by Tish Thawer
Gathered under the arch with her other sisters, Mama, Mathilde, and Salem all smiled as Trin crested the hill. Outshining everyone in their matching lace dresses, Trin literally glowed. Wearing the floral crown of baby’s breath, fern froths, soft lavender poppies and white ranunculus’s that Salem had created, Trin looked like a fairy queen—or more precisely, the High Priestess she was. Her auburn hair hung in loose waves, except for the braids Salem wove into the flower crown, holding it in place.
Mama stepped forward as Jason took Trin’s hands in his.
“Today we welcome the Goddess onto our land and into our hearts for the most joyous of occasions. Blessed by the divine, Karina Howe and Jeremiah Hollsteen have chosen this moment in time to bind their spirits and hearts together as one.”
Lifting a white cord, Mama wrapped it around Trin and Jason’s wrists. “Bound by love, bound by time, bound by a magic from the Goddess divine … Do you, Karina, take Jeremiah to be your soulfully wedded husband from this day forth?”
“I do.” Trin’s eyes glistened as she beamed with joy.
Mama continued to weave the cord around their wrists. “Bound by love, bound by time, bound by magic from the Goddess divine … Do you, Jeremiah, take Karina to be your soulfully wedded wife from this day forth?”
“I do.” Jason winked and smiled wide, his happiness barely contained.
“Then by my hand, and by the Goddess’s plan, I now pronounce you High Priestess and Priest, husband and wife. May your lives be blessed forevermore.” Mama tied the ends of the cord together, sealing it with four final words. “So mote it be.”
“So mote it be!” everyone shouted, and the sky burst with silver light, as if the stars themselves were celebrating, too.
***
Wax dripped down the sides of the stumps as the candles burnt themselves out to their wicks. Glasses of wine and plates of cake had been shared, along with Trin and Jason’s first kiss as husband and wife.
After Mama untied the handfasting cord, Salem rushed into her big sister’s arms, tears shining in her eyes. ““Congratulations! And thank you for doing this now, so that I could be a part of it.”
Trin looked to her Mama as she hugged her newest sister. “It wouldn’t have been the same without you.”
Mama smiled as Caris and Kennedy joined in on their sisters’ hug. “Let’s head home, so we can tidy up before you go. Plus, I have one more gift to share with you all.” She winked at Trin.
Despite having to return to the Goddess’s realm soon, Salem bounced around the hill, running from sister to sister and spinning wildly with her arms spread wide as the soft, pink and purple hues of evening gave way to the deeper colors of night.
Glancing from their entwined hands, Trin looked deeply into Jason’s eyes. “Husband and wife? Can you believe it after all this time?” She smiled.
“What do you mean? Technically, with our wedding taking place in 1685, when we get home, we’ll have been married for centuries.”
Trin threw her head back and laughed, her eyes shining as bright as any star in the sky. “So, basically, we’re already an old married couple, then?”
Jason stopped and pulled her into his arms. “Old, new, married or not, I have loved you my entire life and will do so until my dying days.” Pressing his lips to hers, his kiss held a promise of so much more to come.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Trin tightened her arms around his neck, deepening their connection as she longed to return to their present day and to the privacy of their home and bed.
“Come on, you two, save it for the honeymoon,” Caris teased as she continued down the hill.
Accompanying their family back to the house, Trin and Jason never let go of each other’s hands as Mama directed them all to gather in the living room.
“While the younger versions of yourselves had to be kept sheltered from this joyous event for obvious reasons, I’m so grateful to have had you all here together again. But with that in mind, seeing as our time will flow forward now from this fixed point once you return home, I have one more gift I’d like to bestow on you all.” She reached for Trin, pulling her close. “If I may borrow the pendant once more?”
Trin lifted the necklace over her head, placing it in Mama’s waiting hand.
Closing her eyes, Mama held the pendant to her chest and whispered under her breath, “Time is yours, fluid and true; transport you between the worlds you knew. Jump the path, but stay the course, separate but safe with no remorse. As I will it, so mote it be.” A red glow radiated from between her clasped hands. Handing the key and stone back to Trin, Mama explained, “I’ve made it so that now, whenever you use the stone and travel to the past, you won’t affect the current timeline you land in.”
Slipping it back over her head, Trin pondered exactly what that meant. Realization dawned and her eyes snapped to Mama’s. “That’s why future Karina could appear and help us here, knowing what we’d already done. She had the necklace with the spell already in place.”
Mama smiled. “Yes. But it also means—”
Salem threw herself into Trin’s arms, cutting off Mama’s words. “It also means, all you have to do is think of me and turn the stone, and you can come visit me in the Goddess realm as often as you want.”
Trin looked to Caris and Kennedy, their eyes widening as the Goddess’s words flowed into them again. “You are my chosen three, Sisters of Salem forever you’ll be. Follow your heart, your path is true, trust in yourselves, for I believe in you.”
