Chapter six: A Winter rose's past

  Lillian knelt on the ground. Her pregnant belly was getting bigger. She felt the weight of the child growing in her womb. Lillian also felt her power double, a clear sign that the baby that grew in her was powerful too. The wavelength of the baby's power wasn't like Lillian's, it was closer to Williams and that unsettled Lillian. She had known William since she was sixteen, and he wasn't exactly a good warlock, but one that often delved into the darker magic. Not like hexes or banishment or a light curse. Something that made his wave length low and dark. His aura was murky and smokey, filled with images of death.

 Lillian loved this man and was well aware that he had been hiding things from her. Lillian, too, had hidden things from him. Her light magic was more than what it seemed, and she would keep her power to herself. So he wouldn't become cruel to her. He had a tendency to hate anyone that was a healer or a light magic worker. He deemed them to think they were above Mayfair's and no one could be above them in his eyes. There was a bloodline that did surpass Mayfair's in magical strength and, to Williams' knowledge, none had settled on the island of Mayfair.

 Lillian looked at the black roses she had planted. A sense of love flowed through her, her heart swelled at the thought of Williams' reaction when he saw her touch his to his family's garden. The blood-red roses she was planning to plant added a bright vibrancy the garden needed. The red cut through the grey and was a beacon in the misty air that seemed to blanket this mansion so heavily. Lillian wondered if the family had placed a clocking ward to keep unwanted people away.

 Lllian had always loved roses, but winter roses to her were even more special. They were the flowers she had on her wedding day at the courthouse with William, and they used them again for their bonding ceremony in the woods under the moonlight. They were also a symbol as they lasted through the cold of the winter.  A colorful beacon when all felt dim and cold.

Lillian finished planting the roses and the baby kicked.

The movement made Lillian smile. She had never felt so much love for a person she was yet to meet. Lillian got up, placed a hand on her belly, slowly rubbing, whispering to the baby when William walked over. His dark hair and strong jawline accompanied by his gray eyes made Lillian's heart flutter. He was handsome. Cruel, yes, but to her, he was her husband, his love for her was there, and she felt it often, despite what people said.

There were times he was cruel. His tongue was sharp, and his hand was heavy, but he overall showed her love. Since Lillian was pregnant, he was softer and nurturing. A completely different side to him was shown. He often asked how the baby was and if she felt well. She often woke with him checking on her and the baby. A smile played on his lips when doing so. When seeing William in these soft moments, she couldn't understand why his family opposed their union. Why did her parents banish her when they eloped? It didn't make any sense to her at all.

Wlliam walked up to Lillian, towering over her slightly, placing a hand on her belly. He kissed the top of her head and admired her.

"You are glowing Lilly. Our baby's power is growing too."

Lillian looked up at William. A smile on her lips at that moment with the man she married felt perfect. William looked at the roses and admired her work. How she carefully placed them to look like they belonged in the manicured garden. She saw the smile on his face, and she knew the work she put in was worth it. Lillian even used a little magic to help the roses root faster and bloom vibrantly.

Lillian's hand caressed her baby bump. Lost in thought, when she felt the kicking again. She placed Williams' hand on the bump, so William could feel the baby kick, a broad grin splayed across his face, feeling the child's powerful kicks.

"They are so active when you are near William."

Lillian spoke softly, enjoying the bonding between father and child. She placed a hand on his cheek and felt a hum of energy. It was chaotic and sharp, not at all like the emotions he had on display. These waves were full of greed and anger perhaps, but no love was aimed at their baby. All Lillian could do was freeze. The soft demur and kindness she had received the last few months weren't genuine. Was he trying to fake it until he felt it, or perhaps he really was just rotten to the core, void of emotions other than a thirst for power and hatred toward those he deemed inferior to himself?

Lillian looked into his eyes, desperate to read an emotion that wasn't shrouded in darkness. Showing he cared, showing what happened to her mattered, but all she saw was an empty smile. Was his smile always so empty? How had she not seen it the whole time? She was always good at readying people's wavelengths and healing magic, but her abilities have been amplified lately, and she worried that the baby was responsible for her boost and that William had plans for their child's power that was manifesting.

"Shall we have tea, William, under the gazebo?"

Lillian prompted a change of scenery, hoping to ease her worries. The baby kicked harder and Williams' smile no longer looked like a proud dad, but a gleeful and sinister smile flashed upon his face and Lillian felt her blood run cold. He clearly had plans for their child and Lillian had three months until the baby was born to conceal their power and protect them. Lillian walked through the house. Her heart raced, and her stomach was uneasy with worry. William asked for tea to be delivered out to the gazebo and told Lillian he would join her later. He had something to attend to and to make some calls. This did nothing to calm Lillian. All it did was amplify the stress that stirred within her.

Lillian sat on the wooden outdoor seat and chair. Her gaze over the cliff view, the mist was thinner today, allowing a partial view of the ocean as waves crashed. The sky a murky gray, the sun illuminating the clouds providing no warmth, only a dim light that touched the clouds. A woman with red hair, young and elegant looking, brought a tray out with prepared tea, an herbal blend that Lillian had been enjoying lately. She eyed the young woman. Her energy had a hint of guilt in it. Maybe she had broken a cup, Lillian thought to herself. He placed a hand on her bump.

"Well, little one, what will your name be? We don't even know your gender yet."

Lillian felt her bump hum and a feeling of feminine energy washed over her. Power and determination filled her body and rushed into her blood and Lillian knew then she had a powerful witch, a daughter, to carry on her family bloodline. Lillian smiled softly. The women prepped the tea and watched Lillian curiously. Her golden brown eyes watched Lillian's movements, her smile and the joy she radiated. The women walked away with one last look at Lillian with a short pause as if she wanted to say something, but quickly rushed away.

Lillian noticed the women's behavior, but she left before Lillian could ask her why she acted the way she did around her. Lillian looked down at her bump and spoke to her baby in hushed tones, telling her of the power she would hold one day, but not until she was safe. She asked the baby what her name should be. The air got warm like the sun had shone down on the gazebo. The dead ivy vine on the gazebo a crunchy brown, dull lifeless plant. It was dormant in the winter air now warmed by magic, awoke and turned into a lush green, vines hugging the gazebo spreading over the roof. Lillian's eyes lit up with realization and joy. Her heart blossomed with joy. Her daughter used magic to bring the plant back to life. Lillian's eyes watered as she took in the sight of the renewed Ivy vines' green vibrancy cutting against the backdrop of the gray skies.

"Ivy, your name will be Ivy."