‘You have nothing to apologize for,’ he said. He removed his hand from hers and pushed her teacup forward. ‘Drink your tea. It’ll help.’
She took another sip, swallowing the lump in her throat. Silence hung between them then, and she realized she should probably ask him about himself.
‘Um—what do you do?’ she asked. ‘Are you a stitch-witch like your mother?’
He smiled, brown eyes warm. ‘I am,’ he said. ‘I’m an apprentice at a tailor’s in Castletown.’ He spoke to her easily, as if they were friends, and that made her relax. The conversation helped distract her from the frightening ordeal she had been through.
‘How wonderful,’ she said, giving him the entirety of her attention. ‘What’s it like, being a witch?’
He told her, and she listened to him talk as she drank her tea, and before she knew it, the cup was empty. Slowly, the plate of biscuits emptied as well, and the conversation slowly trickled to an end, bringing about a moment of silence.
‘Do you know of any establishments in which I might stay for the night?’ Sonya asked.
He frowned. ‘There are, but none I would recommend for you. Forgive me, but it doesn’t seem as though you are well-acquainted with traveling on your own.’
‘I believe that much is obvious.’ Suddenly, she frowned. ‘I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to afford it, anyway.’
Azam worked his jaw, thinking. ‘It is cold and the rain doesn’t look like it’ll let up any time soon. If you aren’t immediately opposed to the idea, why don’t you stay the night at my home?’ She raised her brows, and he held up his hands in innocence. ‘My little sister and grandmother are there as well, so you need not worry about being alone with a strange man you just met.’
‘You are kind,’ she told him. ‘I have no cause to worry.’
‘You are easily trusting,’ he said, eyebrows scrunching as if this troubled him.
‘If you are sure it’s not a problem, then yes, I would appreciate it greatly if I could stay with you.’ She could think about a more permanent living situation tomorrow, once the sun was out once more.
‘It isn’t a problem at all,’ he said.
They left the tavern, stepping back into the chilly night. Sonya wasn’t very good with directions, and even as she tried to remember the route they were taking, she could only remember as far as the first turn. Then she gave up altogether, simply walking alongside Azam as he led the way.
Luckily, the rain had slowed to a mist, the clouds shifting and parting to let in shafts of moonlight. The cobblestoned street glimmered, black and white. It was about fifteen minutes before they arrived onto a quiet street.
The street was home to small cottages that sat close to one another. There were no gardens in the front, and they walked right up to the door of one of the homes. Azam opened the door with a key, letting her in.
The cottage was warm and quiet as they entered into the hallway. Directly in front of them was a staircase leading up; to her left was a closed door, and to the right was an open door.
‘This way,’ Azam said, leading her to the right. She followed and they entered the main living area of the cottage where there was a kitchen and dining area, and a sofa in front of a fireplace. Azam walked to the kitchen and poured a glass of water from a glass pitcher, then brought it back for her.
‘Oh, thank you,’ she said, taking a sip.
‘If you need anything else, feel free,’ he said. When she shook her head, he led her back to the staircase. They went up the creaky steps to the second floor, and Azam pointed to the far end on the right.
‘My bedroom is there, and the door next to it is the bathroom,’ he said. From the door to her left, Sonya heard snoring. Azam gently pushed open a door that was already ajar to reveal another bedroom. There was an old lady (the source of the snoring) asleep on the bed, and beside her was a little girl. She must have been around four years old.
‘That’s my sister, Dania,’ Azam whispered. ‘And Grandma Kiri beside her.’
He led her down to the left end, to a closed door. ‘You can sleep in here,’ he said, opening the door. The third bedroom was stuffed with boxes atop pieces of furniture.
He quickly moved some of the boxes aside, shoving others into the closet until a bedframe and mattress were visible. He brushed aside dust and looked at her sheepishly. ‘I’m sorry for the mess, but I thought you might be more comfortable here than on the couch downstairs.’
‘Thank you,’ Sonya said, setting the glass of water down on a flat surface. Azam looked around, then frowned.
‘Just a moment,’ he said. He dashed out of the room, then returned a few moments later with a pillow and a blanket he must have brought from his room. He set them down on the mattress, then rubbed the back of his neck. ‘I know it isn’t much—’
‘It’s perfect,’ Sonya said. Azam looked at her, and when he saw her smile, he seemed to relax.
‘Okay,’ he said, nodding. ‘Good.’ He shuffled on his feet awkwardly. ‘Yes, so, I showed you the other rooms and the bathroom, and if there’s anything else you need, you can just let me know.’
‘I appreciate it,’ she replied. ‘Is it just you, your grandmother, and your sister up here?’ Sonya asked. She thought to the closed door downstairs. ‘Is your parents’ room downstairs?’
