“It’s alright Lily,” I said sensing her desire to defend me by blasting the merchant and her worker.

“Are you hurt?” Lily asked as her eyes returned to normal. She still didn’t dismiss the energy pooled in her hands. “I don’t sense any injuries.”

“It’s alright aunt Gabby,” Isabella said. Seeing her aunt’s expression, she said, “Really, I’m fine. Lily levitated me and I got frightened.”

“Ok. Are you sure?” Gabriela replied. Izzy nodded. “So, this is all just a misunderstanding?”

“Yes,” Izzy answered.

“Sorry about barging in,” Juan said offering me a hand. I took it and the older man pulled me to my feet as Lily flew to me and landed on my head.

“Get your hands off my Jase!” my familiar demanded glaring at the other man.

“It’s alright, Lily,” I said sending comforting and reassuring thoughts and feelings to my familiar. “As Gabriela said, it’s just a misunderstanding.”

“Alright, but I’m watching them,” Lily said dismissing the energy and flying above us.

“Why didn’t our familiars come in with us?” Juan asked. Gabriela and Izzy shook their heads. I shrugged.

“They know better,” Lily finally answered. Everyone looked up and her eyes flashed.

“Are pixies that dangerous?” Juan wondered aloud.

Lily laughed. “No. Your familiars are afraid of Sara. She’s right outside.”

“Oh,” Juan and Gabriela said at the same time after hearing a soft chuffing sound coming from outside the open door.

“The flashing eyes and glowing hands are a prank?” Izzy asked.

“No. Well, the eyes are,” Lily answered. “I’ll defend my Jase with everything I have.”

I looked back up at my pixie and smiled. “Just as I would for you.”

“Let’s go back to the village and get something to eat,” Gabriela urged Izzy. “You hadn’t shown up for supper, so we came to check on you.”

“We were busy sorting the compass plants we harvested today,” Isabella proudly informed her aunt.

“What good are compass plants for other than knowing which way is north and south?” Juan asked. I informed him of their uses. “Oh. I hadn’t heard that before.”

“I’ve heard of some people using them for gum,” Gabriela said before turning to face me. “How long until you have something from these plants?”

“Maybe a couple of days. I need to experiment with them.”

“Will you let me know?” the merchant asked.

“Of course,” I replied.

“Will you let me help with the experiments?” Izzy asked.

“Yeah.”

“I’ll be here early tomorrow then,” she replied.

“Come after lunch,” Lily said. “We’re going to work on your room before dealing with the compass plants.”

“You let your familiar make decisions for you?” Juan asked me.

“Yes. Lily is my life partner and best friend and I trust her above all others,” I replied as my pixie landed on my right shoulder. “She’s earned the right to help make decisions, especially those I was already leaning towards.”

“Hopefully I’ll feel the same way about my future familiar,” Izzy said wistfully.

“Anyway, let’s go get some supper,” Gabriela told her niece once more. “Jase and Lily, I apologize for barging in.”

“Me too,” Juan said.

“It’s alright,” I replied. “Hang on a moment before you go.”

I walked into the storage room and returned with a small container of salve. I held it out to Isabella.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“A salve for sore muscles made from aloe and stinging nettle,” I answered.

“It works for burns too!” Lily helpfully informed her.

“Thank you both,” Isabella said. “I’ll be here right after lunch, so don’t start without me.”

“We won’t,” I assured her while walking them to the door. They left and I looked at Lily, who had flown to and landed on the counter. “So, should we start on the remodel since the wood is here?”

“Do you want to start tonight?” Lily asked.

“Yeah, I think I do. This way we can use magic without having to worry about being seen,” I answered locking the door.

“Ok! I’ll summon the others while you start cooking supper and then I’ll help you.”

*

After supper, the pixies and me exited the backdoor and walked around to the piles of lumber. We went back in to measure the area for Isabella’s room.

“It’s getting nippy,” Yam said.

“It’s cool,” I admitted. “But nippy?”

“Sure. Want to see?” the pixie asked starting to pull her top down.

“No! No!” I exclaimed as Willow and April restrained their kin while Lily and May blocked my line of sight. Yam giggled and the others joined her.

“Y’all are terrible,” I said, which made them laugh harder. After they got themselves under control, the pixies cut some of the 2*4 boards the right length.

“Jase, if you’ll take them in, we will finish cutting the rest,” Lily said.

“Will do boss,” I replied. She grinned and pretended to crack a whip.