for guys with big heads he also had a way about him that made me hang on his every word and I just couldn’t explain it. Then there was Waylon, he spoke the least of all seated around the table but from what others offered up during our mealtime conversation he was a gifted carpenter. He was building his own house somewhere on the property, he helped the groundkeeper with the upkeep on this old plantation and fixed the vehicles and what not, never went to school for anything after he graduated, he was self taught which somehow made me start to fantasize about him shirtless, sweat dripping from his forehead… muscles as far as thee I could see building a goddamn house with his barehands. I was snapped back to reality by Arthur continuing our conversation of the families magic.

“You’re in for a treat my girl, you’re going to get to see a devotion ceremony for yourself this time next month when Callen claims his earth magic officially under the Goddess. I bet that’ll get you more excited for your own next spring.” 

“Really? I get to go?” I was suddenly excited. “I’ve never been to a ceremony, what’s it like?” Athen took the chance to elaborate, “Well, covens from all over the country gather to present their of age witches, each one demonstrates their speciality for the elders and the Goddess herself under the full moon. It can be lengthy depending on how many turned 18 that year, you don’t have to participate in the ceremony nearest your birthday though so don’t worry, they do it twice a year so you can get it over with at the first one or choose to go to the second if you want or need more time to practice and prepare. I myself chose to specialize as soon as possible after my birthday.” He smiled at me and I smiled back and looked down at my plate. I looked up at the sound of Waylons voice saying, “Yeah yeah we all know how awesome you are brother, but aren’t you leaving out one tiny detail?” 

“It was an ACCIDENT Waylon and you know it!” Athens face contorted in frustration throwing daggers at his older brother with his bluest of eyes. 

“Not the point, I bet Elder Xavier hasn’t forgotten how you lit his cloak on fire during your presentation,” for once Waylon was smiling and seemed to be positively enthralled in causing his younger brother discomfort by reminding him of his shortcoming, he looked over at me and continued despite his brothers protests “Athen was attempting to be his usual show off self, and while in his day to day he is quite skilled with fire magic he tried to create a massive fire cylon for the goddess, lost control towards the end and caught fire to one of the elders robs as well as one of the table cloths on the nearest shrine. You’re welcome by the way for quickly putting that out.” 

“No one asked you to use water magic to save my ass, all you really did was embarrass me because I would have done it myself had you given me half a chance.’ Athen spat, his ego obviously still bruised by the events that took place almost 2 and a half years ago. 

With dinner and desert finished and Ms Loretta having already cleared the table the men said their goodnights and Aunt Marg took me upstairs to what was to be my new room. As she opened the double doors she showed me into somewhere fit for a queen, not a 17 year old magically handicapped orphan witch. I had a four poster canopy bed, white tulle cascading down the mahogany frame, lavish white plush carpet, an antique vanity positioned between my bed and bay widow that was laden with pillows of every color. “Over here sweet pea is your closet.” Aunt Marg led me through some doors into a walk-in the size of my bedroom back home, I couldn’t even speak I was so taken aback by my new digs.  “All your things are here put them where ever you like. And over heeeeeere, is your bathroom.” She lead me out of my “closet” if you could call it that and I was hit with white marble dripped from the counter, floor, and truly massive bathtub before me. I twirled slowly and took it all in. Aunt Marg interrupted my thoughts by saying, “Tomorrow we will get to work on your training, for the next month you’ll be sharing me with Callen until his ceremony then you’ll have me all to yourself sugar.” 

“Don’t worry Aunt Marg, I’ll be happy to just sit back and watch. I’m not exactly looking forward to you all seeing how terrible I am at this.” As I said this she didn’t even seem phased, she basically ignored my down trodden behavior and replied “Theres more to all of this than we know hon, the Goddess doesn’t make mistakes sweet pea now you settle in and get some rest. If you need anything at all you call me or Ms Loretta M’kay? Good night my sweet girl.” She kissed me on the forehead as she left my room and finally, for the first time since arriving I was alone. I walked around my new room, taking in ever detail. The grooves of the mirror atop my vanity, the softness of my bedspread, and out of the corner of my eye something caught my attention. I saw Waylon walking from the back porch across the yard and into the trees of the orchard beyond. Where are you going Mr Whitten. 

