A Witch's Song: Tales of Evermagic, Book 3

PRAISE FOR A WITCH’S SONG

Without knowing which fairytale you are being thrown into you get completely engrossed with this story. You never know what happens to cinderella's sisters, but this time you do. When finding out all the things Nim has gone through you fall more and more in love with her, and her story tugs at your heart strings. Not to mention, so does a dashingly irritating man.

Copyright © 2014 Jessica Lorenne

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner, save for brief quotations in printed reviews without written permission in writing from the author.

All characters are fictional. Any resemblance to actual people are coincidental.

Cover design by Jessica Lorenne

Copyright © 2011-2012 by Sorkin Type Co (www.sorkintype.com),

with Reserved Font Name Metamorphous.

***

For Nanna

my sister, my ally, my confidant.

Special Acknowledgment to Sunny,

Thanks for not letting me get away with anything.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

EPILOGUE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CHAPTER 1

Once upon a time ...      

My life as an ordinary girl came to an abrupt end the day I realized I had a sister whose life was a fairy tale. I'd been clueless all the while, never realizing what I was. 

The signs were there, but I was too selfish to see. What was worse was that I was too angry to realize what I had become and how I fit into that story. 

I’ve shed that part of me. I’ve even changed my name to Nim. It’s always been one of my names, but now it is the one people call me by. I am Nim the witch. A novice one anyhow. But it doesn’t seem to matter my intention.

Witches have a bad reputation compared to wizards and sorcerers. We’re discriminated against. Many of us hide what we are and try to live normal lives, but my normal life wasn’t worth living anymore. 

My mother called the constable on me when we realized what I was. I had only just discovered my abilities then. My magic saved me from her, and now it keeps me hiding from her also. But that’s all right because now––I’m free.

Nim wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and stood outside the door on her porch, smiling at the sky. The sun was making a beautiful ascent into the blue, proving to be worth waking up early to watch. Its rays pierced her baby blue eyes and set her white blonde hair to glowing. She hummed to herself, content to watch and not aware how its light made her shine. 

The dog that sometimes visited her came up the steps then to where she stood. He stopped by her cottage often and today tricked her hand to pet his head by bumping it with his nose. She grinned and scratched behind his floppy pointed ears. He smiled, his tongue lolling out one side of his mouth for the pleasure of her touch.

You ought to be home, she told him between her singing. The creature looked up at her with pouting eyes, but she shook her head at him. Mr. Wolter needs your help herding the sheep, she explained. Come back when you’ve finished your chores.

The dog dropped his head for her words, having seemed to understand her. He turned down the steps to obey and trotted across the white stone path in the overgrown grass of her yard. 

Nim smiled after him. She would get a dog for herself if it wouldn’t break the poor boy’s heart. Living alone was quiet and sometimes lonely. She missed the social buzzing atmosphere of her old life but didn’t think much about it. She couldn’t let herself. 

She patted the loose frizzy bun atop her head, remembering how straight and smooth it had once been. Without her mother’s expensive hair products, her hair had lost all manageability. She didn’t mind, though. It was less trouble to take care of now and seemed to fit her better. 

Most days, she didn’t even bother to brush it. She smiled, thinking to herself how much like Queen Rose that was. She was a Snow White who’d only recently been crowned queen and gotten married. A happy ending. At last.

Nim went to the kitchen, thinking of fairy tales as she heated the kettle to make tea. Learning how to take care of herself had been hard, but now she did everything from scratch. She’d made many mistakes at first, but things were running more smoothly. Especially now that she had a better hold on her magic. Every day she surprised herself with her power. Living became increasingly exciting as she progressed, and chores were easier with its help.

A sudden knock interrupted her thoughts then. She paused to hear it and pulled her shawl over her shoulder from where it had slipped and went to the entry. She smiled at the girl on her steps who was admiring the flowers she’d let grow wild. They poured over the porch and filled the air with their floral aroma and had seemed to catch the child's interest.

Why, hello. Nim squatted so she was at eye-level with the child who’d come. Now no longer under her mother’s influence, she'd discovered that she adored children. Before, she had loathed their very existence. But now she'd found it was easier to love rather than hate them.

Good morning, Miss Nim. The girl grinned with sparkling eyes at her as they turned from the flowers to her face.

The adults of the village didn't care to make visits to Nim’s cottage. Though it was only a little ways into the woods, it seemed to be a place they avoided. The children, however, were excited by her. Not even their parent’s concerns could stop them from being curious. Or, what's more, enjoy the fact that she was a witch. Many of them came on behalf of their parents, who seemed to send them more and more often to do business in their stead.

