CHAPTER FOUR
We’re both panting and dripping with sweat when we stumble through the door to the cottage.
Fleur raises an eyebrow at our disheveled appearances before flicking her gaze to the nearly set table. “You two had better go get yourselves cleaned up because you won’t be defiling my table looking like that.”
Heat rises in my cheeks and I drop my chin. “Yes, Aunt Fleur.” I shove Tom in the direction of my room and the attached washroom.
I ditch my basket on the bed before I dunk two rags into the basin of cool water and throw one of the soaked towels at Tom, laughing when he misses the catch, and it smacks off his face. We both make quick work of wiping the dirt and sweat from our exposed skin. I pull my hair down from its tie and quickly twist it into a single braid that falls down the center of my back.
Walking over to my basket, I pull out the burnt-out candles to discard. I tuck the tinderbox back into the drawer. I peer over my shoulder and see Tom still scrubbing at dirt under the collarof his shirt. With his attention elsewhere, I remove the tome from the basket and wedge it back under my mattress.
“Ready?” Tom’s voice from behind me causes me to jump as I release my grip on the mattress. I don’t know what it is about the book that makes me nervous for others to see it. From what I’ve read of it so far, which hasn’t been much yet, it’s some basic Faerie folklore. It’s where I read about the Fae origins for Samhain. But it’s just that,folklore.It’s not like it's calledA Real and Intensive Account of the History of the Fae. So, there is no reason that I should be sneaking it around the way I am, but the topic of the Fae is almost… taboo? Sure, there are the stories about how they’re these mysterious and mischievous creatures but anything more than that is blasphemous. And that’s not even to say that anyone believes in them.
Letting out a breath, I spin to face Tom. “Let’s go eat our weight in food.”
His laugh trails after me as I lead the way back out to the kitchen where Fleur is placing the last of the dishes on the table.
“Sit, sit, sit!” Fleur orders, waving her hands at the two of us.
I take my usual seat to the right of Fleur’s at the head of the table. Tom takes the seat opposite me.
My eyes trail the length of the table, taking in everything that Fleur’s prepared. It’s most of my favorites and some of the other classic Samhain dishes. It all looks incredible and my mouth waters, taking it all in. Caramelized honied turnips. Roasted Brussels sprouts. Smashed potatoes. A perfectly golden, whole roasted chicken. A tart made with the remaining apples from this season’s harvest. The spices all mingle in the air. Sage, cinnamon, rosemary. While the holiday itself is a bit solemn in our household, the feast is my favorite part of the year. Fleur’s even dished out goblets with a warm, spiced red wine. She really outdid herself this year. I always tell her she doesn’t have to goall out to this extent since it’s all a bit excessive compared to our simple lifestyle, but she insists.
“Wow, Aunt Fleur. This all looks incredible,” I say on a breath.
“Well it had better considering I slaved over it all day,” she harrumphs.
I narrow my eyes at her. “I would’ve helped out, you know.”
She lifts her chin indignantly. “I didn’t need your help. Besides, you would’ve gotten in my way.” She shoots me a wink that lets me know she’s not actually mad.
I laugh, shaking my head as I start to reach for the serving spoons tucked into each dish. I quickly pile my plate with likely more food than I could even imagine eating, but it’s Samhain. What else would I do but overload my plate?
Conversation flows freely like the wine. Aunt Fleur is doing her best to make nice with Tom even though she’s never been his biggest fan. She only really puts up with him because she knows he’s my best friend. I’m glad he dropped the topic of my parents. I wouldn’t have put it past him to have brought it up at the table but that would’ve caused an all-out war between the two of them. Fleur is such a strong personality and Tom can be incredibly stubborn when he wants to be and this is something I feel like he’d dig his heels in over. Today is not the day to try that fight with her, especially with all three of us here. Maybe I’ll ask her later when we light the candles.
Once my plate is cleared and my head just the right amount of fuzzy from the wine, Tom shoots up and immediately starts helping to clear up. I pick up my plate and walk it over to where Tom is soaking the dishes in the washbasin.
“Thomas, you don’t need to do that,” Fleur says as she joins us at the counter.
“But you cooked. I’d like to make myself useful,” he says, ever the gentleman.
She gives him a smirk knowing he always fusses when she gives him a task. “I mean this with all the kindness in my heart, get out Thomas.”
I can’t help the laugh that barks out of me, only intensifying when I see the shock in Tom’s face and the way his jaw drops open.
“I— yeah, okay, of course. Apologies for overstaying my welcome, Fleur.”
“You didn’t, dear,” she says, patting his shoulder for emphasis. “I’d like to spend some time with my niece before we turn in for the evening.”
Tom dips his chin in a nod. “Sure thing.” He turns to face me with a small smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Absolutely.” I smile back at him. “Have a good night.”
“Appreciate the invitation,” he says in thanks as he walks over to the front door.
“You know you’re always welcome here,” I say.
Aunt Fleur scoffs behind me. “Don’t encourage him, dear.”
