Theo swiped a dusty hand over his hair as he came over to greet Zeki. “Are you really here?”
“I didn’t mean to bother you,” Zeki explained in a rush. “Your parents waved me in.”
“It’s fine,” Theo assured him warmly, drawing a soft snort from Violet’s direction. Theo only smiled wider, radiant, as if he didn’t mind Zeki showing up unexpectedly even the slightest bit. Zeki couldn’t think after a night of no sleep and that smile, and nodded blankly in response to Theo’s questions. “Do you need anything? Are you hungry?”
Zeki was startled to see himself holding a cup of tea and some warm bread with honey a few moments later. Theo stared at him until he took a bite, and then, even though Zeki tried to politely insist he was fine, served him a bowl of soup once the bread was gone. Zeki had to stand at the counter to eat, inexplicably flustered at being permitted to watch Theo prepare what Zeki thought was a dessert.
Violet, normally chatty, hadn’t a thing to say. Theo was quiet as well, but his frequent glances to Zeki—apparently not convinced after all this time that Zeki loved his food—kept the silence from being uncomfortable. But he was also the first to break it once Zeki’s bowl was empty.
“You liked it? You only ever order the same thing.”
Zeki licked the last of the soup from his lips. “It strains my purse coming here as it is. There’s no need to tempt myself further.”
“You wouldn’t—” Theo gave him a frustrated look. “I’m not asking for your money.”
“Which reminds me,” Zeki said quickly, and looked down to search through his bag. “I brought gifts for you.” He shot a glance to Violet, but Violet wasveryintent on their work. Zeki laid each charm out on the counter. He had not attached any of them to strings or ribbons, not knowing how they would be worn or carried. “One for confidence,” Zeki ran his thumb over the small clay disk and held in a sigh, “for your shy suitor, as I promised. But these,” he gestured to the other two, “are for you. For a gentle companion, and for sweet dreams, so you won’t worry too much while you wait.”
“Hmm,” Violet hummed significantly, then hustled over to stand in front of the ovens.
“Thank you,” Theo said softly, and pulled the last two disks toward him. He left the first charm on its bed of flour. “I thought I wouldn’t need this one. You said I’d only need to smile.”
Zeki briefly closed his eyes, and was grateful the heat of the kitchens disguised all blushes. He hadn’t thought Theo would enjoy flattery. “And I did not lie,” he admitted gruffly, gaze safely on Violet’s back. “But you seemed to believe your suitor was stubborn.”
Theo did not return to rolling out his dough. “He is. But I begin to think that isn’t the problem.”
So, it was a man.
Zeki swallowed and refused to dwell on that while he was in front of Theo.
“Admittedly, someone like me knows nothing of courting, or of being wanted.” Zeki took a sip of tea to soothe his hoarse voice. “You implied you had waited before this. Did you leave your mark at the stone to prod him along?” He still could not speak normally; his throat stayed dry and rough. “I can’t imagine what the delay would be. You are a bridegroom many a mother would set their children at, for your cookery alone.”
Theo responded too seriously to Zeki’s unfunny jest. “Is that all I am? Cookery?”
Despite his longing heart and better judgement, Zeki snorted. “You have the eye of everyone our age in the village, Theo. Do not pretend you don’t know.” The words were softer and less bitter than he would have liked.
Theo was unimpressed. “I’m handsome and I offer food, is that it? Any of them would say that.”
Zeki frowned and finally returned his gaze to him. “You have always been kind, even to a witch who is fearful to gaze upon.”
“Zeki.” Theo’s voice was shocked. Violet turned to stare at Zeki as well.
People were used to not speaking directly to him, or about his face. But Zeki lived with it, and shrugged the subject away until Violet went back to ignoring him.
“Your suitors must have more to say about you.” The warmth was fading from the cup of tea. Zeki took his time pushing it to the side. “I have… I have always found your presence calming, Theodore Greenleaf. It seems a good quality for a spouse. I am sure others agree.”
“I have never found you calming,” Theo answered. When Zeki stared at him in surprise, Theo lifted, then lowered, his chin. “Not in that sense,” he added, quieter. “I’m not afraid of you. You’re more… a challenge.”
Zeki moved his mouth but had difficulty making the words. “Your intended suitor should not be nearly so difficult,” he managed at last. “A relief for you, then. Though perhaps he istoocalm?” The fire in Zeki’s chest made him say it, and scowl at a man who wasn’t there. “Maybe it’s the number of competitors that bothers him, and he wonders if he is the one you really want among so many better choices. You might show him some pity.” A man who would not risk his dignity for Theo if he thought he had a chance was not worth Theo. But Theo wanted him, so what else could Zeki say? “Perhaps… if you got him alone, and said, ‘So and so, I will accept you if you step forward.’”
Theo took a deep breath. “So, I should say, ‘Zeki, I will accept you if you step forward?’”
It was little more than a whisper.
“Excuse me,” Violet said meekly, then dashed from the room.
Zeki went still at Theo’s words, and the unfair, wonderful sound of them. “Yes,” he croaked. “Though not thatexactly. Not with my name. No one would ever say that to me.”
Theo reached out but didn’t quite touch the last charm. “You believe it’s impossible for you?”
