Page 41 of Magical Melee

“I… I wasn’t sure if it was real,” I said, struggling to find the right words. “But here I am.”

Nova nodded, stepping closer, her gaze never leaving mine. “Sometimes the lines between dream and reality blur in Stonewick. And sometimes, what we think is a dream is simply a memory waiting to resurface.”

I felt a shiver run through me, and I glanced back at a statue. “So everything you told me… about my family, my father, Stonewick’s magic… it’s true?”

“It is,” Nova replied gently. “Stonewick is in your blood. It’s part of who you are.”

“I’m not sure Keegan feels the same.”

“He’s the leader in our community, not necessarily by choice.” She walked toward me. “He’s wary of change. He knows our history.”

I took a deep breath, letting her words sink in, feeling the truth of them settle into the cracks I’d tried to fill since last night.

I’d built my life around practicality and brushing away improbability. My sole goal was to raise Celeste to be independent and happy. So far, I’d done my job.

But here, surrounded by Stonewick’s strange beauty, I felt a shift. I was suddenly willing to believe there was more to my story than I’d ever allowed myself to see.

Or maybe I wanted it to be that way.

But it scared me, and as I studied Nova, I knew I wasn’t ready for whatever might be waiting for me.

I just wasn’t.

“So, what now?” I asked, meeting Nova’s gaze with a newfound sense of determination. “What am I supposed to do with all of this?”

Nova smiled, a look of quiet pride in her eyes. “That, Maeve, is for you to decide. But know this. You are not alone. Stonewick is here for you, as it was for your father, as it will be for those who come after. You’ll know when it’s time.”

Time for what?

“Everyone is talking to me in these grand and vague notions, and all I know is that I need to get back to reality, pack up anything I might have left behind, and stay at the B&B I reserved to sort out my life.”

Nova’s gaze fell to something on the sidewalk next to me, and I turned to see Frank trotting over to me. He glanced at us both before sitting next to me.

“Follow your heart, Maeve.” Nova smiled and glanced at Frank. “You know what’s best for you.”

She turned and walked toward the building as I nodded and looked toward Stella’s tea shop.

There was no point in staying here and getting lost in la-la land. Maybe Skye paid for the extras with this trip, and these wackadoodles knew when to come out of the creases, cracks, and crevices.

All I knew was that I had two days before I had to be out of my house forever, and I couldn’t keep walking around a town, trying to find answers when everyone here seemed determined to provide the opposite.

I let out a deep breath and smiled at my companion.

“How does no one steal you, Frank?” I asked. “You’re worth a fortune.”

He let out a fluff from his rear, and I laughed, shaking my head.

“Ah, gotcha. You’ve got your own built-in defenses.” He stood and stretched his two front paws. “Come on. I’m going to grab a drink at Stella’s before I head back home.”

We walked slowly down the sidewalk until I reached the tea shop. I reached for the door, and the bell over the door chimed as I stepped intoStonewick Teas and Sundries,the familiar blend of herbal teas wrapped around me like a soothing hug.

There was something about this place that felt like a second home, even though I'd only just arrived in Stonewick. It was both reassuring and, somehow, oddly enchanting.

When Skye brought me here last night, I never imagined that I’d be standing here this morning, trying to find out why Stonewick was connected to my dad.

Stella stood behind the counter, stacking an array of teacups with a level of care usually reserved for priceless artifacts. Her bright red lipstick curved into a delighted grin as she spotted me.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite newcomer!” she exclaimed. Her hands whipped to her narrow hips. “Let me guess. You’re here for more tea.”