The Witch of Arcanoria

  Sharlene Healy

  Copyright © 2022 by Sharlene Healy

  Published by Hailstorm Publishing

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact sharlene@sharlenehealy.com.

  The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

  Book Cover by Blue Raven Covers

  Illustrations by Digital Curio

  1 edition 2022

  Contents

  Want to visit a Book Dragon's Lair?

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Acknowledgments

  About Author

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  Please note: The main character and her love interest do not end up together. This is a villains-ever-after story. Unlike the rest of the series, this book is fade to black.

  Content warning:

  Kidnapping a baby

  Manipulation

  Chapter 1

  Fire flits around my fingertips while I lean against my stone window, staring down at my neighbor’s house. “Dreselda is pregnant. Again.”

  Tade cracks an eye open, his blonde eyelashes fluttering against his cheek, but doesn’t move from my giant bed. “Which number is this one, love?”

  I toss the flames up to the chandelier hanging from the ceiling of my room, lighting the candles. My living quarters, consisting of my bed and kitchen, are small enough that the chandelier lights the room. It’s warm this summer day, but the sun never shines that brightly along my stone walls. “How should I know? Sixth, I think?”

  He grunts, but I ignore him. I walk to my table and open my grimoire. It’s always within my reach. Flipping through my book, I find an old spell to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Maybe I’ll use it. Dreselda is getting older, after all. It would be doable even with the small amount of earth magic I have.

  Not looking at Tade, I tell him what I’ve been feeling lately. “Maybe I’d like a baby.”

  He scoffs. “Why? They’re nasty little things. Always sticky.”

  I turn around to look at him. He’s still on my bed, his body relaxed. I walk to my bed and jostle it with my knee. His muscles tense, and I see ice cover his hand before disappearing. I point out my window. “Dreselda looks like she’s having fun. I want to have fun, too.”

  “Are you not having fun, Airalin?” He pulls me on top of him, and I prop my arms up on his chest, my bright red hair falling in my face. He brushes it out of the way and grins at me, the humor lighting his bright blue eyes.

  “You know what I mean.”

  “Not really.”

  I sigh and flip over onto my back. He never understands me. No one ever does, really. I watch the chandelier drift from side to side as a gentle breeze blows through, casting shadows and light along the stone bricks.

  My tower is at the edge of a village, a gift from the king the day I had agreed to be on his payroll. It isn’t as grand as some; mine only has two levels. One for my living quarters and another for my working space. Tade’s tower has six levels, although what he does with them, I have no idea. I’ve only ever seen his bedroom. Sometimes it irks me to have a smaller one, but not enough to bring the matter to the king. I would rather have a castle, anyway.

  A pigeon flies in, landing next to us. Fire bursts from my hand, and I am about to throw it at the disgusting bird when I see a cylinder tied to its leg. With a sigh, I douse the flames and sit up. “I believe we’re being summoned.”

  Tade shrugs, shaking the bed slightly, and I lean forward to retrieve the note. Out loud, I say the words written in sharp handwriting. “Disturbance at Prophecy Lake. Come at once.”

  He groans. “What would they do without us?”

  “Die?”

  He chuckles, sliding to his feet and stretching. A disturbance could mean anything from a reckless human to a vampire attack. I put on my witch’s robe, a flowing dark red garment with inside and outside pockets. The king hands out the garments based on the magic we use, and had decided fire was my main magic.

  I pack my grimoire in my brown leather satchel, along with a packet of my specially grown herbs. Tade grabs his own satchel and leads the way down the stairs to my garden. It’s covered in herbs and vegetables growing to the wall, spurred on by my earth magic, with a large, flat, and smooth stone circle in the middle.

  After grabbing chalk from the pocket of his light blue robe, Tade traces the intricate pattern on the stone. The portal stones are all throughout the kingdom, but only witches and wizards can use them. When he is done, we step inside. He begins his chant, trading a sliver of his magic necessary for transportation. Wind whips around us, forming a funnel, and we are instantly moved to the lake.

  Zohar, the king’s general, stands at the portal stone, his posture stiff. He relaxes a smidgen when he sees us. “You are the first two to answer.”

  Tade snorts. “You’ll only need us.”

  Zohar opens his mouth, and I raise an eyebrow at him. “What’s going on?”

  “Werewolves, Lady. And vampires. They’re fighting.”

  Tade rolls his eyes. I understand his annoyance. The vampires and werewolves have been fighting for centuries, mostly over land. It is prophesied that five queens would unite them, along with the rest of the realm, but no one believes that anymore. It’s only a problem in places full of magic, like this lake. Strange things happen when chaos and magic combine.

  We walk closer to the conflict, and I am irritated rather than scared. The sun is still up, but the trees surrounding the lake are thick enough to provide shade. Otherwise the vampires would disintegrate. On one side of the clearing near the lake stand the vampires, their fangs out, lurking in the shadows with their sharp nails ready for attacking.

