“Good morning, Madam Treeleaf,” I greet her, as I step into the shop.

“Luna, how was your journey back? I wasn’t expecting you to return so soon.”

“My sister is in need of a place to stay with her new husband, so we arrived early, and I can bless you with my presence and my assistance once again. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not. Lucien is at the back of the shop.”

“Oh… is he?” I asked, shyly. “Thank you.”

She laughs, and waves me off as I walk into the back room to retrieve my apron.

“Luna?” Lucien peeks around the doorway of the back room. “You’re back so soon. Is that why…”

“Hello, Lucien,” I say, walking past him quickly to fetch my apron, and pulling it over my head.

He walks up behind me, and helps me tie up my hair. The feeling of his fingers running lightly through it is enough to make my knees weak.

“I’m sorry I didn’t write. I got very… busy,” I lie.

“With M… Your sisters?”

“Yes. You should have seen my parents. They were such an emotional mess. My mother was bawling. Can you believe my sisters got better gifts than I did for attending the academy? My family seems to be much better off now. The farm is doing well.”

“And… How is Marcellus?”

“First, tell me about Arthur.”

“He’s… coping,” he looks around, afraid of being overheard.

“I’ve got a headache,” grumbles Arthur, walking into the back room, and snatching a strong soothing potion off a shelf.

“He’s been irritable,” says Seraphina, following him in.

“That’s an improvement,” I mutter. “Are you paying for that?”

“No, I’m stealing it,” Arthur mutters, rolling his eyes at me. “Of course I’m paying for it. I’m not poor. You’re back early. Did your parents not want to keep you?”

“Gods, I almost forgot what life without you is like. Thank you for the kind reminder.”

“Did you miss me?”

“My life was very peaceful, and suddenly it isn’t,” I tease him. “So, possibly.”

“Hello,” says a quiet voice from the door.

An extremely handsome man with black hair with streaks of blue follows Seraphina in. I try not to stare, and turn to look at Lucien, hiding the shock behind my hand, struggling to rein in a smile. When I’ve composed myself, I turn back to look at him.

“Are you… from Nien?” I ask, trying to be polite. “Your hair is…”

“Luna, this is Fox,” says Seraphina, watching me closely.

“Oh… nice to meet you,” I can’t stop my cheeks from getting hot, and I can barely stop myself from smiling.

“I grew up in Zelfari, but my family is from Nien. I lived there as a child.”

I almost mutter my thoughts out loud. That it’s not just his hair, but his piercing blue eyes, and his extremely handsome face that reminds me of the depictions I’ve seen of Sol. Those from Nien have been compared to the dark elves in beauty, and I understand why now.

“The two of you can bond over that trauma,” mutters Arthur, downing a full soothing potion.

“What’s the matter, Arthur? Hung over?” I ask him. “And I’m sure it wasn’t traumatic, unless… you think otherwise?”

“It’s his hearing. It gotten more sensitive. He’s not used to it,” Seraphina chimes in, sweetly. “I’m helping him with that.”

“I see. Is that why he’s…” I gesture towards him. “What happened?”

“A curse,” he groans.

“I like this version of you better, Arthur. You’re quieter. Did you finally realize how loud you are?”

Fox snickers. “Lucien mentioned the two of you were close.”

“Not that close,” the rest of us grumble in protest.

“Oh,” he laughs. “My apologies.”

“I’m guessing…” I say, placing the potions list down on the table, and searching for marigold petals, or anything else to distract myself with.

“On the shelf over there. I’ve already dried them,” says Lucien, watching me closely.

“Right, thank you,” I say, taking them off the shelf, and placing them on the workstation.

Arthur groans. “I’m beginning to hate the taste of these potions, but they’re the only ones that work.”

“I asked Master Eaimer to send me a recipe for something better,” sighs Lucien. “But he’s been unsuccessful.”

“Unsuccessful, or he just doesn’t like you,” I laugh.

“Or that,” Lucien agrees, covering his mouth with his hand to hide his amusement.

“You’re both the worst,” Arthur says, with a weak smile. “It’s nice to have you back, Luna.”

“It’s nice to be back, Arthur,” I say with a smile. “I brought back some boring trinkets from Bellehaven for all of you. I left them at the Academy, though.”

