Page 12 of The Witch & the Tiger

“It’s all right, not exactly Michelin Star cuisine.” Except, judging by the way he consumed it, it might as well have been. “I can cook a pretty good leek and potato pasta bake myself. Maybe I can make it for you sometime.”

He looked up, his fork halfway to his mouth. Some of the cheese, stretching ominously, threatening to fall off. “Oh, I’d love that! You can cook?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’m pretty decent,” she said, trying not to be distracted by the cheese or the way his lips parted, ready to take a forkful.

“Me, too, though mostly it’s the foods we foraged and hunted in the forest and mountains. Perhaps there’s a few things we might be able to teach each other.”

She flushed, thinking of an image where they might be huddled next to a campfire, the flames crackling as they ate whatever food he’d prepared. The image felt cozy, snug… and romantic. She shivered. It was probably best not to start thinking of romantic things just yet. Not when she’d already fed the poor guy a Truesight potion without him knowing. His happiness and genuine pleasure at being there, eating the food, talking to her –did nothing to quell her guilt.

Instead, that guilt simmered within, and she kept wondering how he didn’t see through her and know something was wrong.

I’m doing the right thing. Everyone’s said it’s necessary.

Maybe she could trick her brain into feeling better.

Martin spoke. “My sister seems to think you’re a pretty cool person. She mentioned wanting to hang out with you again,” he said, enthusiastically going for the food again. “She was talking about you this morning even!”

“I like your sister,” Willow said, “not quite as much as I like you…”

“Not quite as much as me?” One eyebrow popped up. “Well, that’s nice to hear. You’re not too bad yourself. I didn’t even have to wait for a date.” He paused as Willow froze. “Not that I’m saying this is a date or anything. Just that it’s nice not to have to wait to hang out again.”

Date.

The word flickered through her brain like lightning. “I mean, that’s what friends do, right?” She laughed it off casually. Honestly, such a thing had never occurred to her. Besides, dates needed to be more than eating lunch in the dining hall. If he wanted a real date, maybe she could arrange something more appropriate.

And… now she was thinking of dates and what Harrow had said about Martin being her “type,” even though the reasoning behind it was nonsensical.

We can be friends, she thought furiously to herself. It doesn’t have to be a big deal or develop into anything else. Besides, he’s probably more interested in connecting with me because of my powers.

Still, her treacherous little mind liked to wander.

“It’s nice,” he said, completely oblivious to her internal struggle. “My other friends have been keeping their distance since everything. Sometimes, it’s easy to forget that you can make new friends as well.”

She smiled and nodded before her attention fixed to a strange, faint glow emanating from Martin’s skin. Barely perceptible at first, it increased in intensity until a distinctive green aura seemed to reach out from his back. He didn’t notice the glow, but Professor Umber, still in the room, noticed. The professor also chose that time to approach their table just as Martin polished off the pasta bake. He waved to get Martin’s attention.

“A non-student eating in the dining hall?” he asked.

“That’s not an issue, is it? I was told it would be fine,” Martin said, wiping his mouth, a frown now furrowing his brow.

“It’s not too much of an issue. But… I would like to see you for a few moments in my office. I believe we have something to discuss that will be of importance to you.”

“Yeah?” Martin appeared puzzled but still unaware of the glow lifting from his back, the evidence that he was enchanted.

Willow’s heart sank a little. To think he’d gone this long without ever being tested for an enchantment. To have had his thoughts be driven by it for months and months and not know…

“I can wait here if you like,” Willow suggested.

“We may be a while,” Professor Umber warned. “It may be better for you to finish your lunch and go to your next class.”

“Right.” By now, Willow’s heart had officially sunk to her shoes, followed by the rest of her mood. “I guess… we’ll see each other another time,” she told Martin wistfully.

“You have my number. Looking forward to it.” He gave her a beatific grin before it vanished as he slunk after Professor Umber.

I’m sorry, she thought while realizing she had lost her appetite. She picked at her food, but everything tasted like ash, so she eventually gave up.

Should doing the right thing feel this bad? Hopefully, when Martin found out about the enchantment, he’d understand, though, all the same, she worried that any hope of a connection with him was now lost.

Chapter Five – Martin

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