by Amy Crook
"Probably from Emmy," said Alex, taking a bite of one of his own. "Mmm, and this one's mushroom, so definitely Emmy."
"The cheese is Benedict," said Alys, though she didn't deign to appear, so her voice floated disembodied on the air. "Dinner will be at least another hour."
"These will tide us over," Julian assured her. "They're amazing."
"Good," she said, sounding smug.
A rain of compliments from all of them followed, and Julian got an impression of satisfaction from the direction of the kitchen. They set to eating, chatting all the while about things other than the case, about Alex's latest experiments in charms and amulets, and Julian's studies, Jones' promotion and Father Stephen's new group of acolytes. Julian snuggled up to Alex and let the warmth of the room fill him up until he was glowing with happiness.
Eventually Murielle joined them, and they moved into the kitchen to eat the magnificent pot roast that Alys had made. She'd flavoured it with more fresh herbs and red wine, and there were new potatoes, caramelised onions, and big chunks of carrot that had roasted with the meat. She'd made rich gravy and fresh bread, and there was a big bowl of greens sautéed with garlic and mushrooms that Alex tried to skip and ended up with some on his plate anyway. Everything was rich and delicious and plentiful, and Murielle went with their tacit exclusion of the case as a topic for discussion.
Everyone left after a dessert of more of those lovely little pastry bites, these filled with peaches and cinnamon, pears and ginger, or late summer berries. Jones volunteered to take Father Stephen home, and when they closed the door, Alex pulled Julian close.
"That was a good idea, love," said Alex. They shared sweet kisses until Julian was purring and ready to drag Alex off for a different sort of alone time.
"Do you really need to work tonight?" asked Julian, rubbing against Alex with his whole body.
Alex grinned down at him. "I really don't," he said, and they made their way into the bedroom for a very different sort of renewal.
CHAPTER 10
The next morning, Julian woke with his alarm to find Horace waiting patiently by his phone. He checked it, but there were no new messages, and then he noticed that another note was tucked inside the bronze cage of Horace's body. "Oh, I see," he said, quietly so as to let Alex, who was determinedly sleeping curled in a ball away from the alarm, continue to do so.
"Come on," said Julian, putting out his hand so Horace could hop up onto his shoulder. He took his phone and the bird into the bathroom to freshen up, then brought both out to the living room to read before he got dressed. A cup of tea was waiting for him along with a big plate of last night's pastries, a mix of sweet and savoury that made a perfect breakfast. Julian opened Horace up and read Alex's note to himself as he ate.
My Dearest Julian,
I thought of telling you in person how much your letter meant to me, but instead I put it with the others where I can look at it any time I want and I'm giving you another keepsake in return. Assuming you keep them, of course.
You're off to work today where you belong. It's been a luxury to have you at my side these past days, but I can't say that it's one I want all the time. I see how the violence eats at you, and I don't want you to have to toughen up your tender heart.
It was beautiful to see you giving life back where it had been stolen away. I feel like that sometimes, you know, that you renewed me when I had let myself wither.
And now I wonder if that's romantic or I just sound like a prat.
I love you, my Julian. I'll see you later.
Yours always,
Alex
Julian was grinning fit to burst as he folded the letter back in the elaborate little design Alex had made for him. He went to the writing desk he shared with Alex and pulled out his big keepsake box, unlocking it with a key before slipping this note in with the rest of Alex's letters. He had his other Courtship correspondence in a different box; this one was entirely devoted to him and Alex. He thought about writing back right away, but instead he decided to let it sit for a while and write back later, when he'd had time to figure out what he wanted to say.
It would give him something to think about today at work besides the reason for his precipitous vacation.
Julian woke Alex enough for a nice long kiss after he finished getting dressed. Alex smiled sleepily at him and promised he'd be up in time to get some work done, then pulled the duvet over his head and went right back to sleep. Julian rubbed his head through the blanket and headed out to the nursery, feeling strong enough to face whatever would come. Alys appeared to assure him that she didn't mind the extra guests, give an extra pastry, and get him to switch out their fairy-bread offering.
