by H. L. Burke
“I think I might know what you need.” Auric smiled. He opened the door. “Oh, you’re right here.”
“I wanted to be sure he was settled,” Rill said. “Do you think I could put a chair in the hall? I’d like to be there when he wakes up.”
“I’ve got a better idea. Come in here.”
“Oh …” Rill peeked into the room. Her cheeks reddened again. “It isn’t exactly proper for me to … I mean, it’s his bedroom.”
“To hell with proper. He needs you right now, Rill.” Auric left, shutting the door behind himself.
Rill sat at the edge of the bed and brushed Jericho’s hair back from his forehead. “You feel cold. Do you want another blanket?”
“No, I’m fine. Rill, I haven’t gotten the chance to say this yet—” He cleared his throat. The world felt fuzzy. His body sank like lead into the mattress, but he had to get this out. “It’s actually comical how long it has taken me to say three short words, but—”
“Shh.” She pressed her finger to his lips. “It’ll give me something to look forward to.”
He laughed, but the sound of his own voice echoed through his brain, shaking loose a headache. “Ouch.” He winced.
“You need to sleep.” His heart leaped into his throat as she lay beside him. She rested her head against his chest, her fingers kneading through his shirt like a content kitten’s paws. His whole being melted. “And those three words? I return them, with every particle of my being, Jericho Carver.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Auric dismounted from his horse and passed the reins to Will.
“How was your trip into town, Master Auric?” the old servant asked.
“Productive.” Auric smiled. His hand strayed to the sheath of papers tucked into his breast pocket. The town had been buzzing with the rumors out of the capital, that the rifts over the major cities had snapped shut, that the magicians were scrambling as Fey energy, once a seemingly unending resource, now proved in short supply. Auric felt a twinge of guilt over this, but if the rifts hadn’t closed, that same energy would’ve poisoned everyone now complaining about the lack of magic.
Man could live without magic.
Breathable air? Slightly more essential.
Striding into the house, he savored the lively floral fragrance that wafted about him. Bundles of drying lavender and scattered pots of flowers choked the foyer: his mother’s influence already apparent even after a mere six days. When she wasn’t in the garden, pushing aside their wide-eyed gardener to get her own hands dirty, she bustled about the house, opening windows, humming happily. Father often followed her like a doting puppy, though Auric noticed he tired easily. Perhaps the spell Rill had worked to bolster Mother’s strength had cost Father more than anticipated.
Rill’s laugh floated from the parlor. The door was open but only a crack. Auric peeked through, but withdrew when he saw her and Jericho sitting on the couch, Jaspyr flitting between them, first nosing Rill’s cheek, then turning so that Jericho could rub his ears. Flirty little fox. Well, at least he was between them. Jericho had fully recovered his health, and since he and Rill no longer felt the need to hide their attachment, they were rarely apart.
Auric hurried up the stairs into the workshop. Father looked up from a stack of quires. “Oh, you’re back. Are you ready to tell me what secret errand you had to run in town?”
“Soon.” Auric took up one of the inscribed quires. “Back to work on the frost wards, huh? Shouldn’t Jericho be handling those?”
Father shrugged. “I needed some time to myself. Though, I’d forgotten how monotonous making these is.” He set down his stylus and wiped the back of his hand across his brow. “Perhaps we should enact those automation methods you mentioned the other night at dinner.”
Auric raised his eyebrows. “Yeah, we could do that.” He pulled the documents out of his pocket. “Father, about my errand, I was actually at the local solicitor’s having this drawn up.” He held the papers out to his father. “It’s a contract, to create a new partner in the workshop.”
Father’s shoulders slumped. “Auric, I know you’re eager to make changes and take command, but I’m not quite ready to step aside. The shop will be yours in good time, I promise—”
“You misunderstand me, sir.” Seeing that his father wasn’t about to take the documents, Auric unfolded them on the table. “It’s not for me. It’s for Jericho.”
