“You could at least put on some makeup. Wear a dress…” my employer, Lera Stephaya Mertklon, grumbled, casting a critical eye over my appearance. “You look like you’re heading anywhere but a date. It’s odd, honestly.”
She muttered these remarks while occasionally glancing up from the tiny scales she used to measure ingredients for a potion recipe.
Lera Stephaya Mertklon had become my savior in this unfamiliar city. She offered me a job, affordable lodging, and… decided to meddle in my personal life. That last part was unnecessary, but it turned out this woman didn’t know how to back down once she set her mind on something.
Thanks to her persistence, I was now getting ready for an evening out—a date, as she called it. In her mind, dinner with a classmate automatically qualified as a romantic outing. I, on the other hand, preferred to think of it as just a casual meal. The idea of anything more didn’t even cross my mind. Thinking about relationships still hurt too much. I quickly pushed away the haunting image of a dark-eyed mage who plagued my dreams every night. If I let those thoughts linger, there’d be no dinner at all.
“It’s not a date,” I said nervously, tugging at my shirt. “It’s just…”
“…Dinner,” Lera waved off my words as if they were trivial. “I’ve heard that from you a hundred times today. I can tell something happened in your past. But, darling, don’t waste your youth on heartache. It slips away too fast. That’s it, no arguments. I can see in your eyes you’re about to protest. And I’ve got too much work to listen to it all, especially when I know it’s just empty words. Go on, get out of here. You’ll be late.”
And she was right! What was the point of arguing anyway? Lera Stephaya would stick to her opinion, and I’d stick to mine. Besides, I had a rather selfish motive for this meeting—one Lera would surely disapprove of if she knew what I was really up to.
So, grabbing my small bag, I stepped out of the little shop where potions, herbs, and tinctures for every ailment imaginable were sold. And not just that—Lera Stephaya also dealt in beauty and rejuvenation remedies, while somehow staying in the loop about every piece of gossip and event in the city. It made her far too knowledgeable and confident that she knew exactly what everyone needed in life.
Yet, despite her striking beauty—unusual fiery red hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of flames, emerald eyes that seemed to pierce your soul, and a captivating smile—Lera remained single. She never showed that it bothered her. Still, it struck me as odd that someone so vocal about love seemed to keep her own heart firmly closed off.
In the end, there was no convincing her of anything. And was it even worth trying? It would only strain our relationship with pointless arguments. I liked this dynamic, energetic woman. We met by chance. I’d been desperately trying to find a place to stay, but everything was already taken. Just as I was practically begging the owner of yet another small inn to let me sleep in the attic—and he was about to shoo me away with a broom—Lera grabbed my hand and declared with complete sincerity:
“You’ll stay with me!”
I was so taken aback that I didn’t believe my ears at first.
“Just for a few weeks,” I assured her, coming to my senses as she dragged me down the street. “As soon as I get a dorm room, I’ll move out.”
“Oh! So you’re a future student. What faculty?”
“Healing,” I replied.
“Good heavens, you’re a gem! I’ll offer you a spot at my shop for healing elixirs, too. While you’ve got the time. By the way, I’m Lera Stephaya Mertklon, the local apothecary.”
“Triss Trev, future student at the Imperial University of Magic. At least, I hope so,” I introduced myself. “And I’d be thrilled to help you.”
That’s how I found a place to live—a cozy little room with blue curtains on windows that were always open, a sweet vase on the nightstand, and a warm, homely feel. I liked it here; it reminded me of home and comfort.
It was awkward, though, when I learned that all the dorm rooms had long been assigned. Despite my excellent academy diploma, recommendations from Rector Snorri, and even… Officer Nair himself, there wasn’t a single room—or even a bed—available for me.
“Come back after the first semester,” the dorm warden advised, adjusting the tiny pince-nez on his nose. “Usually, a lot of spots open up after exams.”
He chuckled in a way that made me uneasy. Because, honestly, there was a good chance I’d flunk out too. Sure, I’d been taught well, but did I have enough knowledge for such a prestigious university? Still, I quickly pulled myself together. Why worry ahead of time?
In the end, I stayed with Lera for the entire semester. She didn’t mind. She only sighed heavily when Su got into the kitchen and devoured every sweet in sight. But there was nothing anyone could do about that. I tried to warn her she’d get so heavy she wouldn’t be able to lift off the ground, but the little creature just put on a show, flaunting her tiny frame. Scolding her was pointless. So we settled on deducting the cost of the sweets from my wages. Yes, Lera even paid me a salary. It wasn’t much, but it covered food for Su, rent, clothes, and books.
The city glowed. As night fell, it came alive with the light of magical lanterns, as if it waited for darkness just to show off to locals and visitors alike. Women clicked along the smooth pavement in high heels, drawing admiring glances from men. Street performers acted out scenes. Music filled the air. And this happened every evening, not just on major holidays. Lera claimed it was because the city was made for love. It breathed romance, whispering of feelings, passion, and the joy of loving and being loved through the salty sea breeze. I tried to smile at her enthusiastic words, but my heart clenched with pain each time. I had destroyed my own chance at love with my own hands. And I had to live with that.
Unlike the quieter Gorengville, the bustling and lively Storeng was always brimming with small, perhaps insignificant, events. Maybe it was because the locals here had a fierier, more vibrant spirit, like a young, heady wine. Not as stern as the people of Gorengville.
In its own way, I liked this city. But sometimes, I missed Gorengville. I longed for Maytrose and her gruff, slightly sharp grumbling. I missed Mel’s cheerful chatter. I missed the Gorengville from before the imperial mages arrived. I especially missed kind old Lera Petrens. I ached for him most of all.
And then… just thinking of Gorengville brought Kiray to mind. Our first kiss under the light of the only streetlamp on the road, when little Sunara showered us with golden dust. I remembered his embrace, his eyes with vertical golden pupils, and I missed him. I probably didn’t even fully grasp how much this separation hurt me. Time didn’t dull the pain, but it taught me to live with it. And the realization that the past couldn’t be undone. I’d made that choice myself. There was no one else to blame.
Lost in these thoughts, I crossed the wide city square with its playful fountains, flashing in different colors as if a rainbow had dived into the water. For a moment, I paused across from an open terrace where people relaxed, sipping wine. My eyes found Alec waiting for me at the farthest table. But I couldn’t take another step.
Come on, Triss! You need this meeting. You need this guy’s help.
More precisely, his father’s help—the chief archivist of Storeng. I needed access to certain documents. So, pull yourself together, smile. Don’t give false hope, but don’t ruin the connection either. Friendship can sometimes be far better than romance.
I took a step toward the café and… it felt like I’d hit a wall. My insides twisted into knots, a bitter taste filled my mouth, my breath caught, and a thought pulsed in my mind: “Hurry!”
Damn it. Not again!