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hovercraft79 · 6 years ago

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The Closer I’m Bound in Love to You, the Closer I Am to Free

Chapters: 1

Word Count: 9,580

Fandom: The Worst Witch (TV 2017)

Rating: M

Warnings: SPOILER ALERT FOR SEASON 3, some angst, a bit of sexy times but not too graphic

Summary:

Hecate and Pippa finally spend their first night together. Everything is perfect until Hecate reveals a secret she’s been carrying for decades and Pippa has to figure out just what it means to support your partner – and how far she’ll go to do exactly that.

Notes:

As anyone who follows me knows, the RPs written by @pippa-pentangle and @misshecatehardbroom are some of my very favorite parts of tumblr. So when pippa-pentangle asked for a fic dealing with some of the revelations from season 3, the decision was easy: what pippa-pentangle wants, pippa-pentangle gets (and the same is true for misshecatehardbroom, as well).

The title of this story is from the song Power of Two by the Indigo Girls. If you’ve never heard of them, they’re a fabulous folk duo that I can’t recommend highly enough.

Sparky was just thrilled to find out I had a new fic to edit – especially when it turned out to be 18 pages long. I can’t thank her – or pay her – enough.

Hecate opened her eyes, slowly adjusting to the light pouring in through her bedroom window. Images from the night before flashed through her mind – a press of soft lips, the fiery tingle of fingertips ghosting over bare skin, the rapture of every nerve exploding as Pippa laid claim to her, body and soul. Finally. Fully.

Stretching across the mattress, Hecate savored the pull of muscles deliciously sore from unfamiliar use. Her hand brushed over the space where Pippa had been. It was empty. Hecate’s heart skipped a beat as she sat up, searching the room, but settled again when she spotted a pink dress tossed across a chair and two pink wedge-heeled shoes jumbled on the rug. Pippa, wherever she was at this moment, was still here. Hecate flopped back down on the bed and rolled onto Pippa’s side, feeling the residual warmth of her body, breathing in the faint scent of freesia - Pippa’s scent. It mingled with Hecate’s own rosemary and the musky aroma of sex. Of love. Of home.

Of something she shouldn’t have, she reminded herself. Couldn’t have. It wasn’t fair to Pippa. She sighed. Pippa cannot be her home. Last night was a mistake, she told herself, an achingly beautiful, wondrous miracle of a mistake. She could never let it happen again. She would definitely let it happen again.

Scrubbing a hand across her face, Hecate pushed herself up until she was seated, cross-legged, in the middle of the bed. She would have to tell Pippa. There was no disappearing this time. She knew as surely as she was bound to Cackle’s that neither of them would survive another breaking.

Her stomach rumbled a good morning, and Hecate wondered if Pippa had gone in search of breakfast. Casting out a locator spell, Hecate was surprised to find Pippa outside the castle.

Brows furrowed, Hecate rolled out of bed, wrapping the sheet around her as she crossed to the window and opened it. Leaning out, she scanned the grounds, searching for Pippa. A flash of motion caught her eye.

There, just past the edges of the manicured lawns, she spotted Pippa, spinning and whirling through a patch of wildflowers. With a flick of her fingertips Hecate sent a slight ping of magic Pippa’s way.

Pippa spun towards the castle at once, beaming. Hecate wasn’t prepared for the hot jolt of emotion that Pippa’s smile ignited within her – the intermingling of love and lust and longing that she had only ever felt with Pippa.

Hecate barely had time to recognize the warmth of Pippa’s magic as it washed over her before she found herself standing next to Pippa among the wildflowers. It took less than a heartbeat for her to remember she was wearing only a sheet.

“Pippa Phyllis Pentangle!” she shrieked, frantically pulling the sheet tighter. “Have you lost your pink-pickled mind?” Her voice dropped to a frenzied whisper, “I’m not wearing anything under this sheet!”

“I know,” Pippa whispered back, leaning in close enough that Hecate could feel her breath against her cheek. “I’m not wearing anything under this robe.” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively. “Wanna see?” Pippa made to untie the sash.

“NO!” Hecate snatched Pippa’s hand away, unable to stifle a laugh. “You’ve gone mad!” She raised a hand to transfer them back to her rooms, but Pippa was too quick, wrapping her arms around Hecate, trapping her hands at her sides.

“You’re absolutely right, Hiccup! I’m stark raving mad - for you!” She picked Hecate up and swung her around, spinning in circles until they were both laughing hysterically, dizziness threatening to send them toppling to the ground.

Hecate finally wiggled herself free. “Really, Pipsqueak! I don’t know what’s gotten into you. It’s not—”

Pippa cut her off with a deep kiss, pulling away only when the need for air forced them apart. “You are what’s gotten into me, Hecate Hardbroom – literally and figuratively.” She threaded her fingers behind Hecate’s neck and pulled her into a series of slow, gentle kisses.

After a few minutes, Hecate pressed her hands against Pippa’s shoulders, separating them just enough to speak. “We’re in full view of the castle, Pip. If we continue doing this…” She trailed off as Pippa’s tongue flicked along her throat. “Please… somewhere private…” She shook herself free and stepped back, lips quirked into a grin. “I’d rather not have to endure Dimity Drill evaluating my technique as if it were some sort of mid-term examination.”

Giggling, Pippa laced their fingers together. “Don’t worry, darling, I’ve no doubt you’d ace that test just as you did all the others.” She brought their hands up and kissed Hecate’s palm, watching as a deep blush began creeping up Hecate’s chest and neck. “Don’t worry, darling, I understand.” She summoned the bouquet of flowers she’d picked for Hecate and pressed them into her arms “OH! Hiccup! I know just the place! Do you remember the Thistle’s pond? Just outside the grounds near the edge of the wood. It’s been ages since we’ve been there…” Before Hecate could answer, Pippa had transferred them away.

*****

Pippa’s tongue hurt and she could taste blood; she just couldn’t quite make out why. Her head buzzed with errant magic, and she seemed to be lying on the ground. Off to her right somewhere she heard a low moan coming from Hecate. Then it changed. The moan shifted into a high keening sound. Pippa could feel more than hear Hecate struggling to reach her.

“M’here, Hicc-hup.” Pippa’s tongue felt thick, and her words didn’t sound right – though that could have been the ringing in her ears. She reached out, hand flailing against the grass until she finally found Hecate’s hand. Lacing their fingers together, Pippa tugged as hard as she could, finally pulling them close enough for Hecate to collapse against her.