“Well, I can hardly wait to see what you got for me. How’s Marcellus?”

“Who’s Marcellus?” Asks Seraphina.

“Her lover,” says Arthur.

“He’s not!” Lucien and I retort.

We look at each other, then turn away in embarrassment. I look over at Fox to gauge his reaction. He’s got a neutral expression on his face, and just eyes Arthur curiously.

“A touchy subject?” She asks, giving Arthur a nervous look.

“Luna doesn’t want to admit that she likes him,” he responds.

“Gods, Arthur, that’s really none of your business, is it?” She says, smacking the back of his head making him wince. “It’s fine, you don’t have to tell me about it.”

“He’s just a friend, I swear,” I say defensively, getting a pot to fill with water.

“A friend,” Arthur scoffs.

“Arthur!”

He flinches, covering his ears.

“Go get me water if you’re just going to annoy me!” I scold him, picking up a bucket, and holding it out towards him.

He smiles wearily, and takes it from me. “As you wish, Your Majesty.”

We all watch him silently exit the shop through the back door.

“He’s-”

“Shh!” Seraphina holds up a finger. “He’s not far enough away yet, I can still hear his footsteps.”

On her signal, we all look at each other, not sure what to say next, but feeling a wave of relief with his absence.

“I shouldn’t have asked,” she mumbles, apologetically. “I’m sorry. He’s very…”

“It’s fine, it’s a bad habit of his,” I busy myself with other tasks around the shop, noticing how messy it is. “Lucien, can’t keep this place organized? In any case, things didn't go well.”

“It’s not me making a mess,” Lucien mumbles. “It’s Madam Treeleaf. I clean up every night, but she’s impossible, sometimes. You wouldn’t know. You’ve been gone for so long.”

“Not that long.”

“It felt like a lifetime,” he mumbles.

I’m almost flattered, as I begin tidying up loose labels piled carelessly on a counter, and scattered corks, which I placed into a large glass jar.

“So,” I say, shyly, noticing Fox’s curious eyes following me around. “Tell me about yourself, stranger.”

“Not much to tell,” he grins.

His smile freezes me in place. How is he almost as stunning to look at as Lucien? I look back and forth between them, and settle on Fox.

“How is Zelfari this time of year?”

“Hot,” he laughs. “It’s always hot. In the summer, it’s slightly… hotter.”

“Sounds… hot,” I laugh, and our eyes connect for a brief moment, making my cheeks warm up.

“Well,” says Seraphina. “I’d love to continue listening to this enthralling conversation, but I’ve got to get going. You can join me if you’d like, Fox, but only because I don’t think Madam Treeleaf will appreciate it if you continue to distract her favorite apprentice. We can meet more formally for dinner, perhaps?”

“I’m not a distraction, am I?” He smirks.

I catch my breath. “Definitely… yes.”

“I do need to get going, then,” he says, with a slight nod. “Unless you wish to be distracted further.”

We continue to stare at each other, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. I bite my lip in order to stop myself from grinning.

“Not a student at the Academy?” I ask him abruptly.

“No, I’m afraid not. I’m an archmage already,” he responds, leaning in closer to me.

“And you don’t look a day over ninety,” I joke.

He laughs politely. “You’ll be at dinner?”

“I’ll think about it,” I promise.

He and Seraphina get up to leave the shop, and I shamelessly watch him as he takes his leave.

When he’s gone, Lucien and I continue our work in awkward silence.

“I don’t ask because I want to pry,” begins Lucien. “But because you’re a friend-”

“I told Marcellus I don’t want to return to Bellehaven, that I want the potion, and that I have every intention of traveling, and continuing my studies.”

“He didn’t take it well?”

I look up at him with a look of feigned disappointment, and a roll of my eyes. He smiles.

“Of course he didn’t,” I laugh. “But we’re not exactly getting along at the moment. It’s probably for the best.”

“I’m sorry it didn’t work out between the two of you.”

“I’m not,” I grumble, collecting loose odds and ends from the counter, and sorting them out into several boxes. “It was bound to end poorly one way or another. At least I stopped it at the source before I dragged him along for too long. Also, it couldn’t have been that quiet without me around. All of you seem to be getting along. I almost feel like an outsider.”