My mother sent a note ahead? The girl said. She needed the powder for her garden.

Oh, yes. Nim straightened. Come in and sit. I was just making tea. She went to the kitchen and grabbed a plate from a shelf. The girl sat at the table there as Nim placed the plate in front of her. And I just baked these cookies the night last. She grinned at the glow in the child’s eyes as she presented the plate beneath her nose. Could I tempt you to have some, and a bit of tea? She asked in a practiced, cheerful gesture.

Oh yes, Miss Nim. Your tea is the only kind I like! The girl said.

Nim couldn’t hide her pleased grin. I am so very glad to hear it, Lili. She straightened and went to the stove where she lifted the kettle just before it started to whistle at her. She poured two cups and then brought them to the table. Does your mother need you back soon? She asked.

Lili reached for the milky white porcelain cup and shook her head. No. She said I could visit for a little while if that was all right with you, she said.

Nim nodded. Lili’s mother was Nim’s most frequent customer. She also appeared to be less afraid of Nim and her magic than most of the village folk. She couldn’t blame the woman for not coming herself. She was a frail sickly sort and did her best. But she was kept to the house as traveling was difficult for her.

Nim stood and went to a mounted shelf on the wall. Lili watched her rummage through the packets waiting to be picked up or delivered. And then Nim took two envelopes down and set them by Lili. This one, she pointed at the envelope with a flower drawn on its corner, is for the garden. She moved her finger. This one, she lifted the envelope with a blue mark on its fold, is for your mother. Tell her to put a pinch in her tea every morning.

But mother didn’t give me enough money for––

A gift, Nim said with a reassuring smile that brought a twinkle to her eyes. For being such a lovely customer and allowing her equally lovely daughter to visit with me.       

Lili smiled, delighted. I will tell her.

They sat and chatted for a time. Lili told Nim of school and how well the other children treated her. Nim wasn’t surprised by the news. Lili was pretty. It was sad, but most times it was the pretty girls that had all the luck in making friends. But even then––Nim sipped at her tea––they were often teased if too quiet and shy. 

Her eyes cast down. She’d not been very kind herself to those sorts of children. She was once shy herself. But when she came home crying to her mother saying that the other children made fun of her, she was told to grow a backbone. So she did. It turned her into a monster. 

Nim frowned as she remembered those days. She’d been ruthless, and people had started befriending her out of fear. She and her sister were heartless after that, for different reasons. Nim set her tea down, not wanting to think about it anymore.

Are you all right, Miss Nim? Lili asked with a concerned look in her face.

Nim blinked and glanced at the girl before smiling. Of course. She lifted a cookie to her lips, noticing that four had already disappeared from the plate. She chuckled to herself. Any news from town? She asked, brushing her feet in a swaying motion against the floor.

Oh! Lili placed her fifth cookie down and smoothed out her skirts seriously. Mr. Beyer and Mr. Abbing are in a terrible disagreement. Mr. Beyer says that Mr. Abbing cheated him on a horse he sold him. It has stirred the whole village. Nim’s smile as she watched her suggested she held in a giggle. It encouraged Lili to continue her report of town gossip. Mr. Falk has proposed to Miss Hafner. They are to be married in June, she went on readily. Um... Mrs. Penzig is pregnant again. Mr. Saller has caught nomonia––

Pneumonia? Nim gasped, squeezing her porcelain so tight the warmth of her tea tingled into her skin. Pneumonia was one of those things people died from regularly.

Lili nodded sadly. Yes. He went fishing and fell in the water. It must have been very cold. His sons had to rush him home. Doctor Wruck says he’s done all he can but...

Nim jumped to her feet and Lili paused, watching her search the books on her group of shelves. They were piled everywhere and in no particular order. When Nim didn’t find what she was looking for on the shelves or piles on the ground, she went to the other room and opened a large chest. Lili slid off her seat and watched over Nim’s shoulder.

What are you looking for, Miss Nim? Lili asked.

A book, Nim replied. A book of spells for ailments. One that deals with those caused by elemental exposure, she explained, her voice muffled as she searched.

Um... Miss Nim. Lili’s voice was quiet as she twiddled her fingers behind her.

Nim dropped to her knees and lifted her head out of the chest to look at Lili, pushing her hair from her face while doing so. Yes? She asked, wondering at the concerned sadness in Lili’s voice.

I do not think Mr. Saller would accept a spell. The look on Lili’s face reflected the sadness in her voice, and Nim’s heart sunk. Lili wasn’t sad for Mr. Saller. She was sad for her.