“Pip? Are you hurt?” Shaking hands flew over Pippa’s face and body. Pippa felt Hecate’s magic wash over her, sharp and hot in her panic. She never stopped whispering ‘I’m sorry.’

“I bid mah tong.” She rolled away from Hecate long enough to spit out a mouthful of blood. “Whah abow you?” She turned back to Hecate, who was staring at her with wide eyes and wild hair, the forgotten sheets puddled around her waist. “Your thide,” she said, pointing at Hecate’s bare ribcage. “You sscwaped your thide.” Head clearing, Pippa cast a healing spell over her tongue and Hecate’s side, then turned and spit again. “What happened?” she asked, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “Did the Thistles put up a shield to keep people out?”

“N-no.” Hecate crumpled in front of her. Pippa reached for Hecate’s shoulder, jerking her hand back when Hecate flinched and pulled her knees to her chest, closing in on herself. “It’s to keep me in.”

“Hiccup?” Pippa stilled, not wanting to spook Hecate any further, but refusing to move away. Slowly, careful not to touch Hecate, she reached out and pulled the edges of the sheet up until Hecate was covered. Hecate refused to meet Pippa’s eyes, but she didn’t move to leave. Pippa kept a close eye on her hands, ready to grab hold at the first sign Hecate might try to transfer herself away. “Hecate? Please don’t shut me out. I’m not going anywhere. Whatever this is.” She slid one hand over until it just barely covered Hecate’s foot. “We’re together now, Hiccup. I’m not leaving you.”

Hecate’s head shot up, a look of horror twisting her features. “But you have to!” With that, whatever Hecate had been holding in, burst free. She buried her face in her knees, sobs shaking her bony shoulders. Pippa eased closer, still careful not to touch. “You don’t understand! You have to go! I’ll end up… Please…just go…” The instant the stiffness melted from Hecate, Pippa scooped her into her arms, rocking her back and forth as she broke.

“I’m not leaving, darling. Never. It took us thirty years to get here, to have each other and last night. I’m not going anywhere.” She cupped Hecate’s cheek and lifted her head until their eyes met. “I’m not going to let you leave me this time, either, Hiccup. I made that mistake once, and I’ve regretted it my entire life. I can’t survive you leaving me again.”

“Oh, Pip…” Hecate buried her face in Pippa’s neck, hands clutching at the robe on her shoulders. “I never left you. Never. I just needed you to leave me.”

“But why?” Pippa kissed Hecate’s forehead and tucked her under her chin. “I never understood why.”

Hecate clung to Pippa, fingers digging into the thin fabric of the robe. She tried to gather up every memory of last night, wrapping them around her soul much like the sheet was wrapped around her body. She prayed they would shield her against the pain she knew would come when Pippa left again – this time of her own volition. Taking a deep breath, Hecate sat up so she could see Pippa. Beautiful Pippa, she thought, looking into warm brown eyes. “D-do you remember…In…Indigo?” The name clawed its way out of her throat for the first time in over thirty years.

Pippa frowned, confused by the question. “Of course, I do. She was your best friend our Second Year. You were so devastated when she left. You changed so much… How could I forget her?”

Hecate refused to meet Pippa’s eyes, staring instead at the scattered flowers from her bouquet as she answered. “Indigo didn’t leave. I – I did something foolish and horrible.” Slowly, she looked up at Pippa. “Will you let me show you something?”

*****

Pippa dragged her eyes away from the stony visage of Indigo Moon and stared at Hecate, stunned. “Your whole life?” Pippa dropped to her knees in front of Hecate, “For something that happened when you were thirteen? I never would have thought that Ada would –”

“NO!” Hecate shook her head violently, “No! Ada is not… Ada… Ada has done everything she could to…” Wringing her hands together, Hecate took a deep breath, steadying herself. “Ada is not responsible for my confinement. She has done everything she can to help me have as normal a life as possible.” She let Pippa take her hands. “She did too good a job, I think.” Hecate stared at their linked hands. “She made me believe I could have a life with you.” She felt Pippa’s flinch.

“What are you talking about? Could have? We do have a life together! Hiccup?”

Lips pressed into a thin, tight line, Hecate shook her head. “I can’t… Pippa… I – I can’t let you bind yourself to me… not when I can never leave this place.” She squeezed Pippa’s hands until her knuckles ached. “I never should have let last night happen. It wasn’t fair to you…”

Pippa tugged a hand free, bringing it up to cup Hecate’s cheek. “Ohhh, my love…. Do you really not know?” She brushed a tear from Hecate’s cheek with her thumb. “I have been bound to you since I was fifteen years old. That isn’t going to change now.” She dropped her voice to its lowest register. “And last night should have happened thirty years ago.” She giggled and shrugged. “Well, maybe more like twenty-eight years ago, but you take my point.”

“How can you say that? I cannot leave the Academy grounds.” She placed a hand over Pippa’s, pressing it against her cheek before turning and kissing her palm. “You need to be free, not trapped here with me.”

“I’m free when I’m with you, Hiccup. Always have been. How does this really change anything for us, anyway?” She leaned forward until they were breathing the same air. “I never expected you to leave Cackle’s. We were always going to meet on Thursdays and weekends and breaks and anytime we could. The only thing this changes is that it will be me coming to Cackle’s instead of us trading off.”

Hope and guilt warred in Hecate’s heart. “I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You can’t ask me not to,” Pippa breathed, bringing their lips together, pouring every ounce of love and desire she felt for Hecate into the kiss. Hesitant at first, Hecate soon melted into Pippa, wrapping her arms around her neck and kissing back desperately. Finally, Pippa had to pull away, gasping for air, fingers tangling in Hecate’s hair. “Rooms… yours… transfer…” She kissed Hecate again, a breathless ‘now’ disappearing into Hecate’s lips as she transferred them away.

*****

“It makes no sense, Ada. She was a child! How could you stand by and allow this? To be complicit in it?” Pippa prowled the edges of Ada’s office, gesturing wildly, sending more than one knickknack flying off a shelf to be rescued from certain disaster by Ada’s quick magic.

“She was. A child who broke our world’s highest law.” Ada sent a thin stream of magic into her teapot, heating the water to boiling. “A child who essentially caused the death of another child,” she held up a hand to forestall Pippa’s protest. “Inadvertently, to be sure, but the girl remains stone, nonetheless. As long as the child is stone, there can be no question that Hecate’s punishment will remain in effect.” She poured tea into two cups, holding one out to Pippa. “That’s the line I heard the first time I approached the Great Witch, the fifth… the tenth… each time I approached her it was the same. Nothing changed when I approached the Great Wizard once he came to power.” She stirred in two lumps of sugar. Shaking her head, Ada dipped a biscuit into her tea. “He said exactly the same thing his mother said.”

