The Honey Witch

As the group leaves Innisfree, Marigold is anxious. She fears what might happen to Innisfree in her absence, with the landvættirs’ strange transformations. She’s also worried about seeing her mother again after all this time. Still, she feels she owes it to her family to visit, and she doesn’t want to let Aster and Frankie down. Marigold is happy to have August and Lottie accompanying her.

When the group disembarks from the boat and moves their things to Mr. Benny’s carriage, Lottie realizes she left behind a special book of nursery rhymes that her parents left her. It’s all she has of them. Lottie is distraught, knowing she left it in Marigold’s cottage, but she chooses to proceed to Bardshire without it.

When transferring from Mr. Benny’s carriage to the ship that will take them to Bardshire, Marigold’s foot catches on the dock. She thinks this is a sign she should not go, but she presses on. The ship has separated men’s and women’s quarters, so Marigold and Lottie room together. Lottie undresses in front of Marigold, which catches Marigold off-guard. Marigold tries not to look but catches herself admiring Lottie’s tattoos. Lottie thinks Marigold doesn’t like the tattoos because she’s trying not to look, but Marigold tells Lottie that she and her tattoos are beautiful.

Lottie shows Marigold her favorite tattoo below her breasts. The tattoo resembles the protection rune that Marigold has drawn all over the isle. Marigold asks about the design. Lottie recalls seeing this symbol in her childhood home, and it comforts her. Marigold wonders about Lottie’s past and Lottie’s mother. Marigold decides she wants a bee in the same spot that Lottie has her rune. Lottie happily agrees to tattoo her.

Marigold is nervous to undress in front of Lottie. Marigold confesses to Lottie that she finds Lottie so beautiful. She is intimidated. Lottie hugs Marigold. She feels the same about Marigold. Lottie wants Marigold to allow Lottie to see her. Marigold finishes stripping and lies down for Lottie.

As Lottie gets to work on her tattoo, Marigold wonders why she feels so strongly about Lottie despite the curse. She considers that it is simply lust. Lottie has Marigold bite down on her yellow hair ribbon while Lottie works. Marigold finds herself aroused as Lottie tattoos her.

Marigold is happy with the resulting tattoo. Lottie does not charge her, since Marigold gave Lottie the soulmate potion for free. Marigold asks if Lottie is beginning to believe in magic. Lottie doesn’t go that far, but she likes the idea of a soulmate. Marigold teases Lottie, but Lottie clarifies that she doesn’t believe in Marigold’s curse. They argue about whether Marigold is really cursed. Lottie says she can’t imagine anyone not falling in love with Marigold.

The women make extended eye contact until Lottie recoils, suddenly feeling sick. She rushes to the balcony and vomits. Lottie is certain this isn’t seasickness, as she’s never been seasick before. She worries about what’s happening to her, with the random bouts of nausea, tension, and headaches. Marigold fixes up some honey to ease Lottie’s stomach. Lottie is determined to figure out the cause of her ailments.

The women retire to bed. In the dark, Lottie confesses that she hasn’t felt any pulls from her soulmate potion like August described. Marigold feels the spell should have worked by now and worries that Lottie does not have a soulmate. Marigold tells Lottie that they should not get too close because of the curse. Lottie doesn’t believe that’s what Marigold truly wants, and she argues with Marigold about the curse existing. They drop the subject without agreeing.

In the morning, Lottie challenges Marigold’s request for respectful distance by helping her dress her tattoo. Lottie touches Marigold’s skin with desire. As Lottie tends to the tattoo, Marigold thinks about the spirit guardians of Innisfree, hoping they are okay. She also considers her other concerns about her return to Bardshire and her developing feelings for Lottie. August excitedly fetches the ladies, ready to meet his soulmate in Bardshire.

When they arrive at the Claude estate, Marigold is anxious to see her family again after so long. Lottie comforts her and helps her out of the carriage. Lottie holds Marigold’s hand as they wander through the house in search of Marigold’s family members. Lottie gets a headache that she must recover from, and when it passes, she declares that she believes she knows the source of her illness.

Before Lottie can elaborate, they encounter Aster, who is overjoyed to see Marigold. The sisters have an emotional reunion. Frankie finds them and joins in the reunion. Marigold introduces her siblings to her friends. There is electricity in the air when August and Frankie meet. Marigold notices this and asks Frankie to show August to his room. She believes Frankie and August are soulmates.

Marigold shows Lottie her room, and once they are alone, Lottie returns to her theory about her headaches and nausea. She wants to test her theory, but she does not reveal what it is. Marigold consents, and Lottie kisses her. The two remain locked in a kiss for a moment before Lottie tears away and begins convulsing. Marigold holds and comforts Lottie until she stabilizes. When Lottie comes to consciousness, she declares that Marigold’s curse and magic are real.

