Page 74 of Wicked Curses
The water disappeared around a bend a hundred feet to his left and only became visible fifty feet to his right. From experience, he knew it ran behind the pub and out into the Barren Lands.
He’d never followed it; he supposed he should have, but Belda once told him that she followed it, and a few hundred feet from the town, it vanished into a mountain. She never found it again.
Red-and-black rocks jetted up from the water flowing over them. The flow created small rapids in some spots, while in others, it was smooth as glass.
Some tree roots had been exposed and jutted into the water. Their branches created ripples from where they dipped to kiss the surface.
Occasionally a broken-off tree root or stick would float by, but no leaves or other debris marred the water. Because the riverbed’s rocks were black-and-red, the water appeared dirty, but from previous visits, he knew it was crystal clear.
Sahira set her basket beside his. “When humans invented the washing machine, I’d hoped to never wash clothes like this again.”
“You’re a witch; can’t you magic them into washing themselves or something?”
“Do I look like a cartoon mouse?”
“What?”
Sahira waved a hand dismissively through the air. “Never mind. It’s a human thing.”
He knew a lot about the human race; he’d visited their realm before and after the Lord’s war. They could be a lot of fun—and they were also batshit crazy. In all his visits, he’d never seen a cartoon mouse.
“So can you magic them or not?” he asked.
“Is that why you decided to do laundry with me?”
“No, I offered to do this so you wouldn’t have to be alone in a secluded place. You magicking them clean would be a bonus. But I’m glad you continue to think the worst of me.”
He hid a smirk when she winced a little. It was good to know he’d hit a tender spot with that observation.
“I… don’t think the worst of you,” she muttered.
“That didn’t sound convincing.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “What would you think about someone who had made it clear you were nothing more than a game to them?”
“I’d think it was going to be a fun game.”
“Liar.”
He chuckled as a broken root drifted by. “So, yay or nay on the magic?”
“Nay. I won’t abuse my powers in such a way.”
“What abuse? You’re saving time, and we’re getting clean clothes. It sounds like a win-win to me.”
“Sometimes, we have to get our hands dirty to appreciate the things we have.”
“Sounds like some witchy, earthy bullshit to me.”
“Witches are a part of the earth and the world. Our powers come from the elements, and we have to respect them. Abusing them can take us to a dark place. I’m never going there.”
“I’d certainly enjoy a trip on the dark side.”
“Good thing you’re not a witch, then.”
“Having a little magic laundry won’t turn you into an evil witch.”
As he’d known she would, she bent and lifted the bar of soap from where it sat on a shirt in her basket. With her toe, she nudged the basket closer to the shore.