Pippa flung her hands to the heavens, sending tea sloshing onto the rug. “He’s been the Great Wizard over fifteen years. Surely, you’ve tried since then?”

Ada studied her tea.

“Not even once?” Pippa slammed her teacup down on the table and began pacing again. “I don’t know how many times I was told ‘no’ when I was trying to start Pentangle’s. Wizards, witches, people I thought were my friends… The Great Wizard himself told me it just couldn’t be done. Not once did I accept that answer. I kept going. I wouldn’t take no for answer. Why would Hecate?” Pippa shook her head and waved her hands at Ada. “Never mind. It’s exactly the sort of thing she would do. But why, Ada, you’re her best friend, the one person she could rely on… for all these years… Why would you stop trying? Why would you ever stop trying?”

“Because I asked her to,” Hecate said as she materialized fully into the office. “I couldn’t… I just couldn’t do it anymore.” She spread her hands out in front of her. “This is why you and I shouldn’t be…” Hecate glanced at Ada, and then looked away, blushing.

“Stop. We’ve been through that, Hecate. I’ll not be leaving, and you’ll not be pushing me away.” Pippa took a deep breath, forcing her voice to calmness. “We’re in this together, darling, from here on out.” She held a hand out to Hecate and waited for her to take it. Turning to Ada, she said, “I expect you’ll be seeing quite a bit more of me around the castle, Miss Cackle. I hope that is agreeable to you.”

Ada threw her arms wide and pulled them both into a tight hug. “It’s stupendous! And long, long overdue.” She pulled away and cupped Hecate’s cheek. “I’m so happy you’ve finally found your way back to one another.”

Tears filled Pippa’s eyes, “Thank you, Ada. I’m so happy about it, too.” She fanned her face, magicking the tears away. “But that’s not…” Pippa turned to Hecate. “Dearest Hecate, always one to take responsibility. I know why you quit trying.” She turned to Ada. “But, why would you?”

Shaking her head, Ada slumped into her chair. “It was all too easy, I’m afraid. You see, each time we’d try, Hecate would… well, she’d pretend she didn’t, but… she’d get her hopes up so high.” Her hands twisted the hem of her sweater. “And each time she would be so disappointed.” Ada smiled sadly at Hecate. “She’d pretend she wasn’t, but I knew.”

“You always felt so bad, like you’d failed me somehow,” Hecate whispered.

“I know, my dear, I know.” Ada stared at her hands a moment, before taking a shaky breath and continuing. “You would get so quiet after… for weeks – a bit longer every time, I think.” She glanced at Hecate fondly, “I know people think you’re quiet, but I’ve never found you to be. You’ve always had a wry comment or a bit of sarcasm, except after another denial.” Ada shrugged and picked up her tea again. “I hated it. I stopped believing the confinement would be lifted, and I hated being the one to kill that glimmer of hope again and again. I freely admit that I was relieved when Hecate said she didn’t want to petition for the confinement to be lifted again.”

Pippa chewed on her bottom lip, turning Ada’s words over and over in her mind. “Hecate? Do you really not want to try anymore?”

Anguish flooded Hecate’s eyes. “What is there to do, Pipsqueak? My situation has not changed. Please… I know that giving up is not easy for you.” She brought Pippa’s hand to her lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles, oblivious to Ada’s presence. “It is a quality for which I am immeasurably thankful.”

“It’s brought me immeasurable reward, Hiccup.” Pippa pulled Hecate to her, crushing the taller woman against her chest. “I’ll respect your wishes, darling. For now. If you agree that, if anything changes – anything – you’ll allow me to try again.”

Then Hecate felt it again. That crushing, terrifying, damnable spark of hope, deep in her chest. And as much as she wanted to douse it, to bury it so far down she’d never have to feel it again, she found that here, with Pippa’s arms wrapped around her, Hecate felt just a little bit warmed by its light. Before she knew it, she was whispering “I will, if that’s what you want, I agree.”

****

Cosima Sage, Pentangle’s Deputy Head, raced down the corridor, heels clacking against the stone floor as she ran towards the Advanced Chanting classroom. “Miss Pentangle!” She skidded to a stop just inside the doorway. “Miss Pentangle!”

Pippa cut the chanting off mid-note. “Pardon me, students, just give me a moment.” She swept through the desks to the back of the room. “What do you need, Miss Sage?”

“Ada Cackle is in your office. She just transferred straight in and she’s quite agitated.” Cosima leaned in, lowering her voice. “I believe it has something to do with Miss Hardbroom.”

Pippa spun around to catch a dozen pairs of wide eyes staring back at her. “Class dismissed.” She practically pushed Cosima back into the hallway. “Did Miss Cackle say anything else?” A thousand possibilities churned through her mind, each one more dire than the last. After a few seconds she was running for her office much faster than she should have been in her heels. “Merlin’s bloody beard!” She said, suddenly remembering that there was a faster way to get to her office. She snapped her fingers and disappeared.

A heartbeat later and she was crashing into Ada, scrambling to keep her feet as well as keep Ada on hers. “Ada! What’s happened? Where’s Hecate? Is she all right?”

“Indigo Moon is no longer stone.”

The next thing Pippa knew, Ada was trying to keep her on her feet. She let Ada lower her into a chair. “Does Hecate know?”

“She does. She didn’t take it well.” Ada’s expression darkened. “She’s not very happy with me at the moment, I’m afraid. I’ve allowed the girl to remain at Cackle’s.”

“Ada! How could you allow that?”

“What choice did I have? As Mildred Hubble pointed out, where else is she to go?” Ada sank into the chair opposite her. “The girl had no family thirty years ago and like it or not, Hecate is responsible for the position the girl is in now.” She held up a hand to forestall Pippa’s protest. “I don’t say that to be cruel, only to say that we have a responsibility to this girl now. Hecate isn’t up to facing that responsibility today – and perhaps she never will be. I have to accept it in her stead.”

Pippa’s stomach felt like a cauldron that someone had allowed to burn dry. “Where is the girl now?”

“I’ve placed her in Mildred Hubble’s care. She bears no small amount of responsibility for this mess as well. Did Hecate tell you that she used a Wishing Star to give her mother magic?”

Pippa nodded. “Are you sure it’s wise to… to place her in Mildred’s care?”

“No. Frankly, I’m floundering, and my most trusted advisor has disappeared.” Ada leaned forward and placed one hand on Pippa’s knee. “To be honest, I’m here asking for your help for myself as much as I am for Hecate, but for now, please, go take care of her.”