Tears of joy streaked their faces as the four sisters hugged, pulling their Mama into the mix. With their true goal accomplished, it was time to leave the past to its course and return to the future to live the lives they all truly deserved.
Pulling back, Mama held up her finger. “One more thing, before you go.” Walking toward her bedroom, she opened the door. Gasps filled the room as Lionel Epps appeared, his modern clothes making it obvious he’d been brought here from the future. “I wanted to make sure you understood Lionel was only following my and Karina’s directions. It was the only way I could see to get you home. With Trin wearing the pendant, and the key tossed onto the portal Ann created, I was able to use the residual energy to pull you back to this specific point in time.”
Lionel shrugged, his broad shoulders pulling wide as his hands remained tucked into the front pockets of his jeans. “It was quite the shock to get your mother’s message after all this time, but having never forgotten our lives here, it was my pleasure to help in any way that I could. I am sorry I couldn’t tell you outright, though, but that would have gone against the instructions Rebecca and Karina had laid out.”
Caris bit her lip as she stared at Lionel, barely hearing his apology. Looking to Kennedy, Trin imagined her reunion with Nielson was on the horizon as well and knew it was time to go.
“We’ll see you soon,” Trin promised with one last hug and a kiss to Salem’s cheek. “And, Mathilde,” she grabbed the young witch’s hand, “thank you for all you’ve done. Not only did you save my family, but I’m happy to know our descendants might one day be friends in the future.” Trin looked to Mama. “Where will Mathilde go now? Is it safe for her to return home?”
“That’s up to her.” Mama smiled expectantly at the young witch.
Mathilde lips quirked to the side as she took a moment to ponder her future. “I think I would like to take over my grandfather’s estate outside of Salem. He was well respected there, and despite my father’s hidden deeds, it feels like the right place from which to continue the Putnam line.”
Mama looked to Trin. “I’ll see to it the house is properly cleansed and that she’s taken care of.”
Trin squeezed Mathilde’s hand. “May the Goddess continue to bless you.”
Mathilde released Trin’s hand, pulling her into a hug instead. “May the Goddess continue to bless us all.” Hiding her tears, she excused herself from the room to give the family some privacy for their final goodbyes.
Returning to Mam
a’s side, Trin reached for both her hands and stared deeply into her eyes, weighing all that had happened. Rebecca Howe’s legacy—mother, witch, time-keeper, and friend. “I’m so grateful for the time we’ve shared here with you, Mama. Though it’s not nearly as much as I crave, it was a blessing to see you again. Thank you for … well, everything.”
“My sweet, sweet, Karina. It was my duty, and my pleasure. And I will always be with you.” Mama hugged her eldest, then did so in turn to Kara and Kennedy, bidding farewell to Jeremiah and Lionel as well. “May the Goddess protect you as you move forward through time. Our spirits and hearts forever entwined.”
With tears in her eyes, Trin thought of home and twisted the ruby within the key.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
BLACKBROOK, NEW YORK
Present day
Sliding out of her white lace dress, Trin let it pool at her feet as she gazed into Jason’s eyes, unabashed. “Take me to bed or lose me forever,” she teased, quoting one of their favorite movies.
Easing up beside her, Jason ran his hand along her hips as he kissed the crease between her collarbone and neck. “With pleasure.” Having already disrobed, he walked them forward to the bed and together they fell, lost in one another as they’d been in the past.
“Jason,” Trin whispered his name as his hands glided across her skin, touching her in his familiar and almost sacred way. She’d dreamt of this moment for centuries—becoming his wife—and after years of denying him, and all the strife they faced, it couldn’t have happened in a better way. For this defined who they were. Witches both, pulled through time, only to find each other again with a clear future laid out before them and blessed by the Goddess in front of their family and friends.
Rolling over, Trin peered up through her dark lashes, letting the image of Jason become scorched into her mind. She couldn’t believe they’d finally made it here. She loved this man more than her own life, and despite how long it took, they’d been given this future together and it felt as if the world had been renewed just for them.
“Jason,” Trin whispered his name again, her voice coming out huskier than usual as she met his heated gaze.
His eyes twinkled and a slow grin curled his lips as he slid inside of her. God, how she loved that smile.
Once again, they were one—body, heart, and soul. No words were needed, as their joy swirled on the air currents around them. Closing her eyes, Trin rode the waves of passion as reminders of their past overwhelmed her.
Jason’s chuckle rumbled in her ear. “Trin, let go. We’re together now, and I promise … I’m not going anywhere.” Without words, he’d sensed her emotions; knew her thoughts, and exactly how to ease them.
Waves of desire engulfed them, and like magic, everything was forgotten. Nearing release, tears formed in Trin’s eyes as the love she felt for Jason finally broke free. This was as easy as breathing. They were finally home. Within minutes, the memories of all they’d suffered at the hands of Ann and Heinrich for so long were gone, replaced with an overwhelming sense of love and devotion that ran soul-deep.
