A Walk Amongst Shadows (Book 2)

XXVIII

Much to my relief, the next week passed without incident and I felt myself settling right back into my usual routine. I’m not sure what all Evangeline had done, but no one had said a word about my presence at the apothecary since that morning I overheard her and Isadora talking. I was once again free to practice magic freely and while I had no doubt that I was still being judged harshly by a select few in and around the apothecary, I hardly cared. I was washing my hands after finishing with my last patient for the day when Simon approached me.

“Hey Rose,” his voice was its usual chipper self, “would you care to join me for a walk?”

“Uh, sure,” I answered, wringing my hands from the water, “where to?”

“Just around the city. I’ve been stuck inside the past few days and could use some fresh air,” he winked.

“Is Deja going to join us?” I asked, knowing the answer.

“Uh, no, not today…” he trailed off.

I nodded. “Well, lead the way then.” I smiled and followed Simon out of the apothecary. He’s going to try something. A voice rang out loudly in my mind. I didn’t really have a good reason to suspect him, but something in me sensed his intentions were less than innocent. I wasn’t afraid of him, but I wasn’t trusting him either. He offered me his arm, which I reluctantly took. I made sure to keep my body as far away as was comfortable. The last thing I wanted was for him to mistake my manners for affection.

“Rose I must say, it has been such an honor getting to see you work.”

“Oh?” I was taken off guard by the formality of his words.

“I have studied the healing arts all of my life, never in a million years did I think I’d get to see healing magic!”

“What do you mean?” I asked as we rounded a corner. We began making our way through market street. It was odd not seeing the typical disdain in the faces of strangers as I moved through the crowds.

“Well, I’ve only ever understood magic to be a destructive force, at least in the modern era. I know we keep books about magical healing, but I always regarded them as fantasy. But you,” he paused and looked at me, “you’ve shown me it’s all real.”

I nodded my head. I was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with our conversation.

“You know you don’t have to treat me any differently, right?” I asked, keeping a smile on my face.

“What does it feel like?” he asked, as we turned down yet another street.

“Magic?” I asked.

He nodded, his eyes boring into mine. “All of your patients, the look on their faces when you heal them…” he trailed off, “surely you must feel it too…”

I nodded.

“Would you show me?”

I stopped walking, my eyebrows shot up and I felt my face flush.

“I-I’m sorry,” he stuttered, remembering himself, “that was inappropriate.”

“Is that what this is all about?” I asked, anger bubbling up in my stomach. Was I really such a novelty item to him?

“No! No, not at all,” he apologized frantically. “Please, I-I don’t know what came over me…”

“Relax,” I gave him a playful nudge on the arm, “Simon, is there a certain reason you’ve brought me here?”

“No, of course, not. Like I said, I just thought it would be nice.” He laughed nervously. “Goddess, what’s the matter with me…” he spoke under his breath.

I froze and felt my heart leap into my throat.

“What did you just say?” I uttered, barely over a whisper.

Simon stopped and turned towards me. “You alright Rose? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“You said goddess…” my breathing was growing more uneven, “which goddess?” I choked, feeling my throat tightening. What’s happening to me?

“What on earth are you talking about?”

“Which goddess!?” I yelled. Clenching my fists at my sides. A few passersby swiveled to stare at me, but I paid them no mind.

“Easy Rose, I-”

“Tell me!” I felt tears on my cheek. When did I start crying? I felt myself gasping for air.

“L-Loeva,” he answered, “Rose, what’s going on? Why does that matter?”

I clutched my hand to my chest, I could feel my throat closing up, my lungs were on fire. More tears streamed down my face. A clearly terrified Simon approached me.

“Dear girl, what’s going on?” He laid a hand gently on my shoulder. It was intended as comfort.

“Get away from me!” I shrieked. “Don’t touch me! Don’t ever touch me!” I was beside myself. I turned to run away, but Simon was faster. He gripped my arm firmly.

“STOP!” I screamed and he fell to my feet in a heap. Doubled over I heard him gasping for air. I knew all too well the unpleasantness he was experiencing, but at this moment I couldn’t stop myself. I turned and ran. Pushing back terrified onlookers as I went. I wanted to be alone. I needed to be alone. I couldn’t catch my breath and I was nearly choking on my own tears. I turned down another street and saw even more people. I could feel the world closing in around me. I was getting tunnel vision.

“Rose!” I felt myself swept up into Aris’ embrace. Never in my life had I been so relieved to see him. He pulled me to the side of the street and steadied me. I clung tightly to him and tried to match my breathing with his.

“What happened?” I heard him ask.

I took a few deep breaths, the world was slowly returning to normal.

“Simon,” I exhaled, “He-” and with the worst timing ever, Simon rounded the corner looking both concerned and terrified.

“Oi! Rose, what the hell was tha-”

Fast as lightning Aris was between us. “What did you do to her?” I heard him growl.

“Nothing! I didn’t touch her!” he looked mortified, like a cornered animal. “Tell him Rose!”

“Leave us,” he threatened. I watched Simon scamper off without a second glance. I saw the whites of his eyes returning as he faced me again.

“What’s happening to me?” I asked.

He pulled me back into his arms. “It’s alright, love.” He kissed the top of my head. “Let’s get you home.”

He kept me close to him as we pushed our way through the crowds. It was as if everyone was staring at me. I felt completely humiliated. I had caused a scene, I had hurt Simon, and why? All because he said Loeva’s name. Am I really this broken? I didn’t speak a word to Aris. It wasn’t until we had completely cleared the city entirely that I was able to breathe easily again.

“Did you know,” Aris started, “I almost knocked a man unconscious once because he said ‘praise be’ to me?”

I furrowed my brow and shook my head.

“He wasn’t even referring to Loeva…” he trailed off, his eyes were sad.

“Simon worships her…” I confessed.

He nodded. “I figured as much.”

“How?” I asked.

“I’ve worn that expression more than once since leaving the village… It’s the same look you had when they tried to kill you, the same look I had when they succeeded.” He looked solemn.

“So what? Am I just going to be broken like this forever?” I threw my hands up.

“Of course not,” he sighed, “although it may feel that way now.”

I nodded.

“But listen to me Rose,” he stopped and looked at me, “you are not broken.”

I nodded again and felt another tear run down my face. I felt tired. A feeling quite foreign to a life mage. I supposed all the life magic in the world wouldn’t fix what was wrong with me at this moment. Aris took my hand in his and gave it a reaffirming squeeze. Gods, I loved him. If there was one place I felt truly safe from the rest of the world it was with him.

“There’s no way they’re going to let me back into the apothecary” I sighed as I laid back in bed later that evening.

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Aris challenged, “word has been spreading like wildfire through the city about the new magical healer. The royal apothecary has a reputation to uphold now.”

I sighed, unsure if this was good or bad. Perhaps it was neither. “Either way, I should probably apologize to Simon.”

“Do as you wish,” he shrugged.

I laughed. “I attacked the man, it’s the least I can do.”

“What exactly was he doing with you anyway?” he asked.

“I don’t know, he wanted me to go on a walk with him, he wanted to show me something or take me somewhere… I don’t remember exactly.”

Aris looked skeptical. “He may not have deserved to be attacked, but I also don’t think his intentions with you were completely innocent.”

Was that jealousy I detected in his voice? I thought back to the last time we had argued about Simon and wondered if he was intentionally sounding this way to make me happy.

“I think it’s safe to say that he won’t try after today.” Aris laughed.

Unlike the night after my run in with Eloise, I was completely exhausted after what had happened today. Not physically, just mentally. I no sooner got settled in bed before immediately becoming drowsy and falling into a deep restful sleep.