“Hm.How do I put this?”Her gaze grew hazy, and she twisted her alchemist ring around her finger.Every married alchemist pair had them, a gift from husband to wife.His mother had a habit of twisting hers when she was thinking of his father.“Ah, yes.I have often heard your father say that it feels like when you find the metal that’s most yours.It sort of sings along every inch of your skin and tingles in your very bones.”
Temple nodded.He knew the feeling well.
“But I think it’s more like finding a fascinating puzzle.You are fascinated by it, excited to discover its secrets.It’s a challenge and a pleasure at the same time.Do you understand?”
Unfortunately, he might.
He kissed his mother’s cheek.“Thank you.Now I had better return, or they might bring the roof down upon us all.”
Chaos had erupted in the breakfast room.Was that Ajax climbing the curtains?
Temple chuckled as his mother darted back inside, dragging Ajax from the ceiling and glaring everyone else into submission.He headed out onto the street.But which direction should he go in?Left the way to his workshop.
But right would lead to the shops.
He didn’t need the shops.This hangover, this fascination, would end.He’d had but a small drop of the potion.
But then why did the memory of the unnamed woman sing across his skin and tingle in his bones?Why did he want to discover her secrets?
Well, she was a puzzle, and he was going to piece her together.
“Right then.”He veered toward Finsbury Square.There was only one purveyor of potions in London.Lady Guinevere.And it was time to pay her a visit.
A half hour later, he stood before the famed potions shop.Finsbury Square was crowded, and the plain brick building before him seemed to… wink.The sign hanging above the door said Lady Guinevere’s Potions.He pushed inside and found himself even more crowded.Skirts and hats everywhere beneath the hanging plants.Not a man to be seen.Oh, no, there were a few fellows in the back of the shop.More mountains than men, though.Damn, they were huge, and they flanked a large set of double doors.Guards?For what?
“May I help you, sir?Are you lost?”
He removed his hat and gave his attention to the plump woman before him, her mouth stretched wide on a pale face.She was dressed in a yellow gown and white apron, and a chatelaine of tools hung at her waist.
“Not lost,” he said.“But in need of information.Are you Lady Guinevere, by chance?”
“Me?Nah.”
“Can I speak with her?”
“She’s busy, but I can help you.What are you here for?Love potion?Most are.”Her eyes narrowed.“Why do you want it?”
He resisted the very strong urge to tug at his cravat.“I am here about love potion, but not for it.Rather, it was used on me, and I?—”
“Bloody hell.”
“Pardon?”
“It was a legal dosing, yes?Consensual?”
“More like accidental.”
“Come on, then.”She snagged his wrist and dragged him across the room toward the double doors at the back.She knocked on one, and the men on either side of them shifted from foot to foot, eyeing Temple with meaty fists.One took out a file and began to pick beneath his nails.
“What is it?”a voice said from inside.
“Accidental dosing,” the shopgirl said.
Footsteps, coming closer, then one of the doors swung open.A woman poked her head out, her gaze finding Temple immediately.“This him?”
“Yes, my lady.”The shopgirl gave curt nod.
The woman grunted and retreated, and the shopgirl led Temple inside.
