DWP FanFic - Queen's Witch - Chapter 3
For notes and disclaimers, see Chapter 1
Chapter 3 - Meeting the Queen
Once again, Andy was standing next to a palace guard waiting to be announced. This time she was in Eliasa and alone. While court business was being conducted she admired Queen Miranda. Andy briefly lost her breath when she first caught sight of the striking woman. From her snow white hair to the slender build draped in an ice blue gown, the Queen radiated elegance and poise. The Queen’s piercing blue eyes were alight with intelligence. Even the slightly imperfect nose only added to her beauty.
Andy watched the slow procession of supplicants approach the throne. If she wanted to make the effort, Andy could have eavesdropped on the conversations taking place at the front of the large room. However, she was content to watch the different lords, ladies, and merchants taking turns bringing their concerns to their monarch. Even without hearing exactly what was being said, Andy could tell that with a few pointed questions and remarks, the Queen cut to the heart of each matter brought before her. Whether her subjects agreed or not, the issue was resolved and everyone moved on. It was obvious that Miranda’s subjects respected her experience, keen mind, and knowledge of the various issues.
Andy knew that Miranda had been Queen for just over twenty years. In keeping with tradition, Miranda’s mother, Queen Kellis, abdicated and retired when she was 65. Queen Kellis enjoyed an active retirement before dying peacefully in her sleep.
When the last petitioner was dismissed, Andy saw the Queen gesture to the guard next to her. She stood tall and raised her chin when she heard the guard call out, “Queen Miranda the Wise, the emissary from the Fair Tree Court requests an audience.”
The Queen nodded her head and in a low cultured voice that carried across the room, replied, “The emissary is welcome.”
Andy gave a nod of thanks to the guard and strode down the carpeted aisle to the Queen’s throne set on a raised dais. Queen Miranda was seated, but standing on her right were twin red heads, her daughters the princesses Caroline and Cassidy. Andy stopped at the edge of the dais and bowed first to the Queen and then to the princesses. “Your Highness, I bring greetings from Queen Lillian of the Fair Tree Court.”
Miranda regally inclined her head. “Yes, Queen Lillian sent word that you would be arriving soon. You are Lady Andrea the Witch?”
Andy was startled by the Queen’s pronunciation of her name. It had been a very long time since anyone had called her so. Realizing she was staring, Andy hurriedly acknowledged the Queen’s question. “Yes, your majesty. My friends call me Andy.”
“Are you really a witch?” One of the twins asked the question but both were watching her suspiciously.
“Yes, Princess, I am.” Andy smiled and gave a slight bow.
“Do you always wear black robes?” The other twin continued the questioning.
Andy glanced at the Queen who was calmly watching the proceedings. “It’s a magic thing, Princess.” Andy could see subtle differences between the two girls and would be able to tell them apart. But right now she didn’t know who was who.
“Is it like a uniform or something?” Princess One asked.
“I’ve never seen any other witch or magic user wear black robes.” Princess Two followed up.
“Don’t you get hot?”
“What about a hat? Why don’t you wear a hat?”
“Wouldn’t that be cooler?”
“What do you have on underneath?”
First one then the other fired off questions with complete seriousness and barely a breath between questions.
Andy decided it must be a twin thing. “No, magic users don’t have a uniform. If I get hot I just take it off. I’ve never cared for hats. I have regular clothes on under my robes. ”
“We want to see,” both Princesses decreed.
“Girls, behave,” the Queen quietly warned.
“It’s okay, your Majesty.” Andy started to unbutton the hidden closures and opened her robes to expose the white lace up shirt, black pants, and plain leather knee high boots.
“Why wear a robe?” Princess Number One asked.
“Well,” Andy replied sticking her hand in her right pocket, “I always have a snack when I’m hungry.” She pulled out an apple and tossed it to Princess Number Two who laughed. “If I need to write a note, I can.” She pulled a piece of paper, a quill, and a stoppered bottle of ink out of her left side pocket. Replacing those items, she started patting her other pockets. “And when it’s supper time,” Andy reached into an inner pocket and pulled out a small rabbit, “I’m prepared.”
“You’re not going to eat him are you?” Princess Number Two started towards Andy.
“Don’t eat him. He’s cute.” Princess Number One begged Andy.
Both girls turned pleading eyes towards the Queen. “Mom!”
“Oh, I suppose not.” Andy held the rabbit up and looked it in the eye, “Off you go.”
The princesses were shocked when the rabbit was just gone. “Where is he? You didn’t kill it did you?” They asked, one after the other.
