PW #102: Adult Fantasy: THE LAST WITCH OF CAELHEARTH

Manuscript Status: 2 WEEKS DELIVERY

Mentor Name: Carrie Callaghan
Mentee Name: ReLynn Vaughn
Title: THE LAST WITCH OF CAELHEARTH
Category: Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Word Count: 110,000

Pitch:

Throughout Willa’s young life, strong magic was forbidden. But when the rebellious Baron arrives to conscript her village, her own magic erupts. She kills a man, fails to save her beloved, and is kidnapped by the Baron, who wishes to shape her into a weapon. If Willa resists, he’ll slaughter her village. But cooperation would destroy her kingdom.

Excerpt:

Bright sun warmed the linen between Willa’s fingers. Her mam had made the gown for her seventeenth nameday. “We’ll never get there if you don’t hurry on, Willa!” Lettie pulled on their brother Jahn’s arm. “All the best treats will be gone!”

“I’m coming.” Willa hurried. She looked forward to the midsummer faire, with the lively music, the spiced meat pies, and the rare wonders like silk ribbons and shiny lover’s jewelry.

“You’re grinning like a fool, sister mine.” Jahn glanced at her.

“It’s a beautiful day.” Thinking of the young man waiting for her, Willa’s heart fluttered with sparrow’s wings. She shifted her basket. Two glass jars clinked into each other.

Jahn stopped, pitching Lettie forward in surprise.

“Willa, you didn’t.” His face darkened. “You know that it’s…”

“Dangerous. I know.” She kept the basket out of reach. “It’s not every order. Just Master Tolliver’s and Mistress Fisher’s. No one will see.”

“You play with fire, girl.” Jahn grabbed Lettie, pulling her along. Willa held back, and a stone seemed to settle in her stomach. Jahn was right, she should have waited until there weren’t outsiders in Fairgate. Small magic like hers the law tolerated at best.

But she loved helping people, and the little she brought in made her family more comfortable. Willa fingered the little glass jars, her fingers warming with the tickle of magic. Surely there would be no harm in carrying on with her deliveries.