“We’ll have to change that. And you can talk to me about it… if you’d like. You’re my friend, and you don’t have to hide it from me when something is hurting you.”

“I’m not… hurting,” I say, feeling suddenly confused about my own emotions.

“You’re not? Then what’s that look on your face?”

“What look?” I ask, turning to face him.

“That one,” he says, poking my nose, and leaving a thick substance on it.

“Lucien!” I wail, wiping my nose off with my apron.

“Relax, it’s just a healing salve. It’s harmless. I completely agree that things have to change around here. Sir Wells seems…”

“Handsome?”

“What?”

“You noticed, did you?” I laugh. “I call dibs, if you haven’t already made your move.”

A faint blush appears on his face, and he turns away quickly. “N-No. I just noticed the look you gave him. Or rather… the looks you gave him. You seem taken with him. Openly so. Shamelessly so.”

“But you noticed, didn’t you?”

“Stop talking now, please,” he says politely, holding out his hands towards me.

It makes me giggle uncontrollably when the tips of his ears become many shades darker.

“It’s hard not to, isn’t it?” I ask. “Anyone with eyes can see how attractive he is.”

He gives me a look of horror, causing me to giggle more. He looks panicked, and gently covers my mouth, pressing a finger to my lips, to shush me. I can hear a man at the front of the shop. He sounds angry, and his voice is slowly getting increasingly loud as he continues to speak with Madam Treeleaf.

“Love potion guy, right?” He asks.

I nod. “Yes, that’s his voice. What does he want?”

“What do you think?”

“Hmm, possibly a love potion?”

The back door opens, and Arthur comes stumbling in with a bucket sloshing with water.

“Why are you talking about love potions?” He asks.

“Shh,” Lucien shushes him. “Madam Treeleaf is in with a troublesome customer.”

“Troublesome?” He listens intently. “What’s he going on about?”

Lucien gives him an irritated look. “He wants a love potion. He’s trying to get Madam Treeleaf to brew one. If you stop talking, I could actually follow along.”

“Those things are terrible. I never have any luck with them.”

“That’s because you can’t brew love. They only work when someone already likes you, now shut up, I cannot hear.”

“Everyone knows you can’t brew love potions,” Arthur rolls his eyes.

“Of course not. I just said that you can’t brew-”

“So, Luna-”

“Shut up, Arthur!” Lucien and I shout.

“How’s M-”

“I’m going to hurt you,” I threaten, shoving a cork into his mouth.

Arthur takes a step away from me, then pours the bucket of water into one of the many pots lined up on a counter near the back door. The sound startles Lucien and me. I rush towards Arthur, and he backs himself into a corner with an amused look. I lightly punch his upper arm just before I begin laugh.

“I hate you,” I say, taking a rag off a shelf behind him. “You’re the worst.”

“I bet you still missed me, though.”

“I missed both of you,” I say, taking a quick glance at Lucien.

Lucien rolls his eyes at me, then gets back to his work.

“I think Lucien missed you the most,” says Arthur, lightly. “He got so gloomy while you were gone. I swear he got several shades bluer while you were away.”

Lucien’s ears twitch, and he pretends not to have heard anything.

“You don’t have to drag Lucien into every conversation, you know. Just admit your heart ached for me, and you were counting down the days of my return.”

“Oh,” he pouts. “You’re not fun to tease anymore. What happened? Did Bellehaven make you worse than you already were?”

“Arthur-”

“Shh!” Lucien quiets us. “The town guards are here.”

The three of us peek past the edge of the doorway looking into the front of the shop, and watch them struggle to restrain the large, gruff-looking man. They knock him into a shelf, and several of the bottles shatter on the floor just before he tumbles to the ground, holding the back of his head. Madam Treeleaf is standing confidently at the counter watching as the city guards restrain him with a rope and pair of shackles, and pull him to his feet. He screams at Madam Treeleaf, but barely budges an inch against the guards firm grips on his shoulders. He turns to face the three of us at the door, and he begins screaming once again.

“You better watch it!” He shouts at us. “I hear the streets aren’t safe for dark elves! Would be a shame if you lost an apprentice!”