The nursery felt bright and welcoming when Julian went in, with no sense that the wards had been broached overnight. He decided to walk his rounds barefoot, wanting to make sure there were no disturbances, so he stowed his shoes in the office before starting to walk the paths. "How are you all today?" he asked the plants, extending that strange sense of his and finding he could 'hear' much better than he had before.
The plants were very happy with the new blessing and wards, with the sunny August day, the good watering they'd gotten the day before, and Julian's presence among them. The lucky clover was already looking fuller, and Julian could feel it working extra hard to grow fast and populate the huge plot it had been given. "We'll bring you some friends soon, too, but you'll be the heart of our lucky clover," said Julian. They'd put a decorative garden stake next to the plant so that they'd always know not to sell that one, though Julian had a feeling he, at least, wouldn't need the visual.
"And you," Julian said, going around the bend to where there were other magical plants waiting, "you are all doing so well, not a wilting plant in sight." He could feel the glow of potential coming off of them, along with a contentment that made Julian feel very at peace. He gave back some energy to each of them, though he was careful to just give a sprinkling and not drain himself the way he had yesterday.
The rest of his walk went the same way, plants reporting health and happiness and Julian rewarding them with a little bit more energy. The virgin greenhouse had been cleared out of anything that didn't require its controlled environment, and Julian spent some extra time in there making sure the fire orchid and other delicate plants were in balance and growing well after their ordeal. He spent an equal amount of time in the other greenhouse checking on the flowers there, talking to them while he made sure they had everything they needed.
Mary Margaret was at the front counter when he came back, a pot of tea brewing and a big smile on her face. "Everything must be fine, you've got that look they get up at the Temple, like you're all full of the peace of nature," she said cheerfully.
"It is, thank you. I should visit our ward-thistle again, though. I was concentrating on the other plants, but I wanted to make sure you were ready to open," said Julian.
"And get a cuppa," said Mary Margaret, not fooled for a moment.
Julian grinned. "And that," he allowed. He gave a big stretch and felt something in his back pop, then came over to pour their cups while she made sure the till was ready to go. "Does it feel better to you?"
"Does what?" she asked, distracted by counting the change.
"The nursery. It feels so much better to me today, full of sunshine and just... cleaner. Happier," he said, putting her tea on the counter. They had sturdy clay mugs for everyday work, and kept a supply of paper cups for anyone else who might want a spot of tea. It was one of the things Julian had liked when he first started, that anyone who might want a cuppa would be given one, purchase or not. The tea wasn't anything fancy, but she bought it in big tins and always kept sugar and fresh milk on hand.
Mary Margaret closed up the cash drawer and picked up her tea, then leaned against the counter and gave his question careful consideration. "I didn't notice it right away, but I was more worried about whether we'd remembered to get change and if anyone would show up. Now that I'm thinking about
it, though, I reckon you're right."
"Good," said Julian. He kissed her cheek and took a shortcut back toward the middle of the nursery, squatting down next to the ward-thistle with his toes curled in the dirt.
"Look at you, you're doing marvellously. You'll be twice as tall in no time, and all properly tangled up in your ward-fence," said Julian. The plant sent back warm contentment and pride, and a little curious inquiry. "Oh this? It's tea, here, you can have a little, too much is bad for you, though," he said, dripping a bit onto the soil around the plant. He charged it with some extra energy as he did, and his next sip of tea had a strange ozone kick to it as a result. "Oops, guess I got the whole cup," he said.
Julian took another sip, savouring the strange sensation, like drinking sunlight. "Feels nice, anyway. Don't you think so?"
The plant radiated pleasure at him, and Julian took a moment longer to enjoy it before he headed back to the front counter to start the day's work.
