Before (5 page)

Eli stepped forward and took the pitchfork as he walked
outside leaving to make sure none of the men remained. Cora blew
out a nervous breath. That had been too close. She turned and
hugged her mother feeling her bones quake with fear.

If Eli hadn’t seen this, if they hadn’t intervened, what could
have happened? She couldn’t think about losing her
mother.

“
Sweetheart, I’m fine, what good can a pitchfork do if I’m the
one controlling it? I could have taken it from his hands and pushed
it through his body,” her mother spoke calmly but Cora could hear
the anger bubbling through. “He would have felt every spike pop
through his flesh and rupture his internal organs before the others
had realised what was happening... but I didn’t do
anything.”

“
Mother, please don’t think or talk like that,” she
said.

It was at times like this that she realised how powerful her
mother is. What she would do to protect those she loved. For that
matter, what any witch was going to do if the mobs continued with
this rampage.

“
I know, love,” her mother sighed pushing her hand through her
long hair. “I’m sorry but you know what will happen if they try to
hurt you. I love you more than life itself and I will give mine
willingly to save you.”

“
It won’t come to that. We will be fine.” She swallowed the
large rock that had taken up residence in her throat.

“
We will take care of each other,” her mother
whispered.

Cora smiled as her mother hugged her tight.

“
You will come and stay with us,” Eli spoke from the open
door.

“
No, no, we are fine,” her mother responded.

“
No, I insist, work needs to be done on your home and whilst
that is happening you will live with us.”

“
I’m-”

“
It is not open to discussion,” Eli snapped and folded his arms
across his chest.

Her mother sighed like she wanted to argue further, which Cora
was sure she would do, but she gave in. Eli was never a serious
person but they both knew by the tone of his voice that this wasn’t
open to discussion. Eli wouldn’t budge until they moved into his,
his stubborn streak was definitely showing.

Cora put her arm around her mother’s waist as they moved to
collect some of their belongings. She was so thankful her
grandparents had been at the market and hadn’t witnessed this. But,
she couldn’t deny that things were getting worse.

Why were the villagers hell bent on bringing witches to
justice? Witches had done nothing wrong in the past, all they had
ever done was help commoners, where did they think most of their
new medicines came from. But now that they were being pushed, their
powers were revealing themselves. Cora knew there would be other
times when she would face an attack, she just didn’t know if she
could, or even wanted to, control her element.

5

21st June 1610

Jack watched her as she sat in the corner of the room weaving
with her mother. She knew he watched her because she could feel the
burning at the back of her neck, could feel the tingle along her
skin, one only he could create. She didn’t dare look up, once his
eyes locked onto hers she always found herself lost. She had to
admit, it wasn’t a bad place to be lost.

It had been two whole days since the attack and Jack hadn’t
let her out of his sight, other than to sleep at night. She would
usually be annoyed by such protectiveness like this, but Jack was
different. He had a way of making her feel special.

“
Cora, would you like to go for a walk?”

Jack’s voice sent shivers along her skin. Cora was vigilant
enough that she saw her mother’s hand still for a second before she
continued working with Tabitha on their robes. No one spoke. No one
moved which signalled they were all waiting to hear what she said.
She felt the pink blush sweep through her neck and
cheeks.

Holding her breath and preparing herself for the hard thump to
her heart, she finally looked up and met his eyes. Those gorgeous,
chocolate eyes made her breathless. The curve of his Cupid’s bow
lips made her eager to kiss him, she wanted to do it every second
of every day. “Yes, I would like that.”

“
Do not go far,” her mother whispered still concentrating on
her task.

Cora looked over and caught the look on Tabitha’s face, the
slight twitch on her lips. It was a look that told her Tabitha knew
what they would be getting up to, and it wouldn’t be walking. Cora
blushed which caused Tabitha’s eyes to twinkle. They both stood up,
the silence of their family following them out of the cottage as
Jack grabbed a blanket. There was a definite chill in the air and
she would need it after leaving the warmth of the room. He covered
her shoulders, his arms staying around her body a minute longer
than necessary.

They made their way up over the field in silence. She suddenly
didn’t know what to say to him. She’d known him all her life and
they’d never struggled to find the right words.

“
I had to get out of there, the tension was killing me.” Jack
rolled his shoulders.

“
I know what you mean,” she sighed. “I feel like everyone is
watching us. It’s hard not being able to leave the cottage whenever
we want because of the commoners. Things have already changed
between us and our families know it. We can’t hide it from
them.”

“
Yeah,” he said, his fingers brushing against her hand. “They
know about us but I don’t care. It’s not like they would comment
negatively anyway. It’s the pressure on...”

She knew what Jack was referring to.

“
I have to admit I think it is great having you at ours. I like
seeing you every day. I love admiring your carefree bed hair in the
morning. I love the sleep lines in your cheek.” His finger brushed
her cheek whilst his eyes looked into hers. “You look more than
irresistible when you walk around in a sleepy stupor.”

His lips brushed gently against hers. She grinned as their
fingers twined together. With his forehead resting against hers she
sighed, enjoying this little bit of calm.

“
Have you noticed Anne?”Jack asked, referring to his
sister.

Cora had noticed the change in Anne. Whilst Tabitha and her
mother were constantly at the cottage, Anne looked ten times
better. Her chocolate brown eyes, something Jack and Anne both
received from their mother, were brighter. Her face had gained a
healthy glow. Her hair, usually dark brown, held undertones of
russet which added a kind of depth and fullness making her appear
healthier.

