Page 72 of Magic Touch
With a nod, I say, "Esme. Nice to meet you."
Several others come in and introduce themselves. Mable Bale is a brunette with large blue eyes and a skill with air magic. Lauren Baxter has sable hair that anyone would envy and can command water. She's also a seer.
They are all very cordial as they bring meat and vegetables to the kitchen, then leave.
"You know they've all gone to flirt with your man." Minerva makes quick work of butchering the chicken into parts.
"He's not mine, but I have no worries even if he were." What I felt in the country must have been a spell. How could Trina have cast a spell on me, but my divining showed nothing?
"What is that concerned look on your face then?" Minerva's grin is infectious.
"When we were in the country, I was jealous when Trina was close to him. I'm wondering if she manufactured that emotion in me. I had never felt it before, and I don't feel it now. I trust him with my life." It's true. I know William will never betray me.
"What about your heart?" Minerva sears the chicken in a large pot while I peel potatoes.
Every memory with William is full of desire, magic, and trust. "I trust him with my heart as well."
"You are lovers, then." Her smile is sappy, and her gaze drifts far away.
"I don't know what we are or what we will become. William is special, as is his magic. He has a purpose that we have yet to know. We are friends. I will stand by him no matter what the coven says."
Humor drains from Minerva's face. She's serious. "You love him." She holds up a hand to stop my denial. "I can feel it rising from both of you like Goddess from her lair. Do not say it isn't so. Lies are poison. Besides, it should be a blessing to fall in love."
"Your coven may not see it as such. They surely didn't care for the love my parents found." The old bitterness seeps into my gut.
When Minerva is silent, I look up to find her regarding me with regret. "I know you hold Sara Beth responsible for what happened to your parents. Try to remember that was her mother's doing, and the witches that came before. Sara Beth was not born yet. You hold a grudge for what happened, and she holds true to the love of her mother."
"I will try to keep that in mind." It's hard to think of Sara Beth without thoughts of her mother Betty slipping into my emotions. However, Minerva is right. Sara Beth is only a year older than me and was not even a thought when my parents were banished.
"Betty Ware was hard in a great many ways. She thought she knew the right of all things, and it was that which got her killed. I have been Sara Beth's friend since we were in the cradle. She is not as hard, and in my opinion, she is far smarter and more powerful than her mother ever was."
I'm shocked. I don't know if Minerva's revelation is true, but I can sense that she believes it utterly.
Perhaps it's time to reevaluate my feelings about the head of the Witches of Windsor. "I will consider your feelings on the subject as we, too, are friends."
Minerva's smile is bright. "Now tell me all about William?"
As if summoned, William pokes his head in the door. "Do you need help?" He saunters in, filling the kitchen with his broad shoulders and wide smile. "You would be saving me from six very exuberant women if you said you needed me to stay in the kitchen."
I burst into laughter. "Can you peel a potato?"
"It's my favorite chore." He takes the knife from my hand and sits beside me.
Minerva makes a face. "How can we talk about you when you are here, Sir William. It is very inconvenient."
He brightens. "You may ask me directly, as I am far more willing to gossip than I expect Esme would be."
"I am satisfied then." Minerva begins with, "When did you know you were in love with Esme?"
Not even stopping to think, William says, "The moment I first saw her."
My heart is about to explode, but I keep my head down to hide my blush. I have a stack of carrots to clean and chop, and I focus on them.
"Will you marry her?"
"Minerva." I hold up a hand, stopping both of them.
"Fine." Minerva rolls her eyes. "I read in the paper that your father is no longer with us. Where is your mother?"
