A Few Moments Of Peace

The following morning, a golden light streamed through the curtains of Hawthorne Manor, bathing the old house in warmth. The air, usually filled with the sounds of chirping birds and the rustling of leaves, was now quiet—a stillness that seemed to reflect the cousins' weariness after the battle with the Shadow.

Freya stretched in her bed, feeling the weight of exhaustion still clinging to her bones. The events of the previous night played over in her mind like a fevered dream. She had faced something ancient, something terrifying, and yet here she was—alive and breathing. The battle had been won, but it had come at a cost. She felt different now, more aware of the dangers that came with their powers.

As she sat up, a knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Freya? Are you awake?" Peyton's voice called through the door, soft but insistent.

Freya swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood. "Come in, Peyton."

Peyton opened the door cautiously, her face pale but brightened with a small smile. "How are you feeling?" she asked as she stepped inside.

Freya shrugged, running a hand through her tangled hair. "Tired. But I think I'll be alright. You?"

Peyton nodded, crossing her arms as she leaned against the doorframe. "The same. It's strange, though. Even after everything that happened, I don't feel as scared as I thought I would. More… determined, I guess."

Freya couldn't help but smile at her sister's words. Peyton had always been the brave one, the one who faced the world head-on, no matter the odds. And she was right—after facing the Shadow of Arawn, fear seemed smaller, less suffocating.

"We've been through a lot, haven't we?" Freya said, standing up and stretching. "But we're still here."

Peyton smiled back, but there was a flicker of concern in her eyes. "I wonder how Tobias and Oaklynn are holding up. They were so quiet after we got back."

"I'm sure they're all right," Freya said, though she shared her sister's concern. "Why don't we go check on them? We can meet in the garden—get some fresh air and talk things over."

Peyton nodded in agreement, and together, they made their way downstairs. The manor was quiet, save for the occasional creak of the old wooden floors beneath their feet. As they walked through the halls, Freya's thoughts drifted to their family. Their mothers, Tenielle and Shania, had always been pillars of strength, guiding them through their magical training with patience and wisdom. And then there was their Uncle John and Uncle Tye, both formidable in their own right, who had always been there to support them.

But the true heart of their family was Tina, their grandmother and the High Priestess of their coven. Last night, Tina had been the one to guide them through the ritual, and Freya could still feel the warmth of her presence, even now. She wondered what Tina thought of their victory, and whether she believed they were truly ready for the challenges ahead.

The cousins gathered in the garden, where the morning sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows across the ground. Tobias and Oaklynn were already there, sitting on a stone bench beneath the shade of a large oak tree. They looked up as Freya and Peyton approached, offering small, tired smiles.

"Hey," Freya said, sitting down beside them. "How are you both holding up?"

Tobias shrugged, his usual playful demeanor subdued. "I'm all right. Just trying to process everything, I guess. Last night was… intense."

Oaklynn, who had always been more reserved than her brother, nodded in agreement. "I still can't believe we did it. That we actually defeated the Shadow. It feels surreal."

"It does," Freya agreed, her gaze drifting toward the sky. "But we did it together. And that's what matters."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their experiences settling over them. But as the quiet stretched on, Peyton suddenly grinned, breaking the tension.

"You know what we need? A distraction. Something to remind us that we're not just witchy warriors battling ancient evils—we're also just teenagers. How about we invite some friends over for a picnic? A little bit of normalcy might do us some good."

Freya laughed softly, appreciating Peyton's ability to lighten the mood. "That's actually a great idea. We could use a break from all this supernatural chaos."

Tobias raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Are you suggesting we have a picnic with a side of magic? Because I can make that happen."

Peyton rolled her eyes, but there was a twinkle of amusement in them. "Only if you promise not to enchant the food this time. I still haven't forgotten the floating pies incident."

Tobias grinned mischievously. "No promises."

With that, the cousins set to work preparing for their impromptu gathering. They reached out to their friends from the nearby village, sending invitations through enchanted messages that fluttered like butterflies before disappearing into the wind. As they gathered food and blankets, the atmosphere lightened, and the garden began to feel less like a battlefield and more like a sanctuary.

Soon, their friends arrived—Elizabeth, a fiery redhead with a sharp wit; James, a quiet and thoughtful boy who had always been fascinated by the Hawthornes' magic; and Catherine, an aspiring artist with a love for the strange and unusual. They greeted the cousins with laughter and warm embraces, their presence bringing a sense of normalcy that the Hawthornes had desperately needed.

As they settled on the blankets, the picnic began in earnest. Laughter filled the air as they shared stories, both magical and mundane. Tobias, true to his word, kept his magic subtle, using it only to conjure small, harmless illusions that entertained their friends without causing any chaos.

For a few hours, the weight of their responsibilities seemed to lift, replaced by the simple joy of being with friends and family. Freya found herself relaxing, her worries fading into the background as she listened to Catherine talk about her latest painting, and as James asked her about the spells she had learned.

But as the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting the garden in a warm, golden light, Freya couldn't help but feel a pang of unease. The Shadow of Arawn had been defeated, but it wasn't gone. And though they had won this battle, she knew there would be more to come—more challenges, more dangers, and more secrets to uncover.

As if sensing her thoughts, Tina appeared at the edge of the garden, her presence commanding even in the gentle evening light. The laughter died down as the cousins and their friends turned to greet her, their expressions respectful.

"Grandmother," Freya said, standing up and walking over to her. "Is everything all right?"

Tina smiled, her eyes filled with a mixture of pride and concern. "Everything is as it should be, for now. I wanted to check on all of you—to see how you were faring after last night."

Freya nodded. "We're doing better, thanks to some much-needed time with friends. But we know this isn't over."

Tina's smile faded slightly, and she nodded in agreement. "You're right. The Shadow of Arawn was just one of many forces in this world that seek to disrupt the balance. And as powerful as you've become, you still have much to learn."

Freya glanced back at her cousins, who were watching their conversation intently. "We're ready to learn, Grandmother. Whatever comes next, we'll face it together."

Tina's eyes softened, and she placed a hand on Freya's shoulder. "I know you will. And when the time comes, you'll have the strength and wisdom to face whatever darkness lies ahead. But for now, enjoy this moment. Cherish your friends and your family, for they are your greatest source of strength."

Freya nodded, feeling the weight of her grandmother's words. "We will."

With that, Tina turned and made her way back toward the manor, leaving the cousins to their evening. Freya rejoined her friends and family, the warmth of their presence grounding her, reminding her of what they were fighting for.

The future might be uncertain, and danger might always be lurking in the shadows, but in that moment, surrounded by those she loved, Freya felt a deep sense of peace. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she knew they would face them together—as family, as friends, and as the Hawthorne's.

And that was a power stronger than any magic.