Chapter 19

Edward knocked lightly on the door, drumming a pleasant little rhythm that seemed to echo through the house beyond it. He gave her a reassuring smile as they waited, and she resisted the urge to slip her hand into his. It was almost like he was bringing his new girlfriend home to meet the parents… and Ivy felt an odd pang of grief rear its head at the thought that shed never be able to do the same with Edward. Shed never been serious enough about any of her short past relationships to introduce them to her family. Of course the moment she met someone theyd actually like…

The door creaked open, startling her from those reflections and making Edward jump a little. Beyond the door, she could see only gloom, interrupted by the occasional bright point of a candle that only seemed to accentuate the gloom around it. For a moment, she was convinced that the door had opened by itself… by magic, perhaps? But then a soft cough caught her attention, and she looked down… and down… and down.

Why, the woman standing in the doorway wouldnt have been even five feet tall in boots. Whether her short stature was a result of her true height or her hunched posture was impossible to gauge, though, because she was absolutely enshrouded in what looked like layer upon layer of rags — dozens of thin cardigans, shirts and jackets with great holes in them that revealed the layer beneath, which in turn was full of holes revealing the layer beneath… and atop it all, a small, wizened face peering up at them with an expression that struck Ivy, at first glance, as deeply suspicious.

Didnt take you long, did it?

The womans voice was high and thin. Guessing at her age, Ivy would have put her in her late eighties, perhaps… the keen, sharp eyes that peered out of her deeply wrinkled face reminded her a little of what she remembered of her grandmother.

Good day, Maggie, Edward said, his voice hushed and oddly reverent. Were so glad to hear of your safe return from your journey. I trust the trip went well?

Hello, Edward. Yes, thank you. As well as can be expected at this time of year, Maggie replied. Her beady eyes had flitted over to Edward for a moment, but they had returned unerringly to Ivy, who felt a little like she was being X-rayed. I heard theyd brought you another one.

Ivy glanced sideways at Edward. Was Maggie talking about the Sidhe? Should she introduce herself, or wait for Edward to do it? What about the gifts — should they present them now, or wait to be invited inside?

Maggie surprised her with a high, cackling laugh that wrinkled her face even more. Poor girl looks like shes about to burst. Relax, there. Theyve filled you with fear about Fae etiquette, havent they? You can answer, she said, her voice suddenly reassuring. I wont take offense, I promise.

A little, Ivy admitted, giving Edward a sidelong look. Its a pleasure to meet you, Maggie. My name?—

Ivy, this is Ivy, Edward broke in suddenly, his tone oddly strident. Maggie laughed again, and Ivy looked at them both uneasily. Ivy Jones.

Clever lad, Maggie said with a shake of her head, but theres no need for name games with me, I gave all that up a long time ago. I wouldnt keep your name even if you gave it to me. Lets not stand on Fae ceremony today, alright? My old bones are too weary for foolishness. No tricks today, you have my word. And my invitation to come inside, if youre coming in.

And with that, the woman was trundling away from them, leaving the door open behind her. Edward nodded at Ivy, who hurried after her, catching her breath at the cluttered little space she found herself in. The cottage was every bit as cozy as it had looked from the outside… almost to a fault, if she was honest. Every single spare scrap of space seemed to have been filled with furniture… by the hearth, a couple of mismatched armchairs and a squashed couch, in the kitchen she could see at least three tables of varying heights and sizes, all absolutely laden with strange bottles and piles of herbs, and surrounding her on every side were bookshelves, cabinets, side tables… and yet, Maggie moved through the space as confidently as a dancer striding across an empty stage.

Sit down, sit down, the old woman said impatiently, once shed installed herself in the slightly more battered of the two armchairs. Guests usually use that, she added, nodding at the couch, and Edward and Ivy took a seat. Ivy stiffened a little as the uneven couch sagged under their weight, pushing them a little closer together than theyd intended… and Maggie cackled laughter again, her eyes gleaming. Now, then.

We brought gifts, Ivy said, glancing sideways at Edward, who looked a little stiff. To welcome you home.

How kind, Maggie said brightly. You neednt have, truly. I dont know what they told you up at that drafty old castle, but Im perfectly happy to entertain guests of Clan Grant. Your family has done a great deal for the people of this place, and I consider you friends and allies. Maggies eyes were resting on Edwards face intently… and then, satisfied that her point had been made, she sat back in her chair. That being said, I dont object to the rumors Im a menace if it means regular deliveries of treats.