Pippa nodded, already calculating how many transfers she would have to make to get to Cackles. “I’m going now. Make yourself at home, Ada.” She twisted her fingers in the air and disappeared, appearing a few transfers later in Hecate’s sitting room.

Swallowing down a wave of nausea, Pippa clutched the back of Hecate’s sofa and waited for the room to quit spinning. It wouldn’t do to chuck up her breakfast on Hecate’s rug. When the dizziness passed, Pippa searched the rooms, but Hecate wasn’t there. Taking a deep breath, she transferred to the potion’s lab but found it empty as well. She sent out a locator spell, as much to give her stomach a moment to settle as anything else, but it didn’t find her. “You never do things by halves, do you, Hiccup?” she said, wondering how Hecate managed to avoid a locator spell. “Fine, then. Where would you go?” Pippa transferred to the greenhouses, but they were empty. She transferred to the woods where Hecate had showed her Indigo Moon’s petrified body. Here she did finally empty the contents of her stomach. After a brief rest and a cleaning spell or two, she transferred to the Great Hall.

“Miss Pentangle!” Mildred scrambled back a few steps, pulling a taller girl with her. Pippa recognized her at once.

“Mildred! Have you seen –”

“Hello,” the girl held out a hand, offering up an Ordinary handshake. “I’m Indigo Moon. I like your dress.”

Pippa gingerly took the girl’s hand. “Well met, Indigo, and thank you.” All at once Pippa was twelve years old again and feeling like second-fiddle for the first time in her life. Thirty-odd years later it still stung. “Mildred?”

“I don’t know, Miss Pentangle. I don’t know how it happened, only that it did.”

“I see…” Pippa forced a smile on her face, reminding herself that Indigo – and Mildred – were just children – girls who hadn’t mastered their magic. “I’m… pleased… to meet you, Indigo, but I’m afraid I just must meet with Miss Hardbroom. Ta-ta!” Without waiting for a goodbye, Pippa transferred back to Hecate’s rooms, collapsing on the sofa.

Pippa knew she couldn’t keep transferring around the castle; she could already feel the tell-tale ache of magical exhaustion settling over her. She tried once more with the locator spell but had no more luck this time than she’d had before. At a loss for what to do next, Pippa leaned back on the sofa, closing her eyes and just…feeling out with her magic.

There.

Pippa felt it – the restless, spikey-hot magic that was uniquely Hecate’s. The roof. Of course, Pippa thought, she should have known. Standing up on wobbly legs, Pippa transferred one last time, to the roof.

Her knees gave out as soon as she materialized, sending her sprawling. Hands burning, Pippa squeezed her eyes closed, willing the world to stop spinning. Finally, it did, and she pushed herself to her feet. She could feel Hecate nearby. She slowly made her way to the place where they would stargaze. At first, she couldn’t see anything, then she caught it out of the corner of her eye – a slight swirling shimmer to the air. No wonder the locator spell didn’t work. Hecate was keeping herself suspended inside a transfer. “Hiccup? Darling?” Approaching the shimmer slowly, Pippa cautiously lifted a hand, dipping her fingertips into the place she believed Hecate to be.

Hecate appeared in an instant, cradling Pippa’s hand between her own. “You’re bleeding.” She took in the pale face, pinched and slightly sweaty. “Pippa?”

“Ada came… are you all right?” Pippa stepped closer, clutching Hecate’s hand between hers, raw and bleeding palms forgotten. “Of course you aren’t, that’s a stupid question. I –” Suddenly, her field of vision narrowed to a tiny point surrounded by blackness, before winking out entirely.

*****

Pippa couldn’t muster the energy to open her eyes, so she didn’t. Instead, she kept very still and tried to work out where she was and how she’d got there. Wherever she was, it was soft and smelled faintly of rosemary. Hecate’s bed, then, she thought, relaxing for an instant before her memories came flooding back.

“HICCUP!” She bolted upright, fighting back a fresh wave of nausea as her eyes found Hecate leaning over her, a damp cloth in her hand.

“Take it easy, Pippa,” she soothed, pressing Pippa back against the pillows. “You’ve given yourself magical exhaustion and transfer sickness.” Hecate pressed the cloth against Pippa’s forehead. “What were you thinking?”

Pippa snatched the cloth out of Hecate’s hand and tossed it aside before grabbing Hecate’s wrist and dragging her onto the bed with her. Caught off balance, Hecate tumbled onto the bed, landing awkwardly on top of Pippa.

“I was thinking about you, you foolish, beautiful, stupid, brilliant witch.” She wrapped her arms around Hecate, ignoring her stiffened spine, and rolled them both over until they were face to face, legs tangled together. “How are you feeling, darling? I can’t even imagine.”

“I-I’m fine, really. It’s…” She trailed off.

“Hiccup? It’s me. It’s just us here. Are you really fine?” Pippa brushed a thumb across Hecate’s cheek.

Hecate opened her mouth to insist that she was fine, but one look in Pippa’s eyes stopped her cold. Only inches from her own, Pippa’s eyes gazed back at her, brimming with worry, warmth and so much love. It broke her. “No,” she choked out, collapsing against Pippa. Pippa pulled her closer, squeezing her tightly as she whispered soothing words into Hecate’s hair. She let Hecate cry for as long as she needed - for as long as it took thirty years of pain and guilt to work its way out.

Finally, she quieted, hiccupping softly as she sniffled against Pippa’s shoulder. “What am I going to do? It’s all going to come out again.” She lifted her head to look at Pippa. “I’m a liability to you, now. I’ll understand if you… that you…” She closed her eyes, unable to continue.

Pippa stared at Hecate, taking in her red nose and wet, puffy eyes. Smeared mascara stained her cheeks. “You are nothing of the sort, Hiccup. I won’t have any of that sort of talk.” She tucked Hecate’s head under her chin. “We’ll figure it out. Together. From here on out, Hecate, it’s you and me together. This doesn’t change that.”

Hecate lifted her head so she could see Pippa. “I don’t deserve this,” she whispered. “I’ve never deserved you.” She lunged forward, pressing a searing kiss to Pippa’s lips.

Pippa kissed her back, desperate and hard, deepening the kiss as she tangled her fingers in Hecate’s hair. “I love you so much,” Pippa said, moaning into Hecate’s mouth. She felt Hecate move closer, so she rolled onto her back, pulling Hecate on top of her, savoring the feeling of her, solid and real. She ran her hands over Hecate’s shoulders before sliding them down her chest. Hecate’s sharp intake of breath sent a burst of heat straight through to her center. Pippa tugged at the collar of Hecate’s dress. “May I?”

