A Reverence for Trees
by Lorna Tedder · A Standalone Novelette
~8,000 words · about a 30-minute read
Think: Practical Magic meets The Fault in Our Stars meets The Time Traveler’s Wife — a spellwoven love story about healing, sacrifice, and letting go.
Content note: Themes include terminal illness, grief, and ritual magic. Full sensitivity warnings below.
Description
On the eve of Beltane, Beth and Sam make love beneath an ancient oak, knowing it will be their last time. Sam’s recent leukemia diagnosis threatens to steal the future they’ve only just reclaimed after a decade apart. Determined to save him, Beth calls on the Goddess for healing—only to be told to give her strength instead. Bound by love and magic, she pours herself into keeping him alive, even as his condition worsens.
As the Wheel of the Year turns through Lammas and Samhain, Beth navigates the bittersweet joy of pregnancy, the agony of watching the man she loves slip away, and the quiet miracles of magic both mundane and divine. In the shadow of the oak tree that united their hearts, Beth learns that some spells work not by holding on—but by knowing when to let go.
Originally published by Berkley Books in the Words of the Witches anthology.
An Excerpt
We sat very still in the grass, and naked. We had made love for the last time, and both of us knew it. I kissed Sam’s broad shoulder, then laid my head against it as I stared out at the pastel hues of sunset. I tried to memorize everything about the moment: the smell of the spring grass, the darkening shadows under the double oak on the hill, the distant chirp of crickets. And Sam. Most of all, I wanted to remember Sam the way he was this night. The way he would never be again.
He slid his arm around me, pulled me close, and then kissed my forehead. His hair was a little too long on top, and the fringe tickled my nose. I should cut it, I thought. I should wait until he’s asleep tonight and snip a few of those beautiful blond locks. Something to remember him by.
My hand fell to my belly. Automatically. Protectively. Goddess willing, I would have something else to remember him by. Goddess willing, because after tonight, there would be no chances of children. Not for Sam. Not for us.
What This Story Does
- Weaves sacred ritual, love, and grief into an emotional journey that feels both intimate and mythic — everyday heartbreak elevated into something timeless and spiritual.
- Grounds magic in symbolism — the oak tree, the “battery” concept — giving the story a unique magical logic that feels organic rather than abstract fantasy.
- Reverses healing’s expectations: strength, acceptance, and release become the true act of love, creating a deeply resonant emotional payoff.
Genre
- Primary: Paranormal Women’s Fiction
- Secondary: Magical Realism / Contemporary Romance
- Niche: Pagan Fiction, Witchcraft & Spirituality, Grief & Loss in Fiction
Tone
- Poignant
- Romantic
- Intimate
- Spiritual
- Heart-wrenching
- Hope-tinged
Tropes
- Star-crossed lovers reunited
- Found family in a coven
- Magic as metaphor for love and strength
- Rituals tied to the seasons (Wheel of the Year)
- Last chance at love
Reaching the crest of the hill, I panted for breath. A jagged stripe marred the tree. I could see it from a distance. No! I ran the rest of the way. No, Goddess, no!
Why You’ll Love It
This is a love story that understands the ache of second chances and the fierce tenderness of knowing they won’t last forever. You’ll be swept into an intimate world of whispered spells, sacred oaks, and small moments that become eternal memories. If you’ve ever loved someone enough to carry their burdens as your own, or wondered how to say goodbye without losing them entirely, this story will stay with you—long after the final page.
Trigger / Sensitivity Warnings
- Terminal illness (leukemia) and death of a loved one
- Detailed hospital and medical treatment scenes
- Pregnancy while coping with partner’s illness
- Emotional themes of grief, loss, and letting go
- Occult / witchcraft rituals and spiritual elements
About the Author
Lorna Tedder is a non-denominational minister, volunteer grief counselor, and full-time writer after a long career in public service. In addition to motivational and reflective guides, she writes Southern Gothic thrillers and Dark Academia urban fantasy, including Rite of Reckoning and The Book of Heroes. Her work explores the intersections of fate, symbolism, and personal transformation, often blending astrology, myth, and lived experience to create stories and guides that resonate on both a practical and emotional level.