Maggie quickly cleared a space on the small table between the couch and the armchair, and Ivy set the shortbread down, unfastening the bundle and letting the fragrant scent rise into the air. The grin on the old womans face seemed to stretch from ear to ear — and somehow, it widened even further when Edward produced the two bottles of mead from his own bag.

Ah, now its a party, she said, delight coloring her tones. I mustnt let the lad sleep through it all, hell be cross with me. Darter! Come on out before we eat up all the shortbread! She grinned at them. Thatll bring him running.

Ivy blinked, curious. Is Darter your son?

Another of those high-pitched cackles. As piercing as that sound was, Ivy found herself rather liking the old womans laugh. It was expressive, that was for sure. No, lass. Nothing quite so… human. Hes a dear friend, though. Mind her, she added, eyes flicking up to Edward. Not sure what shes seen yet.

Ivy fought off a Kelpie her first night here, Edward said, the pride in his voice making her blush.

A Kelpie! My word. That close to the burgh? Maggie was leaning forward, her expression suddenly intent.

Edward nodded. I saw it off with a few iron arrows, and Im sure the Monster claimed it after that.

Thats what I get for leaving for a few weeks, Im sure, Maggie grumbled, sitting back in her armchair with a disgruntled look on her face. She slacks off the moment she thinks Im not watching, daft old thing. My apologies, Ivy. No lasting damage, I hope?

Only to my jacket, Ivy said, oddly touched by the womans concern. Sorry… are you talking about the Loch Ness Monster?

Thats what they call her in your time, so Ive heard, Maggie said, lifting an eyebrow. Pleased to know the old girl stays at her post for so long.

I mean — I dont think anyone actually believes the creature is there, Ivy said faintly, thinking back to the stories shed read as a child. Its just a fairytale.

Just a fairytale, Maggie echoed, rolling her eyes. More deadly words were never spoken. For your kind, that is, she added, lifting an eyebrow. Forgetting the Fae and their ways, dismissing them as old wives tales… well, I can think of no better way to get yourself in danger. Speaking of trouble, she added, her expression shifting as her eyes flicked over to the stairs behind them. Ivy turned to follow her gaze — and caught her breath in shock. There was someone — or something — standing there, just out of sight. The figure was child-sized, peering out cautiously around the banister with one hand lightly gripping the wood… but the hand didnt look like any childs hand that Ivy had ever seen. Long, slender, webbed, fingers, tipped with claws… and as the figure moved cautiously out into the light, Ivy realized she wasnt looking at a child at all. This was… something else. Long, pointed ears, a pair of huge, dark eyes, and patches of fur and mottled blue skin alternating seemingly at random across its body… it couldnt be real, she thought faintly. This was something straight off a film set, some kind of animatronic beast or something…

This is Darter Hob, Maggie said, her tone as casual as if she was introducing a family member, not some kind of creature. Hes lived here… oh, for a few years now, isnt it, Darter?

Good morning, friends.

The voice that emerged from the creature startled Ivy again. It was high and thin but bore the unmistakable lilt of a Scottish accent… and the fact that it was speaking a language she recognized shifted her perception of the creature considerably.

May I join you?

Most welcome, Maggie said brightly.

The creature scurried across the floor and leapt nimbly into the chair beside Maggie, and Ivy resisted her impulse to recoil in shock as she got a closer look at his face. Huge dark eyes, a thin, narrow nose … and when he spoke, sharp teeth glinted in his mouth. She knew she was staring when the little creature met her gaze.

We havent met, he said, his voice a little uncertain. Hello.

Somehow, Ivy found her manners, and pulled herself out of her shock by force. Im so sorry — Darter, was it? Im Ivy.

The creature smiled again, flashing those sharp teeth at her. She took a few breaths. Now that the worst of the shock had passed, the little creature was almost… cute, in an odd way. Was that condescending?

You havent met a goblin before, have you? the little creature asked, tilting his head to the side with another of those pointy-toothed smiles. Its fine to stare! I stared at the first few humans I met, too.

So long as you stare while we eat, Maggie said, leaning forward to take a piece of shortbread and crunching into it with evident satisfaction. That headwoman of yours is welcome to move in here any time she likes, I hope she knows that.

Ivy fought the strange urge to laugh as she watched the little goblin dart out of his seat — it was a fitting name — and begin pouring mead into four little glasses. Here she was, sitting in a witchs cottage in medieval Scotland, having afternoon tea with a goblin. God, what was next?