Before I knew what I was doing I was down the stairs out the back door aimlessly walking through the backyard. I swore I saw him walk this way… I heard something rustle to my left so I went towards the sound through the trees. I ran my fingers along the bark feeling the soft leaves, the sticky sap and took a deep breath to enjoy the sweet overripe smell of the newly fallen peaches on the ground. “What the hell are you doing out here.” I was so taken aback I spun around quickly and somehow I tripped and landed on my ass I did’t even need to hear the squish to know I fell into a pile of decaying peaches. But my annoyance quickly dissipated as I looked up into Waylons violet eyes. He was smirking at me. “Are you just gonna stand there or are you going to offer me help up?” I said embarrassed. 

“Both.” He laughed, and after I huffed and attempted to get myself out of the literal mess I was in he threw his hand down and picked me up by the arm like I was nothing. “Follow me.” He took off down an isle of trees and I had to jog to keep pace.

“Where are we going? Why are you out here in the dark? Didn’t you go to bed ages ago?”

He stopped dead and I ran into his chest with an “oof” he looked down at me with his broodingly attractive furrowed brow “So once you get comfortable some where you never stop talking huh? You were much quieter at dinner.” Just as quickly as he stopped he was off again.

“What?!? Well, I was getting used to the place, and I DON’T talk too much, just when I’m nervous.” He stopped again and I fell into his rock hard chest for the second time in less than 5 minutes, “STOP DOING THAT!” I howled in frustration. Mainly because every time he did I could hear my heart beat in my ears and I wondered if he could hear it too. 

“Does that mean you’re nervous?” Again with that crooked smile. Could make a girl lose her mind. “As nervous as anyone would be out in a forrest of fruit trees with someone they don’t know in the middle of the damn night.” I shot back. 

“Hey YOU followed ME out here remember, if you’re nervous go back.” He called over his shoulder. 

“Quit walking so damn fast we all know you’re just about a foot taller than me but no need to rub it in you’re practically running.” Just as the last word left my lips we came to a clearing and I saw a quaint little blue cottage, wrap around porch, tools everywhere, I could see a light through the window. “This must be the place your daddy said you were working on.” I said quieter than I meant to but he heard me. 

“Are you gonna stand there or are you gonna come inside and get that peach jam off your ass.”  The wind felt cold on my flushed cheeks as I walked into Waylons place. 

“How long have you been working on this.” I said nudging a piece of laminate flooring with my shoe, the living room was in progress apparently though the outside looked damn near done. “Three years.” He said as I followed him into an equally under construction kitchen. 

“At least there’s a sink.” I saw his shoulders bounce from a silent laugh as he tossed me a towel “Here clean yourself up.” And disappeared through a door on the side of the room. I finished washing as much of the sticky fruit off my jeans as I could when I heard him come back. I looked up and where early my heart was pounding right now I couldn’t tell if it was beating at all. Waylon had entered his kitchen shirtless and was it a sight to behold. He caught me looking and he walked towards me with a purpose in his eyes. He stopped dead in front of my face and our noses were barely two inches apart when he said, “Who are you?”

“What?” I blurted out, because I was pretty sure I was dying, my damn heart couldn’t make up its mind. He brought his arms up on either side of me and rested them on the counter top and leaned closer, out of instinct I leaned back and considering I was already up against the sink there wasn’t anywhere I could go. 

“You feel it too. Don’t deny it. The minute you got out of that car all I could think was I had to know you. What are you doing? A charm? Some kind of enchantment?” Wait was he accusing me of casting some kind of love spell? “Are you serious?” I said with a little more disgust than I meant to, but Jesus “And I thought Athen seemed full of himself.” I used all my might to push passed him and started to make my way towards the door. I heard him yell behind me, “I wasn’t trying to insult you.” Yeah, sure. 

“This place sucks.” I muttered to myself as I made my way back through the peaches towards the main house and back to my room to get some much needed sleep. Hopefully tomorrow practicing magic with Callen and Aunt Marg would be better and the oldest Whitten brother could go straight to hell.