“He’s fine. I sent him to someone’s kitchen garden. He’s probably eating all the carrots and string beans right now.” Andy brushed off her hands and started buttoning up her robes. “Nothing says magic like pulling a rabbit out of your pocket.”
Both girls sighed in relief and smiled at Andy.
“Girls, I believe you have lessons.” The Queen nodded to one of the ladies in waiting. “Please escort the Princesses to their tutor. I believe it is history today.”
“Yes, your Majesty,” the lady curtsied and motioned for the girls to proceed her.
Two dejected girls turned to leave. Princess Number Two looked back at Andy, “Can we see more magic later?”
“Sure, as long as the Queen doesn’t mind.” Andy watched the little girls hurry out of the room.
“My daughters can be quite the handful,” the Queen watched them leave. “Before we discuss the reason I asked for help, I must show you something.”
“Yes, Majesty.” Andy stepped back and followed the Queen out of the audience hall and down a hallway. Andy was familiar with the castle layout and knew from the halls, stairways, and various turns that the Queen was leading her deeper into the private, family areas of the castle. They passed what had been called King Bertram’s Library, Princess Adair’s solarium, and stopped in front of a door that Andy remembered as Queen Katherine’s sitting room. ‘It’s probably been re-named half a dozen times since the last time I was here’, she thought.
“After you,” the Queen motioned for Andy to enter.
It was still furnished as a sitting room. Some of the chairs and couches looked similar to what had been in the room years before. Andy walked to the large windows and looked down at the gardens below. She turned when the Queen cleared her throat and nearly fell. She saved herself by grabbing the window ledge. The Queen was standing by the fireplace and looking at a portrait hung over the mantle, a portrait of Andy and another woman.
“Great Goddess,” Andy croaked from her suddenly dry throat. “I didn’t, I don’t remember. No, I did not pose for that.” Andy shook her head but couldn’t take her eyes off the painting.
“Princess Amelia had it commission after you left,” the Queen explained.
“Sent away,” Andy corrected in a whisper.
Miranda looked at Andy and nodded. “Yes, after she sent you away. She wrote in her journal that she wanted to remember the happiness you shared.”
Andy bolted from the room.
“Amelia, what did you do?” Miranda murmured to the painting she had grown up looking at. She often wondered about the obvious love between the women. When she was old enough, she read Amelia’s journals and learned not only about love but of sacrifice and selflessness. The painting showed Princess Amelia Arnett standing in this very room in front of the fireplace. Andy was standing behind the petite Princess with her arms around her waist. Amelia’s hands covered Andy’s and both women were smiling. Andy looked the same now as she did in the one hundred and fifty year old portrait.
***
Sometime later Miranda found Andy on a bench in the garden. Andy was sitting bent over with her face in her hands. Miranda quietly sat down at the opposite end of the bench. After a few minutes, Andy raised her tear stained face and stared unseeing across the garden.
“One of the first things I learned in life was not to get close to anyone.” Andy spoke softly. “I’ve watched loved ones age and die over and over again. So I always hold back a big piece of myself.” Andy sat up straight and wiped the tears from her face.
“Then I met Princess Amelia and I broke all my rules for her. We were together ten years when she decided I needed to leave. I was going to give up roaming the countryside and settle down with her. She had half a dozen reasons why that wasn’t a good idea.” Andy looked at Miranda. “You know what the best freaking reason was? She was afraid that watching her die one day would cause me too much pain.”
Miranda inclined her head in agreement. “That’s what she wrote in her journals.” Along with so much more, Miranda remembered.
“Didn’t do much good,” Andy snarled. “It just about killed me when she died.”
“I’m sure you felt her loss keenly.” Miranda knew from the journals that Amelia loved Andrea deeply and the witch reciprocated.
“No, you don’t understand.” Andy stood and stepped away from the bench. “I felt her die and it almost killed me.” Andy took a deep breath and willed away the threatening tears.
“I was in Algerone helping King Rupert’s army defend their borders against the army of Garnett.” Andy looked up at the darkening sky, remembering that day. “I was on a hill overlooking the plain. The Garnett army was lined up to the south, Algerone’s army to the north. I had a squad of guards surrounding me.”
Andy paused and glanced at the Queen, “No matter what you may have heard, I am not immortal or invulnerable. My magic won’t stop an arrow or sword if I’m distracted. I can be and have been injured before.”