“Please,” Hecate breathed, peppering Pippa’s jawline with kisses. “Yours, too.”

A flick of the wrist later and Pippa was sliding her hands across bare skin, her own flesh burning under Hecate’s attentions. A hot tongue flickered across Pippa’s throat and she couldn’t contain her groan. She knew this was Hecate’s way of both coping with and avoiding her feelings, but when Hecate’s mouth closed over her nipple she didn’t care. A few minutes later and she didn’t care about anything but what Hecate’s nimble fingers were doing.

It was some hours later before Pippa roused herself awake. Rose-hued sunlight, angled low, cast long shadows across the floor. She could feel the warmth of Hecate pressed against her side. Turning her head, she looked straight into Hecate’s soft, brown eyes. “Hey, you,” she whispered, “have you been awake long?”

Hecate shrugged. “I drifted off for a bit…after…” her hand fluttered over them and a deep blush crept up her chest. “It didn’t last for long, though. I couldn’t quit thinking about…everything.” She brushed a strand of hair away from Pippa’s face. “The girl truly can’t be here, Pip. It’s dangerous. She’s dangerous. Reckless.”

“Another Mildred, then?” Pippa asked.

“No!” Hecate’s answer was much quicker and much firmer than Pippa expected. “Indigo was always reckless – but in a way Mildred Hubble is not. Mildred may make foolish decisions and cause a great deal of disruption, but it’s never been from a place of malice or selfishness. I cannot say the same for Indigo Moon.” Hecate laid her head on Pippa’s shoulder and wrapped an arm around her waist. “She was reckless and defiant before I used the Wishing Star. Once she became corrupted by magic,” Hecate shuddered, “she tried to destroy the school, Pippa. It’s only a matter of time before it happens again, and what if I can’t stop it? What if one of the girls is hurt – or worse – because of what I did all those years ago?”

“We’ll figure it out. Worst comes to worst, I’ll take her in at Pentangle’s or Ada can transfer her to Wormwood’s. What choice do we have, really?”

Gazing back at Pippa, Hecate’s lips twisted into a watery smile. “I love you for saying ‘we,’ but it really isn’t your responsibility.”

“You are my responsibility, Hecate Hardbroom. Just as I am yours. We will figure this out together.” She traced her fingers along Hecate’s hairline. “Let’s have some tea, and then let’s go see Ada. You asked me to leave things be when it comes to your confinement. And I have because you were right; nothing had changed and so it wasn’t likely anything would change. But things have changed now, darling. Indigo has her life back. It’s time for you to get yours. I want your permission to petition Hellibore to end your confinement. Please.” Hecate closed her eyes, finally nodding her agreement.

*****

Expense reports were not Hecate’s favorite part of the job. Technically, they weren’t even part of her job. Finances were part of the Headmistress’s responsibilities. That’s as may be, thought Hecate, but Ada truly loathed dealing with finances. She would find any excuse to put them off and then rush through them as quickly as possible. More than once, Hecate had been forced to pour over messy ledgers and crumpled receipts in an attempt to reconcile the accounting. Finally, she had simply taken over the books. Ada’s gratitude had been vast.

Hecate had just closed the ledger books and magicked them away when a sapphire blue envelope appeared on the desk in front of her. Scrambling backwards to her feet, Hecate tipped her chair over, startling both Ada and Pendle.

“Hecate?” Ada rose slowly to her feet, following her deputy’s wide-eyed gaze to the envelope on the desk. “I see.” She crossed quickly to Hecate’s side, placing a steadying hand on her waist. “I gather Miss Pentangle was successful in her efforts to gain an audience with His Greatness.”

“It would appear so.” Hecate still hadn’t taken her eyes off the envelope, nor had she made any move to touch it. Her hands remained pressed against her sides, fingertips brushing against her thumbs. “I don’t think I can…”

“Shall I then?” Once Hecate nodded, Ada gave her waist a squeeze and summoned the letter to her hand. Breaking the silver seal, Ada opened the envelope and began to read.

“By order of the Magical Council you are hereby ordered to appear before the Great Wizard at 3:45 pm, on the date indicated above, at the Court of Magical Conformity to receive the final decision and dispensation related to the matter of the permanent confinement of H. Hardbroom to Cackle’s Academy for multiple violations of the Witches Code.”

Once she finished reading, Ada looked up at Hecate. “At least it’s not an outright denial,” she said, voice over bright and a tad too loud. “That’s a positive, don’t you think?”

“Wh… when… What is the date?”

Ada glanced at the summons again. “Wednesday, the… Demdike and Chattox! It’s today! The hearing is today!”

Jerked out of her stupor, Hecate flipped open her watch. “It’s hardly more than two hours from now! Ada… I have classes and –”

“Not today, Dimity and Gwen will cover.” Ada began forcibly pushing Hecate out of her office. “Quickly, go change into your dress robes. I’ll find Dimity and Gwen.” When Hecate hesitated, Ada nudged her again. “Go!” As soon as Hecate transferred away, Ada transferred herself to the Witchball court.

“Miss Drill!” Ada waved and waited while Dimity jogged over to her. “It’s time. Are you ready?”

“Yes, Miss Cackle. Everything is set.” She turned back to the girls, blowing her whistle. “Mildred Hubble!”

Plaits flying, Mildred spun around and jogged over to them. “Yes, Miss Drill?”

“Gather your team, Mildred. It’s go time.”

Mildred’s expression turned hard, determined. “Yes, Miss Drill. We’re ready.” She turned to Ada. “We won’t let you down, Miss Cackle. Or Miss Hardbroom.”

“I know you won’t, Mildred.” She reached out and squeezed the girl’s shoulder. “You never have.”

“All right, get your skates on, then. Go on.” Dimity shooed her back to the other girls. “I’ll go tell Gwen and Algie. How’s HB?”

“About as well as you could expect, I reckon. I won’t relax until we’ve touched down at the Council building. This will all be for naught if she refuses to leave the castle.”

“Leave that to me, Miss Cackle.” Dimity winked and transferred away.

*****

Standing on the front step of the Academy, Hecate clutched her broomstick in her hand. She rubbed her thumb across twelve hashmarks magically burned into the wood – one mark for each time she’d left the Academy over the last thirty-odd years. Each mark represented another affirmation of her sentence - another reminder that she had been responsible for taking the life of another witch. Another reminder that her freedom, the life she might have had, was forfeit. Today she would add another mark. If she could muster up the bottle to mount her own broom.

