Page 20 of Pure Magic
It seems to me he can’t take his eyes off Sylvia, and she refuses to look at him at all. Most dinners at the coven house have been only three or five witches and a simple meal. This feast was made for me, and that is a first in my life.
One by one, those who live elsewhere make their way home. They each bid Prudence, Sara Beth, and me good night.
Flattered to be singled out, I hardly know how to act. I like it here. I like these witches. My feelings for Sara Beth are complicated and new to me, but I’m not willing to walk away from this or her.
June and Trina help Prudence, and soon it’s just Sara Beth and me at the table. She stands, so I do the same. Staring at me a long moment, she sighs. “Will you sit with me and talk a while in my room?”
“Of course.” I follow her past my bedroom door to hers. Inside the large room are three distinct areas: one for sleeping, an office, and a sitting area.
Once she sits in one of four overstuffed chairs, I take the one next to her. “You have a very nice room.”
“A benefit of being the high priestess.” Her smile is sad.
“I imagine there are not many.” I personally wouldn’t wish to have so many witches in my charge.
“I’ve been doing this since I was a girl of eighteen, Adam. It is my destiny. I asked you here to talk about my mother. I feel you deserve more of an explanation, even though I’m still in shock over what happened.” She stares at her fingers, twisting in her lap.
Dropping to my knees, I take her hands and massage the backs until her fingers relax. “Tell me what I can say to ease your burden, dear one?”
A tear rolls down her cheek. “You shouldn’t call me that.”
“Forgive me. Is there an endearment I’m allowed?” Immediately, I feel her heart lighten.
“When I was a girl, I had an imaginary friend, or maybe he was a spirit. I’ve never been sure. When my mother was busy with coven business, and when I was forced to wait in small rooms with no entertainment, he and I would have great adventures together.” She grins, and it is as if an arrow has pierced my heart. I would give anything to make her smile like this every day for the rest of my life.
I push down the wayward thought. “What was his name?”
“Richard. He was a great deal of fun, and we sailed to the four corners of the world seeking adventure.” She giggles and her cheeks flush. “Richard was a pirate, you see.”
“Was he now?” I can’t help laughing. “I find myself slightly jealous of this phantom from your childhood. What did Richard call you?”
“Beth,” she whispers. “He called me Beth. It was a sad day when I grew too old to play those games. When I was six, Mother demanded I learn how to take over from her, and the time for imagining was at an end.”
It is by far the saddest thing I’ve ever heard. “I mean no disrespect, but your mother was a hard woman, taking away your childhood.”
“She was right. I had to learn.” A lifetime of regret shines in her eyes.
I want to shield her from it all and take care of her. I’ve clearly lost my mind. “Don’t you think there is time enough for balance in life? Goddess wouldn’t have all work, or all play, any more than she believes light can exist without dark. Would you raise your daughter or son without play?”
“No,” she answers quickly, and her eyes flash with ferocity as she pulls her hands out from under mine. “I doubt the question will ever come up, but my child would not have the burden of command thrust upon them. It would be the coven’s and her decision. It most certainly wouldn’t be mine.”
“Then there is nothing to regret. You learned more than your mother bargained for, Beth.” I love the way the nickname feels on my tongue. I want to whisper her name over an over with her naked in my arms, all night.
She gestures to the chair. “Please, sit.”
I do, but wish I could pull her into my lap.
“My mother was a good witch and leader. She followed Goddess’s rules to the letter, never straying until the day she decided she could fight an evil on her own. She worked a spell to keep a dark witch out of Windsor. She used fire, and as I told you, it went terribly wrong. She failed and died because she intended to do harm. Yet, I know she is with Goddess now. I can’t explain what happened today.” She presses her palms to her eyes.
“Are you certain it was Betty Ware today?” Wanting to ease her pain, I’m looking for a way out of this.
Sitting up straight, she stares over my shoulder. “It felt like her magic, and it sounded like her laugh at first. When the noise of it became unbearable for you—I’m not sure. Her magic was still present, but I never heard such a noise from Mother. It was so rare that she laughed at all.”
Her pain lances through me like a dagger. “How did Prudence stop the assault?”
Once again meeting my gaze, she dashes a tear from her eye. “Prudence speaks to Mother from time to time. Mother doesn’t speak to me. In fact, that laugh was the first noise I’ve heard from her since her death. I often feel her magic around me and can sense approval, and more often, disapproval, but she doesn’t speak. However, today, Mother refused to respond when the great mother contacted her. Her magic was angry and hard to read beyond the rage. Prudence may look frail, but she’s very powerful. She called on Goddess to remove Mother until what happened can be sorted.”
It must be horrible for her to have had her mother taken from her in this way as well. “I’m sorry, Beth.”
