Chapter 13 Tropical Colours and Black Dragons
TROPICAL COLOURS AND BLACK DRAGONS
Cesar
The next day, after an afternoon of conjecture regarding the intrusion of the hummingbird skeleton—and several rounds of rabid sexual activity—we both came to the conclusion that the body modification we had received was not only beautiful, but welcome.
We now had something that linked the two of us.
And I, for one, couldn’t have been happier.
I knew Artur’s reputation had the potential to sully my own. But after years of being the revered bone witch of Puerto Vallarta, I hoped my standing in the community would uplift Artur, rather than let his undeserved reputation drag me down.
But ruminating on that possibility led me to a single conclusion: who cared?
Surely, I didn’t.
In my late fifties, I had made my way in the world. I was successful and had stashed away enough funds to retire. But no witch ever gives up their practice. Magic is in our bones. It’s the memories embedded within them that keep us going. Without magic, life wouldn’t be worth living.
I only hoped that Artur was as happy as I now found myself. That he would want to continue our friendship. Our lovemaking.
And so, here we were, in my Jeep Wrangler, travelling down the highway, watching resorts full of vacationers blur past. Tall trees created canopies above us, and as we made the hour-long drive from the city, we watched out for random iguanas who occasionally darted across the highway.
The drive south from the city toward the botanical gardens was something I had done on a regular basis.
Being a witch, a retreat into a more natural setting proved to be a balm to the soul.
The gardens provided a glorious place of refuge, complete with a pet cemetery; for the magical community, a resting place for many a familiar.
The various hiking trails allowed a communion with nature, and I found the vanilla vines, the blooming orchids, hoyas, succulents, various palm trees, and indigenous plants a calming resonance for my often-overactive brain.
Now, however, this trip was a necessary journey.
After parking the car, paying admission, and entering the gardens, I studied Artur as he gazed at his surroundings in absolute wonder.
“Have you never been here before?” I asked.
“I haven’t.” Artur’s head dipped downward, his gaze focusing on his feet.
“Hey, remember what I said. Confidence. No shame. That’s not allowed around me.
If this is your first time, then it’s a visit of wonder and exploration.
Granted, we don’t have a lot of time, but we should still poke around a little.
” I smiled at Artur. Watching his witch world expand before him had me remembering my youth—not that Artur was a young child, far from it.
The man was well into his forties. Mature. Solid. Handsome.
“I’m so lucky to have met you.” Artur took my hand and held it tight as we walked down the roadway. Various paths jutted off to both our left and right. Beacons inviting us to traipse down tropical trails filled with unusual flowers and brightly coloured plumaged birds.
“Luck rarely has anything to do with it. I suspect we were meant to find each other. I just wish we had discovered each other much sooner in life. You make me feel young.” I pulled Artur to me and kissed him deeply.
My groin stirred, and the hummingbird, now settled into my flesh, tingled my shoulder.
A welcome sensation.
“Did you feel that?” Artur rubbed his own tiny bird buried in his flesh.
“I did,” I answered, smiling.
“Cool.”
“Let’s go down to the main hacienda and inquire about Mateo,” I suggested.
As we strolled down the road, I spotted various orchids growing on the trunks of palms and local hardwood trees.
I wasn’t a Green Witch—they would know their plants far better than I—but having enjoyed tropical blooms in my own garden, I knew several species of orchids native to the area would now be in full bloom.
Sure enough, the nodding flowers of encyclias and prosthecheas could be seen from where we walked.
As we approached the largest building on site, the reflecting pool with its massive koi captured Artur’s attention.
I left him trailing his fingers through the water as the giant patterned fish rushed the surface, nibbling at his digits.
I found myself chatting with one of the many volunteers.
“Buenos dias, mi amigo. How are you this morning?”
“Very well. Is this your first time at the gardens?” a beautiful young woman asked, her long hair framing her face with gentle curls.
“Heavens no,” I answered. “But I will admit, it has been a while since I last visited. I’m in search of a particular variety of hibiscus, and I was informed that the curator, Mateo, might be able to help me.”
“Oh! Let me go get him. He’s in the back orchid greenhouse.”
“Thank you so much.” I smiled.
“You have such a kind face,” she said before leaving to fetch Mateo.
The woman was common stock. She held no magical abilities. But whether or not someone had the capabilities of drawing upon the energies of the natural or unnatural world never had a bearing on how I treated them.