Andy returned her gaze to the sky. “My job was to let the armies fight it out and only step in if the other side attempted some sneaky magic. One minute I was looking at the armies, the next I was on the ground. It felt like a sword sliced me open and spilled my guts in the dirt. I’ve never felt that kind of pain before.” Andy’s sharp bark of a laugh was harsh. “It’s a bitch and I don’t recommend it.”
Taking another deep breath, Andy swallowed the bile that threatened to rise. She hadn’t spoken of this day in years and then to only one person. “I don’t have a clear memory of what happened next,” she said slowly. “The guards told me they thought I was hit by an arrow. They helped me up but couldn’t see any wounds. Before they could do anything, I started walking towards the middle of the plain. King Rupert didn’t know what was going on, but had the foresight to pull his armies back. The Garnett army advanced on the field. Big mistake.”
Miranda listened with dawning horror and nearly gasped. She heard of this battle and the outcome.
“I’m told I raised a fog that covered the entire plain. My guards were smart enough to stay back with the rest of the army.” Andy wrapped her arms around her middle as if in pain. “They told me the screaming scared the shit out of them. When the screaming stopped abruptly, it scared them even more.
“When the fog cleared, I was alone in the middle of the plain. The only other living things were the enemy’s horses and war dogs. Every soldier, captain, cook, flag bearer, and drummer was gone. All that was left were two thousand little piles of dust.” Andy clenched her jaw and looked at Miranda. “I killed two thousand men because the pain of Amelia’s death drove me mad.”
“The Varney Plain,” Miranda whispered. “But you weren’t the witch they said was there.”
“I don’t always use my real name when I’m out and about. Trust me, I am the Butcher of the Varney Plain.” Andy still felt sick when she thought of what happened that day. No matter what Lily said, she doubted that she would ever forgive herself. Andy could only hope that the Goddess would.
“Andrea, it wasn’t-”
Andy held up her hand. “Please don’t say it wasn’t my fault. Because it was.”
Miranda gripped the armrest of the bench. Even though her distant relative was the cause, Miranda was almost overwhelmed with guilt.
“King Rupert was grateful though. He figured I must have sensed something and stepped in before whatever took out his army. He offered me anything I could have wanted: jewels, gold, titles, land.” Andy swallowed and turned her back to Miranda. “Since he couldn’t give me Mia, I took two horses, four war dogs, and enough supplies to get me through the winter. I went into the mountains to grieve.”
“You didn’t come back for the funeral services.” Miranda’s heart ached for the pain Andrea experienced.
“Nope, couldn’t do it.” Andy looked back at Miranda with a sad smile and tapped her temple. “Wasn’t quite right in the head.
“I found a secluded valley and built a cabin.” A brief smile flickered over Andy’s face as she thought of her hideaway. “I stayed there a long time, long enough to bury all four dogs and one of the horses. I finally rode the last horse down out of the mountains and back to civilization. Shortly after that I heard Clarissa had died and came back to pay my respects to her and her sister.”
“Did anyone know? I did not read of your visit in any journal.” Miranda was familiar with all of the journals written by her ancestors. No one wrote about seeing Andrea in Eliasa after Amelia sent her away. Clarissa’s son made a point of writing how disappointed he was that Andrea did not attend his mother’s state funeral.
“No, I slipped in and out. That was the last time I was here, until this trip.” Andy moved back to the bench and collapsed in the seat. “Sorry.” Andy rubbed her face. “That damn picture took me by surprise. I didn’t mean to dump ancient history in your lap.”
Miranda studied the witch. “I didn’t want you to be surprised since it is a well known portrait. People, including my daughters, are sure to ask you about it. I thought it best that you knew what you were up against.”
“I appreciate that Majesty. I guess it would be hard to slip something like that into a normal conversation. By the way, Witch, you should see the picture your lover had painted of you after she kicked you out.” Andy shook her head and looked everywhere but at the Queen.
“If this is going to be too much for you, I would understand.” Miranda cast a worried look at Andrea. She would understand but she didn’t know what she would do without the witch’s help.
Andy sat quietly for a few minutes. “Lily told me I needed to move on. The Goddess knows I hate to admit it, but she’s right. Lily asked me to help you and I will.”
Miranda breathed a silent sigh of relief. “Acceptable. Dinner should be ready soon. Would you like to join my daughters and me? I could convey your regrets if you would rather not.”
“Thank you, Majesty. I would be honored to join you and your family.” Andy straightened up and tamped down her roiling emotions.
“Very well. Shall we? We can discuss business afterwards.” Miranda stood and swept down the garden path. Andy hurried to catch up.
