“When you peel an apple, haven’t you ever thought if you could finish it without breaking the chain, you’d have a wish granted or gather good luck? Snapped a wishbone? Crossed your fingers? Little charms,” Mia said, sitting back again, “old traditions.”

“It can’t be as simple as that.”

“As simple as a wish, as complex as love. As dangerous, potentially, as a lightning bolt. Power is risk. It’s also joy.”

She picked up one of the deadheads, cupped it gently in her hands. Opening them again, she offered Nell a sunny yellow blossom.

Delighted, fascinated, Nell twirled it in her fingers. “If you can do this, why do you let any of them die?”

“There’s a cycle, a natural order. It’s to be respected. Change is necessary.” She rose, picked up her basket of weeds and dead flowers, and carried it to a composter. “Without it there’d be no progress, no rebirth, no anticipation.”

“One flower blooms off to make room for another.”

“A lot of the Craft is philosophy. Would you like to try something more practical?”

“Me?”

“Yes, a simple spell. A stir of the air, I think, considering. Besides, it’s a warm day, and a breeze would be welcome.”

“You want me to . . .” Nell made a circling motion with her finger. “Stir the air?”

“It’s a matter of technique. You need to focus. Feel the air moving over your face, your body. See it in your mind, rippling, turning. You can hear it, the music of it.”

“Mia.”

“No. Put doubts aside and think of those possibilities. Focus. It’s a simple goal. It’s all around you. You only have to stir it. Take it in your hands,” she said, lifting her own, “and say the words. ‘Air is breath and breath is air. Stir it round from here to there. Spin a breeze and spin it lightly.’ As you will, Nell, so mote it be. Say the words, one times three.”

Mesmerized, Nell repeated them. Felt the faintest flutter across her cheek. Said them again and saw Mia’s hair lift. On the third count, Mia’s voice joined hers.

The wind spun around them, a private carousel of air, cool and fragrant with a happy little hum. The same hum sounded inside her as Nell turned, circling round and round, her short cap of hair dancing.

“It feels wonderful! You did it.”

“I gave it the last nudge.” Mia laughed as her dress billowed out. “But you got it started. Very well done for your first time. Now quiet it again. Use your mind. Visualize it going still. That’s it. Good. You picture things well.”