Page 88 of Charmless
Ihad never been inside a witch’s house before. I would have expected it to be dark with cobwebs in the corners, something green and sinister bubbling in a caldron, a well- ridden broom parked near the hearth, perhaps even a skull or two adorning the mantle. But Delphine’s parlor was bright and cozy, the creamy wallpaper etched with roses and intertwining vines. A fine lace cloth covered the tea table, the delicately carved chairs cushioned with dark rose damask.
Delphine had shifted back into her human form and thankfully had gone in search of clothing, leaving me to pace about the room and question the wisdom of following her here. The parlor was ordinary enough to make me almost forget this was the home of a witch. When I inspected her mantlepiece, I discovered it held an array of porcelain figurines all in the shape of mice. Some dancing, some playing musical instruments. There was even a tiny mouse bride and groom.
I would have dismissed this as a whimsical collection in any other home. But considering Delphine could transform herself into a cat, I found this celebration of mice a trifle macabre. In addition to the figurines, an oil painting hung above the mantel.It depicted a little white mouse nestled in the center of a pink cushion, rather like some delicacy being served up for dinner.
“Do you like it?” Delphine cooed in my ear.
I started, my heart thudding as I spun around to find the witch standing just behind me. She could not have slipped into the room more quietly than if she had still been slinking along on cat feet. Attired in a floral robe that was as soft and feminine as her parlor, her extraordinary changeable hair shimmered ice blonde down her back.
Recovering from my fright, I croaked, “Like it?”
“The portrait of my mama. I painted it myself.”
“Your - your mother?” I faltered.
Delphine nodded, looking at the painting with a misty smile. “Wasn’t she able to transform into the prettiest little mouse?”
“Er - yes.”
“I was obliged to paint her in her mouse form because I really can’t remember what she looked like as a human.” Delphine’s hair turned a soft shade of blue. “She perished when I was very young.”
I gave an empathetic nod. “I lost my mother when I was six. She died of the spotted fever.”
“Mine was carried off by a hawk,” Delphine said. The tips of her hair started to blacken as she added with a scowl. “My horrid Aunt Tilly accused me of being responsible for Mama’s death. As if I would devour my own mother. Besides, I was only a kitten at the time! I have always had the most tender regard for mice because of Mama and I have never been a predatory sort of cat.
“But Aunt Tilly succeeded in turning most of my family against me, even Papa. Nasty old bat and I mean that quite literally because that was Tilly’s alternative form. I would have had nowhere to go if my Granny Ginger had not taken me in. She died a few years ago and now I am entirely on my own.”
Given Delphine’s alarming family history, I could not help wondering what Granny Ginger could transform into and how she had died, but I was not about to ask. Delphine looked so forlorn. I wished I could offer some token of comfort. I was trying to decide if I dared risk a hug or at least a pat on her hand, when she stiffened her shoulders and shook back her hair, the tresses fading to a blonde hue.
“Enough,” she said. “This is no time for reminiscences. Come, let us have some tea.”
I was both startled and dismayed to realize that while I had been studying the mice on the mantel, Delphine had quietly wheeled a tea cart next to the table. The cart was laden with a teapot and matching cups adorned with painted violets, a plate of dainty-looking sandwiches and an even larger platter of gingerbread.
“Delphine, we don’t have time for tea either,” I protested. “Mal is in terrible trouble. I need to be doing something.”
The witch arched one brow at me as she began to fill our cups. “Doing what?”
“Well, I - I don’t exactly know, butsomething.”
“When one doesn’t know what to do next, I find the best idea is to have tea. It clarifies the mind and fortifies the soul.”
After all that I had endured today, my soul certainly needed fortifying. The spicy scent of the tea, a blend of orange and cinnamon wafted across the room, enticing me. When Delphine patted the seat of one of the chairs and ordered me to sit, I reluctantly obeyed. Easing myself down upon the soft cushion, I accepted the teacup and saucer from Delphine. Raising the cup, I sighed, savoring the fragrant aroma.
But as I started to sip the golden liquid, I froze, remembering Mal’s warning.
“Delphine can’t hurl curses out of thin air, but don’t ever let her give you anything to eat or drink.”
I hastily set my cup down onto the saucer, pushing the tea away from me. Delphine had settled into the chair opposite me, cradling her teacup in her long, graceful fingers. Observing my action, she laughed.
“I didn’t lace the tea with any sort of nasty potion, if that is what you are afraid of, silly girl.”
“I am not being silly. You did threaten me with some manner of vengeance.”
“But you must remember the old saying. Vengeance is a dish best served with mounds of sticky sweet icing and a cherry on top.”
“That is not quite the way I remember that adage.”
“What I am trying to tell you is that Mal’s plight eclipses my desire to pay you back. So, drink your tea. You are quite safe from me. For today.” Delphine added with a mischievous glint in her eye.