Chapter 4 - I See Magic
Chapter 3 - Meeting the Queen
Once again, Andy was standing next to a palace guard waiting to be announced. This time she was in Eliasa and alone. While court business was being conducted she admired Queen Miranda. Andy briefly lost her breath when she first caught sight of the striking woman. From her snow white hair to the slender build draped in an ice blue gown, the Queen radiated elegance and poise. The Queen’s piercing blue eyes were alight with intelligence. Even the slightly imperfect nose only added to her beauty.
Andy watched the slow procession of supplicants approach the throne. If she wanted to make the effort, Andy could have eavesdropped on the conversations taking place at the front of the large room. However, she was content to watch the different lords, ladies, and merchants taking turns bringing their concerns to their monarch. Even without hearing exactly what was being said, Andy could tell that with a few pointed questions and remarks, the Queen cut to the heart of each matter brought before her. Whether her subjects agreed or not, the issue was resolved and everyone moved on. It was obvious that Miranda’s subjects respected her experience, keen mind, and knowledge of the various issues.
Andy knew that Miranda had been Queen for just over twenty years. In keeping with tradition, Miranda’s mother, Queen Kellis, abdicated and retired when she was 65. Queen Kellis enjoyed an active retirement before dying peacefully in her sleep.
When the last petitioner was dismissed, Andy saw the Queen gesture to the guard next to her. She stood tall and raised her chin when she heard the guard call out, “Queen Miranda the Wise, the emissary from the Fair Tree Court requests an audience.”
The Queen nodded her head and in a low cultured voice that carried across the room, replied, “The emissary is welcome.”
Andy gave a nod of thanks to the guard and strode down the carpeted aisle to the Queen’s throne set on a raised dais. Queen Miranda was seated, but standing on her right were twin red heads, her daughters the princesses Caroline and Cassidy. Andy stopped at the edge of the dais and bowed first to the Queen and then to the princesses. “Your Highness, I bring greetings from Queen Lillian of the Fair Tree Court.”
Miranda regally inclined her head. “Yes, Queen Lillian sent word that you would be arriving soon. You are Lady Andrea the Witch?”
Andy was startled by the Queen’s pronunciation of her name. It had been a very long time since anyone had called her so. Realizing she was staring, Andy hurriedly acknowledged the Queen’s question. “Yes, your majesty. My friends call me Andy.”
“Are you really a witch?” One of the twins asked the question but both were watching her suspiciously.
“Yes, Princess, I am.” Andy smiled and gave a slight bow.
“Do you always wear black robes?” The other twin continued the questioning.
Andy glanced at the Queen who was calmly watching the proceedings. “It’s a magic thing, Princess.” Andy could see subtle differences between the two girls and would be able to tell them apart. But right now she didn’t know who was who.
“Is it like a uniform or something?” Princess One asked.
“I’ve never seen any other witch or magic user wear black robes.” Princess Two followed up.
“Don’t you get hot?”
“What about a hat? Why don’t you wear a hat?”
“Wouldn’t that be cooler?”
“What do you have on underneath?”
First one then the other fired off questions with complete seriousness and barely a breath between questions.
Andy decided it must be a twin thing. “No, magic users don’t have a uniform. If I get hot I just take it off. I’ve never cared for hats. I have regular clothes on under my robes. ”
“We want to see,” both Princesses decreed.
“Girls, behave,” the Queen quietly warned.
“It’s okay, your Majesty.” Andy started to unbutton the hidden closures and opened her robes to expose the white lace up shirt, black pants, and plain leather knee high boots.
“Why wear a robe?” Princess Number One asked.
“Well,” Andy replied sticking her hand in her right pocket, “I always have a snack when I’m hungry.” She pulled out an apple and tossed it to Princess Number Two who laughed. “If I need to write a note, I can.” She pulled a piece of paper, a quill, and a stoppered bottle of ink out of her left side pocket. Replacing those items, she started patting her other pockets. “And when it’s supper time,” Andy reached into an inner pocket and pulled out a small rabbit, “I’m prepared.”
“You’re not going to eat him are you?” Princess Number Two started towards Andy.
“Don’t eat him. He’s cute.” Princess Number One begged Andy.
Both girls turned pleading eyes towards the Queen. “Mom!”
“Oh, I suppose not.” Andy held the rabbit up and looked it in the eye, “Off you go.”
The princesses were shocked when the rabbit was just gone. “Where is he? You didn’t kill it did you?” They asked, one after the other.
