Free Alchemist's Kiss by AR DeClerck Page B

In a week, ten days, he will move without cursing.”
    “And the burns?”
    I'd watched the apothecary smooth a dark black paste over the burns, easing the redness almost immediately. Archimedes had slipped into a more comfortable rest as soon as the cream had touched him.
    “Aloe, dandelion and a few, more obscure, items.” He pointed to the bowl of black paste on the table. “Three times daily, after the tea. There will be scarring,” he looked at Archimedes with a frown, “but I don't think it will limit him in any way.”
    “Thank you, Bastion.”
    He took my hand and shook it neatly, two firm pumps. “My pleasure, Cora. Archimedes is a good man. I hope whomever treated him thusly will be punished.”
    “Harshly.” I assured the man. I tucked Archie's hand under the blankets and escorted the apothecary to the door.
    From the hallway he turned back to me. As with most powerful wizards I'd come across, his appearance belied his true strength. But I could feel how strongly he was connected to the aether, and his limpid blue eyes burned with anger. “Do not hesitate to call on us, Cora. Icarus has loyal friends. People he put his life on the line to help when he first returned to London.”
    “He's going to need us all.” I smiled at the apothecary. “When the time comes he's going to need all the magic and all the loyalty we can give him.”
    “Then I pity the man who crossed him.” Bastion's beard twitched with a smile. “Icarus Kane is not a man to be trifled with.”
    I closed the door and leaned on it, my nose assaulted by the smell of the rubbish still covering me. In a flash Icarus had transported Archie back to the hotel and his own bed, but we'd had to make the long trek back on tired legs. I shivered and moved to stoke the fire, stopping as the laboratory door opened behind me.
    “You're knackered.” He took the poker from my hand and turned the logs.
    “I'm angry, Icarus. And dirty,” I felt tears prick my eyes, “and yes, I'm knackered.”
    I turned away and slumped onto the settee, covering my face with my hands. I'd tossed my ruined gloves into the fire, but I knew my pretty day dress would have to follow. It, like the world I'd spent the last six years building, was now tainted. I couldn't help the streaming tears.
    “Cora.”
    I ignored his pleading, not giving a damn if he was uncomfortable with my tears. I was allowed to cry. Archimedes was the second most important man in the world to me. What had been done to him was unforgivable.
    “Cora.” This time strong arms wrapped round my shoulders. I leaned into his chest and turned my face to his shirt.
    “I'm horrible, Icarus.” I shook with my rage.
    “You're wonderful.” he assured me.
    I pulled back, looking up at his face. God had carved it himself, I was sure. Every line, every angle and every plane, was perfect. I shook my head. “I'm not. I'm a bad person, Icarus. I am!”
    “Stop this, Cora.” Even the lines between his brows was perfect. “What's got you going?”
    “All I could think, when I saw Archie in that refuse heap ...” I trailed off and looked away, afraid that if I finished the thought it would make him see me as awful too.
    “What did you think, Cora?” He tipped my chin, lifting my eyes to his.
    “I was glad it wasn't you.”
    I buried my head in his neck, the tears coming faster and harder now. I clutched him to me and prayed I'd never have to let go. He held me close and stayed quiet until I was done. I hiccupped once and wiped my eyes.
    “So you see, I'm a terrible person.”
    “You're not.” He leaned forward, kissing my forehead. “You, Cora Mae Jenkins, are that which every woman should strive to be.”
    “A glocky nemmo?”
    He laughed out loud, the sound shaking through my bones where he still held me against him. “Where do you learn these words, Cora?”
    “Jimmy, the chimney sweep's son, told me what it means.”
    “You are not a half-witted woman. I promise.” He stared down at me