Hyacinth

Taliesin.

Glancing at my phone I see a message from Hyacinth, with a nod my father excuses me from the reception and I hurry to my office. I feel horrid about the way the council are using her blog to gather information about other supernatural communities, but I am also glad for the limited contact that I have with her. Just over a year after she left the community, my cousin discovered her blog and the council had seen the potential for information. The task of contacting her had been assigned to me and it was a task I was determined to keep.

I had been childhood friends with her older half-brother and after his death I was the only one she had said goodbye to before disappearing in the middle of the night. No one knew that I had had a crush on her since she was fifteen, or that I had broken the rules and kissed her the night that she left. She was a half breed, her mere existence was a cause for shame according to the strict rules of the community. Only the position that her family had held protected her, after their death she lost that protection and had left before anyone could act. If anyone knew how I felt I would be forced to marry or dealt with permanently. I had been secretly trying to find a way to join her without any repercussions from the community but so far the only option was to place myself under the protection of a man my father hated.

Hyacinth was currently in the town of Silver Springs New York, there were a lot of rumours about that town so the current contract with her was quite extensive. As a rule once the contract was signed there was very little contact unless something was not going to plan. Leaning back in my chair, thumb hovering over my phone I hesitated. It might be something small or something could have gone horribly wrong. Taking a deep breath, I open the message.

T, I will not be fully reviewing Love Blooms as requested. It has a spell on it that transfers to those who read it. The PSL was also spelled. Both spells are love related and are most likely linked to the large number of polygamous relationships in the town. BH

A love spell? I quickly type back a message.

BH, are you under the spell? T

As I wait for her response I drum my fingers on the desktop. A love spell, there were so many variations on the theme but if it was on items that were accessible to random people then it had to be something nonspecific. Hopefully she was unaffected, her abilities at shielding or deflecting magic were excellent. A ding from my phone drew my attention. Opening it quickly my heart sank as I read the simple one word reply.

Yes

Leaping from my seat I freeze with my hand on the doorknob. Love Blooms and a PSL? Why would she mention them, there was nothing about those things in the contract. Sitting back down at my desk I open my email. Everything in the contract is as I remember it but there was another email a few days later that I do not remember sending. It specifically requests a review of Love Blooms and a pumpkin spice latte from Jewels Café. Leaning back in my chair I ponder who could have sent this email. Who would have been able to guess the password?

There is a soft knock on the door and it opens, my mother enters carrying a plate with a slice of cake.

"Mother."

"Is everything alright Taliesin?"

Handing me the plate she perches on the edge of my desk.

"You have been here a long time."

"I got a message from Hyacinth."

"How is she?"

"She has had a spell placed on her. She says it's a love spell."

She watches me, a twinkle in her eye, as I fidget nervously.

"I see, and you are worried?"

"Yes, if father..."

"It has nothing to do with your father. You are worried what will happen if she falls for someone other than you." She chuckles. "Unlike your father I am not blind Taliesin, I think it is time to take you to see my father."

Her father, I frown, not understanding what grandfather has to do with the issue.

"Taliesin, it is clear that you have no interest in the women here. A trip to my fathers to search for a bride is just the thing you need, and if you should happen to get lost and end up in Silver Springs along the way."

Understanding dawns and I look up at my mothers smiling face, not only had she known about my feelings but she was offering to help me in her own way. Standing I wrap her in a crushing hug.

"I will talk to your father tonight. Now back to the party and see your brother and his bride off."

Smiling I pick up the plate and follow her, as I am shutting my door pieces fall into place in my mind.

"Mother, a second email was sent to Hyacinth. It specifically requested that she review the items with the spell. You sent that email, didn't you?"

She flashes me a knowing smile and hurried down the hallway. I had often wondered how such a soft and gentle woman like my mother could survive married to a hard man like my father. I was beginning to see that my mother was more than she appeared. Shaking my head, I returned to the reception, perhaps her meddling would work out for the best. I can only hope that Hyacinth will be happy to see me.