“He’s fine. I sent him to someone’s kitchen garden. He’s probably eating all the carrots and string beans right now.” Andy brushed off her hands and started buttoning up her robes. “Nothing says magic like pulling a rabbit out of your pocket.”
Both girls sighed in relief and smiled at Andy.
“Girls, I believe you have lessons.” The Queen nodded to one of the ladies in waiting. “Please escort the Princesses to their tutor. I believe it is history today.”
“Yes, your Majesty,” the lady curtsied and motioned for the girls to proceed her.
Two dejected girls turned to leave. Princess Number Two looked back at Andy, “Can we see more magic later?”
“Sure, as long as the Queen doesn’t mind.” Andy watched the little girls hurry out of the room.
“My daughters can be quite the handful,” the Queen watched them leave. “Before we discuss the reason I asked for help, I must show you something.”
“Yes, Majesty.” Andy stepped back and followed the Queen out of the audience hall and down a hallway. Andy was familiar with the castle layout and knew from the halls, stairways, and various turns that the Queen was leading her deeper into the private, family areas of the castle. They passed what had been called King Bertram’s Library, Princess Adair’s solarium, and stopped in front of a door that Andy remembered as Queen Katherine’s sitting room. ‘It’s probably been re-named half a dozen times since the last time I was here’, she thought.
“After you,” the Queen motioned for Andy to enter.
It was still furnished as a sitting room. Some of the chairs and couches looked similar to what had been in the room years before. Andy walked to the large windows and looked down at the gardens below. She turned when the Queen cleared her throat and nearly fell. She saved herself by grabbing the window ledge. The Queen was standing by the fireplace and looking at a portrait hung over the mantle, a portrait of Andy and another woman.
“Great Goddess,” Andy croaked from her suddenly dry throat. “I didn’t, I don’t remember. No, I did not pose for that.” Andy shook her head but couldn’t take her eyes off the painting.
“Princess Amelia had it commission after you left,” the Queen explained.
“Sent away,” Andy corrected in a whisper.
Miranda looked at Andy and nodded. “Yes, after she sent you away. She wrote in her journal that she wanted to remember the happiness you shared.”
Andy bolted from the room.
“Amelia, what did you do?” Miranda murmured to the painting she had grown up looking at. She often wondered about the obvious love between the women. When she was old enough, she read Amelia’s journals and learned not only about love but of sacrifice and selflessness. The painting showed Princess Amelia Arnett standing in this very room in front of the fireplace. Andy was standing behind the petite Princess with her arms around her waist. Amelia’s hands covered Andy’s and both women were smiling. Andy looked the same now as she did in the one hundred and fifty year old portrait.
***
Sometime later Miranda found Andy on a bench in the garden. Andy was sitting bent over with her face in her hands. Miranda quietly sat down at the opposite end of the bench. After a few minutes, Andy raised her tear stained face and stared unseeing across the garden.
“One of the first things I learned in life was not to get close to anyone.” Andy spoke softly. “I’ve watched loved ones age and die over and over again. So I always hold back a big piece of myself.” Andy sat up straight and wiped the tears from her face.
“Then I met Princess Amelia and I broke all my rules for her. We were together ten years when she decided I needed to leave. I was going to give up roaming the countryside and settle down with her. She had half a dozen reasons why that wasn’t a good idea.” Andy looked at Miranda. “You know what the best freaking reason was? She was afraid that watching her die one day would cause me too much pain.”
Miranda inclined her head in agreement. “That’s what she wrote in her journals.” Along with so much more, Miranda remembered.
“Didn’t do much good,” Andy snarled. “It just about killed me when she died.”
“I’m sure you felt her loss keenly.” Miranda knew from the journals that Amelia loved Andrea deeply and the witch reciprocated.
“No, you don’t understand.” Andy stood and stepped away from the bench. “I felt her die and it almost killed me.” Andy took a deep breath and willed away the threatening tears.
“I was in Algerone helping King Rupert’s army defend their borders against the army of Garnett.” Andy looked up at the darkening sky, remembering that day. “I was on a hill overlooking the plain. The Garnett army was lined up to the south, Algerone’s army to the north. I had a squad of guards surrounding me.”
Andy paused and glanced at the Queen, “No matter what you may have heard, I am not immortal or invulnerable. My magic won’t stop an arrow or sword if I’m distracted. I can be and have been injured before.”