I gasp, and I can see Lucien’s face fall. There’s a look of fear and shock in his eyes which he barely manages to hide moments later. I take his hand, and he grips it tightly.

The guards yank him out of the shop by the ropes, and the last thing we see is the hideous grin he gives Lucien. Lucien shuts his eyes tightly the moment the door is shut, then turns around, and continues with his work, busying himself with the marigold petals I forgot about.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“Sweet Selene and Sol!” Cries Madam Treeleaf. “Lucien!”

She rushes to him, and just stares. He winces, and looks down at his hands when she doesn’t say anything.

“Yes, Madam Treeleaf?” He asks, stopping to look up at her.

“Are you okay, my dear boy?”

“I’m not a boy,” he grumbles, looking down at his hands, but unable to continue his work.

“You’re all my children.”

“I’m fine, Madam Treeleaf.”

“Should I send you back to the Academy? Do you feel unsafe here?”

“I can’t imagine you’d want to continue to pay me if I spend my time hiding away at the Academy each time someone threatens me.”

She sighs in defeat. “You’re right, not that you need the funds. Luna!”

I stand at attention, and look at her. “Yes, Madam Treeleaf?”

“I need you to run over to the charms shop-”

“That’s not necessary!” Shouts Lucien, distressed.

“And get me the best protection you can find. A talisman, perhaps?”

“Yes Madam-”

“Don’t!” Says Lucien, glaring at me.

“-Treeleaf. I’ll get right on it,” I say, giving Lucien a bright smile.

“Take some money from the box-”

“Madam-”

“And pick up some wine, while you’re at it. The sweet kind. Something for lunch and dinner as well.”

“Yes, Madam Treeleaf,” I say, setting off immediately.

“This is unnecessary!” He objects.

“Thank you, Luna,” she ignores him.

I step into the charm’s shop, the wooden steps creaking loudly as I enter, and the bell above the door rings, announcing my arrival. The shop is filled with boxes of rolled up scrolls, trinkets, and many other seemingly normal objects. The air of the shop, however, feels like it’s pulsing, giving me goose flesh, and making my mind hum. I groan uncomfortably.

“Just a moment!” Shouts a familiar voice from the back of the shop.

“Sir Wells?” I call out.

“One moment, please,” he calls out again.

Something clatters to the floor, and I can hear a scrape as it’s picked up. There’s another clatter, as the object is tossed, probably into a box like the rest of the items in the shop. Fox emerges, giving me a look of surprise, and then grinning widely, almost reminding me of Arthur. Almost, but Fox’s face doesn’t make me frown when I see it.

“Fancy seeing you here.”

“You work here?” I step up to the counter, and rest my hands on it. “I didn’t know, though you could be the handsome apprentice Madam Treeleaf is always going on about.”

“Yes. I’ve recently acquired a more permanent position here. There was a vacancy after the shop owner’s apprentice brought in a cursed pendant, and became gravely ill.”

“Oh, my,” I gasp. “Is he alright?”

“He’s perfectly fine, but the shop owner fired him immediately.”

“Surely, it was a mistake…?” I inquire.

“No, he…” he leans in close, and cups his hand. “Did it on purpose, except the wrong person was cursed.”

“It wasn’t Arthur, was it?”

He laughs. “No.”

I give him an awkward smile.

“Uh…” he tuts, then stands at the counter with an inquiring look. “Can I help you, Miss?”

“‘Luna’ is fine.”

“You certainly are,” he smiles, eyeing me up and down. “Can I help you, Luna?”

My mind ceases to function for a moment, as I stare at him in disbelief.

“S-Sorry,” he stutters. “Was I too forward?”

“Um…” I try to speak, but the words won’t form.

“Did Madam Treeleaf need anything perhaps?” He stares at my mouth intently, as if it will encourage the words to come pouring out of my opened mouth. “An enchantment for a pot, perhaps? I know those are quite popular in your shop. I saw a few of them today.”

“Sorry!” I exclaim, speaking louder than I intended, startling the both of us.

I cover my face in embarrassment, and he chortles.

“Sorry,” I say, more quietly this time. “Madam Treeleaf sent me for a protection talisman of some kind. She’d like the strongest one you have.”

