Page 22 of Autumn of the Witch

Spells she’d passed on to him.

Sasha was the first to get up. He was wearing nothing but a pair of trousers, and his hair was a mess. The marks on his body were already gone. He looked at the eggs. “Huh. Never thought of doing it like that.”

“They’re not ready yet,” Micah said when Sasha reached for one, and he took the pan and put it back over the fire. “Are you going to… fix your hair, or…”

“We’re both wild men,” Sasha said, touching Micah’s hair, and Micah blushed. He knew he didn’t take care of himself at the best of times, so he probably shouldn’t be bossing Sasha around, but it was easier to focus on someone else. He shrugged and backed up a step.

“And if you both come here,” Viv called from the bedroom, “I can fix that.”

“The eggs, though.”

“Eggs first, then your hair.” Viv sounded amused.

Sasha brought the plates to the bedroom, and Micah sat gingerly on the edge of the enormous bed while Viv ate with a plate propped up on her knees. She was in a thin nightgown that clung to her frame, and Micah wasn’t sure where to look, so he kept gazing off toward the wall.

“All right,” Viv said, when she’d polished off two rings and was reaching for a third. “I love Sasha’s cooking, too, but if this is something you enjoy, Micah, you’re in charge of meals from now on.”

Micah pinched his lips together and took a few breaths before he could find the courage to say anything. “Sure. I like doing it.”

He liked watching people eat more, though. Sasha was ridiculous, exclaiming over everything and eating with obvious relish, but it made Micah feel warm to see both of them enjoying something he’d made. And maybe it was a spell after all, because Viv went from a sleepy drawl to quick-witted chatter in minutes and was on her feet as soon as her plate was empty.

“Stay put,” she told Micah, her dominance snapping out. “I’m going to brush your hair.”

“I could shave you,” Sasha said, and Micah opened his mouth, unsure how to respond. It was a great deal of attention, but it felt like an extension of breakfast, with Sasha and Viv chatting away while Micah was allowed to be silent and listen. He nodded, and Sasha grinned.

Viv settled behind Micah on the bed while Sasha got shaving supplies and crouched on a stool. His knees kept knocking into Micah’s, and Micah closed his eyes when he felt Viv touch his hair.

“You’re tangled,” she said. “It’ll hurt.”

“Lucky you,” Sasha said, and Micah smiled. Viv touched the back of his neck to steady him while she eased a comb through his hair, and Micah leaned into the contact. He would have pulled away when he realized what he was doing, but Viv moved her hand so she was making slow, small circles on his back, and Micah couldn’t bring himself to stop her.

Sasha touched his cheek, and Micah opened his eyes. “Doin’ okay?”

“Yeah,” Micah said. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

When Viv was done brushing his hair, she kept running her hands through it while Sasha shaved him, and Micah wished Sasha would take his time so he could feel their warmth that much longer.

He left them to get dressed and was surprised to discover that Sasha had found another robe that fit him better than Viv’s. It was dark green with yellow trim, and Micah wrapped a belt around it, wondering whether he could knit one for his next doll. If he could make dolls anymore, that was. He’d need a kiln, and he wasn’t sure he could build one in someone else’s house.

Someone knocked on the front door, and Micah jumped as Sasha loped across the living room. The knocking continued, insistent and sharp, and when the door opened to reveal not one but two figures standing in the morning light, Micah withdrew to one of the far couches near the bedroom, bringing his book with him.

“Nan! Inessa!” Sasha’s shout echoed—which made sense, as the house was originally a cave, but Micah shrank back all the same. “Where are the kids?”

“My man has them. Look at you!” The younger of the two women, who looked to be around Sasha’s age, wrenched Sasha down into a hug. She was attractive, with the round face and large frame that Lukoi looked for in a mate, and she was wearing a gown just as fine as one of Viv’s, with little birds flying across the hem. She kept kissing Sasha’s cheek, and Sasha was pushing at her and laughing. “My little brother, all grown up. Little baby Sasha!”

“Nan, stop her.”

“That sounds like your problem,” said the other woman, who had stark white hair done up in numerous braids and wore a thick red gown. She held her arms out to Viv, who embraced her. “Sweet girl, how are you?”

“I’m doing well, Nan.”

Micah wondered if he should slip into the bedroom, but then Inessa spotted him and charged his way. Micah couldn’t help it—he cringed, and Inessa stopped, brows furrowed.

“That’s Micah,” Sasha said. “Don’t stomp over to him like a fucking bear, Ness.”

“Don’t fucking swear, Sasha,” Nan shouted.

“Hey, Micah!” Inessa waved, but Micah couldn’t even wave back. He could feel the fear returning, the lump forming in his throat, his heart beating too fast. Viv gave him a look, and he slumped down. She’d been patient until now, but if he couldn’t even behave normally around two people, what would she think?

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