Vivian #3
“Oh, he found me. He saved me from one of the forest creatures. I’d dropped my crystal.” I carried the kettle—full of water and Ida’s favorite mix of herbs and fruit—across the room to hang over the fire.
“I’ll get her more crystals in town,” Theo assured.
“She can take some of mine.” Ida glared at him. The message was still “we’re fine without you”.
“And you know I won’t be doing that, Ida. I’m safe in my field. You need your border as strong as possible.”
Ida frowned at me. “She’s stubborn.” Her eyes turned to Theo.
Was that her attempt at offering him an olive branch?
“I’ve picked up on that.” He nodded, olive branch received. “I’ll keep an eye on things in town. I don’t see her staying away much longer, so she might as well go with someone who knows the area.”
Irritation bubbled in my chest. They were talking like I wasn’t there!
Just as I was starting to work myself up to argue, Ida’s posture shifted. Her shoulders relaxed and she reclined backward in her chair.
Calm down, Viv. This isn’t about you. Well—it literally is—but that isn’t why he said that.
I took a deep breath and pictured them both holding tight to either end of that fucking metaphorical branch, trying to establish trust out of thin air. He was meeting her where she was at and it was working; this was at least going way better than I thought.
Ida’s mouth twisted. “You’re to have her back here within two days.”
“Two days max,” he agreed, one of his benign open-palm hands lifting to cover his heart in promise.
My eyes threatened to roll back into my head by the curfew establishment. At least they were both looking out for me, and the agreement was placating Ida.
“Vivian already relayed what she needs from town to me,” he lied. “What can we pick up for you while we’re there? I’d like to make sure she doesn’t feel the need to go back anytime soon.”
“Bring me some paper and I’ll make a list.” Ida nodded to the shelves in the corner.
“Oh, and if you could tell a friend or two in town that I’m not dead.
They probably think I am. I’ll write down their addresses.
Don’t worry, they won’t go poking in your business,” she continued.
“I used to visit Drifael regularly, you know. The nicest people you’ve ever met are running things.
Oh, and the food! My holiest gods the food.
I have the best memories from my visits.
I always thought I may retire there eventually, but then I guess it was too late. ”
Her tone fell for a moment of silence before picking back up.
“Vivian has heard this story a million times, but I once was courted by this very handsome Quadmos who was a traveling fabric salesman. He looked a bit like you—handsome as all the heavens—but his hair was longer and orange. He promised me the world and marriage and all the classic romances. Anyways, I found out he was seeing both my friend and me at the same time! And promising those things to both of us! Foolish of him to think we wouldn’t catch on.
So, one night, we set his carriage on fire.
Never bothered to follow up on what happened to him after that. ”
Some tea, nostalgic Drifael stories, and list making later, there was a positive energy in the room. Ida seemed pleased—if not excited—about Theo tagging along.
She snipped the thread used to hem the ribbon I was to have around my neck in town. The dark navy blue was practically black. It had a corset-style closure with silver hooks to secure it around my throat. She held it out towards Theo, her new comrade in commiserating about my decisions.
“I added a ring to it. Bring me back some wire so I can attach a crystal. That way she can’t drop it again.”
Theo took the collar, draping it over his hand. “That’s a great idea. Thank you for helping us.”
Ida looked at me. “Make sure it fits and covers what it needs to.”
I reached out to take the fabric, but Theo stood up and stepped behind me. “Lift your hair,” he instructed, his deep voice a velvety murmur.
My face flushed as I gathered my locks and lifted them off my neck. His large hands appeared in my peripheral vision, the collar draping loosely between them. He pulled it back until it pressed flush against my throat, probably a little tighter than he intended. My heart raced.
I felt his fingers fumble with the cross ties on the back of my neck.
He gave a firm tug of the laces once everything was settled in place.
I shuddered at the gentle constriction—hoping nobody could tell.
I didn’t have a lot of experience being touched by the opposite sex, much less being choked delicately by them.
I was learning something new about myself, and it felt indecent in front of someone who was like a mother to me.
“Now, Theo, I don’t have much—” Ida leaned back in her rocking chair. “—but I don’t like accepting favors for free. So, tell me, what can I give you as payment?”
“This is perfect,” he remarked, gesturing at the choker.
“No, that’s for Vivian. What do you want?”
I went to tell her that really wasn’t necessary, but Theo spoke before I could protest.
“Could you show me what types of jars you have? I could use some.”