Chapter 5
L ucy’s throat tightened. Her gaze snapped to Benedict, but his stoic expression revealed nothing about how he felt. He rose slowly and tipped his head to the High Priestess, waiting for her to accept his nomination. The table looked on in a tense silence. The moment lasted a lifetime. Lucy didn’t think she’d ever seen Benedict speechless before.
“Accepted,” Wilhelmina ruled.
The words distracted Lucinda from her adversary. Her eyes froze on her mother’s lips, making sure it was she who’d spoken. The High Priestess didn’t even appear at all startled by the nomination.
Lucy wanted to protest, but the last thing she wanted to do was play into Gwendoline’s hands. The Crawfords and the Emerys would be waiting for her to slip up, too.
The table broke out in an argument, giving her an opportunity to confront Benedict, but he spoke first, tilting his head towards hers.
“I didn’t think you’d give in so easily. If it were my birthright, I’d have spoken out.”
Lucy stared at the stars overhead, folding her arms over her chest. “I should’ve known you were up to something, that you’d find some way to retaliate, but I never thought you’d go this far.”
“I didn’t arrange for this. My mother arrived in the middle of the chaos you caused. Don’t blame me for putting us in this position,” he said.
She rolled her eyes.
“I’ve more experience in dealing with town issues. Why shouldn’t I be nominated?”
“Your experience in what? Running the hotel, the manor you inherited? I’m sure making all that money is very challenging. I’d like for you to try and deal with the Order and other magless who think they’ve got a right to our magic,” she said, trying to remain calm.
“Those relationships you can negotiate in the safety of your precious vault?” Benedict smirked. “Try rooming werewolves on a full moon next to a banshee. The noise complaints would test the patience of Lucifer himself.”
“Speaking of Lucifer, you didn’t by any chance sell your soul for my position, did you?” she muttered, only half-joking.
Benedict sighed. “I’m not after your position. However, if the coven believes I’d be a better fit, then who am I to decline?”
“How nice it must be to be so arrogant,” she mused. “Need I remind you that we are both to blame for our current predicament? If I’m not fit to lead, then neither are you!”
Ms. Sundurns’s voice brought them back to the room and broke up the arguing families around them.
“With all due respect, High Priestess, by our laws, no descendant of those who’ve practised dark magic may lead this coven. No descendant of darkness has governed a coven since before the war on witches. If those who hunt us think we might turn to the old ways, it could ruin the relations it’s taken generations to build.” Sarah Sundurn might be the youngest leader of any family at only fifteen, but she had a strong voice. She’d inherited her seat when her parents died last year. Her words were followed by a murmur of agreement.
Lucy kept quiet. Sarah was right; the law played in her favour. And for Benedict to take her place, it would have to be rewritten.
Mrs Crawford scoffed. “Those laws are outdated. There is no evidence Benedict has ever used such magic. Why should we be ruled by fear or judged for our ancestors’ past? Converting Matherson Manor into a hotel has brought many to our village. Visitors who’ve helped increase the economy of our town. He has proved in the management of the hotel that he can manage relationships between magless and other magical folks exceptionally well.”
“I agree that Benedict has been of great service to Foxford, but the issue raised was that of suitability, and the Matherson family has transgressed in the past. Even that issue of the late younger son—”
Mr Rodriguez was cut off by Benedict’s sudden outburst.
“You’ll not speak of Peter! He was only sixteen and acted out in his grief over our father.” His knuckles rested on the table as the coven went silent; Lucy seethed beside him.
“Let’s leave family members out of this discussion, and focus on what’s best for the coven,” she snapped. She’d grown up around Peter. She’d never want his loss to be used for politics.
“I’m sorry to upset you. I’d never wish to cause you or your family any hurt, but we must be careful about how this election will be presented to those who might misunderstand,” Mr Rodriguez stated, affirming that the actions of the younger Matherson would work against Benedict whether they liked it or not.
“Benedict lacks knowledge of the intricacies of magical histories and artefacts that are essential to the role. Lucy works in the vault, and with the Order. She has a depth of knowledge that can also benefit us greatly,” Sarah added. Lucy was grateful for her support, especially as she represented the younger generation.
