The Magician's Witch

Realizations

Eilis looked around, shielding her eyes from the bright sun overhead. Her eyes slowly focused on the area surrounding her. She recognized the poplar and cypress trees, the fountains, the walkways. This was the Garden at the Golestan Palace.

Why am I back here, she asked herself. She listened for the familiar sounds of servants chattering as they went about their business, the sound of birds calling to each other, the rustling of leaves as rodents or lizards slithered through the underbrush. None came. All was silent.

"Erik," she called, looking around for him. Where could he be?

Eilis turned toward the balcony that led to the harem, and she saw him walking down the stairs. She breathed a sigh of relief as Erik walked to her.

His face was glamoured—or was it? Eilis glanced at the wrist he usually wore the diamond on—it wasn't there. She frowned and looked back at his face.

Erik smiled the biggest smile Eilis had ever seen, embracing her tightly. He sighed as he enveloped her. "Eilis," he whispered.

Feeling slightly confused, but delighted to be in his arms, Eilis wrapped her arms around him, too. She closed her eyes, feeling every place their bodies touched. She breathed him in; he smelled of beeswax and wood shavings...and him. This was bliss.

It could have been an eternity that they held each other. Time seemed to stand still as they stood molded together in the garden of the palace.

Regretfully, Erik finally pulled away, reaching a hand to Eilis' face. He smiled again. "You are radiant, mon cœur."

Eilis smiled back, blushing a little at his flattery. "Must be all the hormones. I am still pregnant, after all."

A cloud passed over Erik's striking features, but he quickly replaced it with a look of joy. He placed his free hand on her belly, looking down at it. "It's going to be a boy," he murmured wistfully.

Eilis snickered. "How do you know?"

Erik didn't respond, but his hand lingered a second too long, worrying Eilis. "Love, are you alright?"

Erik looked up at her eyes, his own eyes pained. He shook his head, dispelling the sullen thoughts warring in him. "Nothing to worry you about." He looked around, then offered Eilis his arm. "Let's take a turn around the garden together."

Eilis grinned, accepting his arm.

They strolled around the garden, admiring the manicured flora and fauna, their feet crunching the lime walkway beneath them. A pair of swans floated serenely over the glassy surface of the water. The walkway was dappled here and there by the light canopy of trees above. A scorpion scurried across their path.

After a number of turns, Eilis paused, halting them both. "Why are we here," she asked, looking up at Erik.

Erik's face was carefully neutral. "Well, you did always say that this garden would be much more peaceful without the presence of the royal family and their cohorts," he explained.

Eilis listened for distant voices—she heard nothing. "We are really here by ourselves?"

Erik nodded.

Eilis frowned, confused. "Why? Not that I'm objecting. But why are we here?"

Erik sighed. "If you are asking, then that means that you are closer to waking up than I thought."

Eilis stood back from him, startled. "Waking up? I'm asleep? Is this a dream?"

Erik shrugged. "Yes. And no."