Chapter Eight

Valen spent the next two weeks on the basement level, learning to make tinctures and bottling extracts for customers. He proved to be a quick study, mostly because it was the work that interested him. Evette’s example of how to ease human fears during their illnesses was teaching him a different type of lesson, one of caring for individuals. She treated each customer with the same kindness, explaining what they needed and why, without making them feel stupid. He wasn’t very good at that, but he was better than he used to be.

At the end of the two weeks, Valen was confident in his newfound abilities. Evette had less to reprimand him on and more to praise. They constantly bumped elbows in the tight space, and he was beginning to like the tingle touching her produced.

As they were closing for the day, and saying goodbye to the rest of the staff, she pulled him aside for a discussion. “I feel it’s time you graduated to an actual apprentice. I’m promoting you and giving you a raise. Tomorrow, I want you to make the tinctures all by yourself, then I’ll check them. If you don’t make any mistakes, I will be counting on you to take more responsibility.”

“Are you sure I’m ready? I don’t want to poison anyone by mistake, or worse yet, kill them,” Valen teased. He knew full well that he could make the tinctures on his own, but he wanted to be sure that Evette wasn’t looking for him to fail.

“You’ve been ready for a while now. I can’t believe how good you’ve gotten in so short a time. You listen to me, and that’s important. The more people who can run the apothecary, the better it will do and the faster we can help others. It’s my life’s ambition that no one goes untreated. Hell, I’m as surprised as you are that I’m letting you do the work alone.” Evette wasn’t kidding. She was a hands-on employer, always overseeing everyone’s work, but lately, she needed to let some things go.

“Will you submit a date to celebrate? I know pizza and beer aren’t exactly on the diet you have to stick to, however, there’s a place down the street that has organic pizza. Whether it tastes good or not, we’ll have to judge after we order, but I’m willing to try it.” Valen didn’t want to go home alone, and this was an easy way to make sure Evette ate. She was getting thinner, and he feared she was in a habit of going home to sleep, skipping dinner altogether.

“Are you buying or are you trying to get me to pay for dinner as part of your promotion? There’s a secret behind those eyes, and I would be willing to bet this date has nothing to do with celebrating. You are secretly trying to get me alone, either to get me to admit you’re my best employee or to ravish my body. Which is it? Do pale skin and a tendency to have seizures turn you on?” Evette was sorry the instant the words left her mouth. She was comparing Valen to her former husbands, and that wasn’t fair. Neither of them stayed with her when the going got rough, though they had vowed to love her in sickness and in health. Valen was a new acquaintance, and there was no reason for him to stick by her. He was probably sick of hearing about her illness and would now tell her he had changed his mind about dinner. She certainly wouldn’t blame him.

“Ravishing your body in a public place isn’t an option for me, though you are lovely despite how you see yourself. There’s no need to fish for compliments, I would be honored to remind you of your beauty. As to the rest, I will be paying for dinner. It’s a date and the man is supposed to pay, then he gets a kiss or two in return. I’m counting on it.”

Valen had seen the embarrassed blush on Evette’s cheeks when she realized she had gone too far. She wasn’t fishing for compliments, but there was something deeper behind her words. He didn’t ask because it was personal, and if she wanted him to know, she would tell him at some point. So, he chose to tease her about her beauty and a few kisses instead.

The organic pizza wasn’t too bad, except for the crust. It was thicker and softer than Valen would have liked, but Evette appeared to enjoy it. She scarfed down three pieces. Seeing her eat her fill was worth the price of the soggy crust.

“Are you excited about being an aunt again?” Valen asked to end the silence.

“I’m looking forward to holding a tiny new life. They’re so soft and cuddly. When they open their eyes and stare at you, it makes you feel invincible. The trust and love in their eyes is something you hope will never disappear, but sadly, you know it will. People will disappoint them, and they’ll be hurt in ways they could never imagine. So far, Kathy has been able to shield her children from the tougher things. They’re still very trusting and innocent,” Evette replied.

“Someone has hurt you badly in the past to make you so cynical. You can tell me about it if you want.” Valen wanted her to let go of the past. The anger and sadness were making her illness worse.

“I was married twice. My illness caused both divorces. That’s all you need to know. Change the subject, please.”

“You’re very close to your sister,” Valen began, doing as she had requested. “Have you always gotten along so well?”

“We’ve had a few battles in our day. Sibling rivalry makes it impossible not to fight. We’ve argued over clothes, makeup, and guys. But, we always make up quickly. I can’t stay mad at her, she’s the one I count on for support. I don’t know how she does it, taking care of me, two kids, a husband, a home, and growing a baby inside her all at the same time. It’s too much to ask of anyone, so I’ve been asking for less of her time. I miss her,” Evette said, looking a little surprised it came out of her mouth.

“She honestly doesn’t mind helping you. I could tell, the first time we met, that she loves you. She worries about you all the time.”

“She shouldn’t have to. No one should. That’s what makes me angry. I want to take care of myself, fight my own battle. I made some new potions to try. I will get better my own way. I refuse to believe otherwise.” Determination showed on her stiff shoulders and pursed lips.

Over dessert, they talked of less stressful things, deleting her illness from their chatter. Valen found himself holding her hand as they walked to the parking garage for their respective vehicles. In the darkness of the garage, he took her face gently in his hands and kissed her.

“That was one,” she whispered. “You said supper should get you two kisses.”

Valen grinned against her soft mouth and gave her a second kiss. This one was deeper and had a possessive feel to it. He reluctantly let her go, watching until her car rounded the curve to a lower level.

