Theo was too purposeful, Zeki had the thought again. Theo had left his baking at the stone because he had someone in mind, and only someone oblivious would fail to note so obvious a sign of Theo Greenleaf’s intentions. Only a fool would reject them.
Zeki was many things, but at least he was not a fool.
WITH THAT in mind, Zeki took care to avoid the village if he could, and the standing stone, and the Greenleaf’s inn. He went to the market, only to leave at the sight of Ramona Greenleaf, although she had been alone. He heard no gossip, but it was difficult to listen for rumors when sitting alone in his house, and people desperate enough to need a witch or a healer were not inclined to chat or tell stories.
He would visit Theo again when he was certain his hopes were gone.
If Zeki grew sick of porridge, and his hearth did not compare to the warmth of the Greenleaf’s inn, it did not matter. And if he found himself weaving silly protective bracelets like the one he had made for Theo when they were both barely old enough to shave, he told himself he would take them on his next journey over the mountain and sell them for extra money.
The standing stone continued to call to him, even in his cottage at night.
When Zeki finally returned to the stone at the center of town, long past sunset, when only the stars offered him light, he saw more examples of Theo’s talent, as if new pastries had been offered every day.
Zeki scowled at them for too long, thinking up insult after insult and even a curse for whoever would deny Theo like this, who would keep him waiting.
He almost left a bracelet near the pastries for Theo to find, to cheer him up, but remembered himself and how that would look. Then he went home, to cold porridge and a cold bed, and an aching realization that Theo might lie in bed feeling the same, dreading another day of waiting.
ZEKI HAD JUST spent hours at the bedside of the mayor’s son, all of seven, who had stumbled into the woods and into the path of an irritable sprite. Zeki had clucked and fussed over the boy’s newly-given donkey’s ears, and given him blessings aplenty, but the fact remained the boy would have to apologize to the sprite, properly, if he wanted the ears gone sooner. The sprite, who Zeki knew well, was of a spiky disposition, but not cruel.
Nonetheless, explaining that to the mayor had not gone over well, and Zeki glared at the ground as he walked, without paying much attention to his surroundings, until he heard his name.
“Witch Zeki!” Nette Greenleaf had stopped in the middle of clearing the street outside the entrance to her establishment to stare at Zeki expectantly. “I haven’t seen you for a while!”
Theo’s mother was polite enough, or used to Zeki enough, to look him in the face.
Zeki lifted his head without displacing his hood, then sighed and crossed to her. “I like you too much to drive away your customers with my presence,” he offered.
Behind her, through the door, the inn looked to be bustling. A warm, bright den full of wine and tea and nice food, and Theo, somewhere, surrounded by suitors. The smells from inside were mouthwatering. Theo would no doubt be handsome and friendly.
It was not Zeki’s every good dream, but it was close enough.
Nette did not smile at Zeki’s comment. “You know you’re welcome,” she said, more serious than the moment deserved. “Same as any other. Perhaps more. We know what you do for us.”
Zeki was the one who suddenly could not look her in the eye. “Suppose I am not in the mood for company,” he tried, as though he could stomach any more porridge and it was not plain in his voice that he hungered. “And it’s sure to be crowded now,” he went on weakly, “with so many bees drawn to the flower in your kitchens.”
He had not meant to speak of that.
“You’re not wrong to think so,” Nette admitted proudly, leaving Zeki to hide a grimace. But Nette’s smile was winning. “You should get something, at least, for the road. Return the dish to us later.”
Zeki could hardly say no to one of the few families he liked, who treated him well. And, of course, he wanted to go in more than anything. He nodded and stifled a sigh as he crossed the threshold, and braced himself for stares as he pulled his hood back, although the crowds, distracted by thoughts of love and wooing, mostly did their best to ignore him today.
The inn was too full for Zeki to take his usual table in the corner, forcing him to approach the counter, and young Albert, whose hair was tied up and out of the way. The counter was also lined with people. Theo looking for suitors was good for business, it seemed, though Theo would still be baking and cooking at this time of day, and wasn’t likely to emerge for long.
Zeki explained his needs to Albert before giving him coin, and tried not to be concerned about the relieved twist to Albert’s smile at the sight of him. When Albert left, Zeki darted looks around at the others—at the men and women lingering around the counter for a chance to talk to Theo, wondering which was the one Theo actually wanted.
Then a thick cloth piled with warm flatbread and plate loaded with spiced meatballs and cooked vegetables was pushed in front of him, and he looked up to thank Albert.
Theo smiled at him instead.
Tall and well-built, with his brown arms bare for the heat of the kitchens and his dark hair braided and pinned into a crown, Theo was a pretty sight even without his shining, welcoming gaze or the faint shimmer of sweat on his exposed skin.
Zeki’s chest was too full of too much for him to speak. “Oh,” he said finally, probably not loud enough to be heard. He coughed and tried again. “Theo. I… thank you. I can’t wait.”
“Albert said you were leaving.” Theo’s smile dimmed slightly. “You really aren’t staying today? I haven’t seen you for weeks.”
Everything Zeki had wanted to forget abruptly returned to the forefront of his mind. He gestured to the side, to the row of people glaring his way or devouring Theo with their eyes. He dropped his gaze to his food. “There’s hardly room for me in all this,” he said, only a little bitter. He ought to seem friendlier, sweeter, or at least, nicer, so he added, “Although I am not surprised to see so many.”
Theo leaned toward him, whispering. “They did not like to discover that the more they order, the more I am needed in the kitchens.” His tone made it clear this was something he expected Zeki to laugh about with him.
