Magical Mate Chapter 6: Worrying...

Mithos looked up from his book when they walked in. "How was it?"
Senel rolled his eyes and pulled his coat off. "Fun as always. Combatir says I don't have to worry about the curse."
"Well, that's good." Mithos smiled at Nel. "I see you brought your mate back, despite your idiotic notions."
"Hn," Senel went into the back room to hang his coat up. Damn it- he knew he'd felt some sort of spell snap when he'd turned away from the ring. He'd thought they'd done something to Nel- but there hadn't been any spell-trace on him. And if it hadn't been one put on Nel- then what was it? Granted, the fae had spells all over that place, but it had been one in that room.
And the ring- Regulus had told Mithos that something had felt odd about it- but it was just an ordinary charm ring. Granted, it was cold iron, but that shouldn't have given the fae a bad feeling- it just meant he wouldn't be able to tell what sort of charm it held. Had he just used it as an excuse to meet Nel?
What had they been doing to Nel?
Senel forced himself to take a deep breath, tried to get the knot in his chest to ease. He was leaping to conclusions. The fae might not have been doing anything at all to Nel. They might just have been talking to him- they were very curious. They weren't anything like the Pride after all. But- had he been so deep in casting that he hadn't heard their voices?
"Senel?" Nel stood in the doorway, her coat over her arm. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Of course," he said and tried to smile. Nel was looking worried for some reason. "Just thinking."
Nel frowned a little and glided closer. She reached out to put a hand on Senel's face, her fingertips tracing one of Senel's eyebrows. "Can I help?"
Senel very nearly asked her what had happened when he'd had his back turned. But he couldn't quite work up the courage. Nel had said she was okay. It would be rude of him to pry for more.
"No, it's nothing." He moved away from Nel's touch before he grabbed his mate and demanded answers. "I'd better get started-" He turned, trying to ignore Nel's hurt expression. "Mithos- where is the book of protection charms?"
"Third bookcase, bottom shelf. What do you need protecting from? Was Combatir that bad?"
"Shove it," Senel moved to the bookcase and bent down, searching for the book. "It's not for me. Nel needs some protections- don't you think?"
"Not a bad idea- did Combatir suggest it?"
"Senel did," Nel replied before Senel could. "After that visit I had this morning."
"It is a good idea. What sort of protections were you thinking of?"
Senel found the book he needed and returned with the book to the counter. "Well, Combatir gave him one of the charm rings- it has a sleep spell on it."
Mithos snorted. "Rings are chancy. A good touch charm is what you need."
"What is a touch charm?" Nel asked.
"A protection that will be set off if someone touches you with ill intent. You don't set it off- you can even be unconscious and it will still work."
Senel flipped through the pages. "If you're done with the lesson- any suggestions?" He just wanted to get the protections set before there was a need for them.
"There's one for fire-breathing in there,"
Senel stopped and snapped: "How will that help?"
"I've always found it useful." Mithos gave him a Look. "You are wound tighter than a bowstring, Senel. You aren't usually this cranky. What the hell happened? Combatir doesn't usually have this effect on you."
"Nothing happened. I'm fine."
Mithos lifted his eyebrow. "Right. You cast a spell in this state and you'll be the one breathing fire. Go calm down."
"I'm-"
"Now, student."
Senel slammed the book closed. It was pointless to argue with the dragon- as he knew from experience. Instead, he turned on his heel and made a dash for the store's workroom.
Once inside with the door closed, he sank down onto the floor and closed his eyes. Control, he told himself firmly. Magicians who lost control ended up dead. Think it through logically.
Why am I angry?
Something happened in that damned teahouse today. What was it? It hadn't been a spell on Duo-
Of course, he mentally groaned and cursed himself for being an idiot.
Placing his fingers against his own forehead he murmured the words.
And there it was- a broken cone of silence.
So- was it something they didn't want him to hear- or had they just wanted to indulge their curiosity without disturbing him?
Either way- they hadn't done anything to Nel. He closed his eyes and forced himself to inhale, and then exhale slowly. So that worry was groundless. Maybe Combatir or Albain had propositioned Nel? It would be like them. They were a devoted couple- and had been for hundreds of years- but they still invited Mithos over 'for dinner' often. Or it could've been one of the sisters-
Again, nothing for him to be angry over. It wasn't fair to want to keep Nel tied to him when she'd never seen anything outside the Pride. And the fae were beautiful- and powerful enough to hide Nel.
He dug his fingernails into his palms and winced.
