Page 35 of When the Witch Met the Minotaur

Right now, we’re putting together a small, simplified steam distillation system. I hold the thin bar of tin and lead alloy against the tubing and the pot which will hold the water and steam. We already assembled the piece that will hold the plant material and the tubing that runs into the collection jar.

“If you don’t mind?” I say.

He nods and releases a small stream of his dragon fire, melting the alloy. The solder is drawn into the seam and the contraption is nearly finished.

“Thanks.” I look up and he is wiping a bit of something from his cheek. “You all right?”

“Aye. Shilia had a little too much rouge on. I think I’m wearing half of it now.”

I grin and he laughs as he watches me ready more rosin to use as a flux. It cleans the surfaces of the next pieces to be soldered.

“Just tell me when to blow,” he says, a teasing note in his voice.

I shake my head. “I’m guessing more than one person has called you incorrigible in your life.”

“Oh yes. It might as well be my given name.”

“Have you ever been serious about someone? As in, finding a potential mate? I mean, no judgment; I’m just curious. Tell me to shut it if you don’t care to answer.”

“No, it’s fine.”

He crosses his arms and shuffles his wings as he leans back on the countertop. The oven behind him flickers with the coals that heated the alloy for me earlier. I hope he doesn’t get upset about me using his ladle to hammer the solder flat.

“I have actually,” Cyrus says, “but it didn’t work out.”

“Someone saidnoto you?”

He snorts and a bit of dark smoke curls from his nostrils. “She didn’t exactly give me ano, but I could tell she wasn’t interested, so I backed off. I don’t blame her, I suppose.” He jabs a finger at his chest. “Incorrigible, remember?”

I smile and hold the resin in place. “A little heat, please?” I wonder who the female in question is.

Obliging, he helps me clean the last of the pieces for fitting. Once we have that done, we solder them together and then the distiller is complete. I fetch the pot of dill I’ve been soaking and put the plant material into the condenser while Cyrus fills the boiler with water. He lights the small oil lamp burner sitting below the boiler, and the process begins.

As the water bubbles and the steam hisses through the tubing, we enjoy some cider that tastes a little different from the usual.

“I like it, but what’s in this?”

Cyrus’s face lights up. “It’s Kaya’s new cider recipe. I think it has thyme or something in it.”

Perhaps it’s the baker. The way his eyes light up talking about her is telling. “Kaya is close to Tully, isn’t she?”

“As close as someone can be to our witch.” Cyrus elbows me lightly. “But you like them prickly, eh?”

I laugh and take another sip of the cinnamon, apple, and slightly herbal-tasting drink. “I guess I do.”

“I’ve never seen her like this with someone,” the dragon shifter says. “What’s your secret to wooing a witch?”

Cyrus is obviously changing the subject from Kaya, but I don’t fight it.

“No secret,” I reply. “I don’t think I’ve wooed her. Not really.”

“I disagree.” He clinks his cup against mine. “I think she’s smitten.”

“I know I am.”

“Can’t blame you. She’s a heartbreaker, that one. Oh, don’t look like that, Argos. I’ve never enjoyed her company behind closed doors or in front of them.”

I didn’t realize I showed my feelings so openly with my features. I try to clear my face of any telling mannerisms. I just nod and finish my cider.