Page 12 of Arthur
We were warlocks and could easily use magic to build ourselves much grander places, but we had to be careful when using magic for such things. Now that I had Patrick and the child he carried to think about though, I was wondering if it was time to add another small room.
I stood from the table and quietly moved into our bedchamber. An entire side of the room was taken up by the tub. It was something that I enjoyed immensely, as did the others in our coven. I moved to the wall where the tub was. I wasn’t sure if there was anyone outside of the building, so I needed to go out and check that before doing what I had planned.
After glancing at Patrick, I left the house and walked around the outside, coming to stand in the area I planned on expanding.There was nothing there except for the grass and a few smaller bushes. I wasn’t worried about those though. I simply didn’t want to magick an expansion of our place onto one of the coven members. With the area clear, I walked a distance away before turning back to face the house. With a thought, I had a nice-sized extension on the back of what was our bedchamber. Happy with the result and how the new addition matched the exterior of the current place, I used a bit more magic and popped back into the house.
When I strode into the bedchamber, Patrick had rolled over but was still sleeping, albeit fitfully. I was running out of time to have this finished before he woke, so I used a bit more magic and had a doorway placed in the center of the wall behind the tub. After that, the tub and pot were transported into the new room. Sure, we could use the new room for the baby, but I already knew that Patrick would be more comfortable with keeping our son here in the bedchamber with us. So for me, it made more sense to have the tub, pot, and washbasin in the other room.
I got everything organized like I wanted and added a few smaller pieces of furniture to hold clothes and various oils and soap. Pegs on the wall to hold clothing, and the room seemed like a perfect addition. I had just walked back into the bedchamber when Patrick groaned. I was immediately at his side, waiting to see what he would need from me, if anything. When those brilliant blue eyes peeked up at me, I smiled. I never thought I would love someone as much as I did Patrick, but I was completely and hopelessly in love with him.
“How are you feeling?”
“Thirsty.”
I nodded. “Would you like some tea?”
Patrick’s nose wrinkled. “I don’t think I can deal with more tea just yet.”
I grinned. “Understandable, but I was referring to the one that didn’t smell of something long past. We have other tea that Father has brought back from his travels. It’s quite delicious, in fact. Or perhaps you would care for something else?”
“That would be nice. Is there perhaps more bread?”
“Of course. Would you like something else? Eggs? Cheese? Meats?”
Patrick seemed thoughtful for a moment before responding. “Is there porridge?”
I wanted to argue that he needed something more substantial but held my tongue. “Of course. Is that what you would like?”
Patrick’s cheeks turned pink, and he looked down at his lap. “Yes, please. If there are some berries as well, that could maybe add to it. I know you worry about me not getting enough to eat. I’m trying though.”
“There are berries.” I grinned. “Do you need to use the pot? I can help you.”
“I can maaa—” Patrick looked around the room. “Umm, I know that doorway wasn’t there just a bit ago. Please tell me I’m not imagining it.” Patrick’s eyes rounded a bit. “The tub is gone. Where did it go?” Patrick looked at me, his face utterly adorable in his confusion.
“Through the doorway. Along with the pitcher and basin, as well as the pot. Would you like to see?” I held out my hand for Patrick to help him out of the bed. I knew he was perfectly capable, but the need to care for him was strong. He was not only my One but was carrying our son. I would be doting on him no matter what, but he was most likely going to become tired of me before the pregnancy ended.
Patrick took my hand, and after I helped him off the bed, I led him to the new room. “Oh, this is wonderful,” he said. “It’s nicer than the one that was in the hallway upstairs at the tavern.”
“It’s still very basic. But we can add more things to it. And later, after the baby gets bigger, we can add another room for him or other children if you wish.” I knew it wasn’t common for people to have a separate room for their children, but we weren’t normal people. We had the ability to add on to our houses with a thought. Providing for our families wouldn’t ever be an issue for us, even if we were to have a harsh season.
“No, this is nice,” Patrick said again. “Maybe add the basket for washing, but otherwise, this is so much more than anything I’ve ever seen. Not that I have a whole lot of experience. But to have our very own personal bath chamber is something I’ve never had and never really thought I would.”
“We can have more, you know that. We have to be cautious when using our magic, but Father has no issues with us using our magic to make life more comfortable. That is how we have so many items that aren’t anywhere else. Father and Dad still travel and bring things back. But that’s not…you weren’t asking about that. I was simply hoping to explain that it’s truly no issue to provide this for you.”
Patrick nodded. His smile faded, and I already knew he was thinking about his parents before he even started talking. “We struggled so much. Well, I did. I have my magic, but I’m not nearly as powerful as your family is, which is expected.” Patrick met my gaze. “I wasn’t allowed to use my magic, and my father only used his to inflict pain or to benefit him and Mother.”
I was of a mind that Henry and Agnes couldn’t have suffered nearly enough for the pain they put their son through. I reached out and touched Patrick on the shoulder. “You are young still. There is plenty of time for you to learn more about your magic. To get used to it, strengthen the abilities, and learn completely how to control it. Father has always said that it is not expected that we know how to fully use our magic until at least thefifth decade.” I shrugged. “Even I struggled some until well past then.”
Patrick gave me a look. “How long after? Because when I met you, you were already just as powerful as Master Edison.”
I leaned down and kissed Patrick on the nose. “I’m a bit older than you, my love. It’s to be expected that I have more experience with using my magic. We will work with you on yours. It’s still early, too early, for you to be expected to be able to do everything with complete ease.” It was one of the things I was very much looking forward to doing with Patrick. I wanted to help him with his magic. I wanted to be there for him in every way. If he was willing, that was.
“I would like to learn more about my magic. I can do simple things, but that’s about it.” Patrick sighed. “Not much more than what I learned while we lived here when I was younger.”
I nodded. “We will be sure to get you back into the routine of things.” I rubbed up and down Patrick’s arm gently. “Once you’re feeling better, that is. I’ll leave you be in here to take care of any business you might have, and I’ll go get something for you to eat. I’ll be back from the main kitchen in just a little while.”
Patrick nodded. I leaned in and kissed him again, wanting to keep things short at the moment because when it came to Patrick, I wanted to simply spend all of our time together in bed. But he was feeling poorly, and that meant I needed to put my desires aside and go see to his other needs. He needed nourishment. That meant going to the main kitchen to see what was available. It wasn’t a long walk and would only take moments, but part of me kept saying that I needed to be sure I was with Patrick and not elsewhere. I knew he would be all right though. We had our bond, and if he so much as called out, I would be back to him in a blink.
I noticed William as I left the house, and when he immediately started my way, I smiled. He was obviously olderthan I was and had actually delivered me and my brother, George, but I considered William a good friend.