“Protection talisman…” he shuts his eyes, pensive. “I believe we have pendants, or if you need something for the shop we have some scro-”

“It’s for Lucien.”

“Oh, the elf? He seems like a strong fellow, why would he-”

“It’s not… safe for his kind in the city, as you know. Madam Treeleaf is worried about him, especially after someone threatened him at the shop just a while ago.”

“Ah, yes, of course. I should have known. My apologies. I have just the thing… One moment please,” he says, holding up a finger, just before vanishing behind the back of the shop.

I wander the shop, digging through boxes of small vanishing charms I’d seen often used for pulling childish pranks at the Academy. There are several supposed love charms often bought before dates. There are tiny scrolls I’ve seen placed under my roommate's pillow that claim to keep bad dreams at bay, and to put up a challenge against Dream-Walkers. I open box after box until I come across one filled with bugs. I gasp, letting it fall to the ground, the contents spilling across the floor. The bugs are not real, but they wriggle just the same, making me shudder and gag.

“Are you alright?” Fox calls out.

“I’m fine!” I call back.

I get to my knees, turn the box upright, and begin putting all the fake bugs back inside it. They continue to crawl over the shop floor, and it sends a shiver down my spine. They’re too realistic, and I’m fighting every urge to scream.

“I really should put a warning on that one,” Fox laughs, reappearing. “You’re not the first to knock it over.”

“I’m so sorry. I’ll clean it up, I swear.”

“I’ll help, but come here for a moment,” he says, waving me over.

I gladly stop what I’m doing to get up, and approach the counter.

“What do you think? Do you think your Lucien will like this lovely piece…” he holds up a simple golden sun pendant on a black cord. “Or this one?” He holds up a simple silver moon pendant, also on a black cord. “I think the silver will suit him better. I didn’t notice him wearing any gold jewelry.”

“You’re right, he doesn’t.”

“He’s part light elf, though, isn’t he?”

“He… is. How did… it’s the eyes, isn’t it?”

“It is, and the ear. Silver, then?”

“Is it the best protective charm? The color doesn’t matter if-”

“They’re both the best we have.”

“Silver then.”

“Alright, that’ll be five gold.”

I stumble where I stand. “I don’t think Madam Treeleaf gave me enough.”

“I’m joking. It’ll be two gold, and thirty silver. Twenty-five, if you help me pick up the bugs someone dropped earlier.”

“How inconsiderate of them to just leave them there.”

“Yes, but I can forgive them. They’re quite easy on the eyes.”

“Alright,” I snicker, taking the coins from my belt, and placing them on the counter. “But you didn’t have to bribe me. I would have done it anyway.”

“You’re right. You’re only getting a discount because I like you,” he says with a wink.

Fox slides the necklace across the wooden counter towards me, and slides the coins towards him into a small pouch just below it. I take the pendant, and hang it around my neck.

“I thought that was for Lucien,” he smirks. “Though it suits you well.”

“Well, what better place to keep a necklace of protection, than around my neck for me to keep it safe, and for it to keep me safe?”

“A valid point.”

I return to gathering the enchanted bugs once more. Fox rushes around the counter to join me.

“Is this really a protection talisman? These bugs are still moving.”

“They’re harmless,” he laughs. “Don’t you see plenty of bugs traipsing through the forests of Bellehaven?”

“How did you know I’m from Bellehaven?” I say, squeamishly dropping a particularly large spider into the box.

“Arthur.”

“Of course,” I sigh. “He doesn’t know how to stop talking. Best not to give him too much ammunition for his attacks, if you know what’s good for you.”

“He seems harmless enough.”

“That’s part of his charm, isn’t it?”

A large bug flies towards my face, and I swat at it, causing it to vanish. Illusion magic. Fox coughs to disguise a laugh.

“These are cruel. Why would someone sell such things?” I huff.

“It’s harmless, and keeps the bills paid. It’s not often people come for expensive items like that necklace you’re wearing.”

His eyes wander momentarily to my chest, then he quickly looks away.

“Of course that makes sense. We do the same thing at the shop. Minor healing potions make up the vast majority of our sales.”

“Why… was Lucien threatened in the shop of all places?” He asks, cautiously. “He always keeps to himself, from what I can tell.”