Marigold steps out so Lottie can rest. Marigold and her mother have an emotional reunion in which Raina admits she handled everything wrong. Raina shows Marigold the burn scar on her hand where she defended Marigold from Versa many years ago. Raina had asked Althea if she could give up love for magic and regain her powers, but it was too late. Raina just wanted to keep Marigold safe, so without her powers, she decided the best plan was to hide Marigold away. Raina is now proud of Marigold and happy Marigold made the decision for herself.

Marigold confides in her mother that she isn’t sure she made the right choice. Marigold is confused about how Lottie can withstand the curse to an extent, but Raina doesn’t think it’s possible. Marigold tells of their kiss, and Raina speculates that they will break the curse with true love, like in fairy tales. Raina encourages Marigold to be open to love.

Marigold returns to Lottie’s room. Lottie explains that she’s figured everything out. She developed feelings for Marigold the first time she saw Marigold, and that’s the first time she felt nauseous; looking at Marigold’s face made her sick. Since then, every time Lottie has felt the impulse to act on her feelings, she’s been met with pain in some form. Lottie is certain this is Marigold’s curse in action. Marigold thought that no one could feel love for her at all, but Lottie assures Marigold it isn’t simply lust. Lottie is somehow defying the curse, and she’s being punished for it. Marigold wonders if it’s related to Lottie’s protection rune tattoo.

Lottie thinks they can outsmart the curse, because Lottie has slowly been able to push things further and further with Marigold. She wants to know how far they’ll be able to go. Marigold refuses at first, concerned for Lottie’s safety, but agrees they can push the boundaries once they return to Innisfree. Marigold wants resources in case she needs to heal Lottie. They agree they want to be together.

At dinner, Marigold introduces Lottie to Lord Claude, Marigold’s father and Lottie’s favorite artist. The family discusses wedding plans. Aster insists Marigold and Lottie visit the modiste to be fitted for gowns first thing in the morning. Marigold and Lottie both realize that Lottie will have to reveal her tattoos to the modiste to be fitted. Marigold quietly assures Lottie that they will figure something out.

There will be a masquerade party in the pleasure gardens tomorrow. Frankie plans to bring August to show him the park, and he invites Marigold and Lottie to join them. Marigold would love to attend a masquerade with Lottie, but she worries about the curse.

Marigold’s family is warm and welcoming to Lottie and August. Frankie asks Marigold to sing as a joke. Marigold is a bad singer, but she goes along with it, knowing it will make everyone laugh. The dinner ends on a positive note.

The following morning, Marigold finds Lottie drawing in the gardens with Lord Claude, who is impressed by her talent. Marigold asks to see Lottie’s sketchbook again, but Lottie refuses. Marigold snatches the book and runs off with it, with Lottie chasing close behind. Marigold unintentionally leads them to the meadow.

Marigold is emotional when she sees her meadow again after so long. Marigold apologizes for taking the sketchbook and hands it back. Lottie tells Marigold to stay still while she scribbles a portrait of Marigold in the meadow. Marigold is flattered by the portrait. Lottie lets her look at the rest of the sketchbook and confesses that she’s drawn Marigold several times now.

Lottie has also drawn the landvættir, which Lottie thought were just strange animals native to the isle. Marigold explains that they are spirit guardians, but Lottie shouldn’t be able to see them. Lottie is thankful she can see them because they are beautiful. As they leave the garden, Marigold spots a six-pointed ivy leaf—an omen of falling in love.

On the way to the modiste, Marigold and Lottie formulate a plan to hide Lottie’s tattoos. The modiste, Madame Genevieve, is the town gossip, and she would certainly gossip if she saw the tattoos. They decide they’ll insist the modiste measure Lottie outside her clothing.

Madame Genevieve greets them and gives Marigold a hard time about fleeing town. It is scandalous that Marigold left Bardshire and never wed, so Marigold is careful with the information she reveals to Madame Geneveive. Marigold tries on a dress Madame Geneveive has prepared for her, and it fits nearly perfectly.

Madame Genevieve turns her attention to Lottie. She thinks it’s absurd to measure someone on top of their clothes and refuses to do so. Marigold finds some dresses that would work to cover Lottie’s tattoos and asks for Lottie to wear those instead. The first dress works well for Lottie and will be worn to the wedding. Madame Genevieve pins it in place while Lottie has it on.

Lottie finds the second dress too tight. Madame Genevieve insists Lottie try a summer dress instead and interrupts Lottie changing, catching Lottie with her tattoos visible. Marigold tries to intimidate Madame Genevieve into silence, but Madame Genevieve wants to be paid for her silence. Marigold agrees to the modiste’s new price, and the ladies leave, planning to return later when Madame Genevieve has finished the alterations.