He'd only known Nel for less than a week. Only been his mate for two days. What did it matter to him if Nel looked elsewhere? They were practically strangers, he reminded himself.
So why did the thought of Nel with someone else hurt so much already?
For the usual reason, he reminded himself. He knew why. His father gone before he could remember, his mother dead- and that man...
"Time to go, boy..." The shove out onto the wet pavement, falling as he tried to regain his balance, the rev of the car's engine as his stepfather drove off...
Anger rose up and he let it. Let it wash over him. Reminded himself that just because one man had abandoned him didn't mean that every other person would.
He lay on the cool stone floor, feeling the heat leach out of his body and forced himself to relax. There was nothing to be upset about. There was nothing to be hurt over. Nel had come back with him; she hadn't indicated a desire to stay with the fae. Nothing to worry about.
At least, nothing to worry about yet.
He shoved that thought away and concentrated on regaining his balance. He needed to be calm. He needed to be able to focus. If he tried to put a protection on Nel in this state it was all too likely that something would go wrong. And Nel needed that protection.
The door creaked open. "Senel?"
"Yes?" There was a slight clang as the door shut again.
"Mithos said to tell you that he found something that might work." There was a rustling beside him. "But he wants you to look at it first."
Senel opened his eyes and turned his head just enough to confirm that Nel had indeed sat down on the floor next to him. "Did he tell you what it is?"
"No. But he said you might be feeling mean enough to cast it."
"Mean enough?" Senel levered himself up into a sitting position. "Must be bad."
"Senel, this can wait." Nel said quietly. "There's no rush. In fact I would bet that Cress is no doubt still trying to figure out what you did to him this morning- and that Luke has told the Pride that you cursed him somehow."
He looked so worried that Senel managed a smile for him. "I'm fine. It's just been a very long day." Nel smiled back, sliding a little closer.
"I'm glad to hear you say that. I was wondering if all of your work days were like this."
"Oh no." Senel reassured her. "Most days it's just the tea leaf book sort of customers."
"Good." Nel still moved close, but she didn't touch Senel. "Are you still- upset?" Hervoice was soft, but Senel could hear the concern clearly.
"I'm better now." It wasn't a lie, but the line between Nel's eyebrows deepened. Senel reached up without thinking to smooth it away. Leaning into the touch, Nel closed her eyes, turning enough to kiss Senel's wrist.
"Truly?" His mate opened his eyes and gave Senel a searching look. "The fae set my nerves on edge too, but it was because of all that damn popping in and out. And they were really nosy."
"Nosy?"
Nel leaned closer, the warmth from her body easing the chill of Senel's. "They asked me all sorts of odd questions. I was glad when you finished."
That made Senel chuckle, the tight knot in his chest finally easing. "Worse," he said, getting to his feet and offering his hand to Nel. "Let's go see what Mithos has found."
~*~
Fiona was standing beside Mithos, leaning over his shoulder and studying the book that Senel had pulled off the shelf earlier.
"Feeling better?" Senel asked her.
"Much. Remind me never to take that sort of job again- all that arguing!" She rolled her eyes and grimaced. "Why can't they just go quietly into their goodnight, or whatever?"
"Most do," Mithos reminded her. "You just get to deal with the rest."
"Lucky me." Fiona looked back at Senel, her gaze narrowing a little. "You look exhausted."
"It's been a long day." He pointed out.
"Hmm." She picked up the book and dropped a ribbon on the open page. Closing it she offered it to Senel. "Take this and Nel and go home. Eat, sleep and relax. Both of you take tomorrow off."
He blinked at her for a moment. "It's not my day off tomorrow."
"I know."
"You usually only reschedule my days off when you know something is going to interfere with my usual time off."
She smiled angelically at him. "I know."
Great. "What is it?"
"Nothing you have to worry about for a few days. So shoo."
Senel thought about arguing. But he was tired and it had been a long day.
Fiona grinned at him. "Exactly- which is why you should take my offer and go."
His coat appeared in his vision. Nel was holding it out to him. When had he gone to get it?
"The minute I said go home." Fiona shook her head. "I think she's smarter than you."
"Thanks," Senel took the coat from Nel and the book from Fiona. "Just- is it going to be really bad?"
She shook her head. "Nah, I think you'll enjoy it actually."
He slipped on the coat, put the book in his pocket and took Nel's elbow. "In that case- we'll see you the day after tomorrow."
~*~
"How is your side?" Nel asked once they were out on the sidewalk. "Does it still hurt?"
"Aches a little," Senel admitted. "But not too bad." Before Nel could question him more, he decided to change the subject. "Should we get take-out? I'm not sure I have much left in the fridge."
