Laleia Wild Orchid: THE WITCHES OF TIME, #2

By Michelle Meah

The second helping in a trilogy, following on from 'The Witches Of Time. A periodic drama set in the 1800s. Life is far from cosy for the inhabitants of this small village. Now reunited with her family, Maddy and Malena settle into rural living. A life of a witch is seldom calm, as Maddy and Malena are about to find out. Alarine was due home days ago but instead of their old friend, Felicia finds a young powerful seer at her door. Laleia seems genuine and kind, but one of the witches does not believe she is who she claims to be. Meanwhile in a cell, Alarine meets an old friend and a new one. Secrets and lies are at the heart of this tale. In the cell Alarine finds out the truth about Joshua.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michelle Meah
• Release date: Oct 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393494232

Book preview

LALEIA

WILD ORCHID       

BY

MICHELLE MEAH

Copyright2020 MICHELLE MEAH

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Table of Contents

..........................................2

CHAPTER ONE..........................3

CHAPTER TWO..........................8

CHAPTER THREE......................13

CHAPTER FOUR.......................28

CHAPTER FIVE.........................36

CHAPTER SIX..........................46

CHAPTER SEVEN......................57

CHAPTER EIGHT.......................68

CHAPTER NINE........................76

CHAPTER TEN.........................79

CHAPTER ELEVEN.....................85

CHAPTER TWELVE.....................95

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.................104

CHAPTER 14..........................111

CHAPTER FIFTEEN...................118

CHAPTER SIXTEEN...................130

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN...............139

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.................144

CHAPTER NINETEEN.................152

CHAPTER TWENTY...................163

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE..............172

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.............180

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE...........192

Acknowledgements....................204

AUTHOR’S MESSAGE.................205

CHAPTER ONE

ALARINE AND LALEIA stopped by the stream on the last village before home.  Alarine had become weary, she needed to rest.  Laleia had gone quiet and the journey had been a long one.  The sun high in the sky today, only made their journey decidedly more treacherous.  The humidity in the air prickled at their skin. 

The old witch not usually a weak soul needed sleep.

Laleia, we will stop for a little while, I am not so young any more and I need to rest.

Laleia looked on at her captor, isn’t that what she had been in the beginning.  Alarine had tricked her to come outside of her cottage and had trapped her in an enchanted circle. Laleia had fought Alarine at first, up until the point that the old witch told her of the lords’ plans.  Laleia had been horrified at the fact that he had lied to her, that he still wanted Malena.  He had promised to yield the witches to her will, she would not only be a seer but also a high priestess.  Leader of all the covens. He had used her gifts for his own gain, and had lied about ending the life of Malena and her offspring.  Alarine had not left anything out, the old witch had re told the story of Malena and Maddy.  How he had searched for mother and daughter for eighteen years.  Laleia already knew the story, but it wasn’t exactly how Alarine thought it was, still there could be something to be had by following the old witch home.

Alarine was laid on the grass, Laleia sat down at the river bank with her back to the old woman.

How do you know I won’t run from you once you are asleep?

Alarine opened one eye.

Laleia, you are not my prisoner, you are free to go if that is your wish. Laleia looked deep into the water, she made no response.

Did you hear me child.  After a short while Laleia answered.

Yes I hear you, but why did you not return me to the cottage from where you found me?

Alarine sighed.  She wasn’t going to get any sleep at this rate.  She got up from her laying position and joined the seer at the river bank.  Taking the girls’ hand in hers, she looked deep into Laleia’s blue eyes.  How could I leave you there, we have been through this.  If the lord ever releases himself from his prison, you will be his first port of call.  In his clutches, let me just say my dear, it will not end pretty for you.

Laleia looked on beyond the water.

Do you wish me to take you back to your cottage? enquired Alarine.  Laleia shook her head.  Alarine smiled at her, the young girl looked close to tears.  Although Alarine did not know much about the girl she felt sorry for her, had loneliness forced her into the lords’ arms or was it a willingness to be loved, Alarine did not know.  The old witch could only offer love and understanding, as she herself had almost crossed that bridge of right and wrong.  What is it Laleia, what is wrong? Alarine was becoming concerned about her young travelling companion.  Your home Alarine, this Malena and her family, they will hate me for what I have done.  Alarine hugged the girl then, she gently stroked her blonde hair.  Hush my dear, Malena and her family are very forgiving, that is our way.  They could no more hate you than, than, well I don’t know what.  I know they will not hate you.  Laleia smiled then, this woman seemed to have taken her into her heart, why she didn’t know. 