“It’s a bit of a ‘mare, I reckon.”

Hecate turned to find Dimity leaning against the doorframe. “That’s a bit of an understatement.” She turned back to face the road. “I don’t even know why I’m going.”

“Because you, out of everyone I know, are the stubbornest, most tenacious witch I have ever had the privilege of knowing.” Dimity grinned. “So pull your socks up and get in there and tell old Hellisnore what’s what.” Hecate didn’t move, but Dimity could see her looking at her out of the corner of her eye. She didn’t miss the twitch of Hecate’s lips, either.

“The Great Wizard is unlikely to change his mind.”

“So? What does it matter if he doesn’t?” Dimity kicked off the door and went to stand by Hecate’s side. “You won’t be any worse off than you are right now.” She moved until she was standing in front of Hecate. “Now, you listen to me, Hecate Hardbroom. The life you have, right here at Cackle’s, is a good life. You have friends. Meaningful work that you enjoy. You are respected in your field. And you have a beautiful woman who loves you more than anything else in the world.” She winked up at Hecate. “I’m pretty sure she’s a real tiger in the sack.”

Hecate’s eyes flew open wide. “Miss Drill!” Her cheeks flamed. “That was entirely inappropriate!”

“Even though it’s entirely accurate,” purred a voice Hecate recognized at once.

“Pippa!” Hecate thrust the broomstick into Dimity’s hand and flung herself into Pippa’s open arms. “I’m so happy you’re here!” Pippa crushed Hecate against her, whispering soothing words in her ear.

“Well, it looks like things are well in hand here.” Dimity said, smirking. “I’ll leave her to you, Pentangle. The Great Wizard won’t know what hit him.” She transferred back to the Witchball court.

Hecate took advantage of their few minutes of solitude to pull Pippa into a deep kiss that lasted until the need for air became too much. “How… how did you… know to come?”

Pippa stepped back, fussing with Hecate’s robes. “I may have added my name to the list of people to be notified. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Never.” She stepped back as Ada appeared beside them, wearing her dress robes, broomstick in hand.

“Well met, Miss Pentangle.” She squeezed Hecate’s elbow. “Shall we get going? I’ve got a good feeling about it this time.”

Hecate rolled her eyes. So far, every time Ada had a ‘good feeling,’ it resulted in catastrophe. Nonetheless, she mounted her broom and followed Ada into the air, fingers wrapped tightly around the summons that would let her pass through the confinement barrier.

The flight was uneventful, and the trio soon found themselves waiting in the outer room of the Great Wizard’s office. Sumptuous leather chairs, aged wood and the smell of olde magick did little to soothe Hecate’s nerves. She kept her fingers laced tightly with Pippa’s, not talking, certainly not relaxing.

They all startled when the office door swung open and Miss Doomstone exited the Great Wizard’s office, still muttering under her breath about that ‘stubborn old toad.’

“Miss Cackle! Miss Hardbroom! Miss Pentangle! Well met!” She bent deeply, hand pressed to her forehead. “I’m so pleased I could offer my support today.” Doomstone smiled brightly and shook Hecate’s hand. “Good luck to you, Miss Hardbroom. I hope this miscarriage of justice is corrected soon.”

“T-thank you, Miss Doomstone.” Hecate watched, bewildered as the school inspector said her goodbyes to Ada and Pippa. “I don’t understand,” she muttered, once the woman had gone. Pippa smiled cryptically. Before she could answer, Millicent Darkside burst through the door, red scroll in hand. She nodded in their direction, marched across the room and let herself into the Great Wizard’s office.

Hecate looked back and forth between Ada and Pippa. Ada leaned against the chair, eyes closed, looking as though she were napping in her office chair by the fire back at Cackle’s. Pippa was busy with that infernal cell phone of hers, pink reading glasses perched on her nose. “Pip?”

Before Pippa could even look up, Miss Darkside burst back into the room, no longer carrying her red scroll. “The cauldron has been stirred, Miss Pentangle. Quite forcefully. Be careful that the potion hasn’t become unstable. Or ridiculously cantankerous.”

“Duly noted, Millicent. I’ll be sure to tread cautiously. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.”

“This matter should never have happened. If I’d known about this confinement then, Alma Cackle wouldn’t have been alone in her protests of it.” She hurried out of the room, leaving them alone again.

Hecate stared at the closed door for several long seconds before turning back to her love. “Pippa? What have you done?”

“I’ve tipped the cauldron in our favor, darling. And I’ve used every weapon I could to do it.”

The office door crashed open, accompanied by a sharp crack and a plume of purple smoke. The smoke cleared to reveal the Great Wizard, sapphire robes billowing around him. His face was almost the same shade of purple as the fading smoke. “Miss Hardbroom.”

Hecate scrabbled to her feet, already lifting her hand in greeting, but the Great Wizard spun on his heel and disappeared into his office. Hecate straightened slowly, glancing down at Ada and Pippa with worry-filled eyes. Pippa stood up and grabbed Hecate’s hand. “It’s going to be all right, darling.”

“MISS HARDBROOM!”

Ada jumped up and grabbed Hecate’s other hand, pulling them into the Great Wizard’s office. They jumped again as the door slammed shut behind them. Hellibore paced the length of the massive fireplace twice more before turning to face them, eyes narrowed.

“I don’t recall any names other than your own appearing on the summons,” Hellibore huffed.

Pippa stepped in front of Hecate, their hands still clasped together. “That’s as may be, Your Greatness. However, the Code explicitly states in Section 12, Clause 4 that…” She dropped Hecate’s hand and summoned both her well-worn copy of the Witches Code and her pink reading glasses. “Any wizard or witch summoned to appear before the Magic Council may of right be accompanied by witnesses of character as well as to facts presented in evidence, so long as that number remains fewer than six.” Pippa looked at the Great Wizard over the rims of her glasses. “As you can see, we are well within the limit set out by the Code.” She smiled sweetly, but her eyes remained hard.

The Great Wizard held her gaze for a moment, before turning away. He gestured toward his desk, an ornate mahogany monstrosity that was currently overflowing with red scrolls. “These began arriving two days ago. A trickle at first, but now a deluge.” As he spoke, another red scroll appeared over the desk, dropping onto the pile and sending a stack of them cascading onto the heavy carpeting.

“I say, Your Greatness,” Ada smiled. “You do seem to have quite a collection. Might I inquire as to their nature?”

With a wave of his hand, Hellibore sent a scroll flying into Ada’s hands. “Statements of support. For Miss Hardbroom. It seems that a sizeable number of our community believe Miss Hardbroom has been unfairly punished.”