She glanced back at her chest of books, the title of the one she looked for showing from beneath five others. She reached down and lifted it and slowly nodded. Yes. I suppose you are right, Lili. She tried to laugh, and Lili stared down at her shoes. Um... Nim swallowed and then arranged her skirts so she wouldn't step on them before standing. Have you finished your tea and cookies? She asked.

Yes, Miss Nim, Lili said quietly.

Good girl. You take those packets back to your mother, all right? Nim said. Lili nodded. And please assure her that the one envelope is only a sugar. Her voice seemed to have lost its strength. It will not harm her at all. Though ought to assist her strength.

Yes, Miss Nim. Lili nodded. She reached for the packets and set a coin on the table. Nim watched her leave with her head bowed low. It was curious. Lili acted as if it was she who had done something wrong.

Sweet child, Nim mused. I hope she stays that way. She turned away and pushed back her hair again, but it slumped forward on her head to where it'd been before. Nim lifted the book she’d searched for and then thumbed the pages. After letting out a sigh, she opened it to Pneumonia.

CHAPTER 2

It wasn’t hard. Getting used to being hated. I suppose the only real difference now was that people were more open about it, and now I was being shunned. The fear I once caused in others made them want to be my friend. They wanted to please me so I wouldn’t do something awful to them. I had often been the seed of cruel gossip, or the idea behind a mean prank.

I once ruined a poor girl’s reputation because she wouldn’t give me a necklace I fancied. She had to leave the county because of it. My past life ashamed me. Now, I was getting what I deserved. But I wanted to help Mr. Saller, so I came up with a plan.

Nim walked through the woods, looking for ingredients she would need for Mr. Saller. Her book had a recipe for a potion that would help him if only made properly. And the best part was that it would look like a harmless coffee bean when all was done. 

Mr. Saller liked his coffee, and just a pinch of her potion would put him right. What made it fun was that he would never even know. She frowned, though, hoping he was still allowed to drink it. She couldn’t be sure what his doctor or wife would allow at this point.

She knelt among the foliage then to pick a handful of flowers. The people didn’t know that the majority of her concoctions required no magic at all. Many of her potions were the simple science of herb mixing. This one, however, needed a spell to be made.

She tilted her head, pondering it all and enjoying the weather. The air was cool and felt delightful on her warm cheeks. The summer morning was proving perfect for her endeavor. She smiled at the plants and flowers, feeling that they were her only friends. 

Above, squirrels and birds chatted and flew from tree to tree. Under them were some chipmunks fighting over a nut. Their argument didn't last long, but they made Nim laugh all the same. 

She continued her search after they'd gone and sang as she walked. Her basket swung on her arm, and her bare feet found the ground soft. She was trying to build up calluses, for her body was much too soft for having lived a privileged life so long. Her fingers had already begun to harden though, a fact she now took much pride in. 

Remembering how she got them, she made a mental note to cut firewood within the next few days. It was a task she’d grown to enjoy despite the pains she suffered when first learning how. Now, one of her many favorite things about living in a small cottage was how the fireplace smelled.

She continued her search for the plants, and in little time, she had all she needed and returned home to get to work. She nibbled on a biscuit as she read the instructions in her spell book, forcing herself to check each step. She’d learned to pace herself and allow herself time to read the instructions carefully. She’d botched more than one spell in skipping through it too quickly in her excitement.

Crumbs fell into the pages, tapping against them and rolling carefree into the cracks. She flicked them away, not worrying when bits got too far stuck in the seam. When she'd finished, she gathered all the ingredients. And then she knelt in the middle of her living room floor. There, she smashed the herbs in her favorite marble mortar with its matching pestle. 

After they were thoroughly demolished, she added water already boiled. And then she stirred it all together, took five coffee beans, and then dropped them into the tea-like liquid. She peered down at it so her nose was practically touching the surface and sniffed. 

She smiled at the pleasant earthy, coffee aroma and then leaned back. Wiggling her fingers, she stretched her hands over the bowl. In reply, the water bubbled and she chanted. 

The beans inside the mix danced about and absorbed the herb mix from the tea until the water was clean and clear. And now heavy with magic, they rested at the bottom of the bowl as if pebbles. 

Nim scooped her hands into the purified water and took out the beans to dry them on her apron. And then she got up to set them on her window sill. She looked down at them, pleased at how little energy was drained from her. Spell casting was becoming simpler the more she did it. She opened the drapes at the window and lifted her eyes to the sky.

Bake my beans, she begged the sun.

As if to answer