Marigold returns later with an enchanted piece of honey cake as an apology. When Madame Genevieve eats the cake, she loses her memory of the day. She apologizes to Marigold for being exhausted and out of sorts. Marigold pays the original price for the dresses.

Marigold, Lottie, August, and Frankie are dressed up for the masquerade. Marigold promises to stay by Lottie’s side the entire night. The party is elaborately decorated and every attendee wears a mask.

Lottie and Marigold visit a fortune teller. The cards hint at a troubled heart, a growing danger, and death. Marigold is shaken by the cards, but Lottie reassures her that it’s all for fun. She doesn’t believe in the fortune teller’s magic.

Marigold takes Lottie to the dance floor. They quickly gather the attention of the rest of the attendees. They finish their intimate dance to raucous applause. Marigold steps away to fetch champagne for Lottie, and when she returns, a man is pestering Lottie for a dance. Marigold rushes to Lottie’s defense and recognizes the man’s voice—it’s her ex-partner, George Tennyson. His hand is bare, signifying his broken engagement to Priya.

Marigold points this out, violating a rule of the masquerade by identifying George. George recognizes Marigold too, and snaps that she left town because he got engaged. Marigold clarifies that it has nothing to do with him. Lottie defends Marigold, referring to Marigold as her girl. Marigold is so enraged at George that she accidentally summons a storm to the masquerade. Lottie calms Marigold down, pleading because she is afraid of storms. Marigold feels shame for losing control and scaring Lottie.

Marigold and Lottie want to be alone, so they flee to the hedge maze to get lost with each other. Marigold would do anything for another kiss from Lottie. They hold each other close. Lottie asks Marigold to kiss her, hoping the curse will be easier to withstand if Lottie isn’t the one initiating.

Marigold kisses Lottie passionately, and the women’s hands roam each other’s bodies. As Marigold kisses down Lottie’s neck, Lottie begins to gasp for air. Marigold quickly feeds honey to Lottie to calm the effects of the curse.

A storm forms above Marigold again, and a ring of fire surrounds the women. Marigold isn’t sure why it’s happening. Marigold holds Lottie close and uses the storm to put out the flames before dissipating it.

Lottie wants to keep going with Marigold despite the risk. Marigold is so swept up in Lottie that she agrees, and they rush through the maze for a deeper, more private location. They run into August and Frankie, who had the same idea. Frankie and August know they are soulmates and were sneaking off to kiss. Marigold confesses she and Lottie snuck off for the same reason. Frankie asks about Marigold’s curse. Marigold loathes the reminder. She knows she cannot keep putting Lottie at risk.

Marigold finds herself feeling bitter that everyone around her has found love while she remains destined to live without it. Marigold wishes Lottie could love her without destroying herself. As Marigold walks Lottie to her room, Lottie asks quietly if Marigold thinks the curse can ever be broken. Marigold feels tonight’s events proved the answer to be no. She mourns the love that they can never have, and worst of all, she knows Lottie’s soulmate spell will work soon. Lottie is destined for another.

Marigold searches her grimoire for information about the storm she summoned, wondering how it and the flames came without spells or incantations. Marigold finds a page that explains that when ash magic and honey magic are close together, they both get stronger. Marigold worries that an Ash Witch might have been near to cause the flames, but perhaps it was also just the ash magic of the curse at play. She also wonders about the landvættir back home. She knows it had to be ash magic that transformed them. Marigold regrets putting Lottie in danger for her own desires. Marigold vows to harden her walls and make sure no one ever gets close again.

Marigold awakens the next morning and hastily gets ready for Aster’s wedding. Marigold learns that Lottie has not been up at all and has stated she’s too ill to attend the wedding. Lottie is emotional about Marigold’s magic and her curse. She feels as though she cannot grasp and enjoy her feelings for Marigold because the curse is trying to repel her. Lottie wants Marigold to attend the wedding alone so Lottie won’t bring Marigold down, but Marigold insists Lottie come with her.

During the wedding ceremony, Marigold is overwhelmed by how much love is in the room, but when she locks eyes with Lottie, there are only tears. Marigold wishes she could hold and comfort Lottie. During the reception, Frankie and August speculate about their own future wedding. They aren’t engaged, but knowing they are soulmates helps them plan for the future. Lottie seems distraught by the idea of August going off with his soulmate and leaving her behind, but she maintains her composure.

Marigold invites Frankie to return to Innisfree with her so he can be close to August. Frankie declines. He and August have planned a trip around the world—a trip August has always dreamt of. Frankie and August are not sure where they plan to settle down together, but they will have plenty of time to figure that out. Lottie is clearly distressed at the idea of losing her friend, but she keeps it together.

Marigold confides in her mother what happened in the hedge maze with the fire and the storm. Raina scolds Marigold for not being more careful and for putting Lottie at risk. She warns Marigold not to let Lottie become her undoing. Lottie and August take time to talk alone.