  On the other side stand the werewolves. They are unchanged so far, but I spot a few furry tails peeking around legs. Both faction leaders are in the center, screaming and shoving each other. Like children.

  Immediately, I call the fire to my hand. “I am not above burning this forest down to get you two to behave. Both of you. Come here.”

  The vampire and werewolf ignore me, caught in their squabble. Just as I am about to throw my fire at the vampire, Tade walks toward them and turns both into blocks of ice. Both factions jump back in surprise.

  “Seriously, Tade? I was handling it.”

  He snorts, and anger rises in me. I send my fire at him instead, but it simply washes over him, disintegrating by the second as it hits an ice shield. I stamp out the sliver of guilt. There is nothing for me to be guilty about. I knew he wouldn’t have burned from my fire.

  “All of you, out of here,” he says, gesturing with frost sparkling from his hands. The wolves and vampires obey without hesitation, scattering into the trees.

  Zohar walks up to us, but talks only to Tade. “What about these two?” he asks, gesturing to the creatures.

  “That’s your job. I stopped them like you asked,” Tade says. I stomp over to the portal stone, standing next to it with arms crossed. Tade joins me with a sigh, then begins the spell to transport us back to my tower. Good. He can use up his own power. I’m not wasting mine on him.

  We arrive at my home, and I walk inside, my expression thunderous. Tade follows me, his robe flowing behind him. “Love, why are you so upset?”

  I stomp around the room, fire climbing up my hands. I shove my robe off, not wanting to burn it, and it falls to the floor. Glaring at Tade, I throw a fireball at his face. He forms a shield with a disc of ice, and water slides to the ground.

  “Now my floors are wet!” I grab a rag from my kitchen and throw it on the spot. “You ruin everything.”

  Tade gathers me in his arms. “Aww, love, you don’t mean that.”

  My shoulders stiffen, and he plants kisses up and down my neck. “I’m sorry you feel that way,” he says between kisses. “Next time, I’ll let you handle it.” I relax and wind my arms around his neck.

  “It’s fine,” I whisper as heat crawls up my spine. “Have you thought about giving me a baby yet?”

  He pauses his kissing. “We can certainly try.”

  I squeeze my arms gently, hugging him. “Thank you,” I say before planting a kiss on his cheek.

  Chapter 2

  Tade leaves before midnight, claiming he needs to get rest in his own bed. I pretend to be sad as he leaves, but the truth is, I would rather be alone. Besides, I want to talk to Dreselda in the morning about her baby.

  A thin beam of sunlight streams in through my window, waking me from a deep slumber. I feel inside my body, testing my magic stores. Sleep had replenished the small amount I’d used yesterday.

  I rise from my bed, stretching and yawning, and get ready for the day. A quick glance out the window and into Dreselda’s house tells me she is already up. She usually is, since at least one of her children wakes before the sun.

  On my way to my neighbor’s, I pause at my vegetable garden. It would be rude to come empty-handed. I pluck a handful of rapunzel from the ground, the round green leaves ready to eat and full of nutrients. Perfect for an expectant mother. My garden is only one of two places in the entire kingdom that has rapunzel.

  Putting the plant in my bag, I leave through the gate, setting the enchantment to bar anyone from entering through the gate or through the portal stone.

  I knock, and Dreselda answers the door. Her face looks wan, deprived of her usual vigor. “Oh, Airalin. Come in, please.” Her soft voice sounds tired.

  I step inside and hand her my bundle of vegetables. “These are for you. To you and your baby’s health.”

  “Oh, that’s so sweet. I hope I can keep these down. Food hasn’t agreed with me with this child.”

  The wooden floors creak as we move inside. We sit at the table and talk. Her children run in and out, and I lose track of how many there are.

  “You have so many children in good health,” I say. “Which one is this one?”

  She smiles and rubs her belly in a circle. “This is my seventh. I hope it’s a girl, but I’ll be happy if it’s healthy.”

  My heart stops, then starts again. I keep my face neutral. “Seventh? How strong you must be to bear seven children.”

  “I hope so,” she whispers, looking down at her stomach. “I was the seventh, you know. My mother almost died giving birth to me. I cannot bear to think of it happening to me.”

  My heart beats faster as she confirms my suspicion. A slip of information from long ago comes to mind. I put my hand over hers, a picture of concern. “Don’t worry, Dreselda. I have just the thing to ensure a healthy pregnancy and birth. As one of the few earth magic witches, I’ve helped with many births.”

  She turns her face to me, her eyes wide and hopeful. “Oh, do you? I would be so grateful if you could help.”

  I smile and pat her hand. “Of course. We have been neighbors for years now and it will continue for years to come. By the way, wasn’t your mother the seventh child, too?”

  Dreselda smiles gratefully at me and nods. “Yes, my mother was the seventh of twelve children. My grandmother was fierce.”

  My heart pounds at the confirmation, but I smile and comment on how wonderful to have so much family. I sit and chat for a while more, but I want nothing more than to run and tell Tade about what I have discovered. Two children run in, begging for food, and she glances at me apologetically. I hug her goodbye and leave before the rest of her children descend.