"Okay," Nel gave him a look that clearly said she knew what Senel was doing. "What did you have in mind?"
"There's a place not too far away." Senel headed for the crosswalk, tugging Nel along with him. "They're fast and good- as long as you like noodles?"
"Of course." Nel followed him across the street, and Senel saw her eyes widen at some of the shops they passed. He made a mental note to show Nel this area of the city tomorrow and introduce her around.
He saw Nel blink at the sign over the noodle shop. "Corny I know," he said with a smile, "but they are really good."
"Hey Mr. Coolidge!" The pink-haired girl behind the counter grinned at him. "Knew we'd be seeing you soon. Two specials, right?" Two takeout cartons popped into being over the counter and landed with a soft thump.
"Right," Senel agreed and pulled out his wallet. The girl winked at Nel as she put the cartons into a bag. "We put extra meat in yours, Mrs. Irving," she said and Senel had to hide his smile at Nel's surprise.
"Here you go," he said and handed her the money. "Keep the change."
"Thanks Mr. Coolidge! Mrs. Irving! Come again soon!"
"More psychics?" Nel asked as they left.
"They say no," Senel nodded at the logo on the bag. "Ninjas."
"Really?"
Senel shrugged. "I can't feel any magic when I go in there- so it could be. Somehow they know you're headed that way, they can guess what you'd order- and it's ready when you get there."
"And she knew my name."
"I would bet most of the district knows about you by now."
Nel smiled. "More magic?"
"Mithos. He's a terrible gossip."
Nel laughed.
~*~
Once they reached their building, Senel felt the tiny little warning from his wards. He stopped in the foyer, frowning.
"What is it?"
"Someone was here today- looking for me. Someone unfriendly."
Nel moved closer to his side. "Who? Are they still here?" She was taking deep careful breaths, his eyes half-closed.
"No, they left. I can't tell from here who it was..." He hurried towards his apartment, Nel on his heels. Reaching his door, he put a careful hand on it. "They didn't break in- but they knocked- and tried the handle-" Senel focused, asking his wards to show him the visitor. He frowned at the answer.
"Cress?" Nel snarled before Senel could speak. Senel blinked in surprise.
"That's right- how did you know?"
"I can smell him. Why was he here?"
"Don't know," Senel moved his hand away from the door. "It was a few hours ago- and he didn't try to break in- but he wasn't happy."
"Maybe he discovered what his curse did?" Nel suggested and Senel chuckled as he unlocked the door.
"It's possible- but why come here and not the shop?" As they stepped inside, Senel checked the rest of his wards- no other disturbances. Closing the door, he made sure that the wards were secure. He had no intention of being caught off guard.
"If he tried when we were at the teahouse? Or he might have been trying to catch you away from Mithos?" Much to his surprise, Nel stalked through the apartment, checking the windows. "It doesn't look like he tried anything-" She called from the bedroom.
"The wards would've stung him if he had." Senel put the take-out down on the table and pulled the book out of his pocket. Nel might need those protections sooner than even he'd anticipated.
Nel appeared in the doorway of the kitchen, nearly radiating tension. She paced around the table, and Senel frowned at her. "Eat- and then we are going to put those protections on you."
His mate sat down and picked up his fork, still clearly unhappy. Senel watched her poke at her food for a few minutes before reaching out to grasp Nel's hand in his. "Nel, it's okay. I'm not going to let him near you."
"It's not that." Nel's fingers tightened on his. "It's just- I never meant- I didn't want to cause trouble for you..."
"This isn't trouble. This is one idiot. Trouble is ghosts tossing you downstairs or demon possessed children. Trust me, this is nothing." Senel squeezed Nel's hand and then let go.
"Okay," Nel poked at her food a little more, still clearly unconvinced. After a few minutes, Senel got to his feet, picked up the take out containers and put them in the fridge. Grabbing the spell book and his mate, he took both to the sofa.
He meant to open the spell book and read the page that Fiona had marked. But once they were on the couch, Nel curled up tight against his side, still radiating unhappiness. Senel couldn't help putting his arms around Nel and pulling her close. Nel curled tighter against him, lifting her head up and putting her cheek against Senel's.
Senel heard the soft indrawn breath, and knew Nel was going to apologize again. Turning his head, meaning to say something to stop the apology, his mouth brushed over Nel's skin. He felt Nel shiver, and then Nel turned her head just enough to meet Senel's lips with her own.
A few moments later, Nel pulled Senel down onto the cushions, the book tumbling to the floor, forgotten.