Page 59 of When the Witch Met the Minotaur

“They need to be driven back into the wild forest,” I say. “When they eat anything but the starleaf trees, they get sick.”

“I had no idea. We were always so focused on the crops and the creatures that we shared them with. Deer and the like.”

“When we are finished with your business, I’ll cast a lure for them at the forest’s edge.”

“A witch!” A smiling smithy in a leather apron calls up to us as we ride past his forge. “And is that…”

Argos raises a hand, and we both rein in our mounts. “Hello, Tythan.”

“I hope you’re here to set things to rights.”

Argos turns on his saddle to smile at the smith. “I will certainly try.”

It looks like the smith wants to say more, but is hesitant because of my presence. “Who is your friend?”

“This is Mistress Tully of Leafshire Cove, a powerful witch and my intended.”

Tythan gasps and comes forward to take my hand and kiss my knuckles. I try not to grimace at being smooched on by a complete stranger.

“Such a pleasure to meet you.” He faces Argos. “You best hurry on or the whole town will know before your mother.”

“She wouldn’t like that.” His tone is jovial, but sadness pulls at his eyes.

We ride on, and Argos greets several more townsfolk. They all seem to adore him.

“I’m glad they don’t fault you for anything,” I say.

He rubs the back of his neck and his jaw muscles clench. “Aye, they’re kind people. It hasn’t been easy on them. First, we had a poor harvest so food was short. Then the weather decided it wasn’t done with us and I couldn’t afford to keep enough hands on the grounds to harvest the winter wheat quickly enough. After that, the king’s collectors began claiming our farm machines and tools. Most of these folks have to travel to the next three towns just to have enough to eat. Many have left to find work or open shop in a more prosperous place.”

“The town still looks well tended.”

“It’s only been a year and a half. If you hadn’t saved my arse,” he says, patting the sack of money tied to Fernie’s saddle, “we would have started seeing caved-in roofs, poor on the streetsbegging, and crime rising. Thank you again, Tully. I will never deserve your kindness.”

“As Laini and Kaya have taught me, you don’t have to deserve kindness to receive it. We all deserve it just by being alive.”

“You have very wise friends.”

“I guess. They have a nice outlook on life, anyway. I’m trying to embrace it.”

Argos gives me a grin that warms me from head to toe and makes me wish I had him all to myself. Perhaps after we give the good news and get this estate back in his family’s hands.

“You already do embrace that life,” Argos says. “You show kindness every moment I’m with you. Gathering this money. Helping your townsfolk with no request of being paid for your magical services in times of great need. Laini told me how you helped her in the past. You might wear a scowl and have a blunt way of communicating, but you’re the best person I’ve met in my entire life.”

I swallow, and my eyes burn. “I was taught to be stoic unless anger was required to accomplish a goal. My grandwitch used to say that feelings were like holes in a dam, and if I didn’t patch them closed, soon I’d be drowning.”

“Gods, Tully, that’s awful.”

An archway of blue and black stone leads us out of the town and into the rolling fields of what I’m guessing is part of Argos’s family estate. Three tall hills—almost mountains—stand beyond the fields. A waterfall plumes with mist and the shimmering moisture creates a rainbow. Beside the stubbled fields, a ring of wooden fencing encloses a small herd of unicorns. The creatures gallop and kick, excited to see our horses.

“Well, this isn’t pretty at all.”

Argos grins. “It has always been my favorite place in the world.”

“I can see why.”

Our horses trot up a rise that leads to a stone manor house.

“But now,” Argos says shyly, “my favorite place in the world is wherever you are.”