Alarine, can you tell me about your home again? Alarine smiled.  They both laid down on the grass, the sun was beaming down on them.  Alarine started to speak of the two cottages, one hidden behind the other.  Before long Alarine’s speech became slower, the heavy breathing between each word.  The pauses between each word spoken, within seconds both the young girl and the old witch were fast asleep.

CHAPTER TWO

MALENA HAD BEEN BACK with her family for four days now, they had all settled in a routine.  Maddy had eventually left her side for five minutes.  Today Maddy had gone with her grandfather to the village to collect supplies.  They had run low on a lot of groceries, as it was Alarine who used to stock both cottages with essential items.

Felicia was sat opposite Malena, they were both grinding herbs and flowers for blends to use in their work.

Have you heard from Alarine yet? enquired Malena.  Malena was getting anxious about the old witch, she had never been away from home for so long.

No dear, maybe she stopped off at a neighbouring coven.  Don’t worry so, I am sure our old friend is fine.  Malena wasn’t so sure, she had the most awful gut feeling.  Malena had stopped grinding the herbs and flowers and was staring into space.  Felicia touched her daughter’s hand which made Malena jump.

Sweetheart, I’m sure Alarine is on her way home.

Malena sighed.  I hope so, I do not like to think of her on her own.  What if... Malena looked deep into her mother’s eyes.  Felicia could only smile back. I am certain that Alarine will be with us soon.  We shall have a feast for her arrival.  We can start baking when Maddy and your father return if you would like."  Felicia needed to take her daughter’s mind off her troubles.  Malena had been through so much, her heart ached for her, for all the years she had lost with Maddy.  Now they were all back together, normal life had resumed.  Alarine would soon be back home and they could celebrate their first family meal together.  Malena smiled, but the worried look did not leave her eyes.  At that moment they both heard a clattering outside the kitchen door, both women shocked out of their troubles, ran to the door. 

In the doorway lay bags of flour, potatoes, green vegetables and fresh meat.  Outside Jacob was getting more brown bags down off the cart.  Old Ned had given Jacob and Maddy a lift back home.  Jacob appeared with another sack of flour, he smiled when he saw his wife and daughter stood in the doorway.  Maddy went a little crazy. Maddy laughed at her grandfather. You were just as crazy grandfather.  Jacob shrugged his shoulders at the two women.

Felicia looked at all the bags laid in front of her, and shook her head.  Jacob, how much food do you think we can eat?, why there’s enough food here for the whole village. exclaimed his wife.  Malena was laughing, as Maddy brought another sack, Malena grabbed her daughter and held her close. Maddy looked up into those beautiful green eyes, she was so happy to be with her family, she hoped life would always be this simple. The love had been instant between them.  It was easier for Malena, she’d had to leave Maddy at such a young age, she was already in love with the child.  For Maddy, growing up in an orphanage, always thinking she was an orphan, then meeting Father Time, Alarine, her grandmother and mother.  The love she felt for them all made her heart soar.

Jacob scratched at his head in confusion. Well, I don’t know how Alarine did it for all these years.  She got rations for a month for two houses!  Jacob was still scratching at his head when old Ned got down off the cart, laughing at Jacob.  Jacob, she didn’t do it all in one trip, the crafty old woman had me going to the village two maybe three times a week.  Jacob stared at Ned in disbelief.  Well that woman, I did wonder how she did it.  I will be happy when she returns home, this carting stuff about isn’t for me.  Ned was laughing at his dear friend, as were all the women.

Will you come in for a cuppa Ned? asked Jacob.  Ned smiled and tipped his hat at the ladies.  "Thank you Jacob but no, I must get on, I still have vegetables to deliver to old Mr Albert.  In Ned’s mind, Jacob was a very lucky fellow, three beautiful women, they were a lovely family and now Malena and Maddy were back home, Jacob’s life would seem complete.  As for his own life, he was a happy fellow too, he and his wife had been blessed with three strapping lads, life was certainly interesting for both he and Jacob.

CHAPTER THREE

LALEIA WOKE TO THE sound of horses being ridden at a fast pace.  Alarmed,