The Herbwitch's Apprentice Ireen Chau (best life changing books txt) 📖

Ash shrugged. “Is there anyone else who...?’”

I nearly felt Lana’s glare simmering in the air. “No, sir,” she said, “and if there is a witch who sells such things, I am not acquainted with them nor do I have the desire to.”

The prince finally seemed to realize the awkwardness of the situation. No doubt he was here to investigate the origins of the poison Erasmus found and decided the Witch Market was a reasonable place to start.

His disguise, however, was a poor one. His shirt and trousers were of too fine a material to blend in with the rough, dirt-streaked rabble of the Market. And the way he glanced about and jumped whenever someone brushed his shoulder made it clear it was his first time in magical company.

“May I inquire what you’re selling?” he asked.

“A general antidote,” Lana said brusquely. “Heals minor cuts if applied topically and minor illnesses if consumed.”

Ash nodded slowly.

“You are clearly not familiar with purchasing from our kind, so I would appreciate it if you would kindly leave. You are holding up my line,” Lana said.

There was no line, except for the massive one before the elderly man’s cart.

Ash looked over his shoulder. “Ah, I apologize. I...er... have something for your trouble,” he said, fishing out an apple from the pouch at his hip. It was in the shape of a flattened gourd and had a yellow stripe down the middle. “It’s little strange looking. But delicious, I’m sure.”

An agonizingly long moment passed with Ash’s arm outstretched and Lana pretending he wasn’t there. Stifling a laugh, I took the apple from him to spare his feelings, but instantly regretted it when he turned his attention to me.

He stuck out his hand. “Much obliged, Miss...?”

I stared at his hand, knowing that I couldn’t possibly speak.

Lana came to my rescue. “She’s my apprentice.”

“Ah, much obliged, Miss Apprentice.”

I shook his hand briefly before the bells or my laughter gave me away.

He seemed confused at my silence, so I pointed to my throat and shook my head.

“You’re mute?”

I nodded. Lana did not object, nor did she give any indication of speaking again. Feeling it only right, I grabbed one of the remaining antidotes and gave it to him.

“Thank you,” he said, inspecting the jar. “I’ll give it a try.” With another stiff smile, Ash turned and disappeared behind the massive line.

Lana and I didn’t exchange a word until we were back in the basement where Ferdinand was waiting for us. His inquiries and comments were ignored until they were cut off yet again by the slamming of the door.

When we were finally in the safety of the dark passageway, I pulled my scarf down to my neck.

“That was...someone I knew,” I said.

“Someone who wouldn’t take well to knowing you’re a witch, I suppose?”

“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “He’s usually very kind.” Miriam told me hatred for magic ran in royal blood. But I couldn’t imagine Ash hating me. I felt the apple in my pouch bump my leg with every step.

Lana harrumphed. “Don’t be fooled, child. Helping a witch and being a witch are two very different things. He and the other foolish philanthropists will be commended for their charity. You, on the other hand, will be shunned.”

WHEN I RETURNED TO Miriam’s shop, I had an extra jar of antidote Lana told me to keep. It was another gruff act of kindness I appreciated but didn’t comment on, lest she scolded me for speaking nonsense.

“You took longer this time,” Miriam said when I emerged through the portal.

I rubbed my back and shifted the pouch on my shoulders. “Lana took me to the Witch Market.”

“Did she? What was she selling this time?”

Before I could tell her, Miriam took the jar from me. She unscrewed the top, dipped a finger in, tasted it thoughtfully, and dipped her finger in again.

“A general antidote,” I said. “You can have it if you like.”

“I couldn’t,” she said, smacking her lips.

“Really. I insist.”

It was a little past noon. I was once again close to missing lunch at the Strongfoots’. As I made my way to the exit, the door burst open and I nearly stumbled into Theodora and Rowena. They looked equally shocked to see me.

“Amarante? What are you doing here?” they said in unison.

I opened my mouth but no sound came out. I had completely forgotten to tell them about my lessons with Lana. It had practically been a week!

Ashamed that I had neglected them, I filled them in on my visits to Witch Village.

Rowena’s face turned thoughtful when I finished. Theodora furrowed her brow.

“We were just here to see Lana again, for your sake,” Theodora said. “I thought she wanted nothing to do with us. Why the sudden change of heart?”

“Maybe the old bat needed a servant and decided to take Amarante,” Rowena said.

Theodora turned me around as if, once again, looking for fatal wounds. “Are you alright, then? We tried to write last week, but your stepmother sent the staff into a frenzy.”

Rowena chuckled. “Somehow she found out that Master Flora is returning and insisted on cleaning every inch of the house. He won’t arrive for another month, for goodness sake,” she said. She pinched my cheek and widened her eyes. “My! Your witch traits have emerged!”

My stomach twisted at the mention of Papa’s return, but I masked it with a shrug and a smile. “Yes. And I have been doing fine. Lana gave me something to keep my magic under control,” I said, lifting the crystal from my bodice.

My nannies exchanged a look so quickly I barely noticed. I thought I detected a hint of sadness in Theodora’s lined eyes. “Well, dear, I’m glad you are doing well. Just remember, you can come to us anytime. If you no longer wish to learn magic...” she trailed off, but I shook my head.

I wasn’t going to quit my apprenticeship any time soon—not after everything I’ve seen, and especially not after what I had learned