“Of course it was.” She pinched his cheek and turned to face the next customer. My eyes widened when Callan stopped before her. He had followed us here. “Thank you for watching them. Cynwrig is so obsessed with being a Warrior he no longer listens.”
Callan chuckled. “My pleasure. They will not leave your side without telling you anymore. We have a Warrior’s agreement.” He said, looking straight into my eyes. “Do we not?”
I nodded, remembering his promise to train me himself.
“In any case, thank you for sending them back.” Mother said, grabbing an apple from her basket and rubbed it clean with her apron. “For your troubles.”
Callan took it from her hands, grateful. “Thank you. Say hello to Amnon for me.”
“I will tell my husband you send regards.”
He slightly bowed his head at Mother, took a bite of the green apple, and winked at us leaving the table.
“Look, mommy. Look at what I can do!” Art said, lecture forgotten. He jumped and thrust the sword forward.
She clapped. "That is wonderful, my boy! Did you learn that from the Warriors?" He nodded and did it once again for her. Pride filled her gaze, and she hugged him tightly, kissing his head. I chuckled as Art quickly threw the sword on the ground and clung to her. He loved when Mother embraced him. She reached for me with love filled eyes and kissed my forehead bringing me into the hug.
“Oh, look! Cynwrig is here.”
A woman's voice called our attention, and we turned around to see Miss Mabina with her sister standing by the table. Mother let go of us to greet them. The older woman walked around the table towards me.
“Will you do some magic for us?”
I looked at Mother uncertain, and uncomfortable. The Àrd-shagart had told me not to make a spectacle of my ability. Above all, one should be humble.
“Can he please do something for us, Gwynith. It is just so thrilling to see him so young and blessed with such ability.” She asked Mother who gazed at me, seeming as uncomfortable as I felt.
“Come on, Cyn. Show her what you showed me this morning.” Art begged, pulling my hand. It thrilled him when I did magic.
Mother smiled still hesitant. “Of course.” She nodded her approval.
Art ran to the grains basket and took a bean from it. He placed it in front of me and began to jump repeatedly as he waited. Chuckling at his impatience, I kneeled on the dirt and put my hand on the bean. It instantly glowed and as I lifted my palm from it, the grain transformed into bright green leaves, growing until it had developed into a small plant.
“Oh dear Mother Goddess, that is amazing!” The women clapped excitedly, gasping and marveling at the plant before me. Art clapped with them, dimples flashing. “What about you, Art? What can you do?”
My brother's eyes twinkled with the question, and he ran to where he had left the wooden sword. Stepping out from behind the table, he prepared to show them what he had just learned. Swiftly and imitating Callan, he jumped, kicking the air and swung the sword. He grinned wide as he landed, knowing he had done it well. Instead of praise, the ladies eyes filled with disappointment.
“Awe is that all? Can you not do magic?”
“I thought he had the gift as well.” Her sister whispered.
Art frowned looking at them. "I learned that today from the Leader of the Warriors. He told me I had done it masterfully,” he explained and repeated the movement. When he finished, the woman turned away from him and cupped my cheek.
“You must be a very good boy to have been blessed by the Goddess this way, Cynwrig. A very special boy in deed.” Her gaze went to Art. “I am sure you are special in a different way, darling.”
Art stared at them not understanding what was happening. Nevertheless, I did, and so did Mother.
"Of course he is special." Mother answered in a clipped tone, clearly offended by the lady's remark. She pulled me out of the woman's grasp and carried Art in her arms protectively. "Now if you will excuse me, I must take the kids, and the leftover harvest home before it rains. I suggest you take your baskets home as well." Her hand repeatedly caressed Art's back as she held the woman's gaze.
“We shall.” The lady said, placing her silver coins on the table and picking up their baskets. “I am sorry, we did not mean...”
“It is all right. Have a good day,” Mother answered interrupting the woman, and giving her back to them. She began picking up the remains of the harvest as the women walked away.
Art’s eyes settled on me, and I could see the confusion turn into sadness. Mother placed him down to put the empty baskets and remaining harvest on the wheel cart, and I held Art’s hand pulling him closer to me.
