Chapter Thirteen

As days pass, Mika settles into a comforting rhythm at Nowhere House—teaching the girls, helping in the garden, tending bees, and sharing games and seaside outings. The stability brings Mika a sense of safety and belonging she has never known, even as increased ambient magic keeps her alert.

During a December meteor shower, Mika collects star shavings and responds to a late-night noise from Jamie. She cleans up his broken glass, treats his cuts with balm, and demonstrates drawing stardust to her hand, a moment that stirs mutual wonder and a charged closeness before Jamie retreats to bed.

Two nights later, Jamie arrives with a drink, starting a recurring pattern: he brings whisky (or gin), assists with spells, and they talk. They share a comic pantry-lock incident, discuss practical magic like spell-clearing Circe’s shedding, and Jamie insists Mika isn’t “a guest,” subtly affirming her place. Conversations turn to the girls’ futures and Mika’s evasive hopes, exposing their growing intimacy.

Their unresolved tension surfaces around Terracotta. Mika argues that Jamie’s visible distrust hinders Terracotta’s willingness to learn safely, while Jamie maintains trust must be earned. The impasse leaves the question of granting Mika a true chance hanging between them.

On a cold, grey morning, chaos breaks loose during a garden lesson already complicated by accidentally summoned seagulls. After Mika refuses once more to teach levitation—citing age and safety—Terracotta disappears and triumphantly reveals she has levitated anyway. Disaster follows, and amid the turmoil Mika is knocked unconscious, confirming her fears about unchecked, unsupervised magic.