That definitely could not be said of everyone in our small but powerful community.
I wandered out front to watch Artur playing with the koi. His innocence was intoxicating, and his beauty was unsurpassed. How could we have shunned him? Embarrassment riddled me, as did guilt. We needed to do better.
I leaned back against the brick wall, not registering Mateo’s approach.
The man was gorgeous: dark-haired, closely cropped, meticulous-looking, with a thick beard that was just as manicured.
He smiled at me with ebony eyes and a bright white smile.
His long flowing robes, done in a tie-dyed green, white, and yellow watercolour pattern, indicated his affinity and membership as a Garden Witch.
“Mateo?”
“At your service, Senor Aguilar.”
“Ah, my reputation—”
“Proceeds you? Yes, most definitely. I had a call from the front desk after you paid your entrance fees. I was busy in the orchid conservatory, transplanting seedlings of a rare species we bred here on site. I’m happy to say they are coming along gorgeously.
” He bowed ever so slightly. “But I had every intention of coming to find you.”
“How lovely. I’ve been informed by a friend that you may be able to assist us.
As you know, Dia de Muertos is close at hand, and I’ve been hired by the Hurtados to reanimate one of their clanswomen.
The suggestion was made that a bloom from the Black Dragon hibiscus would serve as an appropriate anchor for the resurrection. ”
Mateo gasped. “Mistress Magdalena?” He clutched his chest. “Luana mentioned she was contemplating such a feat, but I had no idea she was proceeding. I always understood that bringing someone back through the veil was best accomplished with a subject who had recently passed. Mistress has been gone for such a long time.”
“Yes, well, I did suggest that perhaps a different individual would be a better choice, but Luana was adamant.”
At that moment, Artur wandered toward us.
“Artur,” I smiled at him, “were you making new friends?”
“They are wonderful! So friendly.” Artur wiped his wet hands on his tunic.
“Mateo, I’d like you to meet a very good friend of mine—”
“Artur Beaulieu. We have not met, but I am aware of who you are.” Mateo’s head bobbed to one side. “Although I’ll confess, the rumblings I’ve heard about you are somewhat escandaloso. Although I’ve always been one for a good rumour!” Mateo chuckled.
Artur’s head dropped, and he shrank into himself.
I put my arm around him. “Did you know that Artur was orphaned as a child, placed into common stock foster homes, and when he finally managed to find his way to the community, never had the opportunity to study under a mentor? And yet, the fantastical spells I’ve seen him accomplish—!
We’re working on finding him an appropriate chaos witch to supervise his studies, and for now, I’m working with him.
Tons of talent. Unsurpassed power.” I placed a kiss upon his cheek. “And an amazing lover.”
Mateo and Artur stared at me in shock.
“Well, Cesar, you do have impeccable taste, if I may say so.” Mateo gave a playful punch to my shoulder, the same one where the hummingbird had recently embedded itself.
Thankfully, I didn’t think Mateo noticed the bones beneath my skin.
I smiled at Mateo.
“I’m suitably impressed. By both of you. And I’m thrilled you’ve come to the gardens. Cesar, I absolutely have the plant you’re looking for. In fact, I have some mature bushes for sale, but I keep such unique varieties set aside for supporters of the Hurtados.
“I just love what Luana is trying to do. Bringing back such an icon?! It will be glorious. Did you know that Mistress Magdalena was the only oracle in the entire family line? The Hurtados have always been a Blood, Shadow, and Night Witch lineage. Mistress was the only aberration. Well, no, that’s not completely true.
I did hear once that a bastard child, born out of wedlock, did not follow the family’s inherited abilities.
But then the child vanished, never to be heard from.
But you know what they say about gossip and rumours—can’t trust them.
“Anyhoo, I myself intend on being on the Malecón for the ceremonies. I’ve heard the family is going to hold an audience with only a select group, and each participant will receive a blessing and a vision from the oracle herself! I’m assuming you’ll be there looking after the Mistress?”
Mateo was talking—a lot.
“Of course. We need to ensure that Mistress Magdalena comes to no harm.”
“Precisely! All those clawing hands. And so many common stock grubbies trying to get a taste of magic? It’s horrible. But seeing the oracle herself will be divine! I’m greatly looking forward to it all. Come, let me show you the back grow area.”