Everwild (The Healer Series, #1) Read Free Page B

this
dress, pet,” Pertussia said behind her. She pulled out a long silk
dress that was a dark azure blue. In the front, it stopped at the
knees but then grew long in the back forming a small train on the
floor. There was a sweetheart neckline outlined in studded silver
jewels and it was nearly backless. It was Willow’s size, perfect,
and absolutely stunning.
    The witches all nodded in consent, even
Pandora was awed by the dress. She purchased it (willingly) for
her, as well as some short satin heels to match, and Willow left
the store in high spirits as she received yet another extravagant
gift for her birthday.
    As they headed for the forest once more, a
large, wispy figure approached them. She carried a big orange bag
that matched her bright orange hair. She was short and stout, with
a round, cheerful face. “Pandora! Pertussia! Portia-Anna!” she
called waving wildly, attracting attention towards them. She was
wearing an old fashioned tan dress that didn’t match the vibrant
oranges she wore.
    “Dromeda,” Pandora smiled as they clasped
each other’s forearms in greeting. “It’s been a while.”
    “Indeed it has,” the witch named Dromeda
replied and looked over at the three witches. “What brings you into
town this afternoon? I haven’t seen you around these parts for
quite some time.” Her gaze then caught Willow’s and her small eyes
grew wide. “Ah, I see! So this is the precious Willow Rose I’ve
heard so many stories about.”
    Pandora introduced them. “Willow this is
Dromeda, Second and Head of the Westwood Coven. Your friend…oh,
what was her name,” she looked at Dromeda contemplating “…one of
your Firsts.”
    “Constance? Prudence? Belinda? Tally-May?”
Dromeda started listing off the Firsts in her Coven. Willow
recognized one.
    “Belinda,” she said nodding. She was a good
friend of Willow’s, even though she only saw her every so often.
She wasn’t allowed to have a cell phone or any form of technology,
but every time the Covens got together, they hung out. Willow
considered her a friend.
    “She is a sweetie, isn’t she?” Dromeda
clapped her hands and fluffed her orange hair with pride. “One of
our best, she is. I remember her talisman ceremony last year. How
fun! Dancing, music, flowing wine…”
    “Dromeda,” Pandora interrupted her tangent.
“Will you be attending this evening?”
    “Oh, no I’m afraid not. I have Nights potion
brewing for my client that needs constant tending. But I will be
sending another Second in my stead as well as Belinda. Would you
like that, dear?” Dromeda addressed Willow jovially. Her round
cheeks glistened pink in the sun.
    “I would,” Willow said smiling kindly. If
Belinda came, that would be at least one person she could talk to
that was her age. She wished she could talk to Belinda about how
her talisman experience went. Somehow in the back of Willow’s mind,
she felt like something horrible would happen; a gloomy foreboding
was constantly nagging her. She envisioned horrible things
happening, like her talisman wouldn’t work, she would trip and fall
in front of everyone, or make a complete fool of herself in front
of Hekate, the one person she wanted to impress. Willow had only
met the great witch once, when she was very young and was blessed
with the witches of Southwick Manor. They’ve been her family ever
since, and she couldn’t be happier with the sisters and the home
she was given.
    “Then that’s settled!” Dromeda threw her
hands in the air. “I have a few more ingredients to pick up and be
on my way. Pandora, always a pleasure.”
    “Indeed,” Pandora smiled.
    “Let’s not wait until the next ceremony to
get together, dear,” Pertussia chimed in as Dromeda adjusted her
purse and took off down the road saying farewell.
    Someone huffed beside Willow. “It’s nice to
be recognized sometimes, don’t you agree, Willow?” Portia-Anna said
mockingly. “I was standing here the whole time, too, and