39. Thirty-Nine - Tea Time
Thirty-Nine - Tea Time
Ana
Now that Viggo can freely move about the village, I am not surprised when they come to me again shortly after dusk the following day.
I am surprised that there are only two of them.
“No Kirra tonight?” I ask as my door closes behind them.
“She has taken Leaf up on her offer.” Viggo says, shaking his head. “I hope your friend knows what she’s in for.”
“Oh, Leaf has entertained almost every sort of person. I think she can handle one vampire for the night.”
Penny takes my hand, kissing the inside of my wrist. “We came to ask you to tea.”
We already agreed to spend each night in town for the duration of Kirra’s stay. “I would love to join you.”
Viggo wanders, looking at labels as I close up what needs closing, but Penny watches me the whole time.
“Did I get mustard bloom on me?” I ask, brushing at my cheek.
He shakes his head. “Every time we see you, I wonder how it’s possible that you’re more beautiful than you were the day before.”
I chuckle and reach up to pet his cheek. “Flattery isn’t necessary, I am already coming home with you tonight.”
“Flattery might not be necessary, but truth is.” He dips his head and kisses me.
I shouldn’t let him but there’s no one here to see but Viggo... Viggo who comes to us and mutters something about sharing before he presses a kiss to my neck and then drag’s Penny’s lips to his.
“You’re both wicked,” I say, tugging their lapels. “I haven’t locked the door. Anyone could come bursting in.”
“Do you think anyone would be surprised?” Penny asks.
“That’s not the point.” I push him away, pretending it’s an actual shove and he pretends with me, taking a step back.
They behave like perfect gentlemen when we step outside and they wait for me to lock my door.
People still glance our way and whisper, but they do so with kind smiles, not sharp ones.
“Misses Scoggins has told several people that she thinks you’re staying.” I tell Viggo as we walk down my steps and back up the tea shop’s. “Those that have mentioned it to me seem curious in a positive way.”
“I’m glad. I don’t think we’ll have any troubles now that the village has met him.”
“Neither does Kirra,” Viggo says.
Penny opens the door for us and I don’t mention that Kirra’s words worried me enough that I have a few bottles for various potions and antivenins that could be useful if someone decides they don’t like having a vampire in town.
There’s a brief lull in the conversations as the patrons already seated look up at our entry, but it picks back up before we’ve taken our seats at a table in the back corner.
I sit with my back to the rest of the room, so that they can look their fill.
“The first time I saw you was at that table,” Penny says, nodding to the one my mother favors. “It was the day before I presented our invitation.”
“I’m surprised it took that long. I certainly don’t hide away.”
“No you do not,” he chuckles and then looks up and beyond me.
“Welcome in, welcome in,” Sabine says, hands on her hips as she smiles at all three of us. “The usual pot for you, Ana?”
I glance at Penny who nods. “Yes thank you.”
Viggo asks for a second pot of a specialty tea to be brought out as well, and Sabine’s pretty purple brows pinch. She glances back and forth between Penny and Viggo and it almost looks like she’s counting. But she shakes her head and the charms on her horns jangle.
When she leaves, Penny softly says, “She’ll be the one who figures out you’ve been here the whole time.”
“It’s alright. I think we can agree that... generally speaking, my concerns were unfounded.”
I hope he’s right.
“My mother is not pleased that you have joined us.” I squeeze Viggo’s fingers under the table and offer him a conspiratorial smile while I dip my head toward Penny. “But I believe she is holding out hope that you will distract him away from me.”
“No one told your mother that it’s extremely rare for elves to take just one partner?” Penny asks, and I cannot tell if it’s amusement or confusion that colors the question.
“I doubt it has ever come up in conversation.” I chuckle. “I certainly won’t be the one to tell her.”
With the way things are going, she’ll figure it out on her own, quickly enough.
Sabine returns with two pots and four cups.
Penny and Viggo look at the already full cup, a little confused, but I know what it is before she sets it down in front of me.
“I took Morganna’s suggestion and tried lemongrass and cardamom, but it just wasn’t right. This one has a little orange peel and just the smallest little bit of silver needles. Try it with the honey if you don’t think it’s sweet enough.” She looks at it hopefully and then hurries away.
And I explain, “Sabine is working on making an apricot blend and she’s using my sisters and I as her taste testers.”
They nod and Penny pours my other cup as I try the one Sabine gave me.
It’s good.
I may have to disappoint her again... or maybe not. With honey, I might be willing to call it spectacular.
Turning to Penny, I ask, “How is the Queen’s Forest faring today?”
