Chapter 33 Teas and Favours
Teas and Favours
Elizabeth woke in her own bed, content.
She had spent the night with Caspian. They had made love until her body was sated and heart was full.
After a few moments of lying in his arms, she had gotten up and left him lying there.
He had asked her where she was going with a raised eyebrow, and she had said nothing, only giving a small smile in answer.
She had no desire to wake up to a cold bed in the middle of the night ever again.
She wanted to pretend she didn’t care, that she had gone back to her room to sleep because she was mysterious and liked her space. In truth, she wanted to lie in the circle of his arms forever.
A few hours later, she walked around the streets of Veridas, her body enveloped in the new cloak Caspian had bought for her, feeling wrapped in a sign of his affections.
The envelope with the raven seal weighed heavily in her pocket.
She was in a dangerous position, however, because despite what Ambriel thought, she knew that his prophecy wasn’t about her.
It was nice that he thought she might be someone of importance in their world, but she wasn’t—she only wished to learn enough about magic to understand what her gift was.
To sate her curiosity. She was no saviour of witches and men.
On the threshold of the door, she paused. Learning about magic was dangerous, and if anyone found out, it was sure to put a target on her back. Was it worth the risk?
Biting her lip, she remembered the demon that had ensnared her with its eyes, and the monster in the field that had almost killed her.
She never wanted to be defenseless again.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the witch’s shop. The shop felt different today—the atmosphere was eerie, heavy with silence.
She drew back her hood and looked around the shop.
“Hello?” Elizabeth called, her words echoing.
Risna’s daughter emerged from the back room. A forest green scarf covered her hair, her eyes sharp and assessing.
“Hello, miss. What can I do for you?” Risna’s daughter asked.
“I, er, I would like to see Risna.”
“She’s away on business,” her daughter drawled. “I’m her daughter, Nasera. If there is anything you need, I can help you just as well.”
“Oh. Sure. When will she be back?”
“Not anytime soon,” Nasera replied, her words cold.
“Okay. I have need of two things. I was hoping to speak to Risna about—are you—are you also a witch?”
Nasera looked at her sharply. “Only a fool would admit that. What services do you require? Then I’ll decide if I want to help you.”
“Right! Of course. I require … assistance with a delicate matter.”
Nasera’s lips curved into a knowing smirk. “Let me guess—contraceptive tonic?”
Her face warmed. “Er. Yes.”
“Wait there.” Nasera disappeared, then returned with a burlap bag and a steaming mug reeking of pungent herbs.
“Drink this at the same time each day. It tastes horrible, but it works.” Nasera paused and tilted her head.
“I’ll warn you that adding any sweetener makes it totally ineffective, so I wouldn’t recommend it. ”
She accepted the mug, sniffing it. She took a tentative sip and immediately gagged.
Setting her mug down, she took the small burlap bag Nasera offered her. A peek inside revealed handfuls of teabags.
Nasera studied her with narrowed eyes. “Anything else?”
“I mean, if—if the night in question has, er, already happened, what can I do today?” Her face flamed with the admission.
Expression softening slightly, Nasera left and returned with a more potent brew that smelled even worse. “Triple dose, but it will handle any … immediate concerns.” She raised a brow.
She wrinkled her nose and forced every drop of the vile concoction down.
“Thanks. How much?” she inquired.
Nasera quoted her a silver noble, and Elizabeth gladly handed over the coin. She would have parted with far more for the security the tea offered her. Frankly, she was shocked it was so cheap, and she wasn’t being gouged. Desperate women would have paid anything for peace of mind.
Elizabeth thanked her profusely.
“I’m surprised a well-read lady, such as yourself, admits to needing help in this regard.
Surely your governesses explained it at length and could have prepared the tea or sent for us privately.
Usually, women from such”—Nasera gave her a look of derision—“esteemed households have a Healer on site.”
“For your silence and troubles.” She handed over a couple of coppers, choosing not to be baited into revealing more about herself.
“Tea. For several days to prevent a child from your previous encounter. Then take the regular dose every morning from now on. You and whatever gentleman you are friends with can continue seeing each other without fear.”
Elizabeth smiled and nodded. “My thanks. There is one other matter I want to discuss.” She paused, unsure how to say she didn’t trust the girl and would prefer to wait for her mother. “When will Risna return?”
“Not for some time. As I have already said.” Nasera’s tone was icy. “What business have you with her?”
“I came to request the services she offered.”
“You smell of desperation. Nothing but trouble. Take your business elsewhere,” Nasera said tartly.
“You don’t understand—”
“I understand perfectly.” Nasera leaned forward, her gaze shrewd.
“I made you that tea out of respect for you as a fellow woman. Nothing more.” Her voice grew dangerously soft.
“I will not be cruel enough to deny you the only contraceptive tonic you can purchase within fifty leagues. But outside of that, I do not want your business. Another woman disappeared last week. From a port village, not far from here. Friends of demons are no friends of mine.”
The words hit Elizabeth like a physical blow. Another hunting party—another life taken while she spent the night in his arms.
The shop bell chimed, and Risna entered, immediately taking in the tension. “What’s this all about?” Risna turned to her and said pleasantly, “Hello! Elizabeth, was it?”
Elizabeth levelled a gaze at the daughter. “I was under the impression you would not be back for some time, Risna.”
Nasera muttered something under her breath.
“Hello, Risna ... I have something for you.” Elizabeth patted her pocket. “May I speak to you in private?” She glanced at the woman’s daughter, who was fuming.
Risna gave Nasera a sharp look, and her daughter looked almost abashed. “What is it, child?”
Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth collected herself. “I have come to request your help.” Elizabeth hesitated and pulled the envelope from her cloak. There was no turning back now. She handed the letter to the witch and watched her expression turn incredulous.
Then Elizabeth pulled out the strange gold token from her pocket and placed it on the table beside the letter.
“That is a witch favour,” Nasera interrupted from across the room. “Who do you know in our circle?” She sniffed in her direction, looking skeptical. “You are no witch. What games have you been playing at? From whom did you steal this?”
“I’ve never pretended to be one,” Elizabeth said firmly. “And it was not stolen.”
“May I?” Risna asked. Elizabeth dipped her chin. The older woman picked up the coin and held it to the light, examining it closely. “It is genuine.”
With a pointed fingernail, Risna broke the seal and read the contents of the letter. She re-read the contents several times before putting it down.
Risna’s mouth pressed into a grim line, and she was silent for a moment. Finally, she said, “Do you know what these coins are?”
Elizabeth shook her head.
“They are not money,” Risna said darkly, as if imparting some long-lost secret. “They are a token of the creed we abide by and the few rules that govern us. Demons. Witches. Warlocks. If someone gives you a coin who is a part of our world, it is payment for a significant favour.”
The elder witch flipped it between her fingers. “For someone to have them, they must have granted someone from our world a significant favour in the past. It is according to our code that we help the bearer of a coin.”
She pulled out the piece of paper and read aloud: “It is imperative that Elizabeth Ashcroft learn how to use defensive magic.”
Nasera’s eyes darted between her mother, the coin, and the letter. Then she levelled her gaze at Elizabeth. “Who are you?”
“I’ve already told you my name,” Elizabeth said.
Risna inclined her chin. “How long can you be away from that house on the hill?”
Elizabeth shrugged. “A few hours at most.”
“Then we begin now.”