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“Whatever I can find on the way home, I’m afraid. I’m not that creative. All I know is that something warm usually works. I guess it helps me relax.”
“We can do better than that!” Nox said, gesturing for him to wait right there. “Give me two minutes. I know just the thing.” He turned and jogged to the kitchen, but his strides slowed until he had almost paused and Nox heard someone dashing up the stairs. “I’ll be right back,” he called as his pace picked up and he turned into the kitchen. He whistled to himself as he swiped one of the extra tins of Nelson’s tea off the work table.
Nox had just prepared it that morning but he opened it and gave it a test sniff, sighing at the smell of rose, chamomile, hops, lavender, lemon balm, and valerian. He added a scoop of butterbur from the pantry, then replaced the lid and gave it a few gentle shakes to blend.
“Quiet his pain and help him rest,” Nox whispered and held the tin against the center of his chest, setting his intention. “Here we go!” he announced when he returned to the foyer with the tea for his shadowy guest.
“That’s so kind. How much do I owe you?” the other man asked. He had his wallet out a moment later and Nox smiled and pointed at the large crow tattooed on his forearm.
“Cool tattoo,” Nox said, waving for him to put the wallet away. “It was no trouble at all and I’m just glad to help. Definitely give that a good stir so the butterbur isn’t all at the top.”
“Give it a good stir.” He gave the tin a quick shake and chuckled. “I think I can manage.”
“You should see some relief after one cup but drink two this afternoon so you can sleep this off. After that, one cup every evening before you feel any symptoms. Come back for a refill when you run out,” Nox told him and reached for the door.
“You might be saving my life with this. I have a gruesome week ahead of me.”
“Yikes. Want me to throw in a bottle of Irish whiskey? Not that there’s any other kind,” Nox added cheekily, but the other man shook his shadowy head.
“I don’t drink except for the occasional beer or glass of wine. But I do enjoy tea, thank you.”
“No worries at all,” Nox said as he offered his hand.
The other man took it and held it. “The first handis that handles thee, the devillis blind thy mind to time and me,” he said softly, making Nox frown.
“What was that?”
“The first handis that handles thee, the devillis blind thy mind to time and me,” he repeated and Nox blinked at him.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.”
“I said, the first handis that handles thee, the devillis blind thy mind to time and me.”
“Okay…” Nox shook his head, confused. “Thanks for stopping by and take care.”
“I will and I’ll see you soon, professor,” the man said, offering Nox a salute as he left.
“That was very odd…” Nox said as he closed the door and wandered over to the window but there was nothing out there. He couldn’t see his visitor, the front terrace, or any vehicles, just gray. “I guess that charm works on angels and gods.”
