An Unlikely Witch by Debora Geary Read Free Book Online

And that was more than enough philosophizing from a witch about to take a wintery dip in the waters.  Moira glanced around, making sure they’d left no one behind, and called up what little power was hers to summon.  She felt Lizzie’s joining hers instantly, the young girl well used to keeping an old witch warm on an ocean swim.  And behind her, Sierra and Devin’s magnificent flows.  More water magic than any ten witches could ever need.  Enough for her to take what she needed and revel in it. 
    Moira spiraled through the first waves like a dolphin, as she’d done ever since she was a wee water sprite.  Energy rippled and tunneled in the waters around her as those with the most flowing of magics connected together.  Wild buoyancy, and such power—it made her as light and dizzy as a young girl.
    Kenna bobbed delighted in their midst.  Moira smiled as she felt that—Lauren must have pulled all of their minds into a web as well.
    I did.   There was humor behind the dryness.  I figure if we’re going to go through with this insanity, we all might as well catch her enjoyment full blast.
    Oh, they’d just barely begun.  Devin’s curls had been wet when they’d first arrived on the beach—Moira was quite sure he had treasures already out there waiting for his youngest niece.  And Aervyn was at least as gleeful as his little cousin.
    For the rest of them, the gift was in simply belonging.  In the power of shared magic and being entirely surrounded by the element that called so deeply to most of them.
    But not all.  Moira stuck her head up long enough to peer around at those with less affinity for the marvelous waters.  Nat swam like a fish at her daughter’s side.  No magic there—just a mother’s happiness and a body well used to water in all its forms.
    Aervyn cavorted just out of Kenna’s reach, making sure her fiery soul didn’t get overwhelmed by a stray wave.  Moira marveled—they swam in bathtub-warm waters, and the child barely looked as if he was making an effort.
    It’s all him.   Jamie swam just behind his wife, making up in vigor what he lacked in grace.  Nell and I are just on backup—the kid’s got energy to burn.
    Aervyn wasn’t the only one.  Devin was leaping around like a dolphin, Nathan and Kevin hot on his heels.  Blatant power and young male foolishness, perhaps, but they had Kenna’s undivided attention, even if their mermaid tail illusions had gotten a tad woobly.
    Fishies!
    Those would be the silly mermen, sweet girl.  Moira swam forward, fully intending to join them in their foolishness.  Even an old lady had a leap or two up her sleeve. 
    Dev grinned and held out his arms.  I think that mermaid movie has a dance or two.  Join me? 
    Such ridiculousness.  She was entirely sure she grinned like a besotted girl.  You should dance with your wife.
    His laugh rolled, even over the sounds of the ocean.  She’d kill me if I danced with her like this.  And then Moira was in his arms, caught up in his tumbling, laughing power.  She knew they went up, and she knew they went deep down—and after that, she only leaned her heart into the experience and rejoiced.
    They were singing now, the rest of them.  Words of life under a watery sea as a very old lady danced with a man who easily could have challenged Neptune’s rule.
    Kenna’s little body rocked on the waves, enchanted.
    Devin slowed now, setting Moira down gently at Lauren’s side.  And then he swooped up his niece and made her his next queen.  He kept both their heads above water this time, but the wee girl would never know the difference.  She knew only that she danced with the king of the mermaids.
    There was no purer delight in the entire universe.
    And it wasn’t just Kenna.  Nat and Jamie caught Moira’s eye, basking together on a wave.   They drank their daughter’s elation, soaked it in and melded it to the bedrock of their family of three.
    Two people who were so very meant to be