Daughter of a Witch

A Candle Spell

The house was quiet, bathed in the dim glow of the early evening as Y/n sank into the plush armchair in the living room. Her eyes stared vacantly at the wall, a distant heaviness settling over her like a thick fog. She'd had days like this before, but the weight felt almost too much to shake off tonight.

Agatha, passing by on her way to the kitchen, noticed her daughter's posture-shoulders slumped, face weary-and paused. She'd seen that kind of heaviness settle over Y/n before and knew it wasn't something her daughter would bring up on her own.

Agatha glanced at Rio, who was already watching from the doorway with a mix of concern and understanding. Silently agreeing, they each sat on either side of Y/n, offering her the presence of family without pushing her to speak.

After a moment, Agatha placed a gentle hand on Y/n's shoulder. "You're carrying a lot on those shoulders tonight, darling. Would you like a little help lightening the load?"

Y/n looked up, summoning a faint smile. "Maybe... It's just been a hard day. I guess I got stuck in my own head again."

Rio's hand found Y/n's, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I know that feeling," she said warmly. "But I think we might have just the thing to clear away that fog. Something small, simple, but powerful."

Y/n's gaze softened with curiosity as she looked between her moms. "What is it?"

"A candle spell," Agatha said with a gentle smile. "It's nothing complicated. Just something to center yourself and clear away the noise."

Agatha and Rio exchanged a knowing glance before Agatha continued. "Come on, let's gather a few things."

They moved to the kitchen, where Agatha pulled out three thick white candles and set them on a tray. Rio opened a small cabinet, selecting a few essential oil vials with an approving nod before joining them.

"What are those for?" Y/n asked, watching Rio pour a few drops onto each candle.

"Lavender for peace, eucalyptus for clarity," Rio replied with a wink. "And a dash of rosemary for memory. Good for the heart and mind."

They brought everything back to the living room, arranging the candles on the coffee table in a circle and dimming the lights. The three of them sat cross-legged around the small display, the quiet ritual already bringing a sense of calm.

"Would you like to light them, Y/n?" Agatha asked.

Y/n nodded, taking a match and striking it against the box. She carefully lit each candle, watching as each wick caught flame, illuminating the room in a gentle, golden glow. The warmth of the candlelight softened the space around them, wrapping them in a cocoon of peace and warmth.

Agatha's voice was gentle as she began guiding them through the spell. "Close your eyes and breathe. Focus on each breath, slow and steady. Feel the warmth of the candles; imagine it like a blanket wrapping around you."

Y/n let herself sink into her mother's words, feeling her shoulders start to relax as she breathed in the soft aroma of lavender. The day's weight began to lift, replaced by the soothing presence of her moms beside her.

"Now," Agatha continued, "we're each going to set an intention-something we need-calm, clarity, peace. Let it take shape in your mind, and when you're ready, release it to the flame."

Y/n thought of the word "release." She didn't need to name the details, didn't need to say out loud what felt heavy. She just needed to let it go, let the warmth and light of the candles carry it away.

Watching her daughter's expression soften, Rio placed her hand over the nearest candle flame, murmuring a small spell under her breath. Instantly, the flame shifted from yellow to a gentle, calming blue, filling the room with a soft, tranquil glow.

"Blue for calm," Rio explained with a small smile. "Something I learned a long time ago."

Y/n watched in quiet awe as the flames flickered, her own heart feeling lighter, more open. She looked up at her moms, realizing they seemed just as calm and centered, their expressions softened by the candlelight.

Agatha's voice brought her attention back to the moment. "Magic isn't only about spells and charms, Y/n. It's also about connection-to ourselves and to each other."

Rio glanced at Agatha, a playful glint in her eye. "And to some old memories, right, my love?"

Agatha smiled, catching on. "Ah, yes. Do you remember the very first time we did this spell?"

Y/n's curiosity was piqued. "When was that?"

Rio laughed softly, her gaze meeting Agatha's with a spark of fondness. "Salem. Ages ago-literally." She winked at Y/n, leaning back as she began. "Your mom here was something of a mystery to me at the time."

Agatha rolled her eyes, her lips curving with affection. "That's because you were just about the most insufferable charmer in Massachusetts."

Rio shrugged, unrepentant. "I had to stand out somehow! Besides, I'd never met anyone who could keep up with my magic and my...wit."

Y/n watched them, completely captivated. "So, you were both witches even back then?"

Agatha nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Yes. But we weren't exactly a team. We were both rebels of sorts, hiding from the chaos of the witch trials."

Rio's voice softened as she picked up the story. "We were both trying to keep our heads down, but I couldn't ignore your mother. She had this calm strength, something I couldn't look away from."

Agatha smiled, her eyes twinkling with memory. "And you, with that boldness. I didn't know whether to hex you or admire you."

Rio laughed, squeezing Agatha's hand. "Some things never change."

Agatha continued, glancing back at Y/n. "Rio thought it would be a good idea to impress me by enchanting an entire room of candles to flicker in different colors. It was...obnoxious."

Rio grinned, unashamed. "But it worked, didn't it? I think that's what started it all, you know. Just us, sharing a quiet moment with a spell and a few candles in a world that didn't understand us."

Y/n, her heart swelling with warmth, reached over to hold both of their hands. She could almost see it-her moms, younger but still the same, sharing a quiet moment just like this one. She felt a deep sense of gratitude, not only for the stories but for the love they'd given her.

"So, magic's always been like this for you both?" she asked quietly, looking between them.

Agatha nodded, her eyes filled with a gentle pride. "Magic is more than a skill. It's how we connect, create something lasting, meaningful."

Rio leaned in, pressing a kiss to Y/n's forehead. "And it's how we find our way back to each other, no matter what. Every spell and quiet moment like this is our way of grounding ourselves."

Y/n felt a warmth in her chest that seemed to grow with every breath, every soft flicker of the candles. The weight that had settled over her earlier had vanished, replaced by a quiet peace and a deep love for the two people sitting beside her.

As the flames flickered and softened, casting their shadows across the room, the three of them sat together in contented silence, savoring the comfort of the moment.

They stayed there until the candles burned low, their lights dimming into the darkness. Rio squeezed Y/n's hand one last time before blowing out the final flame, leaving them in the cozy twilight of their family room.

And in that gentle, shared silence, Y/n knew that as long as she had this-her moms, their love, and the magic they'd shared-she would never face the darkness alone.