Page 60 of Magic Touch
Standing, I brush out my skirts. "I will go directly."
She pokes her head into the stillroom. "Where is Sir William?"
"I think he went to work on water magic in the woods."
With a nod, Trina saunters toward the woods.
Pushing down my jealousy, I head toward the house and find Prudence in the parlor. There's no reason to be uneasy. William is not mine, and even if he were, he's made it clear his interest in Trina is platonic. "Great Mother, did you need something of me?"
"Come and sit." She looks at the letter in my hand. "News from town?"
"Minerva assures me that my shop thrives without me." I tuck the missive into the waist of my skirt.
"I think next week we can head back to Windsor. William is ready to be tested, and all is well here and in the village. I wanted to consult you on something, though."
"Of course." My stomach alights with butterflies. Once we're back in Windsor, I may never see William again. I shall miss our friendship, more than I miss having his affections. He's become such a part of my life.
"As you know, I write to Sara Beth each week and tell her of our progress. The one thing I have kept from my letters is Mrs. Kyle's total recovery from William's healing. Actually, I've not mentioned that we have no source for his magic within the elements either. I may have left out that his magic seems to be desire driven as well." With a steady gaze, Prudence looks me in the eye.
"That seems quite a lot to have left out of your messages, Great Mother. Do you worry that the coven will disapprove of what they cannot understand, or do you have concerns about William's motives?" The gentle butterflies turn to wasps, wrapping me up in an ache I have no choice but to hide.
Prudence shrugs. "I am not beholden to Sara Beth. I didn't mention that you and he are lovers either. That which is not her concern is kept apart."
My face heats. I hadn't realized Prudence knew of our relations. "We have not been lovers in several weeks, though I appreciate you not telling Sara Beth that we were."
Shaking her head, Prudence sighs. "Young people are so foolish and wasteful."
"What do you mean?" I have no notion of what she thinks I have wasted.
She waves off my question. "It makes no difference. I wonder if you think telling the coven about the extent of William's healing abilities will be useful or harm him?"
"I thought that our job is to tell the coven everything and let them decide if William is a danger."
Prudence sits forward with her hands clasped before her and eyes bright with knowledge. "Useful information is what the coven needs and will get. I'll not have that boy bound because of unwarranted fears."
"I'm happy to hear that." Even though William is not for me, and nothing will change that, I will fight to the death to keep him safe.
"Then you do not think the incident with Mrs. Kyle should be disclosed?" Prudence asks.
"Not unless it comes up during the examination." Suddenly feeling nauseated, I stand and look out the window. "Something is wrong."
William and I have closed the link between our minds. It’s unseemly to hear his passions for me when acting on them is no longer an option.
"What is it?" Prudence rushes my side and searches the yard.
"I'm not sure, but something is wrong with William.
Prudence grips my face and looks into my eyes. "Open to him, or you'll lose him forever."
With a long breath, I let the wall I've erected in my mind crumble.
William's voice is muffled. His mind is muddy. It's as if he's talking from under a pillow. No. Water. He's under water.
"What do you see?"
There's no time. I break into a run toward the river. "Send help!" I holler.
Holding up my skirts, I jump over a log and scurry through the woods. Leaves fall all around me with the coming autumn. Those at my feet slow me down. My hair catches on a branch, and pain sears my scalp, but I never break stride. At the bathing pool, his shoes lay by the water’s edge but nothing else.