“Did I do something wrong, Cyn?” He asked, in a low voice so Mother would not hear. I shook my head.
“No, brother.”
He nodded, not entirely convinced while his gaze followed the women.
"Come on, boys," Mother said pushing the cart. "After we take a bath, I shall make your favorite. Apple tart." Art smiled, and we began to walk back to the farm.
* * *
I took a deep breath as the memory dissipated. That night Art had told Mother he needed to apologize to the Goddess. When she asked why, he answered that he had not meant to be a bad boy. He wanted to be good like me, so the Goddess would give him magic too, and he would not make the women from the market sad anymore. It was not the first time our people made those types of comments to him, and unfortunately, it would not be the last.
Art had never envied or resented what I could do; he had always been there for me and supported me along my journey. Nevertheless, it was foolish to ignore how much people had expected from him, and how much pressure he had in turn placed on himself. My brother had become an amazing man, in many ways better than most of us.
If he only knew what I sensed in his essence…
CHAPTER 1. UNDER MY CARE
* * *
Day 1 with Lia…
The sudden flash of light brightened the inside of my hut as the powerful lighting struck the earth. It darkened the next second as the thunder boomed all around us, announcing its presence and demanding respect.
The storm had begun almost immediately after Briana was welcomed as the High Priestess by our people. It had all been too much for her to process, and tears had spilled from her eyes even before Cyn was able to take her to his hut. I couldn't help but wonder, if it were her very tears and hurt, bathing and striking the land at this moment. After seeing the reaction of the winds at her pain during the battle at the lake, I had no doubt.
"Welcome to my home," I said looking at Amelia, as she walked in hesitantly. I closed the door behind me, while her eyes roamed the room. She remained quiet, taking in the mixture of old and modern things all around. “Please, use whatever you want from here. Everything I have, I’ll share with you.”
Her gaze settled on me and a small smile grazed her lips even as her eyes filled with emotion. My chest tightened. I knew this was a big change, and it would take a while for her to settle, but I hated seeing anyone cry. I unconsciously hurried towards her while the pressure began to build in my chest. I swore to the Goddess there was something really wrong with me, but ever since I was a child, it physically hurt me to see someone else in pain. Tears were the bane of my existence. They caused me anxiety and pushed me into action. I opened my arms to hug her and stopped. I was drenched from head to toe, and so was she.
“Any chance you wouldn’t mind a wet hug?” I offered.
A tear slid down her cheek, yet she grinned. My heart constricted. She shook her head. “I’m pretty sure I would accept anything a hunk like you wants to give me.”
I chuckled and pulled her into my arms. Another tear fell down her cheek and onto my shirt. I dabbed at her skin with my thumb. “Please don’t cry,” I whispered kissing the top of her head and tightening my arms around her. “No one can hurt you here. I won’t let them.”
The flash of light came again. It hit even closer this tim
e, and as the thunder resounded around us, the stone walls from the hut quaked. She gasped and lifted her head from my chest, her gaze going to the roof.
“The hut is not going to crumble on us, is it?”
I chuckled. “Are you doubting my mad building skills?”
Her gaze flew to mine. “You built this hut?”
I nodded. “Me and my guys, with our bare hands.”
She frowned. “Your guys?”
I grinned. "The Warriors. They are like my construction crew." I held her hand and walked towards the wall. "You may think this hut is frail because of its primitive appearance, yet its structure is solid and complex. The way each stone was laid upon the other and settled into place was done with a purpose. As time passes by and they sink even deeper on one another, it becomes stronger, not weaker." The walls shook again, and she stepped back, scared. I brought her hand up towards the stone. "A rigid structure breaks and crumbles under pressure. Yet, if you build it to absorb the shocks instead of fighting them, it will move with the ripples, letting them become part of it and follow their course."
My hand pressed hers against the stone as another powerful lightning shook the earth. Her eyes widened feeling the ripple go over the wall. It slightly shifted under our touch, and then the current disappeared. Her gaze flew to mine, eyes filled with awe instead of tears. I smiled.
