The Witching Moon: The Witches of Redwood Falls - Book 1

  Dream Cache Publishing

  THE WITCHING MOON

  Dream Cache Publishing

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  www.janelledaniels.com

  Copyright © 2014 Janelle Daniels

  Cover Art © 2014 Creative Book Covers

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Dedication

  To those who have supported me through the rough parts.

  You’ll never know how much it helped.

  And to Dan.

  Because none of this would happen without you.

  Acknowledgments

  I want to acknowledge my amazing beta readers: Stephanie, Heather, Candice, and Paula. I couldn’t have made this work without you. Thank you for listening to my craziness at all hours and not smothering me when I went on repeat.

  Chapter 1

  “Are you sure you want to go through with this?”

  Poppy braced herself for what was coming. Since Drake had found out about the prophecy, he asked her the same question each month.

  "As I told you before, it's not a choice I have to make. You can’t choose to follow prophecy or not. It just happens. There's no getting away from it. You can't run from destiny."

  He reached out, gripping her hands across the gently weathered table. "I just don't want to see you get hurt. It could be anyone. Your worst enemy. Would it matter?"

  "Would what matter?"

  "That your soul mate is your worst enemy."

  She arched a brow. Again, he wasn't saying anything new. But he was genuinely worried about her so she humored him. "That's not going to happen."

  "You don't know that."

  "It doesn’t work like that. Besides, I don't think Alex Schmidt meets the qualifications."

  His eyes narrowed. "I'm serious, Poppy. And your elementary school bully doesn't live here anymore."

  In times like these, her heart ached. Besides her family, he was the one constant in her life, had always been there for her. But the prophecy she'd been given as a child was not something she could shake. She felt it, knew it deep down in her bones, that it was true.

  It was fate. There was a man out there, someone who held magic just like her, someone that she was destined to be with, and she would meet him tomorrow. As much as she wanted him to be, Drake wasn’t that man.

  "I don't want anything to happen to you." His eyes searched hers. "You mean too much to me."

  She slid out of her seat, slowly walking over to him before she wrapped her arms around him from behind his chair. “Everything will work out.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Fate hasn’t let me down so far.”

  “Poppy…” He loosened her grip before pulling her to his side. He searched her face, but she didn’t know what he hoped to find. After releasing her, his shoulders slumped.

  “What is it?”

  “Nothing.” His shrugged. “I just… hope it works out for you the way you want it to.”

  “It will.” Her answer was firm, confident. She could either be uncertain about what to expect and dread it, or embrace it. She’d decided to embrace it.

  It wasn’t always easy. Especially in moments like these. She’d never felt closer to anyone than Drake. But they weren’t meant for each other. Not like that. The prophecy was specific, and it clearly stated that her mate would have magic.

  Drake didn’t.

  It was hard enough seeing him every day. Hard enough keeping an emotional distance, keeping it purely platonic. Heaven knew how many times she’d thought of being with him. Of touching him, of kissing him.

  Deep breath. She focused on her center, clearing out all thoughts like cobwebs. There was only one place where those thoughts led, and it was dangerous to go there.

  “I hope so.”

  She forced a smile for his sake. He worried about her. Honestly, she was worried too. She just had to trust. It was the only thing left she could do. “We’ll see what tomorrow brings,” she said, sitting back in her chair.

  “Since it’s Halloween… any plans for the day time? You know, before you meet Prince Charming?”

  She kicked his foot under the table. “Oh, I don’t know. I don’t think I’m up for much. Just putting the finishing touching on things, I guess.”

  “Want a hand?”

  She knew she should say no. What was the point in torturing herself with someone she couldn’t have? “Yes. I’d like that. I could use a friendly face.”

  “You’ll always have one.”

  His words, spoken like a promise played through her head until he left. Closing the door, she sunk to her knees, curling in toward herself, her arms wrapping around her waist. Why was fate so cruel?

  Halloween morning dawned as formidable as Drake’s mood. Thunder and lightning pounded the earth as the wind taunted the forest. Leaves scattered the floors, their fall jewel colors signaling the Beaver Moon that would occur in one week. There wasn’t a need for hunters to set their traps to stock up enough fur for the winter, but that didn’t matter. November’s full moon was still called that, and probably always would be.

  Walking down the street to Poppy’s cottage, he breathed deeply, absorbing the pungent air. He hadn’t bothered with an umbrella. It was too windy for one anyway. The deep hooded coat he wore protected him just fine. Besides, what would a little rain hurt anyway?

  He could taste magic in the air. Halloween was a day that called for it, for the mystical things of the night to have their time on earth. He’d been friends with Poppy since childhood, and there was no way he could deny the existence of magic. How could he? It wove through the blood of the woman he loved. It was as much a part of her as the gold in her hair, the moss color of her eyes, the gentleness of her heart, and the quickness of her mind. He wouldn’t change her for anything.

