Page 19 of Pure Magic
Startled at first, she calms and offers me a smile that doesn’t touch those dark eyes of hers. “I’m relieved you’re all right.”
Despite the thrill of having Sara Beth sit on my bed and touch me, the effects of the day take their toll, and I fall asleep.
It’s dark outside when I wake, and the clatter of dishes tells me that I’ve either missed dinner or the table is being set.
“You’re awake?” Sara Beth’s voice slides into my mind.
“I am.” There’s something exciting about her watching over me through the connection Goddess made. However, I’d rather her walk through the door.
“Dinner is nearly ready.” And as if she was never there, she’s gone.
My stomach rumbles. A fresh pitcher of water is ready for me. I strip out of the morning’s clothes, wash, and dress in trousers and shirt. I pull on my only coat before I join the witches in the dining room.
Sylvia rushes over. “Are you well, Adam?”
“Better, thank you.” Aromas of mutton and mushrooms waft from the kitchen.
Sitting at the head of the table, Sara Beth’s wears a plum dress with white trim. When she looks at me, her cheeks color. “Come, sit, and have a restorative, Adam.”
I take the empty seat at her left, across from Prudence.
Sylvia brings me a glass, and the earthy scent of a magical restorative accompanies the tang of wine.
June sits on my other side. “We’re all glad you were unharmed, Mr. MacNab. Esme brought the restorative, and William checked on you. Jonah and Minerva will be here shortly.”
The door below opens and closes, and voices drift up the stairs before both couples tromp upstairs to join us.
Trina and two other witches bring platters of food from the kitchen.
Once Prudence thanks Goddess for the food and my restored health, the table erupts in clanking flatware and lively chatter.
Sara Beth leans toward me. “You look much better. How do you feel?”
“Slightly out of sorts from a long nap, but otherwise fine.” I accept a bowl of potatoes and spoon some onto my plate.
Lamb-and-vegetable stew is ladled over the potatoes, and a large crust of bread is placed on the side of my bowl. There’s twice as much in front of me than anyone else. I chuckle. “Are you worried I’ll starve?”
June says, “I was not raised in this coven, but I imagine since Betty Ware’s spirit did you harm, they all feel responsible. She was high priestess, and in her life, never went against Goddess. It’s disturbing to think she has gone astray in death.”
I’m not insensitive to the feelings of the coven, yet they put too much upon themselves. “I’m unharmed. Perhaps she only meant to frighten me off, and either misjudged the effects, or it’s possible I’m more sensitive than she expected.”
With a warm smile, June nods and returns to her meal.
The stew is delicious, and Prudence commands the table with stories of the coven from more than a hundred years ago. She speaks of witches long dead and some that have retired to country life. She tells a funny story about Minerva’s Aunt Bellamy flooding the alley behind the house, and everyone is in tears with laughter when she finishes.
As the meal winds down, Sylvia, Esme, and William get up and begin to clear.
I stand to help, but Sara Beth stops me with a hand on my arm. “Another night, Adam. Tonight, you may behave as an honored guest.”
“I don’t wish to be a guest, high priestess. I wish to be a part of this family.” My chest is tight with how true it is.
Her smile is warm. “I know, but humor me tonight.” Hand still on my arm, she squeezes.
Warmth rushes through me. Her mind is a jumble of doubt and regret. She’s normally so confident, this uncertainty from her feels strange. “I wish you would not blame yourself for what happened. It was not your doing, and I’m fully recovered.”
Sara Beth’s despair burns in my chest, as if I had lost someone precious. There’s nothing I can say in this room full of her coven, so I send her my forgiveness and let the matter drop for now.
Once the table is cleared and more wine brought out, the witches talk of life in Windsor. A man, who I learn is Sir William’s valet, Henry Dove, joins us and is welcome, despite his lack of magic. He appears to be just a man as far as I can tell.
