Page 106 of Potions & Prejudice
“And why can’t I arrest the Moonflowers?”
Morty crossed her arms. “Because they’re residents of Thistlegrove, and we protect our own.”
My heart warmed. Draven mentioned that Morty was at the manor with his grandmother. She must’ve been there when Helena arrived and revealed our secret. She must’ve rallied the town. All of that. For us.
Witch Superior scoffed. “Unfortunately for you that won’t stand in the court of witches.”
“Then change the law,” Veldar demanded.
“He must really love that soup,” Edgar murmured behind me.
“No,” Witch Superior said, and my heart sank.
Morty raised her chin. “Then we’ll invoke the Witch Trials early.”
Witch Superior stilled. I gasped.
If enough residents deemed Witch Superior unfit to rule, they could invoke the trials early so a new Witch Superior could reign.
“Your entire legacy as Witch Superior would be a disgrace,” Mortysaid. “Your reputation ruined. Everything you’ve worked for: forgotten.”
It was a great dishonor for the Witch Trials to be invoked early, and though it had happened very few times in history, Morty was right. It had ruined the legacies of the Witch Superiors whom it had happened to.
“You care this much about some magicless witches,” Witch Superior snarled.
“Yes, we do.” Morty crossed her arms.
“We like their soup!” Veldar added.
“Okay, Veldar, we get it,” Morty said out the side of her mouth.
Veldar’s head dropped. “It’s not just about the soup,” he said, voice gruff.
I froze. Everyone did, all eyes on him.
“My husband died twenty years ago,” he said. “He made me soup. It was a small thing. But it started when we first met and I was sick. He brought me tomato basil.” He looked up, locking eyes with me. “It was my favorite. Then he started making more. We’d sit on our front porch and enjoy it together while listening to the sounds of the forest, while talking. He was better at the talking part than I was.”
My eyes welled with tears.
“So it’s not just about the soup,” Veldar said again. “It’s a piece of him that you’ve given me. It’s community.” He cleared his throat, his gaze moving to Witch Superior. “And I won’t let you take that away from me. From us.”
Everyone nodded in agreement. I’d never realized soup could be so powerful.
Witch Superior’s jaw locked, and she seemed to be thinking through her options. Finally, she huffed. “Fine. I don’t care enough about you Moonflowers to pursue this. I’ll pardon you.”
The residents broke out in cheers as I stood there, mouth agape. Mama squealed and clapped her hands. Draven swung me up into his arms while I remained limp, so in shock I still couldn’t process what had just happened. Auggie and Prue hugged and jumped up and down.
Witch Superior turned to look at us. “Well?” she asked Georgie.
Georgie stepped back. “Well, what?”
“You’re coming with me,” she said. “That’s why I came here. To collect you.”
Georgie shot a panicked look at Draven, who set me down and stepped forward. “It’s your choice. I’m your guardian by law, but if you want to leave with her, you can.”
Georgie threw her arms around his neck. “I want to stay with you.” She let go of him. “But I want you to include me in things. I want to help you with your spells. I want to be part of your life.”
Draven nodded, and my eyes welled with tears. “I want that too.”
