Page 20 of A Passion for Potions (Petalfall #1)

Twenty - An Old Elf’s Welcome

Ana

Blicks isn’t blocking me from the rest of the house. Not technically. But he keeps asking questions, I keep answering them, and we have not made it more than a few feet into the manor in the five or more minutes I’ve been here.

Dorrian listens, and I’ve seen movement behind slightly ajar doors.

Perhaps Penny and Viggo were right to remove them from the house while “interviewing” their potential third bed fellow.

I describe my potion shop for them and it’s Dorrian who asks, “So, are you a witch then?”

“No,” I can’t help but laugh at the question. Magic creatures often assume that everyone else has a capacity for magic as well. “I’m just a woman who knows some secrets and had very good teachers along the way.”

“You said your father ran the shop before you?” Blicks asks, smoothing my cloak over his arm again.

“He did, and my grandmother before him. None of my sisters cared to learn the trade. They have all made other lives for themselves, save for the youngest.”

“I see…” Blicks glances toward the closed double doors that I’m certain hide Penny and Viggo. “Do you want a large family of your own?”

It’s highly improper for him to ask me that, but, “I don’t know yet.”

He nods and glances away as if thinking, and when he turns back, he leans close to speak more quietly. “I can promise you they are worthy.”

“I’m sure they are.”

Those double doors open and I blink at Penny as he strolls from them.

His green coat and golden trousers fit him perfectly—I wouldn’t have expected less. But he looks at Blicks with a faintly scolding glance. “A silence spell, Blicks, really?”

“How else was I going to have a moment to speak with her?” He dips in a curt bow to Penny and then hurries away with my cloak.

“I understand why you sent them away.” I smile up at him when he stops in front of me. “But I like him. He’s protective of you. I can’t fault him for that.”

I glance around him, to where Viggo waits in the doorway. “Hello.”

“Welcome back, Ana.”

Offering me his arm, Penny leads me into the sitting room and Viggo steps aside, as if he doesn’t want to touch me yet.

It’s probably for the best. My skin sings where Penny’s hand holds my arm.

Viggo turns after us and I hear him mutter a curse.

There is no back panel on this dress and I am not wearing a corset. The golden chain zigzags across my bare back, skin on full display.

“That is a dangerous thing to wear, sweetling.” Viggo moves behind the chair and grips the back. “Take too deep of a breath and that chain could come apart.”

“It’s strong enough to withstand anything I could do to it.”

Penny leans close. “We have to behave until after we’ve eaten. I don’t know what Murdoch has prepared for you, but I do know that she very likely outdid herself.”

“Oh, I’m hungry.” I look up at him. “And I have a feeling I am going to enjoy making you both wait for seconds.”