  Her ancestors were founders Redwood Falls, and their legacy had been passed down from generation to generation. Her power was a gift, but also a responsibility. And Poppy lived up to her birthright.

  He leaned a hand against a tree, a familiar ache spreading through him. He loved her, but would never have her. Because of magic. Because of the prophecy. He wasn’t fool enough to discount it, but it grated all the same.

  Magic didn’t rule him. He was a man of this world, a man with passion, with direction, with desire. He knew what he wanted, and that was Poppy. Since he’d been old enough to realize it, it had only ever been her.

  But they weren’t meant to be. No matter how close they’d gotten, no matter how much he’d wanted to be with her, she’d always pushed him away. She was promised to another. It didn’t matter who that person was, it only mattered that it wasn’t him.

  His fist clenched, the tree scraping his fingers, but he didn’t care. What did that small annoyance matter when it couldn’t come close to the pain in his heart?

  Why was he even here? Why had he said he would help her today? He should turn around. Just leave. Pack up his stuff and head out of town. He didn’t have to watch this happen, he didn’t have to watch her fall into the arms of another.

  But he would. He couldn’t leave. Not like this. Not without seeing her taken from him with his own eyes. He wouldn’t abandon her no matter the cost to himself.

  He pushed from the tree, his steps qu
ick, determined. He may not be her soul mate, but she was his. And no matter what happened, he’d be there for her.

  He walked in without knocking. The habit so ingrained, he didn’t think about it. Hanging up his dripping coat, he called out, “You in here?”

  “Yeah, come back to the kitchen,” she called out.

  The air smelled like a mixture of spices, strong, potent, but still pleasant. He couldn’t place which ones they were. Even after all this time, she’d been unable to teach him.

  There was history here. With every step he took on the dark wood floor, a memory came to him. His eyes narrowed on the freshly polished planks beneath his boots. Poppy polished the floor four times a year, but it wasn’t time for it yet. He didn’t need to ask why she’d broken her routine, why the whole house was recently dusted, or why a full bouquet of hot house flowers rested in her grandmother’s vase on the entry table.

  She was expecting to bring someone home tonight.

  His gut clenched. She’d bring him here, of course. They couldn’t stand in the circle all night. The thought of them together, here, cut him to the quick.

  Needing a breath, he leaned against a wall, dragging in air. He didn’t want Poppy to see him like this. To see what a wreck he was.

  His head jerked up when she peaked through the kitchen door down the hall he was falling apart in. “You coming?”

  “Yeah.” He tried to sound casual as he brushed his hands on his pants. “Smells great in here.”

  “Raspberry leaf.” He raised a brow and she shook her head softly before turning back to her work. “It’s calming.” She picked up her pestle and crushed dried leaves of some sort into the mortar.

  He rounded the counter, hunching to see her working beneath a rack of drying herbs. “What are those?”

  “This and that,” she evaded. “Just restocking my supplies.”

  He tucked a blond curl that fell forward behind her ear and her motions slowed. She was so beautiful. Her hands were so soft and delicate you’d never imagine the strength they possessed. He’d imagined them all over him.

  He closed his eyes, cursing himself. Don’t go there!

  “I didn’t realize you were low on anything. Do you need me to pick something up?” he asked, hoping to distract himself.

  She blushed. “Actually… no.”

  “Then why are you doing this?”

  She ground a little faster. “I just need to keep myself busy.” His fist clenched under the counter top.

  “Do you want some help?” His voice was hoarse. “I don’t mind you putting me to work.”

  She looked at him then. Really looked at him. Her eyes softened. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Drake.”

  “You won’t ever have to find out.” He’d said the same things many times, but this was the first time he felt a twinge of doubt. Could he stay here and see her with another man? He wanted to think he was stronger than that, better than that, but he knew it he wasn’t. It would break him to see her with someone else. To see another man hold her, kiss her, as he had never been able to do.

  Her voice was so soft, he almost didn’t hear her ask, “Promise?”

  He turned away, muttering a curse. She gasped and his eyes sliced back to her. “I’m not made of stone, Poppy. No matter how much I’m trying to hide it, this is killing me.”

  Her mouth fell open. “I don’t know what to say.”

  He rounded the counter, gripping her arms. “Tell me you don’t want this. That you don’t want him. Tell me you wished you never heard the prophecy, that you don’t believe it. Damn it! That you’re frustrated and hurting as I am.”

  “Drake…”

  He jerked his head. “No. Don’t. Just don’t say anything.” She rubbed her red lips together, bringing him to his knees. “Don’t do that.”

  Her fingers stilled. “Do what?”

  “Your lips. I’m barely keeping my hands off you as is.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “Why?”

  “You know why.” Her eyes turned wary, but he couldn’t stop the words from coming out. “You’ve always known why. I love you, Poppy. I’ve loved you forever. You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted and you’re all I’ll ever want.” He grabbed her hand and kissed her fingers. “I’ve held back for years because it was what you wanted. But I can’t any more. Tonight you’ll meet him, but you don’t have to. You don’t have to go.”