“Look at the roof. What is it made of?”
She turned around looking up. “Hay.”
"Why is the water not coming in?" She frowned only then realizing it. I chuckled. "The strands of hay are layered strategically, in a repetitive pattern and in a quantity that not only blocks the water but allows the air to flow through." She grinned as her face lit up with understanding and appreciation. "Don't ever doubt my mad building skills again, ok?" She chuckled, and her face scrunched up as she sneezed. I frowned. "Ok, time to get you out of those wet clothes."
She smirked, and her eyebrows wiggled suggestively. "Now you are talking."
I laughed and walked to the hearth, filling a large pot with water and placing it on the fire. “I’m going to make you a hot bath so the cold can leave your body. I don’t want you getting sick.”
I went towards the partition, partially filling the tub with cold water while the rest boiled. When I came back, Amelia was standing in the middle of the room, holding herself. Tremors were rocking her body. I pulled a thick blanket from my armoire, and wrapped it around her until it covered her whole. It concealed half of her face and brushed the floor because of her petite form. Then again an average tall woman was small next to my height. I chuckled, and her eyes narrowed on me. She was adorable.
"Pull your clothes off underneath it. I'll hold it, so it doesn't fall."
“What’s the fun in that?” She said winking, but the chattering of her teeth ruined the effect. She began to do as I asked.
I chuckled. She was funny. “Obedient, I like that.”
Amelia's eyes narrowed at me once again, and something told me even being petite she could inflict severe pain. I grinned. She kicked the clothes off to the side once she was done and held the blanket in place as I bent over to pick them up. Hanging them on the back of the chairs, I removed my shirt and hung it too. Then walked to the hearth removing the already boiling water and filling the tub for her. I left a small amount of the hot water in the pot and placed it back on the hearth.
"It's ready for you, Amelia. There is body wash on the stool next to the tub, shampoo, and conditioner too. Oh, and I have a body lotion back there if you need some. There is a towel on the rack next to the tub so you can dry yourself once you are done."
“Thank you, Chewie.”
I frowned seeing her pick up a pair of pajamas that lay on my bed. I hadn’t seen her take them out of her suitcase.
“Chewie?” I asked confused and her lips curved in a wide grin.
“It’s an endearment. Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it.” She winked just as a shudder rocked her body. “And call me Lia.”
I chuckled shaking my head and opened the partition for her, closing it once she stepped in. Walking back to the hearth, I poured a bucket of cold water in the boiling pot I had left there, and heard her sigh as she settled in the bath.
“Nice, huh?”
“Mmmmm…”
I smiled, swiftly removing my pants and underwear. Dipping a hand towel in the hot water, I began to wash myself, letting the heat chase away the cold that had settled inside me. I rinsed my hair and I dried myself with a clean towel. Finally, I slipped into a pair of cotton pants, tightening the drawstring to avoid any “accidents” in front of Lia. Placing two small pots on the hearth, I began to heat some fresh water for tea, and the chowder I had made earlier. Lia must be hungry.
"This is your shampoo, pretty boy? Johnson & Johnson baby care?" She asked incredulously.
I made a face. "I like the way it smells, and it leaves my hair shiny."
“It’s for babies, Chewie.”
"I have sensitive eyes," I grumbled.
"You have got to be kidding me! This isn't body wash. It's Johnson's bedtime baby gel!"
I groaned. I didn’t like having a roommate anymore. “The lavender is soothing. It helps you fall asleep faster and for a longer time,” I said in my defense.
"It's for babies!" She squealed, but there wasn't judgment in her voice. Instead, she laughed. Loudly.
I chuckled, pouring the hot stew into two bowls and placed them on the table. The steaming teacups followed.
“Well you were right about one thing,” she said, stepping out of the partition, my gaze followed her as she walked towards me. “It leaves your hair soft.” She brought the wet strands to her nose and inhaled. Her eyes briefly closed and an indulging smile curved her lips. “And it smells so nice,” she said, exhaling.
I chuckled. “I hope you are hungry. I made seafood chowder.”
