Page 36 of Myths and Manuscripts
The woman frowned, ears twitching. “I was going to ask if you’re the man Willow’s been waiting for, but looks like I got my answer. Dark and grumpy. Is that how you like your coffee too?”
My eyes widened. “Dark and grumpy? Is that really how she described me?”
A quiet laugh drew me deeper into the coffee shop where Willow was sitting next to a large window. Sunlight spilled through the glass, shining warmly on her red hair. She looked so cozy, curled up in an armchair surrounded by scribbled notes, coffee, and snacks. Her coffee had so much cream and caramel on it that it looked like a snack itself. It reminded me of all the hot cocoas she’d drank at Mochi’s Snack Shack.
“I think I’d like a sweet coffee like hers.” I turned back to who I assumed was the owner of this cafe. “Maybe something dark as well, just to see what I like.”
“Never had coffee before?” When I shook my head, the woman got an excited glint in her eye. “I’ll bring you both an assortment of drinks then. The writer seems to enjoy the sweeter ones, but we’ve got all kinds.”
I nodded my thanks as I made my way to Willow. She shuffled some papers together, stacking them so they weren’t sprawled across the table. Inkheart hopped back onto its notebook with a flutter, both of them turning toward me expectantly while the bodyguard drew closer, as if he too was interested.
“So, how’d the errands go?” Willow asked sweetly. “Get anything interesting?”
The way she said that felt like a trap of some kind. I slowly pulled out a chair and sat across from her, debating my answer. I’d initially left to gather my thoughts before she could startasking questions for the book, but I actually had stopped at a few shops to make it feel like I was running errands. I was a demon of my word after all.
I reached inside the deep pockets of my outer cloak and pulled out two writing boards, sliding one across the table to her. “This is for you. It’ll let us keep in touch over long distances. When you write on one, the words appear on the other.”
She leaned over the table, her hair brushing against the wooden surface as she examined the device with a slight crease in her forehead. Then she picked up the attached pencil and wrote something, her green eyes filling with amusement as she smiled.
The urge to check the other writing board was too strong and I tugged it toward me.
Now I won’t have to miss you so much while you’re gone.
My mouth dropped open as I stumbled for words that wouldn’t come. I glanced up at her to see her shoulders shaking with silent laughter. Oh, so she was teasing me then? Well, two could play at that game. I grabbed my own pencil and wrote a message just for her.
I’d stay by your side every day if that’s what you require. I’ll hold you close and comfort you in this terrifying demon world. You’ll never want for a single thing. All you need to do is ask and it’s yours.
There. She was going to be as red as a plump tomato after reading that. I felt a smug grin grace my lips as I glanced up at her, but instead of shock and embarrassment, she had an even stranger look on her face. It was almost like...she was happy? She kept staring at the words I’d written as if they were something special. Oh no, had I messed up the teasing and she thought I was serious?
“I’m sorry, I was just trying to tease you back.” I awkwardly turned to the owner who was bringing over the drinks she’dpromised us. What bad timing. “I didn’t mean to imply anything with that.”
The older bunny woman smiled as she handed us drinks that smelled like nutty chocolate and something darker. “What’s he implying, dear? Anything you need help with?”
“Oh, he was just writing me a love letter.” Willow took a big sip of her drink. Foam lined her upper lip, and she slowly swept her tongue across to lick it all up. My stomach fluttered and I felt unable to look away. What kind of magic was in these drinks? She leaned forward, nudging my mug towards me. “Drink up. It’s delicious.”
“Oh, she’s a handful, huh?” The owner laughed warmly. “Go ahead and try them, Demon Lord. One is a mocha latte and the other is a plain dark roast coffee. Thought you might like to compare them to see what level of sweetness you like.”
Thank the gods she’d given me an excuse not to speak because I had no words for Willow. She’d somehow taken my attempt at teasing and upped it far more than I ever could. Did she ever mean it when she flirted like that? It seemed to come so easily to her, but was there any feeling at all behind it?
Did Iwantthere to be feeling behind it?
I took a cautious sip of the plain coffee. A bold almost smokey taste filled my mouth, so bitter that I felt myself making a face that wasn’t exactly polite. I winced. “Sorry.”
Willow burst out laughing and handed me a container of something white. “Try adding sugar, see if that helps.”
The three of us proceeded to test taste different coffees with different amounts of sweetness to them, even trying different flavorings too. Eventually I settled on one I truly enjoyed: a hazelnut latte.
The owner smiled proudly. “I knew we’d find the right one for you.”
Something about her was so comforting, reminding me ofWillow’s grandmother with her warm and soothing vibes. I relaxed into the plush chair as the coffee warmed me. I could see myself spending a lot of time in a place like this, brainstorming with Willow or chatting about anything really. As long as she was here, I felt at peace.
The coffee turned acrid in my mouth. I was supposed to be getting Willow out of the book, not enjoying my time with her. She was stuck because of me, and I should be doing everything I could to get her out, so she could return to that loving grandmother of hers and make healing potions to help her town.
I drained my mug before standing up. “I’m going back to the library to check on Nyssa’s progress. She must have figured something out to get you home.”
“Right now?” Willow fidgeted with the empty mug in front of her, not meeting my gaze. “I mean, sure, that makes sense. Let me know what you find out. I’ll stay here and keep writing for a while.”
Inkheart bobbed a nod, feathers fluttering as if to assure me it would keep Willow company. A pen wasn’t enough though, not if there really was a time difference like before. A half hour outside could be hours in here. I turned to the demon who’d taken on the job of guarding her. He’d stayed outside the castle all night and remained at Willow’s side here too. He might be overeager, but I had a feeling I could trust him.
