“Explain yourselves.” Markus reclined back in his chair.
The men eyed each other for a moment. Alexander’s blonde beard still housed flecks of ice and snow from their travels. He glanced at Jasper, whose red hair stuck out like a flame in the lantern light.
“Captain Fletcher was out of line?—”
“That wasn’t what I asked,” Markus leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table.Command the room.Coming to Evren’s immediate defense was second nature. They’d been best friends all their lives. Surely, if he dismissed these men, it was for a valid reason. “I said, explainyourselves. Why were you dismissed?”
After what felt like ages, the men told their story and Markus was exhausted. From what it sounded like, Evren had no right to dismiss the men. They’d simply defended themselves against the Enchantress who threatened to use magick against them.
Despicablewoman.
No matter the reason, Markus decided as he collapsed onto his bed at the inn, that if Evren didn’t show himself in the next week, he’d return to Davenport and figure this out for himself.
Twelve
“You’re doing it wrong,”Tallulah said through a laugh.
Evren threw the watering can back onto the workbench before spinning to her. It landed with a loud bang that made Tallulah jump. Her pulse stammered, and she took a steadying breath.
“How can I possibly water a plant incorrectly?” Evren’s freckled forehead broke out in a sheen of sweat.
Tallulah laughed again. She enjoyed watching him struggle.
“By all means,”—he crossed his arms like a child—“do it yourself.”
This only made Tallulah laugh harder. She’d felt much better the last few days. The constant care from Evren combined with the mix of yarrow had given her shoulder more movement, but still not enough to tend to her daily chores on her own. The yarrow was running low, so she needed to save her energy, for what, she didn’t know. Evren, despite the constant furrowed brows, had been almost enjoyable to be around.
Almost.
“I would do it myself.” Tallulah straightened herself up on the sofa. “But if you’ve forgotten, my arm is still on the mend.”
Evren sighed, his face softening for a moment. Was it guilt that hung in his forest eyes?
Tallulah brushed it off, her eyes drifting to his hands where they hung at his sides. It wasn’t the first time she’d noticed their tremble. Not to mention the restlessness and limp he walked with. She didn’t remember it before, but now, she saw how desperately he tried to hide it.
“Now,” Tallulah continued, pocketing the curiosities of his mannerisms for later, “the pothos must be watered weekly but the spider plants there”—she pointed to a group of rather full green spindly plants hanging in the corner—“needs to be watered monthly. And today is that day.”
She didn’t miss the way Evren’s eyes rolled, but he still gathered the small metal watering can back from where he’d tossed it and took her instructions in silence.
It seemed silly to keep up with her plants when she knew Evren’s goal was to bring her to the king. But she’d asked him yesterday and the day prior if he’d take her to Valebridge. To which he replied softly,“Not today, Enchantress.”
It would be absurd for her to question why not, but still, it tickled at the back of her mind like a scratch just out of reach. Why were they still here? Surely, she was healed enough to deem fit for magick harvesting. But she didn’t voice her concerns; she wasn’t that stupid.
Evren watered the last of the plants, a task that took nearly the whole afternoon. When he finished, he slumped on the sofa next to Tallulah, an act so casual she almost forgot who he was.
What he was.
“Why bother with so many damn plants?” He ran an unsteady hand down his face.
She watched him out of the corner of her eye. If she turned her head to face him, their faces would be close. Too close. So instead, she kept herself pointed forward. Ignoring the pounding in her chest and the scent of soil and pine wafting off him. She kept herself facing the back of the greenhouse, where she surely wouldn’t find her stomach faltering at anyone’s eyes.
“Because they bring me joy,” she finally answered. And it was true. While creating plants from her magick brought her themostjoy, planting the foliage over the last year just as a human would keep her busy. It brought her a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
Her skin raised, the hairs on her neck prickling. She turned then to find Evren watching her, a smile dancing on his lips.
He cleared his throat, his face returning to its typical stern demeanor. Did he look more pale than usual?
“Seems a bit odd, that’s all,” he said. “Why have so many plants if you can’t even eat any of them?”