She stopped in her tracks, and her hand flew to her stomach. It growled in response. "Oh my God, I love seafood, Chewie. Are you trying to seduce me?" I chuckled. "Give me a few extra shrimp, and I'll totally give in."
Grinning, I picked up her bowl and walked back to the hearth, pouring a double serving of salmon chunks, shrimp and crab meat in her bowl. I threw in a few more pieces of potato and frowned looking down, I had added way too much. There was no way a girl like her could eat all of this. Maybe I could switch our bowls, but I wasn't exactly sure I could eat all of this either. Grabbing the ladle again to remove some of the chowder, I dipped it in the bowl just as she held my wrist stopping me.
“Don’t be afraid, Chewie. Just let it be.”
My gaze went to her eyes. They were bright with anticipation. I gave her the bowl and watched her walk to the table. She seemed so happy she almost skipped on her way there.
"It's ok if you can't eat it all. You can leave it in the bowl." When I sat down, she was already devouring the chowder.
"God, this is so good. A man after my own heart." She took another spoon full, and I chuckled. She winked.
* * *
Lia stood in front of the bed pensive. I could see her immobile through the mirror as I rinsed my mouth and put the toothbrush aside. I was still startled by the way this woman ate. Lia had wiped the bowl clean. Maybe she was just really hungry. I supposed there was a possibility that with the nerves of everything going on she hadn't had a chance to eat today and this had been her only meal. Wiping my mouth, I turned around.
"Don't worry about it. You can have the bed. I'll sleep on the sofa." I pointed towards the corner, and she turned to look.
She nodded. “Thank you. Why is your hut like ten times bigger than your brother’s?”
“Cyn is exceedingly humble, it annoys the crap out of me.” She chuckled. I shrugged. “I like my space, I guess.”
She sat on the bed and took one of the pillows hugging it. “I can see that. This is a freaking California King bed.”
Before I could stop it, my gaze went to her legs. What I thought were
pajamas looked more like a long tank top. It was white with a red trim, and had an orange cat devouring a whole pizza at the front. The thought bubble read, "I wonder what's for dinner. I'm starving." Garfield. I gazed at her amusedly, my eyes continued down. The camisole fell to just over her knees. The skin on her legs like the rest of her body was tanned into a beautiful golden caramel color, but something told me she didn't actually acquire it from the sun. She’d shared that she was of Hispanic heritage while we ate, and I guessed that was probably the reason for her coloring. It was beautiful. I swallowed nervously, realizing I was staring, and my eyes flew to hers. She was smirking.
“Thanks, Chewie. You reminded me I forgot to apply lotion.”
She stood walking to her smaller suitcase and took a container from it. I remained quiet while she sat back on the bed, lifted her legs onto the mattress and squeezed the bottle. My gaze followed the trail she created as she left little dots of lotion along the length of her leg. From ankle to thigh, the trail of white dots was the weirdest thing I had ever seen a woman do with lotion, it was also the most enticing. Granted, I had never lived with a woman before and what I had seen of the modern world hadn’t exactly included private sessions with the female population. My trips there had one purpose only. One that no one knew but me.
Before I realized what I was doing, I sat beside her on the bed. "What are you doing?" I asked as my eyes roamed every dot and every inch of her skin.
“Putting lotion on, silly. What else would it be?”
She asked as though this was the most natural thing. Maybe it was. Maybe all women put on lotion this way, but she didn't seem like the type that did things the way "all women" did. Her hand covered her ankle, and it slid upwards as she began to smooth the dots, spreading the cream over her skin. It became alive, shiny and even more golden as the lotion nurtured and replenished the moisture in every pore. I swallowed unable to look away as my body responded to the sight. She rubbed the lotion all the way up to her thighs, her hand sliding around to her inner thigh as she continued to moisturize. A familiar tug called me back to the present, and I stood from the bed abruptly, laying on the sofa and giving her my back. My front wasn't exactly decent at the moment. Tugging at the sheet I had placed at the end of the couch, I brought it to my neck and shut my eyes tightly.
Worthy of Magic (The Ancient Magic Series Book 4) Page 2