Father snatched up the documents. His gaze darted over the lines for a few minutes before he narrowed his eyes and stared down his son. “You want me to make him an official partner, huh?”
“Twenty-five percent ownership for now, so you maintain control, going up to a full fifty if and when you retire.” Auric sat on the edge of the table and stroked his beard. “I wasn’t sure what you intended with him, now that I’ve returned, but after all he’s been through for the sake of our family, he deserves some security in his position. Especially with Rill.”
“You know, some would say Mountain’s Foot isn’t big enough to support two practicing magicians.” His father’s expression remained grave, but his eyes twinkled.
“Well, we’ll cross the bridge when we come to it, but honestly, it’s going to have to support three or four.” Auric laughed. “I don’t see Rill giving up her newly acquired stylus any time soon.”
“True. Also, I admit, my attempts to keep her from learning were ill-informed. It didn’t protect her the way I’d hoped.” Father rubbed his eyes.
“So it’s good? You’ll agree to it?” Auric leaned forward. His stomach quivered slightly. Yes, it was a good idea, but a major change. It wasn’t like his father to allow major changes.
“Honestly? Auric, I have never been more proud of you.” Father grasped Auric’s shoulders. “I always have been, you know, proud that you’re my son. Perhaps I could’ve expressed it more.”
Warmth flooded Auric’s chest. “You’re expressing it now. That’s enough.”
Hedward withdrew, his eyes misty. “Well, seems like we have some good news for a certain apprentice. You want to tell him, or should I?”
“Might as well do it together.” Auric sprang off the table and bounded down the stairs. He threw open the door to the parlor.
Jericho and Rill were tangled in a kiss, her on his lap, his hands seemingly everywhere at once.
“Aurry!” Rill gasped.
“Do I need to throw a cold water spell over you two?” Auric smirked.
“Ever heard of knocking?” Jericho scowled.
“Get your paws off my sister and come upstairs. Father and I have something to talk over with you.”
Rill and Jericho exchanged a glance.
“Can I come, too?” she asked.
“Sure, but you might want to fix your hair.” Auric motioned towards her tangled locks. “Father’s going to catch on to what you two were up to in about fifteen seconds, what with you looking like that.”
Rill sniffed at him, but called over Jaspyr. After checking her reflection in the fox’s bronze plating, she smoothed down her hair and garments, then nodded.
They started up the stairs, Auric leading, Jericho and Rill a few steps behind.
“Should we tell them?” Rill whispered.
Auric’s ears twitched.
“Let’s see what this is about and judge from there,” Jericho replied.
Father waited in the workshop, his arms crossed.
“So, what’s this about?” Jericho asked.
“Hold on. I think Iris should be here for this, too. I caught her attention through the window just a minute ago. I’m sure she’ll be up here shortly.”
Sure enough, Mother entered a moment later, smelling of fresh air and flowers and dusting her soil-darkened hands on her skirt. She grinned. “Oh, a family assembly. How exciting! Does someone have some news to share?” She eyed Rill, who dropped her gaze to the floor.
Jericho shifted from foot to foot. “Auric said he had something to discuss with me.”
“Y
es, my son went out of his way to do something I probably should’ve done a while ago.” Hedward held out the contract to Jericho. “This is for you, Jericho. You’ve earned it.”
Jericho unfolded the papers. His Adam’s apple bobbed. He looked from the papers to Hedward then back at the papers again. “Am … am I understanding this, sir?”
“What is it, Jerry?” Rill tugged at his arm. He handed her the contract.
“Like I said, it was Auric’s doing, but I fully agree with it,” Father said.
Rill pored over the contract. Her eyes widened. “A partner? Really?” Her smile lit up Auric’s heart. Yes, he’d done the right thing.
“I don’t know what to say.” Jericho rubbed the back of his neck. “I mean, you didn’t have to do this, Auric. I would’ve found a way for me and Rill—”
“I wanted to do it,” Auric interrupted. “And I didn’t do it for Rill, though if she’s happy because of it, that’s sugar in my tea. I’m not even sure I did it for you, Jericho. I … I did it because I want to work with my best friend.”