“Oh, it was just some… idiot asking for a love potion. He’s been there several times before. This time he thought he could get what he wanted, and when they arrested him, he thought he’d get back at Madam Treeleaf by threatening Lucien. Madam Treeleaf is concerned, because he keeps getting released from his imprisonment. With everything going on in the city… Well, I’m sure you understand.”

“I have a good idea.”

I spot a tarantula crawling towards me, and back myself into a shelf from fright. I prepare for the clatter that would inevitably come when I run into it with the back of my head, but it doesn’t budge an inch.

“I nailed them to the walls after the… upteenth time someone dropped the bugs,” he presses his lips together into a forced smile.

“I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine. It’s nice to have something to do. It’s always empty before classes begin at the Academy.”

“After the rush, I’m sure.”

“Not many students are looking for enchantments. They’d have spent all their money on the road.”

“I see.”

“Though we have some excellent enchantments for studying.”

“I might want to take a look at those…”

“Well,” I sigh, placing the box of bugs back onto the shelf with a fresh warning message painted on the side. “I must be going. Thank you for your help. It’s been a pleasure.”

“So soon?”

“Yes. I was supposed to pick up this necklace, some lunch, and a sweet wine for Madam Treeleaf.”

“Sounds like a party. Is it Lucien’s birthday?”

“No. Madam Treeleaf probably has a headache.”

“Ah, but the wine won’t help,” he says, pensively.

“Don’t let her ever hear you say that. Enjoy the rest of your day, Sir Fox.”

“You as well, Miss Luna.”

I place one foot out the door, where the stair creaks the loudest, then turn to face the inside of the shop. Fox is still watching me.

“Did you forget something?” He asks, with a warm smile.

“Are you hungry? Would you like to join me for lunch? Or rather… the picking up of lunch?”

His eyebrows shoot up momentarily in surprise. “Do you think Madam Treeleaf would mind waiting longer?”

“For five silver coins? No. She wouldn’t mind a single bit.”

“Sure, let me get the shop key. I’m famished. Someone dropped all the bugs earlier, and I had to pick them up.”

“Sounds exhausting.”

“I know. Some patrons are the worst.”

He rushes to the back of the shop, then reappears seconds later, and walks me out, locking up the shop behind him.

“There’s a wonderful bakery just down this path,” he suggests.

“Madam Treeleaf is picky about where she gets her pastries. She doesn’t want to insult her best patrons.”

“Oh, my apologies!” He says, exaggeratedly. “I am unfamiliar with the customs of the potions shop.”

“The first rule is to make friends with the baker that makes the best bread.”

“But the other baker has wonderful pastries,” he frowns.

“Wait until you try this one. It’s quite a walk, but you’ll thank me later.”

“Gods, this is amazing!” Exclaims Fox, with a mouth full of egg custard pastry.

We saunter down the path towards the shop after picking up fresh fruits, pastries, and some sweet wine.

“Worth the long walk, wasn’t it?”

“I would have enjoyed it either way.”

“Do you enjoy long walks?”

“Long walks, yes. Especially with wonderful company.”

“Who would that be?” I snark.

“Do you see me speaking with anyone else?”

I stop in my tracks, and shut my eyes tightly. I open them moments later, and Fox is now mere inches from my face, eyeing me curiously, before finishing off the last bite of his pastry.

“I’m afraid I’m still here,” he says, amused.

“Oh.”

“Was I being too forward again?”

“No. You’re very subtle about it. It’s refreshing, actually, but I can’t help… uh… ”

“My apologies, if I’ve made you uncomfortable.”

“It’s no discomfort at all. I’m flattered,” I say, looking away, trying to compose myself.

“I should return to the shop,” he says, staring at a flat rounded object tied to a chain.

“What is that?”

“A pocket watch.”

“Oh, a timekeeper? I’ve never seen one up close before.”

He presses the object into my hands.

“I’ll retrieve it tonight when I see you for dinner. “Thank you for lunch, Luna.”

“It was a delightful pleasure, Sir Wells.”

“You may call me Fox. I don’t intend to keep my distance from you,” he whispers, just before walking off, leaving me stunned.

