Regrettably, I am About to Cause Trouble

by Amie McNee

“Women have to trust their feelings. Sometimes, we just know things.”

Only women are magic, Maude. Men are just coming along for the ride.”

“Women run hot, Maude. If the ladyfolk in the town realised they could find pleasure with their own kind …” She trailed off for a moment. “I think they honestly believe that all women might be put off men entirely.”

“I think you are a woman of power and intuition, Your Majesty.” “Does that make me a witch?” “Only if it gets in a man’s way.”

“You were undone. It was like watching a caged animal free itself. It was like witnessing a lion from my homelands escaping from her cage, and I witnessed you as everything you were meant to be. And I feared you. And I couldn’t look away. Because it was just — power — ricocheting of the trees, a bright light, burning off old bindings.”

“When you live under the boot of men, the boot of this world, this kingdom called England, they will make you betray one another, they will make you hate one another, they will make you kill one another. It’s easier that way. They don’t need to wipe us out if we wipe out one another.” She resumed picking the peas. “Reggie didn’t need to be a prophet to know something like this would unfold.”