Oh how she loved doing her witch rituals. Usually once every week at least or whenever she needed cleansing, protection or guidance. 

As for now she was in the need of all.

Her mind was still all over the place but the smoke from her burning herbs helped her clear up and ground herself more.

“Oh my beloved cards” she reached out for her tarot cards, her mother had gifted them to her for her birth. She knocked at the pretty packaging 3 times. “Show me nothing but the truth” she hummed as she opened her deck. She usually only used the major arcane as she found it much easier and more useful in her practice. She shuffled the cards while repeatedly thinking of Fennel. His green and amber eyes burned into her mind. “Please oh universe I require your guidance regarding Fennel, is it truly love or just a trap?” She wasn't entirely sure what to expect but she hoped for clarity. 

3 cards fell out while shuffling, the emperor, the empress and the star.

Sage stared at the cards in disbelief. The cards couldn't be clearer, it was truly a love match. Sage clicked with her tongue and packed the cards back up “I asked you for truth “ she hissed slightly as she put them back on her shrine. With a sigh she plunged on the ground again, rolling around in her pentacle circle. She sighed again, not able to believe the cards.

She wanted to.

She wanted to love him.

She wanted to be loved by him.

She wanted him.

But was it all true? She couldn't help but hear her aunt's warning ringing in her head. It was all too good to be true. But she wanted it to be true, oh so desperately. 

She watched her candles dancing, the smoke surrounding her putting her in a calm trance. ‘I wonder what Fennel is talking about with his dear friend…’ her thoughts drifted away to her beloved- the one she so desperately tried to not love.  ‘Oh universe, why must you be so cruel…’

Just like Sage, Fennel's thoughts were filled with his beloved. Sage. 

He purred another glass of whisky for him and his friend.

“Now do tell more about this lady of yours” James asked as he sipped from his glass.

The question Fennel had hoped for all night long. “Oh James, it's complicated “ he sighed as he leaned back in his chair. “I love her so very much but she won't let me close” he too sipped from his glass. “You know my family's history. As it so happens she is a witch” 

James raised both his brows in disbelief. “Oh boy” he mumbled as he put down his glass. “Now that explains alot” 

Fennel nodded with another sigh. “She is aware, naturally, and fears all is but a lie to get close to her.”

“Is it though?” James honestly asked. Although he couldn't believe it possibly was, he had to ask to be certain.

“Of course not” Fennel hissed, offended by the question. “It's true uncle had asked me to get close to her, but I would have never got this close if it wasn't for my honest intentions.” He took another sip of his glass “you see, we actually met before in the woods. She mistook me for a hunter. I was drawn in by her boldness and honesty immediately. Something rare within this false society. I was hoping to meet her again, for her to be ‘my target’ was truly just coincidence. And you know me, I'm not a witch hunter nor am I interested one bit in it.”

James slowly nodded as he understood the situation better. “So what will you do regarding your uncle?” 

Fennel sighed and took one last big sip. “Luckily that Bastard will soon die anyway, sometimes life can be fair huh? So it's just a matter of short time. Until then I will continue to claim that she isn't a witch but that I shall keep an eye on her. Actually thinking of it, it might be a good cover to act as if I was courting her in his eyes. Who knows what he'd do if he knew we are actually courting.” And suddenly Fennel faced a whole new issue. 

What about his uncle?

He was a horrible cruel man, the only reason he started allowing feelings for someone was knowing his uncle would soon pass from illnesses. Very deserving so to say. Up until his death he had to be very careful. He didn't want to put a target on Sage's back even more. Then again his uncle had already placed the target. So the best Fennel could do was to play along to keep her safe.

James clearly saw the distraught on his friend's face.

“Old lad, worry not. Everything will work out I'm certain.” He tried to calm his friend, but he knew what an awful man his uncle was.

“If he's truly out for Sage then keeping her close isn't such a bad thing is it? I mean your uncle wants you to get married anyway. You can always claim you converted her? Or perhaps claim you wish to keep her close to ensure complete success?” James suggested hoping his friend found a suitable solution. 

Fennel nodded slowly. “Yes yes…perhaps that's not such a bad thing. I can claim so far I have not found sufficient evidence of her being a witch. After all he wasn't sure himself either. I can claim to keep a closer look on her and ensure her conversion if she does indeed turn out to be one. I mean she is but he doesn't need to know that. Or at least so I think. Come to think of it, I actually don't have sufficient evidence of her being a witch. It's more a feeling I suppose?” Now James looked rather confused “you aren't even sure?”

Fennel just shrugged “she is good with herbs, but that doesn't immediately make her a witch- nowadays at least. But that's a good act to put on is it not? Either he dies sooner than hoped and won't bother me anymore, or he takes some longer and I can claim to found a suitable wife in her through the conversion or investigation.”

James nodded along, their moods lifting slowly again “Indeed, it sounds like a working plan. Now that reminds me, she doesn't trust you, yes?”

Fennel sighed with a nod “indeed so…”

“Now in that case you should tell her about your plan regarding your uncle. Besides it being safer for her to know about his danger, it is also a sign of trust yes? Telling her about it before she knows of it some other way. You should keep it safe.” James suggested as he twirled his glass around.

Fennel thought for a moment “I think you are right…I'm concerned with her reaction but it's only fair to tell her. And you are right about the dangers. Whilst I will protect her it's better for her to be aware of it”

James nodded along as he too drank the last bits of his whisky. “Also, bit of an unconventional idea but, why don't you convert?”

Fennel raised his brows not entirely understanding what he was getting at “pardon?”

“I mean become a witch- you love nature anyway and have a strong connection with it. Isn't that like 80% of what witchcraft is? And no witch hunter would do that. Might be a good way to prove yourself to her” James claimed with a big grin.

Fennel felt a mix of emotions “...hm. witchcraft is certainly more than that but, you might be onto something lad” he poured them another round. “Perhaps I can start by participating in some of her rituals? But for that she has to reveal herself to be truly a witch. I mean she had implied it several times, or at least that she is scared of witch hunters. Then again it might be just that, a concern to be mistaken for one? Either way if I get to participate this might be a good step forward indeed”

James grinned slightly by the image of his friend being a witch. But he nodded along. “Sounds like a splendid plan. So you are truthful about wanting to marry her huh?”

Fennel blushed slightly but nodded immediately “very much so, yes. She is perfect in every way and my poor heart has completely fallen for her in this short time. There is no one else who would ever compare to her kindness, her truthfulness, her shy but honest nature. And oh my this beauty “ Fennel smiled satisfied as he thought of his beloved. In this short time he fell hard, but this is just who Fennel was. A hopeless romantic. 

James raised his brows slightly with a grin. He never witnessed his friend being so smitten with a girl. He had truly fallen head over heels for this lady.

“Let's hope she agrees then” and with that the two gentlemen continued their chat about their families, investments and anything else really.