“I don’t negate the work Lucinda has done to improve our relations with the Order, and her work has helped us understand magic in a new light. But this is about the town as a whole. My son spends his days with the people of Foxford, while Lucinda spends hers in the vault,” Gwendoline countered. The table broke out in a cluster of whispers.
I should have listened to Rosie’s earlier warning and come up for air more often. Lucy was far more introverted than her mother, and she had to admit that Benedict had the personality to charm anyone when he needed or wanted something.
“Benedict does have a greater understanding of the village and its everyday needs. However, Lucy’s connections to the magical community and other occult arts are vital,” Mrs Crawford argued, surprising Lucy. She’d never have thought a Crawford would speak out on her behalf. Perhaps they didn’t want to disturb the balance when their business was already gaining from the way things were.
She sneaked a glance at Benedict, who looked as uneasy as she felt. She guessed it had to do with the mention of his brother. She remembered how close they’d been; to have his life viewed as a negative must hurt.
The families argued over each other, getting nowhere in a hurry.
Mr Lark rose, addressing the table. “I believe we’ve already discussed these matters sufficiently before their arrival. We agreed that both are suitable for the position, but that both are guilty of letting their issues endanger this town.”
“Thank you, Mr Lark, for reminding us. We brought you here to propose a solution. It’s up to you both to accept or decline,” Wilhelmina said. Her mum’s gaze troubled Lucy. “If one or both of you decline our proposal, then we will go to a vote.”
“I’m sure we’ll accept whatever the coven decides is best,” Benedict said, bowing his head. Lucy resisted the urge to fake gag.
Gwendoline sighed. “Unfortunately, this is not something we can decide.”
There was a long pause. If someone didn’t speak soon, Lucy thought she’d scream.
“A vote on what? Who would lead in my mother’s place?” she asked, trying her best to sound calm.
“On which of you will lead this coven, and which will leave town,” Wilhelmina said, looking at her daughter. Sadness clouded her eyes. Leave town? Clearly the coven had grown tired of their endless shenanigans.
“What’s the proposal?” Lucinda’s stomach dropped; she didn’t want to leave her home. Her family, her friends, her books… “What do we have to do to stay?”
“Before we continue, we want you both to know we didn’t come to this decision lightly, but we believe it’s what’s best for you and the town,” Mr Lark told them, exchanging a troubled look with Mrs Lark by his side.
Lucinda felt her mouth dry. “I don’t understand.”
“We’ve come to see that one of you might not be the best option for Foxford,” Sarah Sundurn said, looking anywhere but at them.
“Get to the point,” Benedict snapped.
“We wish for you to be bound together. To unite the two strongest families of our coven,” Gwendoline said suddenly, clapping her hands excitedly.
Lucy wondered if this had been her plan all along. First the compliments, and then placing doubt in the coven’s mind by bringing up the prank. Maybe she doubted Benedict being elected on his own right, when a union between two of the strongest families would be far more agreeable.
Benedict shook his head. Lucy thought he almost appeared amused by the wild suggestion.
“This is a terrible idea,” he muttered, low enough for only her to hear.
“Bound? A binding ritual as in married ?” Lucy couldn’t help the nervous laughter that escaped her. They can’t be serious. They’re worried about us destroying the town, and their solution is marriage?!
“Marriage is for the magless,” Mrs Crawford corrected with a sneer, even though it was pretty much the same concept; Binding was just a lot more permanent. “Binding is far more special. It’ll bond your souls together so that your magic will be unified. The water and fire elements you both harness will be united, and we hope that your having to work together might settle the rifts between you. As you said, Lucy, sometimes we have to come together for the greater good.”
“I wasn’t talking about till death do us part!” Lucy gripped her seat. She had always thought she would bind herself to someone one day, but Benedict certainly hadn’t made the list. As in a marriage, would they be expected to live together, to be intimate? A binding was intimate enough; to share your magic, your soul, with someone was as personal as a connection could get. How could she accept a proposal to a man she didn’t even trust?
