Page 93

‘Are you really here?’

The bird rapped her beak quickly on the counter. Solid. Real. Yes. Really here.

‘How did you even get in?’

The sudden breeze that teased at her hair and ruffled the bird’s feathers answered the question.

‘Right. The window. And how did you open that?’

Windows are made to be opened. It was simply doing its job. Lunar ruffled her feathers and carefully picked something up in her beak and fluttered to land next to Amrita, who had to brace herself not to flinch or jump back.

I bring treasure. The bird hopped towards her, a hopeful look on its face. Amrita wasn’t entirely sure how a beak could look hopeful, but this one seemed to radiate it. Please accept?

Amrita took a deep breath and held out her hand, not really wanting to but somehow feeling compelled to be brave. She uncurled her fingers, praying that it wasn’t going to be some dreadful magical artefact about to cause her more harm.

It was so much worse than she could have imagined.

As soon as the pink flower hit her palm, she was slammed by memories: laughing with Jamie under the cherry blossoms with his friends, seeing him dance with her family, the feeling of his hands in her hair, his fingers tightening around hers. His arms around her waist, his skin against hers, his mouth…

Tears she thought she was done crying scorched down her cheeks anew. But this time, instead of the anger that had been choking her, it was pure sadness for everything she missed about Jamie and the life she thought she’d been building with him. She tried to wipe the tears away, but they were too many and too fast.

It wasn’t until the torrent of sadness started to ease that she realised Lunar had pressed against her arm, and was muttering comforting-sounding clicks, chuckles and soft whistles. Her hand shaking slightly, she reached out and rubbed the velvety-soft feathers on the bird’s head. It was weird – but clearly the bird wanted to help her feel better.

Amrita sighed. ‘I really do miss him.’

Sad-sad, the magpie agreed, rattling her beak softly. She edged closer and reached up to chew a bit of Amrita’s hair gently, running it through her beak. It was oddly comforting. Then again, the whole thing was very odd.

‘I don’t suppose you know how Jamie is? Or could tell me – even if you did.’

Bad-bad. Lunar rested her head on Amrita’s arm, looking heartbroken herself. Sad-sad-sad.

‘I really, really do miss him.’ Amrita sniffed. ‘But it can’t work. I mean, I’m starting to understand why he didn’t tell me. What he meant when he said he couldn’t… but I’m not sure that doesn’t make it worse. This whole thing about the… magic.’ She had to force herself to say the word – what had once meant some beautiful or clever fantastical trick had now taken on a painful, scarily real edge. ‘But it just can’t work. It’s too dangerous. You saw how badly the magic hurt me. Even if there is a way I could forgive Jamie, it’s just too dangerous for me. It’s too much to deal with. I just… can’t.’

Sad-sad.

‘Yes. Sad-sad indeed.’

* * *

Shoo, shoo. Mine! Lunar landed in the middle of the sparrow flock and took great delight in stealing their cherries as quickly as Rayenne scattered them on the floor. A few of the braver sparrows grumbled their complaint and stood their ground, but Lunar was bigger than them and everybirdy knew crow-kin loved chaos and drama, so they soon gave way.

‘No squabbling please,’ Rayenne chided gently. ‘You know there’s plenty of food for everyone. There’s no risk of hunger here.’

But it’s fun!

For you! Crazy crow! We were here first! This is our garden! The sparrows twittered their annoyance.

‘Hush, hush. Please try to keep the energies here positive.’ Rayenne spread out more treats. ‘Lunar, come talk to me.’

Remembering herself, the white magpie gleefully scattered the sparrows once more – before landing on Rayenne’s outstretched arm.

‘Thank you. How did it go?’

As well as could be expected, but no worse than we feared.

‘Do you think she’s ready?’

Nearly.