Jericho pulled Auric into a vice-like hug. It lasted less than one rib-shattering heartbeat, but somehow that was long enough for Auric’s eyes to fog over. He drew himself up as Jericho released him.
“Thank you,” Jericho said.
Rill leaped into her brother’s arms and kissed his cheek before turning back to Jericho. “Now?” she asked.
He laughed. “I suppose it’s as good a time as any. You or me?”
“Oh, you, please. I’m too fluttery.” She brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
“All right.” He gazed at her, his usually hard eyes softening. “About five minutes before Auric burst in on us like a runaway mule, I asked Rill if she’d be my wife.” He took her hand. “For whatever reason, she said yes.”
“Because you’re wonderful, maybe?” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.
Iris clapped her hands and pulled Rill into an embrace. “You’re going to be such a beautiful bride.”
A strange, wistful mix of sadness and joy settled in Auric’s chest. It wasn’t particularly a surprise, nor did he dread it the way he had once, but still, she seemed so young. Well, it was definitely what she wanted.
“I had a feeling that was coming.” Hedward offered Jericho his hand. “You’ll take care of her, I know.”
“I swear, sir, I will, with all I’m worth.” Jericho nodded.
Auric stepped back, away from the knot of embracing loved ones. A calm swept through him. He was finally home.
The End
Spellsmith and Carver will return in
Spellsmith & Carver: Magicians' Trial
Auric Spellsmith and Jericho Carver saved the world—but the world is less than pleased.
Accused of causing a magical energy crisis and of “conduct unbefitting magicians,” the pair travels to the big city to defend their case, Rill and Jaspyr in tow. But they soon find themselves embroiled in a world where everyone has an ulterior motive. Politics are a web of deception, more dangerous than Fey magic.
Then Auric discovers Lotta, an attractive but eccentric engineer whose invention could solve the Republic’s energy crisis—if they can survive long enough to test her theories. The mysterious assassin who is after her now hunts Auric and Jericho too.
At odds with the law and criminals alike, Spellsmith and Carver will need every drop of wit and magic to survive.
ABOUT H. L. Burke
Born in a small town in north central Oregon, H. L. Burke spent most of her childhood around trees and farm animals and always accompanied by a book. Growing up with epic heroes from Middle Earth and Narnia keeping her company, she also became an incurable romantic.
An addictive personality, she jumped from one fandom to another, being at times completely obsessed with various books, movies, or television series (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Star Trek all took their turns), but she has grown to be what she considers a well-rounded connoisseur of geek culture.
Married to her high school crush who is now a US Marine, she has moved multiple times in her adult life but believes home is wherever her husband, two daughters, and pets are.
For information about H. L. Burke’s latest novels, to sign up for the author’s monthly newsletter, or to contact the writer, go to
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Also by H. L. Burke
For Middle Grade Readers
Thaddeus Whiskers and the Dragon
Cora and the Nurse Dragon
For Young Adult Readers
An Ordinary Knight
Beggar Magic
The Nyssa Glass Steampunk Series:
Nyssa Glass and the Caper Crisis
Nyssa Glass and the House of Mirrors
Nyssa Glass and the Juliet Dilemma
Nyssa Glass and the Cutpurse Kid
Nyssa Glass’s Clockwork Christmas
Nyssa Glass and the Electric Heart
Coiled
The Elemental Realms Series
An Epic Fantasy Saga
Book One: Lands of Ash
Book Two: Call of the Waters
The Dragon and the Scholar Saga (1-4)
A Fantasy Romance Series
Dragon’s Curse
Dragon’s Debt
Dragon’s Rival
Dragon’s Bride
Spellsmith and Carver Series
Spellsmith & Carver: Magicians' Rivalry
Spellsmith & Carver: Magicians' Trial
Fellowship of Fantasy Anthologies
Fantastic Creatures
Hall of Heroes