Epilogue

JONAH

Spring is a wonderful time in Windsor. People are about more, and our friends have taken to coming to visit our little farm often.

It’s very kind, as Minerva is heavy with child, and it’s harder for her to go into town. It’s rare we have a quiet day like today to sit in the garden alone together. Even June is away training with Esme at the healer’s shop.

“Thank you for building me this bench.” Minerva rests her head on my shoulder.

The simple bench is serviceable but little more. “I’ll craft something finer in the next few months. I must finish the cradle first.”

“I’m fond of this bench just as it is.” She wraps her arm around my middle.

I kiss the crown of her head. “Something finer for our pond then.”

She nods. “That would be nice.”

The sound of a horse coming up the drive forces us out of our carpentry planning. “I’ll go. You can stay here and rest.”

“I’ve had enough rest.” She gives me a look that brooks no argument.

I stand and help Minerva to her feet. We walk arm in arm around our stone house. It’s bigger than the house in Kent. In fact, it’s twice as big. We have plenty of room for our gathered family, and a small cottage on the property where Bellamy might live if she ever agrees to come and stay.

Perhaps my thoughts were loud.

Minerva says, “I don’t know why she won’t stay. It’s such a sweet little cottage. Perhaps when the baby comes, that will entice her enough.”

“She’s very taken with William and Esme’s little Connor. You can’t pry the little fellow out of her arms when she sees him.” I keep Minerva behind me when I see the driver is not familiar.

He’s a young man with brown hair and simple clothes, gray and white. He climbs from his horse and reaches into the saddle bag.

“Hello. Can I help you?” I raise a hand in both greeting and warning.

“I have a letter for Jonah Allen.” The man lifts the white envelope for us to see.

Stepping forward, I say, “I’m Allen.”

I give the currier a quid and take the letter.

Minerva waves the rider out of our yard as he gallops back toward Windsor.

Sitting on the stoop, I open the note. My heart skips at the sender.

“What is it, Jonah?”

I read.

Dear Mr. Allen,

It has been my great pleasure to get to know you over these last six months. Of course, your good wife and I have long been acquainted. She is a fine woman, and I know now that you are her equal. Our conversations over our shared trade have taught me that you are also a very competent apothecary. I feel secure in making a change.

At this time, I would like to retire as apothecary to the people of Windsor. If you are still interested in purchasing my shop and stock, it would be my great pleasure to sell them to you. I know you will care for the people of Windsor with the same integrity that I have tried to maintain over the years.


Yours Sincerely,

Albert Preston

Windsor Apothecary Shop

 

Minerva screeches and dances around. “Oh, how perfect. I knew he liked you. He was biding his time.”

“He was making sure his patients would be properly cared for.” I feel a bit like dancing around myself.

“When will you go and see him?” she asks. “I’ll want to go with you.”

“You’ll be uncomfortable, but I’ll not stop you. Perhaps you might make a spell to soften the roads.” I’m joking, but I hear her thinking about the possibilities.

My wife is a marvel.

A carriage at the road catches my attention. I think it’s going to pass, but it turns down our lane.

Minerva’s back goes straight. “A witch.”

Something familiar. I still can’t cast a spell, but I sense light and dark extremely well, and can hold off dark magic when needed. “I don’t think they come with malice, sweet. In fact…” So familiar.

Trying to reach out, I’m slapped back with long forgotten kindness. “Mother.”

Minerva rushes to my side and takes my hand. “Did you invite her?”

“I wrote to her after our marriage. She didn’t respond. I never thought she’d come.” I fold the letter from Mr. Preston and tuck it in my pocket. I wish I’d dressed in something other than work clothes, but there’s nothing to be done about it now.

The unadorned carriage is driven by a short man in a dark coat. He tips his hat, showing his bald head, secures the reins, and jumps down.

Once the door is open, my mother steps down. “Thank you, Joseph.”

“Madam.” Joseph bows and steps aside.

She’s gray-haired now. Last time I saw her, she had only a few strands of gray in her dark-brown hair. Her face is unchanged with the passage of time. Witches age slowly, and she’s still a lovely woman.

I bow. “Mother, you look well.”

A hint of a smile pulls at her lips. “I am older, and I hope wiser.”

It’s the closest thing to admitting any wrongdoing on her part I’ve ever heard. Rather than dwell on that, I introduce Minerva. “May I present my wife, Minerva Honeywell.”

Minerva makes a brief curtsy and looks Mother in the eye. “Welcome to our home, Johanna Allen.”

With an incline of her head, Mother acknowledges Minerva’s formal welcome. “I should have sent a letter, but admit, I was concerned my son wouldn’t wish to see me.”

Temper rising, Minerva’s expression remains calm. Still, I feel her anger like a flush of warm air in the cool spring day. “Your son has too kind a heart to ever deny you a visit. We are glad you’ve come. Will you come inside for tea?”

Mother nods. “My driver, Joseph, and the horses need rest and care.”

I walk to Joseph and explain that the barn is stocked, and that I’ll bring him food.

He nods and grins as he walks around the house, leading the horse.

With a smile, Mother says, “Tea would be very nice. This looks a fine place, Jonah. I thought you were well settled in Kent?”

Surprise must register on my face before I can mask it.

