Ezra shook his head."Nothing will happen to you.It gives you what you need."
"Meaning?"
"It'll help you replenish what you need."
"What I need?"He didn't sound as if he believed him, and Ezra didn't blame him.It was a pathetic kind of magic.
"Give an example."
"I don't know what you need."He stirred the butter and sugar."It helps balance you."
"Balance me?"
It sounded stupid when Ulric kept repeating everything he said."Yes, balance you.I don't know what you need because I can't see into you, but the magic won't hurt you, it won't make you sick, it won't do anything.I can't make it do anything.I can't hurt you or anyone."
"What if I don't believe you?"
Ezra shrugged.There was nothing he could do if he didn't believe him."How do you feel?"
Ulric didn't reply.
"Have another."
"Will it turn me into a toad?"
Ezra huffed."It would surprise me.I've never managed to transform anything."
Ulric turned to Geri."Don't eat any until we see what happens."Then he crammed three cookies into his mouth in short succession.He remained next to Ezra watching him intently as he added the melted butter and sugar to the bowl and stirred.
Shortly after he leaned against the counter, his muscles letting go of the tension.He rolled his head and rubbed his neck.Ezra smiled as he clicked some of the dough onto the sheet.Relaxation.He should've known it was what Ulric needed.It had been a tense few days.He might not be the one who'd mated a stranger, but his life had been affected.
Ezra glanced at him, trying to hide the smile, but it tugged at the corner.
"Did you slip a sleeping pill in there?"
"Nope.If you're feeling sleepy, it's because you need to sleep."
Ulric shook his head."Nah, I feel..."
"Relaxed.Sit."Ezra nodded toward the table and focused on his baking.The magic flared again, and he lost himself in the process.
When there was avoice he didn't recognize, he looked up and found Farkas by the table.When had he arrived?
"Ezra, have a cookie."Ulric held one up to him, and Ezra took it.If it would make them feel better, he'd eat one.
As he chewed, Geri reached for one."I'm having one."
Ezra nodded and watched as Farkas ate one too, then he went back to his baking.
"So you used to cook for the clan?"Ulric's voice was calm, lazy almost, and Ezra nodded.
"And this was what you did?With magic like this I mean?"
He nodded again."It's all I can do.I can't shrink your skin, can't turn you inside out, can't transform you into a tree, or pull power from a cat."Normally, he'd have blushed at his inadequacy, but the magic was humming pleasantly in his veins."I can't tell the magic what to do with the cookies.It hits your system and gives you what you need."
"Relaxation?"
Ezra looked over his shoulder at him."If it's what you need."
