The gift of a witch was a heavy one, naturally drawn to the many wonders this world had to offer. But most humans did not see further than the danger it could bring them and the people they held dear. The unknown had always put fear in people, whether it was witches that caused it or others. But from a young age I had had the pleasure of learning what the endless possibilities could bring. The beauty of having the power to nurture and protect life that could not do it themselves. 

My nursemaid had been my teacher in learning the path of a witch, the basics and lessons that came with it. Iona had been a very gifted witch in her late twenties, wise and gentle. She always made sure I kept my gift hidden out of sight from others, saying it was for my own safety as if it got known others would harm me. I never knew to what extent she meant that it would put me in danger, but as she had never told me anything but the truth I listened to her. 

But in time, in my early teens, I learned what horrors she had tried to warn me of. As one of the many lessons I had had gotten interrupted, the castle guards barged in as they arrested Iona for witchcraft. Later a witch trial had been held, sentencing her to death as she burned on the stake before my eyes.

Iona was a kind soul, always smiled and helped even the smallest of life. She did not deserve the terrible fate she had gotten. Her painful screams and crying eyes were a sight I would never forget. 

Because of that incident I had learned to stay behind the scenes, putting up a front to keep others from even thinking about the possibility of me being a witch. Thus being useless, weak and a shame to the name of Belhaven. A price I was willing to take in order to keep living, to keep protecting.

I let my free hand brush through my raven black hair as I let out a deep sigh. A bit frustrated as I kept getting distracted from reading the same book of sigils and seals over and over. 

It had been days since I last got a good night's rest, the many hours of work I put into my research was the one to blame as I felt the need to find my answers sooner rather than later.

I let another sigh escape my lips, turning to the side to look out of the window where I had been sitting on the windowsill for some time. Outside the window to my room you could see most of the entrance in front of the main doors of the castle. If your eyes were to wander further away you would get a great view over the buzzling life of the town.

As I watched the world outside my quiet quarters, a carriage came trotting down the gravel path. It didn't take me long before I knew that was the carriage that would escort my father and sister to the banquet, seeing how the two of them dressed for the occasion making their way up to it. 

My father had paid me one last visit this morning, telling me the same old warning “don't do anything foolish while I'm absent”.

One could never know for certain whatever his words meant. A hint of exhaustion lingering in his voice as if the sentence had been repeated one to many times before.

I let my eyes watch how the servants fastened the luggage in the back, my sister's gaze meeting my own as she looked up towards my window. 

Her glare was full of hostility, perhaps displeased in my choice to stay. Though I did not let that bother me as I gave her a nice wave with my middle finger. A sharp smirk followed as I watched her reaction, seeing the anger in her eyes before I left my spot by the windowsill.

One would say the gesture was childish, unnecessary. Yet the act brought a smile to my lips, taking the few opportunities I could to mess with my sister. It was her own fault to be honest, her snarky attitude towards me pushing me to find some humour in our reacquiring forced businesses with each other.

Returning my attention to the book I placed a bookmark in-between its pages before closing it with a haughty snap. The smooth leather cover was cold to the touch even after hours of holding it in my grasp.

Once more I wasn't able to finish it, the thick and heavy pages long and dull, failing over and over to grasp my attention fully. 

I let a heavy sigh escape my lips, rubbing the spot in between my eyes with my fingers in an attempt to get rid of the tiredness I felt in my body and mind. These past couple of nights had been exhausting, all my energy going into the preparation for the upcoming midsummer occasion.

It was a continuous work in research and preparation before the deadline. 

The midsummer solstice was a once year event, full of warm energy waiting to be collected. This was a time where I would stock up on my resources, filling sun waters with power and protecting the fae from unwanted attention while they did their traditional summer blooming.

The midsummer was the longest day in the year before the days would grow to be shorter for the winter. I had read about kingdoms that would celebrate the occasion by throwing festivals and banquets. However my own kingdom saw these acts as a worship of the witches and the devil, a reason for them to do evil doings without a second thought. Because of that the kingdom forbade any kind of celebration of the event, guards being on high alert more than usual to prevent any witch from enjoying the longest day.

As long as I stayed in the shadows and continued to be careful, I would go unnoticed like previous years.

I was lost in thought until a gentle knock on my wooden door jolted me back to the present. Clearing my throat I put the book down onto the desk, Sitting down into the nearby armchair made of fine dark blue velvet.

Like an unspoken routine my valet entered the room, taking a bow with a silver plate of afternoon tea in hand.

The tea was of fine herbs, a mixture I had requested myself. I had put in much thought of the flowers and herbs picked, my intentions set for both protection and energy gaining. Though only I knew of course, my valet and the maids simply thought I had a particular taste.

The young man being my valet had been by my side since my childhood, in hopes to grow close in comradeship. Though to my father's disappointment as per usual, I shared no interest in befriending others. Keeping to myself and nature had always been where I felt the most at ease, and it was better that way, safer. 

The valet finished placing the serving tray down on the table, quietly serving me tea and scones before bowing once more and thereafter exiting the room.

Looking down on my personal tea-blend brought a faint smile on my lips, a slight relief by seeing the ginger, lemon, bay leaves, yarrow, marigold and the single stick of cinnamon. The mix of herbs would bring me all from protection to divination, along with some truth seeking attributes that would come in handy later tonight.

There had been an arrest of a witch earlier this week, a young woman had been accused of resurrecting a farmer's horse. 

The story made me raise a brow in question, finding the accusation baffling as resurrection was not an easy achievement, nor would a witch attempt one out of the blue. It was odd for sure, many secrets and untold reasons lurked within the accused witch.

But I would lie if I didn’t say I was intrigued by the rumours.

Whatever the truth would be I would have to see for myself. 

If she was indeed a witch there's only a handful of things that would bring her fortune.