I fumble with the timekeeper in my hands, unsure how to open it, or read the time through the small window in the center. Lucien watches on, then holds out a hand towards me.

“I can show you,” he says, hopefully.

I place the object in his hands, and sit down, watching his nimble fingers wrap around it. He pushes a knob where the chain and the timekeeper meet, and top springs open, revealing a flat face inside with numbers and moving hands. I gasp quietly, and stare at it, mesmerized by its beauty.

“You’ve never seen one?” He asks, handing it back when I reach for it.

I take it into my palm, and watch the little hands move in a circle beneath the glass face. He takes a small bucket off a shelf, and begins pouring a thick liquid into glass jars. He chuckles when he notices I am still distracted by it.

When he finishes filling the bottles, he wipes the lips of the jars with his hands, corks them, and wraps paper around the top with some twine. Watching him proves more interesting than the timekeeper. His fingers are graceful as they perform their work, his brows are furrowed, and his lips are ever so slightly pressed together as he focuses.

“We don’t have such things in Bellehaven,” I say, closing, and opening the watch.

“Can you read it?”

“Is it like a sundial?” I ask, placing it flat on the table.

“Not quite… no. Where did you find this? Someone will be missing it,” he wipes his hands on his apron, but the paste sticks to his fingers. “It looks expensive. There’s a small enchantment on it, too.”

“Oh, Fox loaned it to me until we meet him for dinner later.”

“Fox?” He picks up a cleaning cloth, and wipes his hands, with an annoyed look.

“Yes, he works at the charms shop.”

“I see. And he just loaned you his… timekeeper? His very expensive, enchanted timekeeper?”

“I swear I’m not a pickpocket.”

“That’s not what I… Fox just-”

“Yes. I went to the charm shop, like Madam Treeleaf asked, and there he was. I asked for a protection talisman, and while he was at the back of the shop, I accidentally- Oh! I completely forgot!” I exclaim, causing him to flinch away.

I take the silver necklace off, and hold it out towards him. He looks down at his hands, covered in remnants of the paste. He smells strongly of peppermint, the smell making my eyes sting, and water.

“Would you mind?” He smiles up at me with an apologetic look. “I’d rather not get this all over my clothing… or my hair.”

“You’d smell better than most. Just wash your hands.”

He shrugs with a laugh. “Probably. Just put it on for me. I’m just going to get them dirty again, anyway. No use wasting time.”

Standing over him, I take off the necklace.

“Right…” I continue. “So he went to the back of the shop, because they keep the more expensive items hidden there, of course. Like we do.”

I nod, and he nods with me, gazing up at me. I pause for a moment, lost in his eyes, and he does the same. His lips slightly part.

“And I…” I pull my eyes from his, to work the necklace over his head. “I wandered the shop. Did you know there are little enchanted imitation bugs that move around, and fly at you?”

I grab hold of the pendant so as to not smack Lucien in the face with it.

“I’ve seen them several times,” he chuckles.

“Well, I didn’t know, and they terrified me. I hate bugs!”

“Noted, but the pocket-”

I pull the cord carefully over his horns.

“Right. Sorry, so-” I stop in order to untangle the cord from one of the jewels in his ears, and he almost reaches up to assist me, but then rests his elbows in his lap, defeated.

“So, anyway, after I make a whole mess of things, and he helps me clean it up… oh, wait…” I grin. “First he flirted with me-”

“Flirted?” He snaps his head back to look at me, getting the cord snagged in one of his earrings.

He winces while I carefully untangle it.

“Stop moving…” I scold him, lightly smacking the top of his head.

He stiffens up, and I let the pendant loose on his chest.

“Let me get your braid…” I trail my fingers down his long braid, feeling the softness of his hair, and begin to loop it through the cord.

“He… said I was ‘fine’.”

“That’s not a compliment…” he says, sternly.

“That’s what I thought, but then… hmm,” I lightly pull on a feather jewel, untangling it from the cord. “He asked me if he was being too forward, so I thought, maybe it was…”

“It’s not a good compliment,” he mumbles.

“Still… so I invited him to come and get lunch with me, and as we were heading back-”

“You invited him? Are you sure he didn’t invite himself?”

I work another feather through the cord. “It was the least I could do, after making a mess in his shop, and receiving a small discount on your pendant.”