“Much as it always does.” He smiles at Sabine when she sets the last pot in between us, thanking her quietly before he says, “I found a patch of what might be Thimblenatch, but I think you and Viggo will need to take a stroll one night to determine if I’m right.”
The tangling weed looks like any other thorny vine during the day, unless you know better—which I suspect Penny does.
“It needs pruning, or it may strangle the Bollin Fir it’s latched onto.” Penny says, pouring his cup.
“We’ll have to take that walk. You’ll know where to find it, Viggo can confirm whether or not you’re right,” I say, and before I can finish, Viggo smiles at me over his own cup.
“And you know how to collect it without any of us suffering the ill effects.”
Thimblenatch is marvelous for curing indigestion and other stomach maladies... but fresh leaves can easily leave an unsuspecting hiker suffering from hives and rashes, the idea of which makes me grimace.
“We should visit the lake,” Viggo says, quietly, glancing at me over the dark lenses of his glasses. “I am very fond of swimming.”
And I can tell him all the silly old tales that float on those waters.
We settle into a cozy conversation... sometimes tiptoeing a little close to the line of what may or may not be appropriate, but those words are always shared quietly.
It’s a small thing, but it helps people get used to the sight of us together... to the idea of all three of us.
Everything is lovely until the door opens again and another hush fills the room... but it’s a different silence. A tense one.
And it is broken by a very familiar huff.
Viggo doesn’t look at my mother, but Penny does, and his lips purse.
I don’t have to turn around. She comes to me.
“Well,” she says, huffing at my side and looking down. “Here you are.”
“Here I am.” I say with as soft a smile as I can. I have to give her a chance.
“Mother, I would like you to meet my friends. As you know, Edric is the forest guardian and this is Viggo.”
I look at them and hope she doesn’t see my smile change. “Gentlemen, this is my mother. Misses Anastacia Eventide. But everyone calls her Staci.”
My mother huffs and I know for a fact that she does not want either of them to call her that.
“Misses Eventide,” Penny says, “It’s lovely to actually meet you, would you care to join us?”
Viggo takes another sip of his tea, but I see the frown a moment before it’s hidden by the cup.
“No.” She says it sharply and I see at least two heads turn toward us in my periphery.
She sees them too. Clearing her throat, she speaks more softly. “No, thank you. I came to find my daughter because she was expected elsewhere.”
I very definitely did not have anything planned with her this week and I look at the clock. It’s nearly ten. “What are you talking about?”
“The thing.” She looks at me with wide eyes and intent.
There is no “thing”.
I’m certain of it.
She nudges at me with her hand and I know that arguing will only make things worse.
Pursing my lips, I nod and say, “I’ll be right out.”
My mother casts a suspicious glance at the two of them and then nods. “I’ll expect you within the minute.”
I’m sure she will.
“What did you forget?” Viggo asks, with a drawl that tells me he already knows the answer.
“Nothing, but, if this devolves into a shouting match, I’d rather it happen outside than ruin everyone’s evening.” I take another sip of my tea. “Would you like to finish up and meet me outside... assuming I can’t wrap this up quickly enough to come back in?”
“Of course. Are you certain you don’t want to go home?”
“I do.” I say as Penny kisses my hand. “But not to my home.”
Viggo says something so quietly I can’t hear it before he kisses my hand too.
I’ll ask him later. The last thing I want is for my mother to come bustling back in an even worse mood.
She waits outside, fretting, and her ill-ease doesn’t disappear when she sees me.
“What are you doing?”
“What are you? I’ve committed to nothing tonight except spending time with friends. What could you possibly gain by coming in and nearly causing a scene?”
“I’m saving you from yourself,” she hisses at me, grabbing my arm like she’s going to drag me away like an errant child. “He’s a vampire.”
“I am very aware.” Gently prying her hand free, I take a deep breath. “I am not at any more risk with Viggo than I would be with any other man in this village.”
She huffs, disgusted. “I won’t let you act like a fool.”
“Mother, you do not dictate who I spend my time with.”
She takes a step back like I’ve slapped her.
The door opens behind me and she looks sharply upward. The scowl that covers her face tells me it’s not another one of the teashop’s patrons leaving.
“Now, I am going to continue my night with my friends . You can go do whatever imaginary thing you were going to rope me into, and we can talk tomorrow, if you’re willing to be civil.”
She huffs again, but turns on her heel and stomps off before Penny and Viggo stop on either side of me.
“Is that going to be a problem?” Penny asks.
“Not for us.” I won’t let it be.