Page 48 of Potions and Proposals
Lucy glowered. “He wasn’t looking at me in any type of way.”
“Not your type?” he baited her.
“You don’t need to worry about who is and isn’t my type.”
“So, you wouldn’t go on a date with him?”
His question threw her so much so that a nervous laugh escaped. “He works for the Order!”
Benedict glanced sideways at her. “I suppose he’s better than the last guy you dated. What was he again?”
“A shapeshifter, and if you’re only lingering to discuss my love life, then please see yourself out. I’d like to go to bed.”
“Bed is exactly what I want to talk about,” he said, eyes going back to her room.
“Get that idea out of your head,” she snapped, thinking of the night they’d spent in the Manor.
“I was only going to warn you that sleeping with fire can be tricky.” He smiled, clearly enjoying her mistake, as she flushed. He tapped the wooden balcony. “This place would go up like a tinder-box.”
“Noted. I’ll drink some calming tea,” she said, embarrassed. “Off you go.”
He followed her back inside before she could close the door.
“If you aren’t going to listen to me, listen to them.” He nodded to her bookshelf. “‘Beware; for I am fearless and therefore powerful.’”
One of the books sat out of place.He found my favourite.“Don’t go through my things!”
“I had to do something to occupy myself while I waited for you,” he protested, “and you need more than calming tea. I set a few fires when I first got my element, and I don’t want you to hurt those you love because you don’t respect it.” He wasn’t joking around anymore.
“I picked this up from Myrtle’s.” He pulled out a silver chain with a crystal from his pocket.
“A carnelian crystal?” Lucy asked as he turned her towards the full-length mirror by her desk.
“Exactly. It’ll help draw out the excess fire. Mathersons have been using these amulets for generations to help us with our elements. We wear them while we’re maturing so we don’t lose control. Fire and hormones have never been a great combination.”
He placed the chain around her neck, letting the crystal hang at the base of her throat. The instant it touched her skin, the crawling simmer beneath her skin settled. His fingertips brushed the back of her neck as he clasped it, sending shivers down her spine.
“I’ve never seen you wear one,” she said, trying not to reveal the effect his touch had on her.
Benedict took off his watch and handed it to her.“Flip it over.”
The watch face had a crystal base with the same golden-orange hue. Unlike her crystal, which had grown warm against her skin, it was cold without his magic to control.
“When Dad and Peter died, my element grew stronger. Gwendoline had Mulligans’ Jewellers fuse the crystal to mydad’s old watch to keep it out of sight.” He secured the strap. “Keep this to yourself? I don’t want people to think I can’t control my element.”
“We’ll add it to the growing number of secrets between us,” she promised, understanding how much it must have taken to admit he needed help with his element.
“Just don’t let Grams or Wilhelmina see it– they’ll know what it’s for.”
She nodded, clasping the crystal.
“Now that Hawthorne house is safe, I’ll be going.” He backed up towards the balcony.
Lucy blocked his path, wanting to repay him for his help. “Water can be rather mischievous,” she blurted out.
“Any advice?”
“Try watering some plants to help relieve the pressure. It likes to be useful.” It was the most harmless thing she could think of.