  She shook her head in denial, but he cut her off. “It’s your choice. You can go and meet a faceless man, one you don’t know, one who doesn’t love you. Or you can stay here and be with me.” She gasped, trying to yank her hand away, but he held it firm and pressed it against his heart. His eyes blazed into hers. “Stay with me. Choose me.”

  Her chin shook, tears sprang to her eyes. She tried to turn away, but he held her, couldn’t let her go.

  “I can’t,” she cried. “I can’t, Drake. I can’t outrun this, I can’t ignore it. Whoever’s there tonight, he’s the one I’m meant to be with.”

  “You’re meant to be with me,” he growled.

  “No.”

  “How do you know? How do you know it’s not me?”

  Her eyes searching his face, looking but not finding what she needed. “I just do. The prophecy says things about him. Things that aren’t you.” Her voice cracked. “I’m sorry.”

  His gut twisted. She’d never told him exactly what the prophecy said, and he’d never asked. He hadn’t wanted to know any of it. But now he did. “What does it say?”

  Tears tracked down her cheeks. “It doesn’t matter now.”

  He nodded once. There wasn’t anything else he could say. He’d given her everything, all that was inside of him, but it hadn’t been enough. It never would be enough. He wasn’t the man from the prophecy.

  She stumbled away and sagged against the back of a chair once he released her. He looked his fill, knowing she would haunt his dreams forever. “Good luck tonight. I hope he’s everything you’re hoping for.”

  Her lips pressed together, and he couldn’t take the stabbing in his heart any longer. He walked away from her, from everything he’d ever wanted because it was what she wanted.

  He couldn’t force her to love him, to choose him. No matter how much he wanted her, it had to be her choice.

  And she chose the prophecy.

  Chapter 2

  Poppy readjusted the shawl over her shoulders as she stepped out into the chilly night. The trick-or-treaters stopped ringing her doorbell hours ago. Wind picked up in the trees as she started down the forest path, deeply breathing in the night. It helped soothe her nerves, helped calm her jumpy stomach.

  She’d dreamed about this night since she was a little girl. The moment where she would meet her mate, the man who loved her above all others. The man she’d bind herself to.

  But so much was wrong. In those girlhood dreams, she’d never imagined Drake. Never imagined how much he’d come to mean to her. How much she’d want him. Breathe.

  She couldn’t think of Drake now. It wasn’t right. She was going to meet someone else, and she had to push aside her broken heart. If only things were different. If only she had a choice…

  Then what? Her mind taunted. Would she choose Drake? Would she take his offer and stay with him? Her heart whispered, yes.

  Why was she tormenting herself? She couldn’t have Drake. He was normal and good. Wonderful. Perfect. But he wasn’t the man from the prophecy.

  He didn’t have magic.

  On all Hallows Eve of your twenty-eighth year, when the moon peaks in the forest near, search here for your mate will be, not far from the edge of the sea.

  Born of magic and marked by the moon, your union will be made soon. He whispers on the wind and the fates obey, for they listen to what he has to say.

  ‘Til the next full moon is all the time you have together to forge your union or lose it forever. If hearts aren’t joined by the bright circle’s light, then surrender your love to the dark of night.

/>   The prophecy replayed in her mind, torturing her. She didn’t know what it all meant, but born of magic was clear enough. She couldn’t even teach Drake the most basic uses for herbs.

  He was a normal man. Blissfully, wonderfully, normal. The kind that appreciated the beauty around him, that worked hard, and was kind to others. When given the opportunity, he hadn’t set out to build his fortune, to conquer the world. He’d stayed, tending the land and stepping into the community with an assurance he’d been born with.

  He knew where he belonged. Others searched their whole lives for that knowledge. Drake never questioned it.

  She swallowed hard, slowing her steps. Once the path emptied into the clearing ahead, she’d see Cloch Chroí, the Heart Stone. She’d been there more times than she could count, could walk this path blindfolded.

  She’d come here as a child, trying to imagine this moment, but none of those rosy girlhood dreams compared to what she was going through now. Grief weaved through her heart, mixing with a curiosity she couldn’t tame.

  Who would be there? Would he be waiting for her? Was he expecting to meet her here?

  She frowned. She’d never thought of that before. What if he was just passing through, catching a tourist location before moving on? Granted, it was the middle of the night, but it was also Halloween. It wasn’t unheard of for people to trespass, seeking a moment of terror.

  She’d known about him since she was a child, but he could be completely oblivious about what would happen. The end of the prophecy struck her.

  Til the next full moon is all the time you have together to forge your union or lose it forever. If hearts aren’t joined by the bright circle’s light, then surrender your love to the dark of night.

  If he didn’t recognize her, if he didn’t know about the prophecy, he could reject her. He could want no part of this. She could lose him.