“They aren’t wrong,” Pippa said, her voice dripping with acid sweetness.

“They aren’t informed, more like,” Hellibore shot back.

“I don’t know that I would go that far, Your Greatness.” Ada cleared her throat and began to read.

“Miss Hecate Hardbroom has been instrumental in the education of generations of witches, securing the future of witchcraft and the Magical Community – a future she herself has been denied. What message does it send to our youth when they see that mistakes made as a child are never forgiven? That no amount of penance could ever be enough? As a child, Hecate Hardbroom broke the Witches Code in the most serious way possible, that is undeniable. What is also undeniable is that she has paid her dues, many times over. The time has come to lift the confinement that binds Hecate Hardbroom to Cackle’s Academy.”

Ada looked at Hecate, giving her the barest wink. “It’s signed by Eudora Blackthistle Hellibore. That’s your grandmother, if I’m not mistaken. Isn’t that lovely!” She transferred the scroll to safe-keeping. “I know just the person who will find that scroll fascinating.” Ada snapped her fingers and Felicity Foxglove appeared, maglet in hand.

“Well met, Your Greatness.” Felicity pressed her palm to her forehead and bowed deeply. “Thank you so much for contributing to my blog. It has the third largest circulation in the entire witching community.”

“What is the meaning of this nonsense?” Hellibore roared. “I won’t have children making a mockery of these proceedings –”

“If I might remind His Greatness,” Pippa interjected, smoothly interrupting his rant. “The Code does not specify the minimum age of witnesses during hearings of this type. And we’re still well below our limit.” She nodded at Felicity, who stepped forward holding out an over-sized microphone bedazzled in a rainbow of sparkling jewels.

“Can I quote you on that, Your Greatness? That children make a mockery of legal proceedings? Do you think it’s ironic that the legal proceedings in question involve a child breaking the Code?”

“Wait… what? No, you can’t quote me!”

“That’s okay. I’ll just put down ‘No Comment.’ Did you know that there are two wizards and one witch that broke the Code and caused bodily harm or death in the last five years and none of them received a punishment that involved permanent confinement? Or is that type of sentence only for children?”

“Who are you talking about?”

“When did the Witching legal system begin punishing children more severely than adults?” Felicity waited for the Great Wizard’s answer. He sputtered and stammered, looking between Ada, Pippa and Felicity in confusion. “I’ll just put ‘No Comment’ there as well. It won’t be much of an interview, but I’ll put it next to my article about Esper Vespertilio’s benefit concert for the Free Hecate Hardbroom organization.”

Pippa clapped her hands gleefully. “Oh, that sounds so exciting, Felicity! I can’t wait to read it. Perhaps a photo session later?”

A bright flash set spots in everyone’s eyes. “That’s okay, Miss Pentangle. I just got one of The Great Wizard for my story.” She waved her hand over the maglet and murmured a quiet spell, projecting the picture for all of them to see. Hellibore was looking slightly away from the camera, mouth agape, hands frozen mid-air. His expression fell somewhere between slightly unhinged and a yowling madman. “Thank you for your time, Your Greatness!” Before the Hellibore could respond, Ada transferred Felicity away.

“What… what was she talking about? Free Hecate Hardbroom? What nonsense is that?” He glared at Hecate who looked just as confused as he did.

“Not nonsense,” Pippa snapped. She stared Hellibore down, breaking eye contact just before she crossed the line from defiant to insubordinate. She knelt in front of Hecate, gentling her voice before she spoke. “Come with me, Hecate.” She pulled the bewildered woman to her feet and guided her to the window. “What do you see?”

Hecate clapped her hands over her mouth; Pippa was the only thing keeping her upright as her knees gave way. Hundreds of people were gathered in front of the Magic Council building. Many carried signs demanding her confinement be lifted. Other signs simply read ‘Free Hecate.’ Almost everyone wore the red sash of Hecate’s house at Cackle’s. The current Third Years stood in front of the crowd holding up an enormous banner reading FREE HECATE HARDBROOM as Mildred Hubble, Miss Drill’s bullhorn in hand, led them all in a chant.

“I don’t understand…” Hecate’s throat worked as she tried to gather her thoughts. “Who…”

“They’re all here for you, Hiccup,” Pippa murmured. “All these people are here to support you.” She cast a baleful glance at the Great Wizard. “No one believes your punishment to be just. Everyone – OH! Look, Hecate, there’s Dimity!” Pippa pointed to a tiny figure zooming high over the crowd on a broomstick. Suddenly, red smoke began billowing out behind her, causing the crowd to cheer wildly. They continued to cheer as Dimity swooped and spun to write ‘Free Hecate Hardbroom’ across the sky.

“Really, Ada? I know the students at Cackle’s have never had a proper respect for decorum or tradition, but to think that you, of all people, have resorted to parading them across my lawn in an attempt to manipulate my decision. Disgraceful.”

“Oh, I agree, Your Greatness, it certainly would be disgraceful - if I had done what you’re suggesting.” Ada smiled her sweetest smile at him. “However, I have not. In fact, each of those girls knows fully well that leaving the grounds today would incur serious consequences. They’ve still chosen to support Miss Hardbroom today.”

“Which reminds me,” Pippa interrupted, “I believe we have another witness who wishes to testify on Hecate’s behalf.” The Great Wizard started to speak, but Pippa cut him off. “I believe this will be four – still under our limit.” She walked Hecate back to the sofa and settled her in place. “It’s almost over, darling,” she whispered, taking the opportunity - while her back was turned to the Great Wizard - to blow Hecate a tiny kiss. When she turned back around, Mildred Hubble was standing in the middle of the room.

“Hello, Your Greatness.” Mildred gave the traditional greeting, much less clumsily that her usual attempts.

“Mildred Hubble, hmph. How did I know that you would be in the middle of all of this?” He threw his hands in the air and stalked back to the window, staring at the crowd. Some of the witching world’s most prominent families were represented today. Hellibore spotted Alicia Thunderblast, Head of Weirdsister College, the Spellbinders, Emerson Blackwood, and even two of the Le Fey sisters. Somehow, this had begun to spiral out of his control. He turned to find himself under the intense scrutiny of Pippa Pentangle and suddenly he realized exactly why. “Go on then. What do you have to say in all this?”

