"Willow's Missing Tail" 24

The angle of the sun was approaching its nadir as the guests around Perfidia’s table finished their meals. The uncomfortable silence in the room was a palpable tension that simmered between the couples.

Perfidia sipped her tea considering that a residue from that ancient twig must have  permeated her house. The ancient forest had given Martha the twig to allow the conflicted cats, Willow and Thistle, to fight off their rivalry but it seemed to be doing more than that, given the fact every couple in its circumference was now at a crossroads. Okay, maybe the animosity between Avery and Daphne was expected but not the events between her and Jon, or Martha and Dillon. Was it a coincidence that all of them were having trust issues?

Perfidia didn’t think so and as added proof, she felt the tension building in the room as if it had a purpose. So maybe it was a good thing Jon had left earlier because if he’d stayed, it may have ended their relationship. She hoped with the sunrise, Willow and Thistle would no longer be in competition but she’d also be able to call Jon and explain about the bracelet without this air of conflict between them; she was sure he’d understand and forgive her lack of trust tomorrow. She even imagined Avery and Dillon would get past their anger and get along once the conflict in the air was gone. And then there was Martha and Dillon's issue…well, that conflict she wasn’t as sure of; a dog familiar around Willow? No, that wouldn’t be resolved overnight, if ever.

Perfidia continued to sip her tea and consider the possible outcomes from this conflicted evening.

Martha had barely tasted the delicious meal. Her thoughts were solely centered on the dog lounging proprietarily in Willow’s garden. She couldn’t understand why Dillon had avoided telling her about his canine familiar? It didn’t make sense, unless he had something more to hide. Since he’d played hide-n-seek with the truth before, she couldn’t rule out the possibility he’d do it again. What could he be keeping from her this time?

Willow stared out into the garden. She wasn’t pleased with the canine intruder and would have tail-flicked a lightning bolt his way but she had bigger concerns than an unwelcome dog. The time was fast approaching for the showdown with her sibling and although she had no desire to take Thistle’s power, being the older sibling she wasn’t in need of it, she knew the desire to control it was solely in the heart of Thistle but it wasn’t under her control either. It was because of the sibling prophesy; it forced Thistle to seek it all. 

 

“Would anyone like more tea?” Perfidia lifted the teapot and addressed her guests receiving different decibel levels of ‘no thank you’. She knew her tea wasn’t up to the masterful standards of Martha’s but she’d tried to make a calming blend to ease tensions. But, even if it had been a potent tea, the conflict in the air was much stronger; it ruled the atmosphere.

 

Daphne had refused Perfidia's offer of tea but she didn't lift her eyes from her plate, lest they collide with that scoundrel across from her; she felt his eyes burning into her. Her patience was waning and she was close to throwing a dinner roll at his head if he didn’t stop staring at her with those deceitful eyes. She even imagined the superior smirk that would be on his face if she looked his way. She wasn’t wrong.

She shook her head at his arrogant expression. “Why are you here? What could you possible say to make me hate you less?” she asked as her hand annihilated the dinner roll she’d picked up with a purpose but had stopped herself from throwing, barely.

Avery scoffed, “What reason could you have to hate me? I’ve done nothing you didn’t instigate Daphne, or Dejanira, or is it Priscilla now? I can’t keep up with your multiple personalities.”

Daphne’s complexion turned a mottled red; her eyes burned with temper. “Are you trying to be facetious?”

“I’m not; I honestly don’t know your name but then I guess I never truly knew you; did I?” He quickly held up his hand as she was about to give a colorful retort and concluded, “As a courtesy to our hostess…I think we should take this discussion somewhere private; don’t you agree?”

Daphne swallowed her words and offered a grimace of a fake smile, “I agree.”

“My sunroom offers a sound proof appeal; it’s off to the left of the library just down the hall,” Perfidia offered the solution sweetly.

“Thank you cousin,” Daphne said and walked off in the suggested direction.

Avery followed, keeping a safe distance behind her.

 

“It’s about time those two confronted their feelings,” Martha said with a side glance at Dillon, “It’s never good to hold back feelings, or the truth.

Perfidia nodded, “I only hope my plants don’t suffer from the negative energy they’ll bring into my sunroom.”

“Negative energy seems to be an issue in several of your rooms tonight,” Martha mumbled turning her gaze fully on Dillon.

Dillon knew Martha deserved an explanation; he just wasn’t ready to give her one so he avoided her probing eyes.

“Dog got your tongue Dillon?” Perfidia teased.

Dillon’s eyes slanted to her in annoyance, and resignation. “No but it appears my dog has captured everyone’s attention.”

“So true,” Perfidia chuckled.

Dillon smirked as he put down his teacup. There was no hope for the luxury of time to find the right words, or come up with an acceptable explanation. He’d have to address the dog in the room now.

He turned to Martha. “Can we go somewhere to talk…alone?”

“An excellent idea,” Martha agreed and stood up. “I’m sure Perfidia won’t mind if we go into the garden.”

Perfidia assured her she was correct. “I don’t, and there’s a cozy cove of dogwood trees just past the hydrangea bushes, very secluded. It’s perfect for having a private conversation.” Her eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief.

“Thank you.” Martha nodded and walked towards the door to the garden.

Dillon wasn’t comfortable with the hint of challenge he’d heard in Perfidia’s voice regarding that secluded cove. Should they wait for the full sunset and magic’s suppression before venturing out there? He glanced at Perfidia and noticed a secretive smile on her lips; it didn’t allay his apprehension one bit but Martha was already at the door to the garden.

Martha stopped by the door and turned back to Dillon; he hadn’t left the table. “Are you joining me in the garden, or not?”

Dillon stood up and nodded, “Of course.”

Martha stepped into the garden but before Dillon followed her, he grabbed the half full bottle of wine off the table and their two glasses.

Perfidia gave him a quizzical look.

He shrugged, “It might ease the conversation.”

“Or it might falsely boost your confidence that she’ll accept your explanation,” she countered sagely.

“Yeah, that too,” Dillon responded with a self mocking smile before walking out the door.

 

Perfidia was now alone at the table; no more distractions to keep her thoughts off Jon. She pushed the teacup away in lieu of another glass of wine but since Dillon had taken the open bottle she had to open a new one.

She swirled the red liquid in her glass knowing Jon was right; she hadn’t trusted his feelings from the start or the future of their relationship.  But she had to wonder, if he'd known about the bracelet from the beginning, why hadn’t he said anything about it? She sighed and sipped more wine.

There was no point in rehashing the why of it, over and over again, but the annoying conflict was sizzling in the air and kept nudging her to consider her actions. She strongly refused the nudge.

That twig Martha had been given from the ancient forest was stirring up more feelings in her than she wanted to have. It may have been brought here to resolve the sibling power issue, but it wasn’t stopping there.

She poured more wine into her glass and decided oblivion might be the way to go tonight.