Andy returned her gaze to the sky. “My job was to let the armies fight it out and only step in if the other side attempted some sneaky magic. One minute I was looking at the armies, the next I was on the ground. It felt like a sword sliced me open and spilled my guts in the dirt. I’ve never felt that kind of pain before.” Andy’s sharp bark of a laugh was harsh. “It’s a bitch and I don’t recommend it.”
Taking another deep breath, Andy swallowed the bile that threatened to rise. She hadn’t spoken of this day in years and then to only one person. “I don’t have a clear memory of what happened next,” she said slowly. “The guards told me they thought I was hit by an arrow. They helped me up but couldn’t see any wounds. Before they could do anything, I started walking towards the middle of the plain. King Rupert didn’t know what was going on, but had the foresight to pull his armies back. The Garnett army advanced on the field. Big mistake.”
Miranda listened with dawning horror and nearly gasped. She heard of this battle and the outcome.
“I’m told I raised a fog that covered the entire plain. My guards were smart enough to stay back with the rest of the army.” Andy wrapped her arms around her middle as if in pain. “They told me the screaming scared the shit out of them. When the screaming stopped abruptly, it scared them even more.
“When the fog cleared, I was alone in the middle of the plain. The only other living things were the enemy’s horses and war dogs. Every soldier, captain, cook, flag bearer, and drummer was gone. All that was left were two thousand little piles of dust.” Andy clenched her jaw and looked at Miranda. “I killed two thousand men because the pain of Amelia’s death drove me mad.”
“The Varney Plain,” Miranda whispered. “But you weren’t the witch they said was there.”
“I don’t always use my real name when I’m out and about. Trust me, I am the Butcher of the Varney Plain.” Andy still felt sick when she thought of what happened that day. No matter what Lily said, she doubted that she would ever forgive herself. Andy could only hope that the Goddess would.
“Andrea, it wasn’t-”
Andy held up her hand. “Please don’t say it wasn’t my fault. Because it was.”
Miranda gripped the armrest of the bench. Even though her distant relative was the cause, Miranda was almost overwhelmed with guilt.
“King Rupert was grateful though. He figured I must have sensed something and stepped in before whatever took out his army. He offered me anything I could have wanted: jewels, gold, titles, land.” Andy swallowed and turned her back to Miranda. “Since he couldn’t give me Mia, I took two horses, four war dogs, and enough supplies to get me through the winter. I went into the mountains to grieve.”
“You didn’t come back for the funeral services.” Miranda’s heart ached for the pain Andrea experienced.
“Nope, couldn’t do it.” Andy looked back at Miranda with a sad smile and tapped her temple. “Wasn’t quite right in the head.
“I found a secluded valley and built a cabin.” A brief smile flickered over Andy’s face as she thought of her hideaway. “I stayed there a long time, long enough to bury all four dogs and one of the horses. I finally rode the last horse down out of the mountains and back to civilization. Shortly after that I heard Clarissa had died and came back to pay my respects to her and her sister.”
“Did anyone know? I did not read of your visit in any journal.” Miranda was familiar with all of the journals written by her ancestors. No one wrote about seeing Andrea in Eliasa after Amelia sent her away. Clarissa’s son made a point of writing how disappointed he was that Andrea did not attend his mother’s state funeral.
“No, I slipped in and out. That was the last time I was here, until this trip.” Andy moved back to the bench and collapsed in the seat. “Sorry.” Andy rubbed her face. “That damn picture took me by surprise. I didn’t mean to dump ancient history in your lap.”
Miranda studied the witch. “I didn’t want you to be surprised since it is a well known portrait. People, including my daughters, are sure to ask you about it. I thought it best that you knew what you were up against.”
“I appreciate that Majesty. I guess it would be hard to slip something like that into a normal conversation. By the way, Witch, you should see the picture your lover had painted of you after she kicked you out.” Andy shook her head and looked everywhere but at the Queen.
“If this is going to be too much for you, I would understand.” Miranda cast a worried look at Andrea. She would understand but she didn’t know what she would do without the witch’s help.
Andy sat quietly for a few minutes. “Lily told me I needed to move on. The Goddess knows I hate to admit it, but she’s right. Lily asked me to help you and I will.”
Miranda breathed a silent sigh of relief. “Acceptable. Dinner should be ready soon. Would you like to join my daughters and me? I could convey your regrets if you would rather not.”
“Thank you, Majesty. I would be honored to join you and your family.” Andy straightened up and tamped down her roiling emotions.
“Very well. Shall we? We can discuss business afterwards.” Miranda stood and swept down the garden path. Andy hurried to catch up.
Chapter 4 - I See Magic