  At home, I call a fireball to my hand, extinguishing it and calling it again, over and over. It wastes magic from my well, but not enough for me to care.

  Seventh child of a seventh child of a seventh child. I pull my grimoire out of my satchel and flip through the pages. Finally, I find what I’m looking for.

  Although extremely rare, babies born in the seventh place of a seventh place mother of a seventh place mother have been known to act as magical amplifiers.

  The book goes on to explain the mechanics and numerology related to the magic, but I skip all of that and slam the volume shut.

  I stand up and stare out my window. Dreselda walks to and fro behind her house, her hand on her already growing belly, watching her children dig in the dirt. I can’t wait to tell Tade. We will be the most powerful witch and wizard in the entire realm. Together. I will have a baby, and he’ll have power. No one will be able to stand in our way.

  I walk up the narrow stairs to my workroom and head to my bookcase, grimoire in hand. After a second, I find what I am looking for, a handheld mirror surrounded by intricate designs, similar to the portal stones. It is the way magic users can communicate over long distances, set up by witches and wizards generations before us. We can even leave a brief message, in case no one answers.

  I chant the spell to reach Tade, my chocolate-colored eyes staring back at me. When I finish, the mirror’s edges glow red, and Tade’s face appears. Thank goodness he has his mirror with him. This news is important. Life changing.

  I open my mouth, then pause, narrowing my eyes. He’s not in his tower. Trees stand tall behind him, and I hear birds chirping. “Yes, love?” His voice is impatient, and I glare at him.

  “Where are you?” I ask. A flash of guilt appears in his eyes but quickly leaves.

  “The king called me to stop another fight. The vampires and werewolves again.”

  I explode. “And not me?” My tone is laced with anger, and the edges of my vision are on fire.

  “It wasn’t a big fight. He only needed one person.”

  I grip the mirror. “I see.” But I don’t. I am just as powerful as Tade.

  “Besides, you’re a woman. Battle is no place for you.”

  My eyes widen, and I grit my teeth. “I am no stranger to battle. And I am powerful, despite what you think.”

  Tade runs a hand through his light hair and sighs. “Airalin. You depend on your grimoire. Your well of magic is small for a witch and especially compared to mine. You know this. Your fireballs barely singe leaves. Look, we can talk more later, but I need to go.”

  “Fine. We’re not done with this, though.” I dispel the magic before he has a chance to.

  I pace the room, thoughts filling my mind. Maybe Tade is right. Maybe I do need to stay out of battle. I could abandon the fire inside and use earth magic only. Be a healer instead of destroying.

  It’s not my fault my magical well is small. When I was younger, a priest put a lock on it, trapping the potential dark magic deep inside me. Tade knows that. He has no right saying those things.

  I sit on my chair and slump, crossing my arms over my chest. Dependent on my grimoire. Whatever. I carry it with me just in case. No one ever knows when they need a particular spell. Besides, I have a few short ones memorized.

  Children’s laughter carries in from outside.

  Seventh child three times over.

  Magical amplifier.

  With a sudden burst of energy, I stand up. I had almost forgotten about the baby. I run and grab my grimoire. Flipping pages, I find the two spells I’m looking for.

  The first ensures a healthy pregnancy and birth. I run my finger down the ingredient list, thankful I have everything in my garden. I decide to include a few herbs for nausea, too.

  The second is an enchantment. It is similar to a love spell, where the person can’t think of anything else, bordering on obsession. It is a simple chant, no ingredients necessary.

  I grin. Perfect. Darting around my garden, I gather the herbs for the first spell. Once my cauldron is boiling, I dump the plants in, chanting as I stir, and pouring earth magic in with the herbs.

  The last step requires it to sit for two hours, and I leave the pot and go back to my garden. I look at my vegetables and find the rest of the rapunzel I am growing.

  Reaching into my magic, I withdraw the smidgen of earth magic required and cast an enchantment on the vegetable. Dreselda will be consumed with thoughts of eating it.

  And when she comes for it, I will be ready. I feel slightly bad for planning to trick her, but I need the power more than I care. I’ll show Tade how powerful I can be, and he’ll see that together we’ll be an unstoppable force in the realm.

  When the potion is ready, I pour it into six vials. After I pack the vials into a box, I fill a bag with some of the enchanted rapunzel and head over to visit Dreselda.

  She answers the door, her face thinner than even the last time I visited.

  “Dreselda, are you doing okay?”

  She shakes her head. “This baby does not like anything.”

  Then she steps aside, and I walk in. “I brought you a remedy. As well as some more vegetables.”

  Dreselda’s face brightens. I point to the vials and tell her the instructions, one in the morning, one at night, for three days. “This will ensure health for you and the baby.”

  She sets one bottle on the table, then takes the rest and stores them high, away from little hands, and returns to the table. When she is comfortably settled, I hand her my bundle of food. “Here, I brought this, too. The nutrients are good for you.”

 

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