The Iron Butterfly (Iron Butterfly #1)(23)

“Thalia, you have to get in here NOW! Donn is turning all shades of red because you haven’t come back.” Avina ducked back into the kitchen and I turned to go, but stopped as Joss’ hand touched my shoulder. “Promise me we will talk later?”

All I said was, “Syrani’s waiting for you.” And I walked into the kitchen. I was a glutton for self-punishment, by pushing Joss away. I was protecting myself. He was a student at the Citadel and would one day be a great Adept, I was a drowned river rat, a nobody that had no real future and no family that had stepped forward to claim me. I was scared that all Joss really felt was a protectiveness over me, and I was right. He felt responsible for me and I didn’t want him to.

I could take care of myself. Joss deserved someone that wasn’t as messed up in the head as me, someone beautiful, but not like Syrani. I thought of all the girls that threw themselves in his way and became more determined to build a wall up between myself and the very handsome Joss. I wouldn’t hope or dream because I didn’t think my heart was strong enough. And in the end, I was afraid that after everything that had happened to me that if my heart shattered, I wouldn’t know how to put it back together again.

Slipping into the kitchen I resumed filling trays of food and bringing them back out into the hall; no longer worried about confronting Joss since I had already embarrassed myself. Depositing the tray on a table, I looked around the room to see if I could see him. He was gone and so was Syrani. I felt glad that he was gone, and depressed at the same time because he was with her. Heading back into the kitchen I decided to take Avina up on her offer to go into the city and spend some of our hard earned silver tomorrow since it was our day off. And I did promise I was going to buy Berry something. I definitely wanted to spruce up our room and get some clothes that looked nothing like my blue and gray uniform. Feeling a little lighter on my feet at the prospect of getting out of the kitchens, the rest of the night flew by.





Chapter 7





Freedom! The colors of all the districts, smells, sounds and the fact that Avina and I were running around laughing was the best healing therapy that I could ask for. The smells of the baker’s district made my mouth water and the chocolate pastries made my mouth melt with delight. We had decided to pool our money together and share everything we bought so we could try a wider variety of food. It was the absolute best idea, for I couldn’t remember having a more relaxing day. I was laughing so hard my cheeks hurt.

After purchasing a book for myself, I was drawn to a colorful stall with small jars of scented perfume. The elderly woman was busy with another costumer so I took the chance to study the perfumes further. There were various herbs and flowers in a beautiful glass-blown bottle with a rubber stoppers for decoration. I picked up a beautiful, light blue orb that felt warm to the touch from being in the sun. Unstopping the stopper, I was assailed with wonderful feeling of absolute contentment with the faint hint of vanilla and cinnamon.

Once I plugged the bottle of perfume, the feeling faded. Now interested more than ever, I grabbed an amber colored bottle that, once uncorked, unleashed a feeling of bubbling happiness with the scent of sunflowers on fresh wind. The perfumist was obviously a Denai who was able to capture feelings within her perfumes. This amazed me about Calandry, the freedom in which Denai practiced their art and sold it. My fingers drifted over the tops of the other bottles in wonder.

“Now that bottle right there will make you feel like you’re in love,” spoke a gravelly voice over my shoulder. I jumped and had to steady a few bottles that I almost knocked over.

A cackling laugh erupted from an elderly, gray haired lady whose face was covered in laugh wrinkles. Her sun-lined face showed that she probably spent most of her times outdoors, and her skin had a hint of sparkles.“Don’t worry; it doesn’t make anyone fall in love with you. It just gives you a feeling as though you are in love. You wouldn’t believe how many married women wish for the feeling of being young and in love again,” she winked at me.

I looked at the bottle closer.

“It’s my best seller. I’m a Weaver. I weave feelings into my perfumes so that women can feel confident or beautiful while they wear them.”

It took a moment for her words to sink in. Weavers was the nickname given to the Denai with weaving abilities. They were able to make a pot that would never boil over or silverware that would never tarnish by weaving power into their items during construction. I had seen some of the items first hand in the Citadel’s kitchen.

“Do you ever weave hate or fear into them?” I asked cautiously.

Her eyes darkened angrily, “That would be abusing the gifts that God gave me and I would never do that.” Her voice became louder, almost a shout as she ranted, “I only weave light, not darkness! Never darkness! The dark does not like to be ignored, and its call is sweet like honey, but it will devour you whole and spit you out.” Her anger rose and then quickly dissipated when she saw my obvious distress at her tone. Her voice lowered and she seemed to regain clarity and looked around warily. “Not saying someone else couldn’t do it, but I won’t do it. And no one can make me.” She seemed as if she knew from experience and which may have brought on her moment of insanity.

“Please don’t take offense.” I held my hand out to her, palms up as if I was soothing a frightened animal. “I should have known better than to question your methods. Your work is beautiful and I would never wish to insult you, but my curiosity at the wonder of what you can do made me speak without thinking.” I put every ounce of comfort into my voice, trying to soothe the woman who seemed so close the edge of reason.