“I don’t see how such a binding would be possible.Our magic repels each other. Fire and water elements have never been unified,” Benedict argued.
“We thought about that, but Gwendoline has informed us that during next month’s All Hallows’ Eve, there’ll be a blood moon. If the ceremony is performed under the moonlight, and with the permission of the ancestral magic, it should work,” Mrs Crawford explained.
Gwendoline must have been the one to propose it to the coven. This had been her plan all along. She knew she couldn’t get the coven to elect Benedict outright, but as a pair, two sides of the same coin, it would be much easier to get everyone on board than to get rid of her entirely by ordering a coven meeting after her latest indiscretion.
“What if our souls don’t bond? Even with your blessings, elemental magic is temperamental, and could backfire,” Lucinda said desperately. “Without any love between us, there would be no reason for our magic to accept the binding.”
Mrs Crawford leant forward. “We believe that it’s up to both of you. Should you desire to be bound for the good of the coven, that match will be what you need to complete the ritual.”
“And if it fails, one of us will be banished from town?” Benedict asked coldly. “This seems rather extreme.”
Lucy tried to assess his body language. Was he acting, or had he known this was coming? It would trap him just as much as it would her.
“Not as extreme as endangering our town with your refusal to get along with each other. Teacups turning into butterflies? What if hunters heard about this flagrant use of magic? We’ve had enough. Should you decline our proposal, we can go straight to the vote,” Wilhelmina said, leaning her elbows on the table as she looked at both candidates.
Lucy tried to stop tears from escaping her eyes. She couldn’t believe her mum was willing to see her cast out and replaced. There had to be something she was missing– or her mum had faith that the coven would pick her in the vote.
“Both of you have merits we wish to see in our next leader. We think your union would be quintessential for the furthering of our town, and getting over your petty hatred for one another will be the first test in becoming the leaders I hope you’ll be. That being said, we won’t force you into this decision.” Wilhelmina sat back in her chair, looking at her daughter with troubled eyes. “A binding ritual is a lifelong commitment and not something to be trifled with.If the ritual fails, then we’ll vote.”
Lucy weighed her options, chewing her lip . If they hold an election now, there’s no guarantee I’ll win. I could spend the next month trying to prove I’m worthy of the position. There’s no way our souls will join during the ritual, and that gives me a month to prove I deserve to stay in Foxford. Even my acceptance of this proposal should prove my desire to lead this coven. It was the only way she could see to buy herself some time.
“Lucinda, this must be hard for you. You’ve spent your whole life preparing for the position,” Gwendoline said sweetly. “If you feel wronged and wish to decline, we can vote now and let fate decide.”
This had to be a test. A test to see how far they’d go to protect and lead their town. She wouldn’t disappoint them again, even if a fire in her belly smouldered with resentment over being backed into a corner. And she didn’t want Benedict to have the upper hand.
“ I accept the proposal,” Lucy blurted out.
Benedict touched her hand, shaking his head. Lucy snatched it away, not wanting to be comforted by the person trying to take what was rightfully hers. If he doesn’t want to accept, then he can put an end to this and decline.
“If this is what the coven has decided, I’ll do what’s asked of me. But I can’t force Benedict to agree,” she added. Surely he would decline. There was no way he’d want to spend his life with her for the sake of the Manor. She had far more to lose than he did.
“I accept.” Benedict spoke clearly, with no doubt or hesitation.
Wide-eyed, Lucy stared at him, expecting to find him smirking as though he had called her bluff. Instead, he looked as startled by his answer as she was to hear it.
A round of applause buried their silent exchange of confusion. The coven offered their congratulations, but Lucy only heard her heart beating in her ears. As goblets were raised in cheers, all she could do was stare at Benedict, who was accepting their congratulations with poise. He’d been faster to shake off the shock.
She forced a smile and accepted a glass of wine, wondering what the hell they’d got themselves into. They might be celebrating the prospect of binding two families, but by All Hallows’ Eve, she’d be surprised if either one of them made it to the altar.