Marigold feels trapped in her life as a cursed Honey Witch. She says goodbye to her family, preparing to return to Innisfree. Lottie makes them leave late because she needed to speak to August one more time. In the carriage, Marigold reassures Lottie that they’ll see August again soon, but she secretly worries that Lottie blames her for the spell that took August away from them.

They arrive at the dock late, having missed their ship. A storm quickly approaches, so Marigold leads Lottie to a nearby inn where they can spend the night. There is only one room available. The room is small with a single bed and a broken window. Lottie is distraught. She hates storms, and she misses August. Marigold assures Lottie that she isn’t alone. Marigold will be with her.

Lottie talks about how she has always felt like a burden, and how she doesn’t feel August’s family should be taking care of her with August out of the picture. She believes she has nowhere to belong. Marigold wishes they could belong together. She hopes that being alone together is close enough to being together to make them both happy.

Marigold wants to sleep on the floor and give the bed to Lottie to maintain a respectful distance, but Lottie invites Marigold to join her in the small bed.

Marigold lies next to Lottie. She longs to give Lottie the love she deserves. Marigold asks about Lottie’s fear of storms. Lottie recalls being a child after her parents died but before the orphanage took her. Storms always ruined everything she had, including any food or warmth she had mustered. Lottie also recalls the symbol on her tattoo being the only thing that survived in her home after the fire took her parents. Marigold tells Lottie that the symbol is a protection rune used by witches. Marigold speculates about Lottie’s family, but Lottie shuts down the discussion, telling Marigold to instead focus on breaking the curse.

Lottie has one more theory she wants to test to see if she and Marigold can make a relationship work. Lottie instructs Marigold to touch herself so Lottie can watch. She talks Marigold through visuals of what they could do to each other without the curse. Marigold responds with what she’d love to do to Lottie. Marigold climaxes, fantasizing about Lottie. As Marigold recovers, she confesses her love to Lottie. Lottie does not respond. Marigold opens her eyes to find Lottie has died.

Marigold attempts to revive Lottie the way she revives plants, but her magic does not work. She tries another method, painting healing runes all over Lottie’s body. This magic also fails, but Marigold keeps trying. She concentrates so hard that glass shatters around them from the oil lamps and window. Marigold exhausts herself to near unconsciousness, pleading for help.

Wild bees swarm into the room. The bees gather on the runes that cover Lottie’s body. They all sting Lottie at once. The bee venom and Marigold’s magic begin to revive Lottie. Marigold falls unconscious.

Marigold wakes to Lottie, who informs Marigold that she has slept for two days. Both women are thankful the other one is alive. Lottie is thankful Marigold saved her, but Marigold is still upset that she caused Lottie to die in the first place. She grieves the bees that gave their lives for Lottie. Lottie comforts Marigold. Marigold feels selfish and resolves to send Lottie away once they arrive in Innisfree.

Marigold remains quiet for the rest of their travels. All she’ll tell Lottie is that she feels sick. When their carriage arrives at Mr. Benny’s, he is terribly concerned. He tells Marigold something is wrong on Innisfree. He saw smoke the night before. Marigold blames herself for whatever disaster has taken place in her absence. Lottie tells Marigold that they will handle it together, but Marigold is certain that she must send Lottie away as soon as possible.

On the boat ride to Innisfree, Lottie, Marigold, and Mr. Benny see the will-o’-the-wisp flickering in the woods. Folktales say the light is an omen of sinister things. Marigold sees it more like a threat, as it has grown stronger and stronger since Marigold’s arrival in Innisfree.

When the boat arrives, Marigold spots Odessa, the swan landvættir, who has changed forms once again into her monstrous appearance. Marigold blames herself for the sickly state of Innisfree. Marigold wonders why the protection runes did not work.

All of Marigold’s beehives are destroyed. The bees are all dead. Talaya, the snake landvættir, is bony and withered. Marigold collapses at Althea’s grave and cries. She feels like a failure. Lottie tries to comfort Marigold, but Marigold cannot shake her guilt. She knows she must send Lottie away.

Marigold knows what she must do is hard, and it will break both of their hearts. Marigold cannot look at Lottie. She tells Lottie to leave and not come back. Lottie asks why. Marigold wants to say it’s because she loves Lottie and never wants Lottie hurt again, but she keeps the words unspoken. Marigold emphasizes that she and the isle are not safe for Lottie. She begs Lottie to leave. Lottie calls Marigold’s bluff and refuses to go. Marigold summons a storm to scare Lottie away. Lottie is brokenhearted at Marigold’s actions. Lottie flees to the boat.

Marigold goes to the apiary to lie among the broken hives and dead bees. She apologizes to Althea. As she lies there, she spots a disturbed protection rune. Half of it has been wiped away. It was all Versa needed to enter the isle.