Trin pulled Jason down upon her and drank in his kisses as the world fell away—each pleasure-filled moment evolving into the next. Gazes locked, their spirits soared as they spent the night reveling in their new reality. Husband and wife, and Priest and Priestess of the Witches of BlackBrook coven, together as one.
***
A knock on the door pulled Trin and Jason from an easy slumber. Bone-weak and euphoric, she flicked the door open, not ready to leave their honeymoon bed.
“Good morning, love birds. I’ve brought you tea and crumpets … well, not really, it’s cinnamon-dipped French toast with raspberries and powdered sugar, but you get the gist.” Caris beamed as she walked into the couple’s bedroom, pausing to see if they noticed Lionel waiting in the hall.
Trin readjusted the blankets covering her and smiled wide. “Lionel, I’m happy to see you here. Welcome to the family, I guess.” Trin shrugged, unabashed by their current state.
“You have no idea how long I’ve waited.” Lionel slid up next to Caris and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
“Actually, out of everyone in the entire world … yes, we do know how long you’ve waited.” Jason chuckled, thrilled to see the happy couple reunited in the present day. “Speaking of waiting, I heard a car outside this morning … does that mean Kennedy already ran off to claim her prince charming as well?”
“As a matter of fact, I think it does. She left a note in the kitchen.” Setting down the breakfast tray on the end of the bed, Caris handed over a piece of paper to Trin, then nuzzled into Lionel’s waiting embrace as the two left the room.
Trin shared the note with Jason, both reading it to themselves.
I’ve checked all the protections and the wards around the house, and they’re good. I’ve decided to head back to Washington for now. Nielson and I have some catching up to do, and you guys have new lives to start living. Call me if you need anything, or whenever you plan to go see Salem, and I’ll come running! Love you guys! ~ Kennedy
Folding the note, Trin placed it back on the tray and wiped a tear from her eye. Gazing up at Jason, her hand drifted to her stomach. Kennedy was right, and thanks to Mama, Mathilde, and Salem, they all had new lives to start living. A warmth radiated from deep within her, and Trin knew one of those lives was starting right now. “Seems we’ve been blessed by the Goddess again.”
She laid her head on Jason’s shoulder, as he whispered, “So it seems.”
Epilogue
BLACKBROOK, NEW YORK
Nine months later
“Push, Trin. She’s almost here.” Caris knelt between her sister’s legs, ready to guide her niece into the world.
Jason knelt beside the tub, holding her hand and feeding the spell that helped to ease her pain.
“One more push,” Caris instructed as Kennedy raced into the room with another set of towels and a warm blanket.
A shrill cry filled the space, accompanied by a wave of relief and flood of tears. “You did it.” Jason leaned down, placing a kiss on Trin’s forehead.
Caris scooped up the baby, and Kennedy cut the cord, both moving as methodically as they’d been taught by the midwives Trin had sent them back in time to study with. Wiped down, and swaddled, Caris handed the baby to Trin. “She’s perfect. Healthy in every way.”
Squinting past tears of joy, Trin looked down at her baby girl. After all they’d been through and lost, she was truly a blessing to them all. “Welcome to the family, Amelia.”
Bright hazel eyes looked up at her mama, as a silver light filled the space.
“Am I late, did I miss it?” Salem ran to the side of the tub. “Awww, she’s beautiful. I can’t believe I’m an aunt.” Placing her pinky in the baby’s tiny grip, Salem smiled up at Trin. “I have a present from the Goddess.”
The corner of Trin’s lips tipped into a grin. They’d been given so much already, though, Trin hoped her continued service as High Priestess to the BlackBrook coven would be a fitting offering as a way to pay her back—not that she required it. With Salem now allowed to visit whenever she wanted, they’d been truly blessed as a family—the most powerful of the Goddess’s true witches.
Standing back, Salem stood tall and held her hands above Trin and the baby. A silver magic radiated from her palms as she closed her eyes and delivered the Goddess’s blessing. “Surrounded by family and loved throughout time, this blessing bestowed is one of a kind. From the Goddess herself, may the Howe witches be, forever blessed and eternally free. Protected by magic straight from the source, shall you grow and thrive on a new, free course. Blessed and loved by the Goddess divine, your family shall live forever in time.”
Opening her eyes, Salem met the tear-filled gazes of her entire family and nodded for them to join, sealing the spell together.
“So mote it be.”
The End
A Note from Tish Thawer
Thank you for following my witches to
their journeys’ end. Family, love, and loss are elements of life we can all relate to, and I’m so thrilled you’ve allowed me to share the magic of their world with you. If you’d like to read about the sisters’ time in Colorado, be sure to pick up Lost in Time, my Legend of Havenwood Falls short-story here. And for more tie-ins, you’ll want to snag the Sun & Moon Academy books that features my stories with Natalie Putnam—Mathilde’s ‘great-great whatever’ descendant. I’m grateful to you all for the continued support. And, as always, reviews are appreciated.
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Blessed be,
~ Tish
For another magical journey,
please enjoy the following excerpt