“I may have sent you away, but I have always watched and listened for news of you. I’ve known where you were and how you fared. I know you think me the villain of your story, but I’m not so hard that I don’t care about my own son.” Mother follows Minerva into the house, and I walk by her side.

“Not the villain, Mother. While you hurt me, I have always loved you. And, in the last few seasons, it occurs to me that my path was meant. If not for my beginnings, I might never have met Minerva. I would not be a member of a coven and in good standing, discovered my own magic, fallen in love, and might not be now awaiting the arrival of our first child. Nothing you did in the past has done me harm in the present.”

Joy fills Minerva and flows into me. There’s nothing so wonderful as feeling my wife’s happiness.

We sit at the small table in the parlor.

Mother’s shoulders relax. “I’m very pleased to hear that. Is it too forward of me to ask what magic you discovered?”

Minerva rubs her belly as she walks to the kitchen at the back of the house. “I’ll go and start the tea.”

I sit across from Mother. “My magic was suppressed by Goddess. It was done so I might make my journey and find Minerva. As it turned out, she found me.” I’m probably wearing a silly grin, but I can’t help it. Any thought of my wife makes me happy.

Lowering her voice, Mother leans forward. “Then the stories are true that you and your wife defeated a demon and saved two covens and the king?”

Witches’ gossip travels far and wide. “There were many witches who fought, and some who died that day to protect the light. Minerva and I were part of Goddess’s plan to save England and the king. The demon who went by the name of Forrester has been trying for many centuries to reach the crown. He isn’t dead, but he is weak, and it will take him a long time to recover. I’m not sure he can be killed by a mortal.”

“I’m proud of you, Jonah.” Her eyes are similar to those that look back at me from the mirror each morning.

“For killing and fighting?”

She quickly shakes her head. “For becoming a good man and witch, despite my failings as a mother.”

Since it was all meant, I can’t stir up any animosity for the woman who gave me life. “Perhaps we might start again from today, Mother. Will you stay a few days or longer?”

“I would like that very much.” She inclines her head. “Your wife is right. You do have a kind heart.”

It’s late when Mother and Joseph, who is a bit more than her driver, are settled in the cottage. Since Bellamy isn’t expected for a visit for two months, it seemed as good a place as any for them to stay.

I climb into bed behind Minerva. “Quite a day, sweet Mina.”

She rolls toward me. “A good one though. Did you not think so?”

Pushing several stray hairs back behind her ear, I caress her cheek. “Let me see… We have herbs, vegetables, and more growing in our garden, Mr. Preston will sell us his shop, and I’ll be a proper apothecary again, and my mother has come for a visit. I’d say that’s a full and very good day.”

She leans in and kisses my lips. “She came to make amends, I think. She regrets her decisions all those years ago.”

Of course, it’s true. “My mother will never actually apologize. If you’re waiting for that, you shall wait a lifetime.”

Her lips tug down. “I would like it if she would, but it is not my feelings that she hurt. Do you need an apology, Jonah?”

“No.” I’m as surprised as she is. “I don’t blame her anymore. I think we were all manipulated by Goddess so that we would defeat Forrester and Orin. Besides, I’d not want my life to be anything other than what it is. No man could be happier.”

Snuggling into my chest, she wraps her arms around me. “You are the best man I have ever known.”

“You come from a coven that didn’t allow men within for hundreds of years.” I laugh.

Her low giggle is alluring. “That doesn’t mean I didn’t meet men from time to time. I am a grown woman, after all.”

Running my hand from her back to the swell of her ass, I give it a squeeze. “You are that, my love.”

I’m rewarded with a long, slow kiss that heats every inch of my body. Minerva’s little moan is maddening.

Pressing little kisses on her cheek and nose, I say, “The day would be even more perfect if my wife were willing to make love.”

The moon shines in the window, lighting her beautiful face. She cups my cheek. “I thought you’d never ask.”

No man deserves such happiness, but I’ll not complain.

Decorative image of a hawk

Thank you for reading Magic Word. I hope you loved Minerva and Jonah as much as I loved writing them. This was a labor or love bringing together my two favorite genres.

If you loved Magic Word, you’re going to adore Pure Magic, where Sara Beth finally meets her match, both magically and in love.

SARA BETH

At nineteen, I replaced my mother as high priestess of the Windsor coven. I'm duty bound to protect my coven and the king, and for almost ten years, I have worked to transform the coven from the rigid system of Mother’s rule, to a warmer community of witches. News of men being admitted to the Windsor coven has spread, requiring me to consider more of their petitions. Legend says that male witches destroy and kill, often turning to dark magic. This was the reason for the ban. Will my removal of the old prejudice bring us all to ruin?

ADAM

I’ve traveled from Scotland after hearing the Windsor coven might accept a man living in the light of magic. All I want is family within a coven. My arrival is not received with enthusiasm, as the high priestess is as wary as she is beautiful. If not for the ancient great mother’s intervention, Sara Beth would have sent me away immediately. Instead, I'll be tested for light and dark magic. It’s unpleasant, but I’d do almost anything to stay by Sara Beth’s side, and finally find a home.

 

All is going well until my brother Kaden and his cohorts attack. Kaden is made from evil, and brother or not, he hates me for my alignment with the light. There’s more than my coven acceptance or my attraction to Sara Beth at stake when I join with the Witches of Windsor to stop Kaden…