“Only that it’s my fault any of this happened. I wanted my mum to have magic, like she should have had all along. So, I stole the Wishing Star and made her magic. I didn’t know what the consequences would be.” She turned to look at Hecate. “Just like Joy Hardbroom didn’t know what the consequences would be. I thought Mum should have magic because I was selfish. Joy wanted Indy to have magic because she missed her best friend. I probably would have done the same thing.” Mildred shrugged awkwardly. “I did do the same thing. And the same horrible thing happened – she lost her best friend all over again, only this time it was her fault. I can’t imagine how that felt, can you? To know that her best friend had been turned to stone? Killed for all she knew? And it was her fault. I didn’t understand that when she first told me. I was too worried about Mum, I guess. But Miss Hardbroom helped me. Later, after Mum was all right, I had time to think. Did anyone help Miss Hardbroom? If there was a spell to reverse being turned to stone, why didn’t anyone use it on Indigo?” She looked beseechingly up at the Great Wizard, waiting for an answer. When one didn’t come, she trudged on. “How long is long enough, Your Greatness? Indigo has her life back. Shouldn’t Miss Hardbroom have hers, too?”

“It isn’t as simple as you think, child.” Hellibore’s voice still carried its early bluster, but it was obvious to everyone that his heart was no longer in it. “This was the most serious violation of the Code that a witch could commit.”

“Probably not. But, if that’s really the case, shouldn’t I be suffering the same punishment?” Mildred squared her shoulders before she spoke again. “You should order me to be confined to Cackle’s as well.”

“Mildred! No!” Hecate was on her feet in an instant. “Don’t listen to her, Your Greatness! She’s just a child, she doesn’t know any better.”

“You are correct, Mildred Hubble. Do you know why I did not? Because Miss Hardbroom spoke for you.” He pointed a finger at her. “You are a very lucky girl that she did that.”

“I know. I’m lucky Miss Hardbroom has been my teacher. All of us are. If you don’t mind me asking though, why did you listen to her? If you really think she should still be punished, why take her advice? Or do you trust her judgement now? And if that’s true, why keep her confined when the reasons she was confined in the first place don’t exist anymore?” She raced across the room and flung her arms around Hecate. “Thank you, Miss Hardbroom, for everything.” Turning to Pippa, Mildred nodded. “I’m finished Miss Pentangle. You can send me back now.” Pippa waved a hand and Mildred was gone.

“I hope that is the last of our histrionics, Miss Pentangle.” He gestured towards the window. “And you may call off… whatever that is.”

“It’s only the beginning, Your Greatness.” Pippa smoothed her skirt. “This is what I could put together on a few hours’ notice.” She smiled that unnerving fae smile that drew you in until you realized it didn’t reach her eyes. “Do you remember when I first wanted to open Pentangle’s? Closed door after closed door. As I recall, you yourself called me a ‘foolish dreamer of a girl.’ Do you remember that?”

“Miss Pentangle –”

“Because I do. I remember every dismissal, every condescending word, every outright insult. Time and again I was told I couldn’t do it.” She took a step towards him. “But I did it anyway. I made my school. You called me as tenacious as a tiger leech.”

The Great Wizard was beginning to look uncomfortable. “I’ll admit those words were ill-chosen.”

“Oh, no. Those words were chosen perfectly. Tenacious didn’t begin to cover it. I went after my goal with everything I had. And I won. Pentangle’s is here. It’s a leader among witching schools, outscoring all the rest, save Cackle’s in potions.” She took another step closer, leaving only a few inches between them. “Here’s what I want you to remember, Your Greatness. I would abandon Pentangle’s in an instant,” she snapped her fingers in his face, “for Hecate Hardbroom. Everything I did to make Pentangle’s a reality pales in comparison to what I am prepared to do to now. A lifetime confinement for a mistake made as a child is a grave miscarriage of justice. It’s time for you to be worthy of the title Great. Fix this or I promise today will look like a tea party compared to the chaos I will bring.” She smiled again and stepped back, holding a hand out to Hecate. “When shall we expect your decision?”

Hellibore ground his teeth together, rage and frustration setting his magic to boiling under his skin. Outside the chanting gave way to cheering again as fireworks blazed across the sky. A headache blossomed just behind his left eye. “You’ll have my decision by the end of the week.”

*****

Her maglet chimed and Pippa practically leapt across the room, sending it clattering to the floor in her haste to read the message.

AUNTIE EDITH’S APOTHECARY: FLASH SALE

Today only: 25% off student-grade cauldrons Plus 10% off your total purchase of everything (except slivered lacewings)

Growling in frustration, Pippa flung the maglet to the other end of the sofa. “End of the week, he said. Whenever I can magic up some stones, more like.” It had now been seven full days since the meeting with the Great Wizard, and it felt like he was stringing them on as long as possible. Pippa had been a bundle of nerves all day as an endless stream of mirror chats, maglet messages, phone calls and texts had poured in. Some were from concerned friends asking if there had been news, but most were just the daily annoyances that she’d had no idea came so frequently. Each time something chimed, her heart flew into her throat while her stomach dropped, leaving her feeling little more than a void.

She couldn’t imagine how Hecate felt right now, knowing she had to shove her anxiety down and teach as though this week was no different from any other. Pippa knew that distraction led to disaster and that no one knew better than Hecate that nerves and magic Do. Not. Mix. Pippa didn’t even trust herself to make a cup of tea with her magic right now.

Worse, Pippa now understood with sickening clarity why Hecate didn’t want to go through this – and why Ada had agreed to let the matter drop.

A knock at the door sent Pippa accidentally transferring into her clothes cupboard. Spewing a string of profanities as she untangled herself from her clothes, Pippa rushed back to her door. “I told you I didn’t want to be disturbed today!” She jerked the door open. “Did you not –”

Hecate Hardbroom stood on the other side, broomstick in hand, hair loose and wild, grinning with her whole face. “It’s over. He lifted the confinement!”

Pippa pulled Hecate into her room, arms flying around her, kissing and laughing. “That’s wonderful!”

“You did it, Pip – he was terrified of what you would do next time.” She kissed Pippa again.

Pippa melted into the kiss, keeping it going until her lungs were burning for air and kissing Hecate still. Finally, Hecate pulled away, gasping. “I can’t believe it, Hiccup. You’re free! Bats, Hecate we need to… go somewhere… where do you want to go first?”

“Anywhere.” She kissed Pippa again. “Everywhere.” Another kiss. “As long as I’m with you, it doesn’t matter.” One more kiss. “Right now, though, right now I want to go to your bedroom.”

“Done!” Pippa magicked the door locked, shut off every device and set the strongest silencing spells she’d ever cast. “Welcome home, Hecate.”

#hicsqueak #hecate hardbroom #pippa pentangle #tww 2017 spoilers

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