There was so much to learn in the laboratory but Cedric started me on the basics: memorizing the ingredients in the bottles, and using the pestle and mortar. He would almost lecture me about each element and how things were mixed together and what their outcomes would be. I listened as he droned on in a voice that seemed reserved and almost cold, but then I realized that while he was speaking, he was also working, as was I. And this was not James's suite, where a bedside manner was more appropriate.
This was Cedric's occupation, and if he did not do well, the duke would find a replacement.
Still, I preferred to be in the lab with or without Cedric than to be with the baby for long, or Amber who talked endlessly about all the eligible bachelors in the kingdom while making snarky remarks about me. I just wished Cedric had the time to talk to me about things other than potions or spells. The more I thought about it though, I did not know what we could discuss. James had brought us together, and besides that I was not sure we had anything in common. That was depressing.
The days seemed to fly by, busy as ever, though I was able to sleep more at night. One morning, a few weeks later, I looked up from the bottle I had just filled with dry lavender, to find Cedric watching me. "Sorry, did you say something?" I asked thinking I had been daydreaming and missed an instruction.
"No."
I felt myself begin to flush with his intent look, and I patted my hair, worried it might be out of place.
"You look…rested. Healthier."
I did not know what to say. "Was I…I don't know what you mean."
He moved closer to me, forcing me to look up a bit to meet his eyes. "I just mean, I don't think I noticed how exhausted and worn out you were before. Now, I see you. You have colour in your cheeks," which made me blush, "and you've gained some weight."
"These are not exactly the things a girl likes to hear, Cedric," I told him in a warning tone. I had my dresses let out because I was noticeably plumper.
His face flushed as well. "Err." He groaned. "I meant that taking care of James took a toll on you. You look healthy now. You look, better. Good."
"Thank you?" I could not help but give him a teasing smile with a raised eyebrow.
I had barely gotten the words out before his lips were crushed against mine, and his hands just below my shoulders, pulling me to him. I was stunned. I was not sure what to do. Then he pulled away and I saw his lips and realized that I wanted them back on mine, so I reached up and laced my arms around his neck, planting my lips back on his. I felt his arms snake around my waist as he kissed me hard. I still did not know what to do so I tried to relax and let him take the lead. His tongue darted out and parted my lips, and then I felt him in my mouth.
His hands trailed up and down my back, and suddenly his lips were gone from mine, but they were on my jaw, then under my ear, then lingering on my neck. Gasping, I clung tighter to him. He groaned as he began to nibble along my neck and down to my collarbone. My breathing was erratic and I thought for sure I would pass out. "Cedric," I whispered.
He did not stop. His ministrations landed on the other side of my neck which for some reason made me giggle and shriek. "Ticklsih?" he breathed against me as my elbows came back to my sides and my head tilted of its own accord to try and stop the nerves making me laugh.
"Stop!" I bellowed, laughing and almost crying at the same time. He lips found mine again, and this time we kissed slowly, my hands sliding over the robe on his chest.
Then it ended, with my hands still on him and his arms around me. We looked at each other. "Sofia, I…" he could not finish.
"I've wanted this for a long time," I whispered.
His eyes grew larger. "Seriously?"
"Yes."
"Me?"
"Yes."
"James said you fancied me, but I didn't believe him."
My blush came back. "James always did talk too much." Cedric laughed because we both knew that was not true.
"So, you do fancy me?"
I playfully hit his chest. "No, I just like to go around kissing random people and letting them…. eat my neck."
"I wasn't eating your neck."
"Then what were you doing?"
His hand went to my ticklish side and again my head and shoulder met trying to keep him from touching me there, though I was already giggling. "I like seeing you smile."
"So, you want to keep me on as your apprentice?"
"Apprentice? Helper. I haven't even begun teaching you yet."
"Excuse me?" I pushed away from him a bit.
"What?"
"Why all the lectures if you haven't begun teaching me."
His face crinkled in confusion. "Lectures?"
I could see that he had no clue what I was talking about. "Never mind. I will be your helper for as long as you want me."
"I want you forever, Sofia." My breath caught, but then he looked immensely depressed. "But you are the daughter of a duke, and I'm just a simple sorcerer, trying to make a living."
"Cedric." He let go of me. "Cedric, maybe there is a way. I'm not really his daughter, and he doesn't even tell people I'm his daughter." I had to stop and think about what we were saying. A relationship? Marriage? I was not sure what Cedric was thinking and maybe I was moving too fast myself. This was my first kiss and I felt like I was ruining it. "Just don't leave me, Cedric. Whatever happens, whatever this is or isn't, please don't leave me."
He had me in his arms again and murmured into my hair, "I will never leave you, Sofia. I'm just afraid you'll leave me." We stood there a moment, trying to find comfort in one another and then he said, "I think it's time for you to check on Lord Michael.
I nodded into his chest. "Can I come back after supper?"
"If you have time." Our lips found each other's again, quickly. Then I slipped from his arms, hung up my apron, and smiled at him as I went out his door.