Before (15 page)

Violet hid her reservations well from Cora who was staring at
her expectantly. She helped Cora to stand, all the while George
stood in the background watching everything with fascination.
Tabitha knew he was a good man; he’d welcomed Cora into his home
already. He’d accepted Cora because his wife so desperately wanted
children. Tabitha could see it, he didn’t know it yet but he’d
already fallen for Cora. He would love her as a father
should.

As Cora came to stand next to her, with Violet’s help, she
glanced up at her, those brown eyes swirling with many emotions.
Tabitha felt her heart clench, felt the threat of tears, she held
them back trying her best to appear happy, to appear like the
healer that had visited only to help. The stranger, one that didn’t
know everything about Cora, things such as the little freckle that
is on Cora’s smallest toe, or the fact that Cora cannot stand
sweetcorn because she’d once seen that it didn’t change from going
in to coming out. Tabitha felt the smile on her lips. Cora may not
have those memories, but she did.

This was the beginning of a new life for Cora, one she could
live without fear of the trials or the Corenthio Coven. Tabitha
knew it was the right thing to do, her breaking heart told her
otherwise.

“
Goodbye, Cora,” she murmured.

She lifted her hand and pushed a strand of Cora’s hair behind
her ear. Tabitha’s hand shook as she did so. She felt pain, like
the fire she possessed, burn through her toes and travel up her
body. Heaving in a breath as that pain surged into her chest; she
nodded at Violet who led Cora away.

Tabitha felt the sobs running through her chest dance with the
burning fire; it threatened to burst out of her mouth in a scream.
She was going to lose this fight soon. She only hoped she made it
through to see Cora again. She knew what was happening to her now
and she had to leave before the pain consumed her.

“
You will take care of her...please, I will be back next year.
Her birthday is the 23rd of this month, please make it special...”
Tabitha whispered.

“
Of course,” George replied. “You have my word that Cora will
live a full and happy life. Please visit whenever you like, you are
always welcome in our home.”

His words were already fading as she strode to the front door
leaving Cora to live her new life.