Mary Margaret was already ringing up someone's purchase, so Julian slipped around the counter to help her pack the plants onto a flat box for the customer.
"Can your lad carry these to the car for me?" asked the older man, pocketing his change. He looked familiar, but there were a lot of regulars that had known Mary Margaret for years and mostly ignored her assistants, so Julian didn't bother to try to dredge up the association.
"I can, I just need to get my shoes back on, sorry," said Julian, embarrassed. The man looked put out, but Julian scampered back to the office and washed his feet in the sink there, barely bothering to dry them before he donned shoes and socks and came back out.
"There you are, I was about to give up on you," said the customer crabbily, gesturing to the flat of plants.
"Sorry, sir, the parking lot isn't safe to go barefoot," said Julian, testing the balance on the flat before hefting it. "After you."
"Don't know why you'd have your shoes off, anyway," muttered the man, scurrying out the front door. He didn't bother to hold it for Julian, who had to catch the edge of the door with his foot before it closed, then struggle to get through it with the awkward box. The man was waiting impatiently at his car when Julian got to him, but Julian forced himself to smile brightly. "Back seat or trunk, sir?"
A curt gesture indicated the open car door, and Julian managed not to roll his eyes until he had turned away to get the box settled. He got a little tingle of warning and turned back with another toothy grin just in time to see the man snatch his hand back. Julian checked his pockets with no subtlety at all as he asked, "Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"No," said the customer, looking grumpier than ever.
Fortunately, whatever he'd been after he hadn't managed to take, as Julian's things were all still where they belonged. "You have a nice day, then," said Julian cheerfully, pointedly watching him drive off before he went back into the nursery.
"He was a bit of an arse, wasn't he?" said Mary Margaret. "Finish your tea, and I'll pour you another before we start on herb-lore. Those gardens are intact, so it's a good time to explain why it's arranged the way it is."
"Yes, ma'am," said Julian with a smile. "Plus, we can see the door from there."
"That had crossed my mind." She gestured for him to hurry up, so he finished his power-laced tea, feeling it rush through him and then fade to a warm glow. She refilled their cups and checked that everything was safe up front, and they made their way to the herb garden for the day's lesson.
She'd just started her explanation when the bell over the door rang three times in a row, and they were both needed to help customers. One would have made a special order, but the mage needed it that day, so Julian spent several minutes calling around until he could find someone who had the plant in stock. After sending that woman's money to the magical ingredients hothouse across town, Julian rang up several cheap potted plants for a man looking to suck up to his wife but unwilling to pay for something better.
Then came a string of irate people who couldn't believe they'd been closed for a whole week because of some silly murder, which was exhausting for Julian even though Mary Margaret fielded most of those. "I'm going to order in lunch," said Julian, when Mary Margaret had a moment between complainants. "Fancy a pizza?"
"Oh, you are a love, I really do. One piled high with everything you can stand, I'd even eat the little fishes if you really wanted," she said with a grin and a wink.
"I'll get something good," Julian assured her. He called the place around the corner, but they were so swamped that delivery wasn't going to be for nearly 90 minutes.
"I'm sorry," said Julian, emerging to see two people trying to yell at Mary Margaret at once. "Can I help you?" He directed himself at the man, who seemed the most intent on talking over everyone.
"I'm here for my special order," said the man, and it clicked in Julian's mind why he looked so familiar. This was the customer who'd ordered the virgin lilies, and who'd taken such care with his lucky clover choices. "You've had more than long enough to acquire my lilies."
"I'm afraid your lilies were a casualty of the unfortunate incident the week before last," said Julian, leading him a few steps away from where Mary Margaret seemed to be making progress with the woman. "We'd have re-ordered, but you didn't answer our messages, may I double check your information?"
"No!" he said irritably. "I need them today, I can't wait any longer."
"The main Temple of Purification should have them available for a suitable donation," said Julian. "Do you know where it is?"
"Of course I know, that thing's an eyesore when there's any sun at all." The man huffed. "You're sure you don't have them in?"
