Elixirs and Elves by Astoria Wright

Author:Astoria Wright [Wright, Astoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781949453065
Publisher: Novelwright Press
Published: 2018-12-19T22:00:00+00:00

***

"ARE YOU ALL right?" Nan asked when Carissa arrived at home after work.

It was good to be in their split-level, two-story in Moss Hill after two nights in Vale. Her nan, just sitting down for tea, held a hand to the edge of her glasses to study Carissa's face.

"Yes," Carissa said, balancing two bags on each arm. Thank goodness Mrs. Harbridge volunteered to drive her home in her SUV, or she'd never have managed all the groceries on her meek, little bicycle.

"No one would blame you if you weren't."

Carissa lugged the bag of groceries and presents onto the counter. The nature faeries and alvens, who, for some reason had been wandering around their kitchen, circled the presents. Two of them immediately began a tug of war with the fruit. An apple rolled across the floor.

"You heard about Toffee's death," Carissa said.

"This is Moss Hill, dear. Of course, I heard. What I haven't heard is how you are—coping with so many tragedies this year."

Carissa breathed in the spiced air and tried for a smile.

"Just a long day. I'm fine."

She shirked off a real answer. But Nan observed much over the rim of her hand-painted teacup.

"Yes, you look as happy as anyone bringing in so many presents would be."

Carissa picked up the apple on the floor and started unloading presents.

"I really am fine, I—wait, how do you know these are presents?”

By all appearances, Cari was just sifting through groceries to restock the fridge. She paused on the cauliflower.

"The same way I know that you're upset about the murder: Cameron Larke."

"Cam's been to see you?" Carissa asked.

"Of course. He stops in the library to chat sometimes, mostly about you." Nan hid her smile beneath the china.

Carissa let go of the groceries and sat across from her grandmother. Fog steamed over Nan's eyeglasses and faded, but the scent of apple and cinnamon lingered. The aroma from the teapot filled the whole modest kitchen with warmth, both in temperature and feeling. Carissa tried for a smile.

In a rare gesture, her grandmother placed a hand on her arm.

"I'm sorry I didn't say this a long time ago." Nan sighed. "I know I raised you to be strong. I was old, your parents were away often, and maybe my heart was a little…well, that doesn't matter. The point is you don't have to be strong all the time. You can open up if you need to."

"I don't—" Carissa couldn't find the words. "I didn't know Toffee well, and there wasn't anything I could do anyway."

"You see?" Nan asked.

"See what?" Carissa responded.

Nan set down her teacup. "There wasn't anything you could do, but why do you feel that you had to do something anyway?"

"I'm an apothecary. I help people."

"But Mr. Carson is a doctor, and he was there. The sidhe have magical cures, and they were there. You don't have to carry it all on yourself."

Nan waited her out, which was a feat since she indulged her sullen feelings for at least a minute or two.

Finally, Nan leaned across the table.

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