Cora believed the solidarity in the coven was helping with her
illness, like there was some sort of magic buzzing through the
cottage. Cora could often see the way Tabitha looked at Anne, she
saw the frustration grow on her face. Cora knew that Tabitha wanted
to help her, she just didn’t know how. She hadn’t found the right
potion and it was unusual for Tabitha to fail in something like
this.

“
Yes, she looks well, it is good having the coven together
under one roof.”

“
Eli is so happy, he would have you stay at ours
more.”

Cora nodded her head. She wasn’t sure if she could cope with
the attention her family were giving them. At least in their two
separate homes she could meet up with Jack without all of them
knowing. Even though they still knew anyway.

“
I like having you around,” Jack said.

“
I know, you already said that,” she teased.

“
I wanted to say it again,” he whispered.

She knew the moment their conversation changed, she could hear
it in his voice. She felt his arms wind around her waist,
cushioning her against muscle which made her hold her breath. He
kissed her long and slow making the top of her head spin
off.

“
Jack...we must make a decision... we can’t continue like this
forever,” she whispered, once he let her breathe.

“
I would love to continue doing this forever,” he said with a
grin as his lips brushed over hers.

She laughed. “No, you know what I mean.”

“
You are suggesting marriage?” Jack questioned.

Cora’s heart stumbled on those words. Standing here they could
see the small wooded area behind Jack’s cottage. Beyond that wooded
area was the next village. Puffs of smoke rose into the now pink
sky. Cora sat on the loose dirt and wrapped the blanket around the
two of them. It was quite a cold night to say it was summer but she
welcomed the cool breeze which would help her sleep better. She
hated the heat that clung to her body as she tried to
sleep.

“
Cora, I love you,” Jack whispered as his hand slid perfectly
into hers. “I know that I’ve probably loved you all my life and
will continue to do so until my dying day.”

Cora swallowed unable to find the right words. She’d wanted to
hear these words leave his lips for so long. She was afraid that if
she spoke she would wake up. Jack pulled her so she now sat on him
with the blanket wrapped around the two of them.

“
I know over the last year or so our feelings have developed
beyond just friendship. I know for certain that I want to spend the
rest of my life with you. You are my one and only love. Cora
Device, if you will have me, I would love the honour of being your
husband.”

She looked at him now, his eyes shimmering with tears. This
raw emotion is what she loved about him, his heart, the fact that
he could show his feelings and not be concerned with it. This is
one of the many things she loves about him.

Her mother was right, she loves him and she couldn’t envisage
loving anyone other than this kind, gorgeous man for the rest of
her life.

“
I couldn’t imagine living my life without you, Jack, I love
you more than any words could begin to describe. You are my rock,
my best friend, my soul mate...so, are you proposing marriage,
Jack?” she asked just to make sure, to hear the words one more
time.

Jack moved inside their blanket making sure his whole body
faced her. She placed her forehead against his taking deep breaths
enjoying the moment between them as the sun slipped behind the
hills surrounding their small village. There wasn’t enough time to
prepare herself for the proposal that was about to come. Something
she’d wished for since she was a little girl.

“
Cora Device,” Jack said bringing her hand to his lips as he
brushed them against his knuckles. “Will you be my wife? I promise
to love you forever.”

She took a deep breath feeling the swell of tears cloud her
eyes. “Yes, I would love to be your wife.”

The grin on Jack’s face was instant, his dimples popped as he
stood picking up her into his arms and swinging her around. The
blanket flew to the floor as the wind danced happily around her.
She felt her feet lift off the floor for more than a second as the
two of them levitated.

He let her land on her feet and his lips found hers again.
Almost like Jack had read her mind, she felt the blanket wrap
around them under the instruction from their combined elements. She
pulled the blanket tighter around them as he deepened the
kiss.

6

23
^rd
June 1610

Cora moved her belongings back into the room she shared with
her mother. Her grandmother was fussing in the kitchen throwing
together food for tonight. Cora had to smile because her
grandfather had already disappeared across the field to deal with
his crops. Cora knew this was not entirely true, she’d read it in
his solid blue eyes. He wanted to avoid her grandmother.

After years of marriage, her grandfather still couldn’t handle
such a feisty woman. He was a quiet, reserved man who loved his
home comforts and he didn’t like to impose on others. Although he
was still thankful for their hospitality, Cora could see that he
was happy to be in his own home.

She was so thankful to Jack and his family for having them in
their home when they needed somewhere to stay. But after only four
days with everyone under the same roof, she was ready for her own
space again. If she was to live with only Jack, things would be
different. She knew that day would come sooner rather than later
and her heart galloped happily.

She was going to marry Jack. The boy she’d grown up with. The
boy who she’d shared every secret with. She couldn’t believe how
lucky she was. They hadn’t told anyone yet because they wanted to
enjoy this special moment as just the two of them before every one
jumped in with wedding plans and dresses.

Cora all but skipped from the shared bedroom. Luckily she was
alone, her mother had already left to help decorate the field. She
didn’t know what it would look like but if Tabitha was there she
knew it would be big. Tabitha found it hard to do things on a
smaller scale. She walked into the kitchen, enjoying the smell of
cooking meat.

“
Cora, can you bring the cold potatoes out here please?” her
mother called from the field.

Cora did as she was told and picked up the cold potatoes that
were mixed with freshly grown herbs to create a lovely potato
salad. It smelt so good she almost dipped her finger in it to have
a taste.