Shadows and Light

the house. Aiden slipped an arm around Lyrra’s waist, as much to offer comfort as to provide support.
    Breanna stopped at the threshold, drew a gold chain from beneath her shirt, and held up the pendant. “
    Do you know what this is?”
    Yes, he knew what it was. “It’s a pentagram.” The witches’ symbol for their connection with the Mother, the symbol for earth, air, fire, water, and spirit.
    “Do you understand who we are?”
    “You’re the Mother’s Daughters.”
    The way her eyes widened and then narrowed told him he’d made a mistake of some kind, but his mind and body recognized this as a safe place to rest, and it was getting harder to think clearly, getting harder to move.
    “Come in and be welcome,” Breanna said, stepping across the threshold.
    Aiden felt tears sting his eyes as he helped Lyrra enter the house. He blinked quickly to banish them.
    How could he explain why a simple phrase could effect him so much? How could he tell these women that he’d feared he’d never hear that phrase again, that he’d always arrive too late? How could he say nothing when he knew what might happen the next time a stranger rode across that stone bridge?
    “Breanna?” An older woman with gray-streaked dark hair entered the kitchen, followed by a middle-aged woman wearing a fashionable gentry riding outfit. “We have guests?”

    “Entertainers,” Breanna said. “They need a place to stay tonight.” Turning toward Aiden, she added, “
    This is Nuala, my grandmother. And this is Elinore ... a neighbor.”
    “And mother of the Baron of Willowsbrook,” the middle-aged woman added.
    She wants us to know these women have connections, Aiden thought. Said to the wrong person, that could put her family in as much danger as the witches. “Ladies.”
    “They need some food,” Breanna said.
    “They might also appreciate a bath,” Nuala said. Then she smiled, her expression sympathetic and slightly amused, as if she understood exactly how hard a choice she’d just presented to them.
    “Bath, is it?” another voice said as shoes clomped to the inner kitchen door. “I’ll say they need a bath.
    Mother’s tits! You can smell them two rooms away!”
    “ Glynis! ” Nuala said sharply.
    The woman stepped into the kitchen far enough to see Aiden and Lyrra. Her face reddened.
    “I—” Lyrra stammered. “If we could have a bit of water ...” Her breath caught on a sob. Crying, she turned toward Aiden, who wrapped his arms around her as he glared at Glynis.
    “Oh,” Glynis said. “I never meant—”
    Nuala cut her off. “You’ve said quite enough for the moment.” She and Elinore went to Lyrra, gently drew her out of Aiden’s arms, and led her away. “Come along, now. Come. You’re worn to the bone.
    We’ll prepare a nice bath and a bite to eat. You’ll feel easier in no time. You’ll see.”
    “Aiden!” Lyrra half turned back.
    “He’ll be fine,” Nuala said, continuing to lead Lyrra out of the kitchen. “Breanna will look after him.”
    Not knowing what else to do, Aiden stepped back across the threshold, taking himself out of the house.
    Beside the door was a simple wooden bench, much like the one that had been at Ari’s cottage. Was that common to a witch’s house, or simply a practical way to give whoever worked in the kitchen a place to rest outdoors for a moment?
    He sat on the bench, resting his back against stones that were still cool despite the growing heat of the day.
    A few moments later, Breanna sat down on the other end of the bench.
    “You don’t have to keep me company,” Aiden said wearily. “I smell.”
    “Yes, you do,” Breanna replied calmly. “But that’s something soap and water can fix easily enough.”
    “Breanna,” Glynis said, hovering in the kitchen doorway.
    Aiden kept his eyes fixed on the neat yard, so different from the other witches’ homes he’d seen in Old Places. He didn’t want to look directly at this woman, didn’t want to have to say anything to her. As tired as he was, he didn’t think anything he said right now would be courteous.
    “Thank you, Glynis,” Breanna said, taking a pewter mug and a plate from the woman.

    “I’ll— I’ll just go prepare the water for the gentleman’s bath.”
    “That would be good.” Breanna waited until Glynis left before she held out the plate and mug to Aiden. “
    Here. Have a bit to eat while you’re waiting.”
    “Thank you.” He took a sip of ale, fought the urge to drain the