His Cure For Magic (Book 2) by M.R. Forbes

service, my Lady."
    "A true gentleman. Eryn Llewyn."
    Wilem circled around to the seat directly across from her, leaning over and pulling his meal away before he sat. "I'll get you a fresh one." He raised his hand and signaled for Urla.
    "So, Master Kelkin," Eryn said. "What brings you and your son to the Heart of Varrow City?"
    "Trade, of course," Kelkin replied. He reached down and picked up the small box. "I have some new mixtures of herbs and saps that I think the apothecaries would have great interest in. These are just samples, but I'm hoping to sell them my formulas."
    "Truly? That is fascinating." She looked at Wilem. "My brother is a woodsman. He's very familiar with poultices and tinctures, especially those for healing scrapes and cuts." She laughed, a sound that reminded Wilem of a flute. "My escapades have allowed him quite a bit of experience in that area."
    "If you don't mind my saying, you don't appear to be the earthy type," Wilem said. "I would have guessed you for a noble, by the way you carry yourself."
    "Thank you, Wilem. I do my best when I'm not at home. Visit me at the estate however, and you're more likely to find me in a tunic and breeches."
    "Where is your estate?" Kelkin asked. He had put the box back down next to his chair.
    "Portnis, close to the city. My father is a financier. He had some business with the owner of the Golden Thread, and he asked me to come along for the company. It has been difficult for him since mother died."
    "I'm sorry," Wilem said.  
    Urla interrupted them, bringing out another plate with a hen on it and a mug of water. She kept her eyes on Wilem and Kelkin while she served Eryn, and then retreated again.
    Eryn reached down and broke off a leg, bringing it to her mouth and taking a definitely unladylike bite that left a bit of grease on her chin.
    "Excuse me," she said, picking up her table cloth and wiping her mouth. "Sometimes I forget my manners."
    Kelkin laughed again, while Wilem watched every move she made. The way her hand held the cloth. The way she wiped it lightly along her lips. The shape and color of those lips.  
    "Where are you from, Wilem?" Eryn asked. "You have a look about you."
    Wilem wasn't sure what she meant, but he took it that she thought he was interesting. "Ed..." He felt Kelkin's boot smack against his shin. "Eddington."
    She tilted her head to the side, revealing a long, smooth neck framed by her auburn hair. "I've never heard of Eddington."
    "It's a small town in Elgin," Kelkin said, covering for Wilem's blunder. As far as either of them knew, there was no town called Eddington. "Best known for being completely unknown."
    Eryn laughed at that, and Wilem was captivated by her.  
    The three of them sat together and talked. In time, Wilem's appetite found it's way back and he was able to take his eyes away from Eryn long enough to see what he was eating. He had known girls before, but he had never known one like 'not that Eryn'. She was confident, well-spoken, humorous, and refined. She was strong without any special power, unlike himself. He felt naked without being able to reach for his magic as he wished.
    While she was there, he felt light and happy. When she stood to go, he had to force away the disappointment.
    "How long are you going to be in Varrow?" he asked.
    "Not long," she replied. "A day or two."
    "Maybe we can eat together again tomorrow."
    "Maybe." She smiled at him. "Good night, Master Kelkin. Good night, Wilem. Thank you for the meal, and for the conversation."
    Watching her leave was like snuffing a candle. It was more than just her absence. It was the truth that he had managed to deny for a short time, but that he knew Kelkin would remind him of straight away.
    "You did well to get us integrated into the society of this place," Kelkin said. "Be wary, Wilem. That is the true curse of our Curse. He can't forbid us to feel, but you know we're forbidden to act on those feelings."
    From the day he had first discovered his Curse,