Page 69 of Magic Touch
We ride in silence a long while before Windsor comes into view. William pulls me close and kisses my cheek before turning to Prudence. "Will I be judged in a similar way as Trina?"
"You will face a tribunal and be tested, and you will pass, William. I have no doubt you will pass. Trina will face a full coven for trying to kill two witches. She has broken our most sacred oath."
"Do no harm," William says before Prudence has the chance.
"Just so," she says.
Worry creases William's brow.
I hate to see it there. "The coven will be fair, and if need be, I will speak for her. If she was not in control of her actions, I'll do what I can to save her."
"Even after she tried to kill you?" Wide-eyed, he stares at me.
"She's just a girl. I'll wait and see what the coven finds, but yes, even though she tried to kill me. It's harder for me to forgive her for trying to drown you." This is the truth. Even if she's under a spell of some kind, it's hard for me to forgive what she nearly did to William. Whatever had him would have killed her, too. Killing me and delivering my blood was some kind of penance.
William squeezes my hand as we round the corner to the coven house. As soon as we stop, he jumps down and hands Prudence and Anne down.
I step down, taking his hand, and watch Henry stop the cart behind us. "Is she still in your cage?"
William nods. "Anne, I can have Samuel take you home."
Anne frowns and gazes at the muddy street for a moment before meeting William's stare. "If you don't mind, sir, I'd like to see this through."
He smiled. "Of course. Samuel, you may stay or go as it pleases you, and as the ladies allow."
"I'll stay if it's all the same, sir."
William nods and rounds the back of the cart. He looks down the lane, where many people are watching our arrival.
Sara Beth, Minerva, and two more witches stroll from the coven house.
Prudence is immediately embraced by Sara Beth. "Great Mother, I am happy to have you home."
Minerva waves her hand, and the onlookers go into their houses. A few return to some other business. "It will only last a few minutes." To my surprise, she hugs me. "When word came this morning that you were coming, I closed the shop. I hope all is well."
I pat her back. It's rare for me to have affection from another witch. I'm surprised, but it's not unpleasant. "We've had a trying few days."
Prudence lowers her voice. "Trina is contained in the cart. She will have to be tried. I'm not sure why you sent her to us."
Eyes wide, Sara Beth strides to the cart and looks under the tarp. "I sent her to help, as her skills are advanced, and her back is strong. How is she held?"
"William holds her in her own magic." Prudence mutters a spell that will shield the area from onlookers. "Bring her inside please, William."
Henry pulls back the tarp.
The bubble holding Trina is intact as William lifts her and moves her through the door and inside. He follows her in.
Trina is pale, and her eyes are wide with fear. She seems thinner even than when we left only an hour before.
Depositing her in the center of the room, William turns to me and raises his brows.
I hear him in my head asking what he should do with her now. Striding to the cage, I meet Trina's gaze. "If you attack, you will be killed. Do you understand?"
Her chest rises and falls fast, but she nods.
"Let her go, William."
Sara Beth holds up a hand. "Sir William, I'm going to want to know more about your magic when this matter is settled."
