"No matter how desperately they need you, they will never truly trust you."

Before Agnete was the village's Witch, she was a Witch's daughter. She's spent her entire life learning that no matter how many charms or remedies she makes, she will always be an outcast. Kindness and warmth will never soften the ire of the superstitious villagers. It didn't for her mother. And Agnete knows that it won't for her. But...

"No matter how desperately they need you, they will never truly trust you."

Before Agnete was the village's Witch, she was a Witch's daughter. She's spent her entire life learning that no matter how many charms or remedies she makes, she will always be an outcast. Kindness and warmth will never soften the ire of the superstitious villagers. It didn't for her mother. And Agnete knows that it won't for her. But that doesn't stop her from trying.

Lucia, on the other hand, is the village darling- innocent, graceful, and regarded as the most beautiful woman in the entire village. It seemed only right that she would become the young wife of the Mayor. When Agnete finds Lucia knocking on her door, she's surprised to find that the beautiful young woman isn't what she seems: Lucia uses the reputation that the village has foisted on her to serve her own steel-hearted ambitions... Ambitons that have lead her to Agnete's cottage in the woods, agreeing to exchange her firstborn child for an ongoing supply of powerful sleeping herbs.

This queer, autumnal love story follows the friendship and romance that Agnete & Lucia share while struggling with the differing, oppressive roles that their small village home has forced on them. It celebrates the intimacy of feminine friendship, the all-consuming longing for escape, and the power of forging your own path & demanding better for yourself.

If you hate small towns and the patriarchy, and love best friends to lovers, cottagecore lesbian witches, and moody fall ambience, this short novel is for you.