Valen was shocked to find the apothecary still locked the next morning. Evette usually arrived before anyone else came to open it unless she had scheduled her other apprentice in her place. But, she had specifically told him she would be testing his skills today, so where was she?

He used his newly earned key to open the door and heard the phone ringing. He rushed to answer, and his missing employer was on the line.

“Valen, I guess you used your key to open the door. Good, I’m going to leave the store in your hands for a couple of days. I’ll pay you extra to act as manager and remain for the full day. If you have questions, I’ll be by the phone, though, I can’t see any reason you would need me. We made enough of the more complicated stuff to last a long time and you can replace the simpler stuff. Bring in whoever you need to help cover the shifts. I can’t believe I’m doing this, it’s so unlike me. Don’t make me sorry.” Evette finally ran out of words.

During her pause, Valen was able to say, “Are you worse? Do you need me to come take you to the doctor? I can get someone to take my place or close the shop.”

“Don’t you dare suggest closing the shop. Stay where you are and take good care of my customers. Treat them with patience and kindness or you’ll answer to me. I’m doing fine,” she clearly lied. “I intend to try the new potions and since they might make me tired, I’m staying home.”

“Yes boss, I’ll do as you say. Take care and get some rest. I hope the new potions do you some good. Maybe, they’ll soften that hard-ass attitude a little. I gotta go, the first customer just arrived.” He hung up the phone and greeted his customer. The man was there for a refill, and Valen found his name on the computer, sending him on his way in record time.

Evette wasn’t as okay as she wanted him to think. She had tried to act like the tough chick she had seemed when he was hired, but he could hear the weakness in her tone. He would have asked more questions, but a few kisses didn’t give him that right. She was a private person and deserved to have that privacy honored. Surely, she would reach out to Kathy if she became too ill to cope.

There was one employee scheduled to join him at noon, but Valen called in a second one. His first day without supervision made him nervous. He was also quite proud to be trusted with the apothecary. His days helping the healer as a young boy were excellent practice for this job. His father, of course, would disapprove. This wasn’t proper work for a dragon prince. It was beneath his station. Too bad, Valen liked it even more now than he had so long ago. He was pretty good at it too. His father wasn’t around to give him a hard time or order him to stay away, so he settled in to cover for Evette.

The flu was going around, and many customers were looking for relief. His stock began to run low, so he headed for the basement to make more. It was a simple mixture and had been the first one Evette taught him. He made enough for an army, then set the extra on a shelf for later. He was summoned by the cashier to bring up the medication for a man with liver problems. The mixture had been brewing for several days. It had turned the perfect golden color that Evette had described to him, so he sealed the bottle and brought it upstairs. The man asked for Evette and was upset when he learned she would be gone for a few days.

Customers seeking Evette showed up many times that day and the next one as well. It was difficult to answer their questions without revealing anything personal. He finally began telling people she was on a much-deserved vacation. They laughed at him and said Evette didn’t take vacations. He just shrugged and let them believe what they wanted. There was no explanation that would suffice, except the truth, and he couldn’t tell them that.

Valen called Kathy when Evette left a message on the third day that she wouldn’t be coming in, again. He hadn’t spoken to her since she had asked him to take over for her that first day. He hadn’t found it necessary to ask her questions about medications and he was proud of that fact.

“Kathy, it’s Valen. Have you heard from Evette? She left a phone message that she wouldn’t be in again today. She sounded okay, but I thought you might know more,” Valen expressed his concern.

“I haven’t talked to her either. The kids have been driving me nuts, and I had an appointment with the obstetrician. The baby’s due soon. He says it is a big one. My husband finds that funny for some reason, the jerk. Then, we had a leak in the kitchen, so I had to call a repairman. Evette’s probably fine. She likes to hide away when she’s not at her best and the potions she’s trying might have her sleeping a lot. I don’t like that she’s missing from the apothecary, though. That’s not her usual way of doing things. She used to keep going no matter what. Maybe, that means you’re doing well. Don’t worry. If we don’t hear from her soon, I’ll make time to go over to her house and see for myself what’s happening. Hold down the fort, hottie.”

Kathy made him smile. She was hugely pregnant and still flirted like a teenager. She was cute, but Evette was beautiful. Maybe he was prejudiced. He took Kathy’s advice, setting his worries aside to care for the shop. It was raining, so customers were limited. To pass the time, he emptied one shelf at a time and scrubbed them down. When he finished that, the floors were given the same treatment. He straightened the office and found there were still two hours left before closing. Under the counter, he discovered Evette’s books, with pages marked. He took a seat, sent the cashier home early, and began to read. What he found was disturbing. She would die from her illness, but before then, she could be crippled. Her muscles could weaken so much, she would lose control of them. Ending up in a wheelchair was the least of it. Her heart and lungs could be affected, requiring machines for her to survive. He couldn’t allow that to happen to Evette. Her spirit was too vital and her life too important, not just to her customers, but to her family and him as well. Women had been a dime a dozen all his adult life, but Evette had reached a part of him they couldn’t. He had to help her.

He slid the books back under the counter, emptied the register, turned out the lights, and locked the door. It was half an hour early, but he didn’t care. He rushed home to get on the computer. Somewhere out there was a cure for Evette. It might not be conventional or even ethical, yet he was determined to find it. Even something to slow the progression would suffice while Evette continued her experiments, or the doctors discovered a miracle. Valen was used to fighting for what he wanted and this was no exception.