When the braid is finally through the cord, I readjust his hair jewels, and lightly fluff the feathers.

“And the timekeeper?”

“He saw I was interested in it, and loaned it to me. Though I had no idea they were so expensive, or I would have made him keep it. Can you imagine if I got mugged?”

Lucien stiffens.

“Have you been mugged?” He asks, a hint of anger tingeing his tone.

When I don’t respond immediately, he tries to sit up, but I force him back into his seat.

“No! I’m just making a point that it was kind of nerve-wracking. I don’t know why he would trust me with something like this.”

I ruffle his hair in an attempt to unflatten and style it, and begin running my fingers through the length of his bangs. He snickers, and shakes his head from side to side like a wet dog, and his hair falls perfectly into place. I’m stunned, my fingers frozen on his cheeks.

“Gods, that’s completely unfair,” I mutter with amusement, and a feigned pout.

“What is?” He grins.

“You’re so perfect, how can you stand it?”

His mouth falls open in surprise.

“Oh, my gods, Lucien!” I laugh, nervously, and back away. “I was joking, I swear. It’s not like you’d-”

“Can you just tell me if you’re attracted to him?”

I’m speechless, and all I can do is stand there stupidly, aware that my mouth is hanging open.

“W-Well,” he mumbles. “That answers that. I just thought that…”

I can’t hear what he’s saying, because his voice is muffled by the sound of my heart beating. His lips move slowly, forming words I cannot hear. My eyes wander to the time keeper. Each moment is being timed perfectly, in sync to the moving of the smallest hand. Extremely small fragments of time. One… Two… Three… Eight… Twelve… Fifteen.

“Luna, are you alright?” He sounds panicked. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I shouldn’t have asked you that. It was inappropriate.”

“Sorry, you said you were concerned that he might not… What exactly?”

“That he wouldn’t-”

“Did you ask me if I’m attracted to him?”

“I did. I just thought that you-”

“Lucien, gods!” I shriek, startling him.

I take several deep breaths, leaning against him as he gingerly holds my waist with the back of his hands, being careful to avoid getting any paste on my dress.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry…” he panics.

I fall forward, holding myself up by his shoulders, and stare down at him. He tenses, bringing a hand up to cup my cheek, then quickly pulls it away. His skin is unbelievably warm as I trace my hands from his shoulders to his chest. He looks away shyly, then furrows his brow, giving me a concerned look.

“Lucien,” I whisper, suddenly consumed by fear. “I’m so sorry!”

He looks down at my mouth as he bites his lip, his eyes slowly making their way up to meet my gaze.

He looks frightened. “I just need to know that I-”

The shop bell rings, and I look up at the door, suddenly feeling out of place, then step away from him. He sighs, and looks away, irritated. I busy myself by sorting the food on the work table. Lucien gets to his feet, and goes outside to wash his hands.

When he returns, the food is spread out on the table, and a row of cups is being filled with wine. The look of irritation is still there, and I turn away, pretending not to notice it.

“Why are you sorry?” He asks. “You have nothing to be sorry about. I’m sorry I’ve made you uncomfortable.”

The rest of the day is spent in silence, the tension between us palpable.

The shop bell chimes, and from the excited tone in Madam Treeleaf’s greeting, it’s Arthur and Seraphina who have just walked in. My theory is confirmed when I hear them speak. I add my apron to a pile of dirty rags, and smooth out my tunic. Lucien pulls his apron off over his head, and his braid sways back and forth where it falls.

“Ready for dinner?” Asks Seraphina, walking in with Arthur and Fox.

“Yes, thank you for stopping by,” mumbles Lucien, pushing past Fox, as he heads out the door.

Seraphina gives me a puzzled look. I laugh nervously with a shrug, and glance over at Fox. His eyes follow Lucien.

“Your timekeeper,” I say, holding the object towards him.

He looks over at me, and smirks. “Thank you for keeping it safe.”

“The unfortunate thing is that I can’t even read it. Lucien is going to show me, though.”

“Well, that is uh… easily done. You seem quite intelligent.”

“Right! Well…” says Seraphina, pushing Fox and Arthur out the door. “Dinner. I’m starving.”