"I'm sorry, sir, we're having to re-stock that entire greenhouse," said Julian apologetically. "We have the plants, but they're no longer suitable for spell use."
They had moved even further away from the counter, now, along the path toward the greenhouse in question. The customer, whose name Julian remembered as Jack something, huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. "Well, at least I can get more clover, you've got to have that, at least."
Julian had a sinking feeling, and he sighed. "No, sir, that's the other thing that was damaged. The whole patch was a loss."
They rounded the corner, where you could see the one lush plant standing in the middle of its plot of bare earth. "Well, what about that one?"
"That one's not for sale, sir, surely as a mage yourself you're familiar with the need for a seed plant for the luck to grow strong," said Julian. He wasn't explaining it well, but honestly, the annoyance was starting to grate. "We'll be getting new plants as soon as possible, but that one isn't for sale."
Jack's eyes narrowed, and he looked like he was going to protest when Mary Margaret's voice interrupted him. "Julian! Can you come here for a moment, dear?"
"In a second!" he called back. "I'm sorry, sir, was there anything else?" he asked, gesturing for Jack to precede him back the way they'd come.
"No, I suppose I'll have to go to the Temple," Jack grumbled, looking almost angry at being denied his purchases. "I'll remember this in the future."
"We'll be sure to keep that in mind, next time someone's murdered here," said Julian pleasantly.
Jack harrumphed again, huge and put-upon, and stomped out, ending up on the heels of the woman Mary Margaret had been talking to. She didn't look much happier, but at least she'd left holding a plant.
"What did you need?" asked Julian, joining her and the three men who had replaced the unhappy woman at the front counter.
"Julian St. Albans?" asked one of the men.
"Yes," said Julian, resisting the urge to take the other customers' moods out on these men and point out that his identity should be obvious at that point, having answered to his own name already. "How can I help you?"
"Why don't I pour you all some tea?" said Mary Margaret suddenly, giving the men a strange look. "I'll make up a fresh pot." She turned and began the business of dumping the old tea bags and starting the kettle boili
ng without waiting for an answer.
"Ah, thank you," said one of the other men. Their body language had shifted subtly, and now it was clear that they worked for the man who'd spoken to him first.
"I'm Grandmaster Elkhort, with the Grower's Guild," he said, holding out his hand for shaking.
"It's an honour to meet you, sir," said Julian, taking the man's hand and getting a little jolt of something from the contact. It hadn't been magic, precisely, nor quite the same awareness he had with his plants, and it made him feel off-balance. "What can I help you with?"
"Are you aware that both of the recent victims of ritual murders were apprentices with our Guild?" he asked.
"Oh, no," said Julian, feeling the shock like cold water down to his toes. "The second one, too?"
"I'm afraid so," said the Grandmaster. "We're talking to all of our apprentices, especially those with magical talent." His voice was gentler now, as though whatever he'd seen in Julian's reaction had mollified him. "The Guild will arrange for you to be protected, but you may have to stop working until the perpetrator's been caught."
"But I just got back to work!" protested Julian, and then he sighed. "I know, though, even with the new wards it's not very safe here. Did both of the victims have magical talent?"
"They did, and Julia was almost ready for her journeyman's trials," said Elkhort sadly. "I'm coming to you in person to impress upon you the seriousness of the situation. We only had eight talented apprentices, and another fifteen without, though most of those are in more rural situations."
"Had, oh," said Julian sadly. "So there's only six of us now?"
All three men nodded gravely. "You're to head straight home, if Master Stone can handle the nursery without you?"
"If you pause for a cuppa, I'll call and make sure Raul's coming in on time, he starts in fifteen minutes, anyway. We're usually slow the first few hours, so their shifts are staggered." Mary Margaret poured them all tea, using ceramic mugs for everyone, just this once. Julian had a feeling no one would object with a Grandmaster here, and whoever the other two shadows were.