Harmony by Sonya Bria

replied.
           I stopped. “This isn’t what you signed up for. Are your regretting being the official boyfriend?” I asked.
           Ian smiled. “No, it’s refreshing to think about and do something else. Sometimes, I forget that life does move on.”
           Climbing into his car I said, “Well, I’m glad I could be of service to you then, kind sir.”
     
     
           We drove in silence for a bit. “Sophie, I’m going to be gone for a couple of days,” Ian blurted out.
           “Hunting?” I asked.
           “Yes, I wish you didn’t know that side of me,” Ian lamented.
           “I understand you have to eat too. I get it. Remember that I see what’s here in your head.” I tapped his forehead. Ian swept a strand of my hair behind my ear and traced a fingertip down my cheek. Its cool trail was refreshing against my flush skin.
           “I don’t deserve you,” he replied.
           “Well, too bad, because you’re stuck with me,” We reached my house and I got out of the car. “Now go before I really start missing you.” And with that, Ian slowly drove away, leaving me with a premonition of feeling genuine loss.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    LEGENDS
     
     
    I found Grams in the garden.  “How was your day?”
           “You know, another boring day of school,” I said, plopping myself down on the grass. “Thirty days and counting. Do you need some help?” I asked.
           “That would be lovely dear,” Grams said as she wiped her brow.
           I wound my hair in a messy bun. It was so humid already! Kneeling in the dirt I asked, “What do you want me to do, pull weeds?”
           “Yes,” Grams replied.
           “Grams, you said you would tell me about our family. Is this a good time to tell it?”
           Grams put down her spade and said, “As good as any I suppose.”
           I busied myself with pulling weeds and sinking my hands in the tilled soil while Grams sat down in the shade of our oak tree. “Now mind you Sophia, I only know what’s been passed down from my grandmother. It was a bedtime story told to us often as children. There is a Celtic legend that goes something like this:
           Long ago, there was a king—King Connacher of the family Ulster. He was a mighty and proud man. Just before Samhain, he held a feast in honor of his brave knights—the Knights of the Red Branch. It was a festive occasion with dancing and drinking, where all sorts of merriment took place.
           Suddenly, a scream was heard amidst all the festivities, and the knights took up arms to protect the king. No one could be found. King Connacher summoned the Druid Cathbad to explain the strange happening. Cathbad walked up to the king’s Harper and his pregnant wife. He said, “It is the child who cried out. For this is no ordinary child. She will be blessed with great beauty, wisdom and sight—her name will be Deirdre. Her beauty will cause the Red Branch to divide, and war and strife will ensue. Ulster will suffer greatly.”
           Some of the knights wanted to kill the mother and child, but King Connacher was a vain and greedy man. He was curious to see just how beautiful Deirdre would be. King Connacher announced that when Deirdre reached the age of sixteen, he would marry her. When she was born, Deirdre was taken from her parents and sent to live in secret with a trusted maid servant to the king. Deirdre was taught the science of nature and schooled in music. Her voice was like honey on the wind. True to prophecy, her beauty was astounding. Most startling were her eyes; they conveyed deep emotion. To look upon her was to be drawn into another world. Her hair was crimson. She was one with nature, patient, and kind. Beauty sprang up all around her just from a mere touch of her hand. She knew she was to be wed to the king, but had long seen in visions another who would be her true