Page 55 of Wickedly Ever After
“Wait a minute, and I’ll go with you. Here, Hari, go lie down on the couch by the fire. Ida and I have made a tonic that should make you well.”
Tinbit stared curiously after Hector as he walked out. He had every right to be suspicious. Hector and Ida had talked it over while they pulverized roots and leaves and composed the magic to make the Heartsease potion for Hari and Tinbit. It had been Hector’s decision to mix it in with the fever tonic for Hari, although Ida objected strenuously.
“If he doesn’t know about it, it won’t be as effective.”
“Who said anything about hiding it? You tell Hari; I’ll tell Tinbit. Not that he’ll be accepting. He’s far more attached. Once he takes care of someone…”
Ida glared him into silence. “But I’m not sure how Hari will take it either. Knowing he’s drinking something to make him forget about his feelings for Tinbit might depress him more than the violet could help, and with him already feeling so bad with swamp fever…” she bit her lip. “But you’re right. We might as well get it over with. But you be sure you explain it to Tinbit properly. Otherwise he’ll be brokenhearted, and I don’t want that any more than you do.”
“Don’t worry, I will.” Hector touched the vial in his pocket. But he was worried. He’d have to be brutally honest with Tinbit. He didn’t know how Tinbit would take it.
***
Quite badly, as it turned out.
“You want me to drink what?” Tinbit attached the feedbag to Napoleon’s halter. “No way. This is what you get for traveling with a good witch—she’s totally messing with you. It’s just her way of making sure she doesn’t lose her…fucking gnome.” He jerked the bag straight and Napoleon settled in munching his chaff happily, standing comfortably on his injured limb after Hector’s cursory exam—his silver mend had melded properly with the bone. The horse would make it home easily now.
“That’s not true—”
“Like hell it isn’t.”
“It’s for the best,” Hector said, keeping a tight hold on the vial containing the evil-scented concoction. Tinbit looked ready to throw it at his head if he gave it to him now. “With this love magic running wild, you might have, theoretically, fallen in love with him by accident.”
“I’m not in love with him.” Tinbit looked at him like he sprouted horns. “Anyway, we talked it over, like I said. He’s not leaving her, and I know I can’t leave you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I am not worried about that,” Hector said, feeling annoyed. “But you’re taking care of him, and I know what that does to you.”
“I’m taking care of him because he’s ill.”
“You washed his hair, Tinbit.”
“It was filthy.”
“You were out in the swamp before dawn to pick huckleberries for that clafouti.”
“I happen to like huckleberry clafouti.”
“You gave him a foot rub.”
Tinbit flinched. “So what? I used basil oil—draws the fever out from the feet. That was a strictly therapeutic foot rub.”
“Tinbit—Hari’s going to take the potion.”
Tinbit scowled. “Willingly?”
“Of course. Please.” He stared directly into Tinbit’s eyes. He couldn’t watch Tinbit drag it out, dying a little more inside with every lovesick sigh. “I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t care so much about you. You’re such a good man, a kind man, and you deserve happiness. I wish things were different. I like Hari too. But it can’t be. And I think, deep down, you know it. You would never ask him to leave Ida.”
Tinbit stared at his booted feet, face stony. “He would for me. I know he would.”
“When he feels the same way about her as you feel about me? What would you tell him if he asked you to leave me? Could you tell him the truth?”
Tinbit let out a painful moan.
Oh, Gods.Ida was right. Hewasin love.Hector handed Tinbit the flask. “This will help.”
“I don’t want to take it.”
“I know. But do it for him if you can’t do it for yourself.”
