The Magician

Chapter X

Now that I knew the truth behind Julian and Asra's past, I wasn't entirely sure how to feel. Although, it was at least somewhat comforting to know what had been bothering Julian all this time. I was glad to finally know the reason for their odd tension. I just didn't know how to work with this - they were both such a large part of my life. Being around Asra in the shop still felt awkward, and it was as if he went out of his way to avoid me. I barely saw him, and when I did, we seldom spoke or even made eye contact. It had been quite a while since we'd sat together with him teaching me different tarot spreads, sipping tea and talking softly. Truth be told, I missed this. While I had felt I was doing the right thing in choosing Julian, my confidence in this decision was wavering. Both of them were distant now, and although I was enjoying spending time with Julian, I truly missed the close relationship I'd had with Asra. 

Julian sauntered up to where I was sat, on the doorstep of the shop, and sat down beside me. We sat in silence for a while, close, but not touching. 

"We're closed, you know." I eventually mumbled jokingly. 

"All the more reason for me to be here. I was hoping to talk to you. Alone?" 

"Well, we're pretty alone now. What is it?" 

A sly grin spread across his face, but he quickly suppressed it. 

"I thought I'd drag you away from this shop for a day or two, have you all to myself."

"Oh, well, if that's what you wanted to ask, then sure! I'd love to come. Wait, where are we going exactly?" 

"I have an old acquaintance who owns an inn a few towns over. They'd always be happy to put me up. How about it?" 

I smiled and nodded enthusiastically. I'd never been outside of Vesuvia, barely even the town centre. I didn't say anything, but I figured Julian would want to get me away from Asra and life at the shop so he didn't have to think about him, or see him. 

"We can leave now, if you like. It isn't especially far if we travel on horseback. Fetch whatever you need, let's go!" Julian was filled with the eagerness and exuberance I always associated with him. 

I returned a few moments later to find Julian holding the tethers of two beautiful bay horses. I couldn't help but laugh. 

"Where on Earth did you get these two?" 

"My darling, just accept it. It's all part of the fun!" 

I'd never ridden a horse before, and neither had Asra, so I was a little nervous due to the lack of experience. Julian half lifted me into the saddle, then swung brazenly into his own. We set off, chatting easily along the way. He was right, it really didn't take us all that long to get there. We'd headed out of Vesuvia in the opposite direction to the forest, and up the hill. It had been a fairly empty road until we rounded a corner and all of a sudden, there was the bustling marketplace of a town. Julian clearly knew his way around here, guiding us through a street parallel to the market so as to avoid the crowds of people. We soon ended up at a whitewashed stone building with a simple sign outside declaring it to be an inn. 

Once inside, we were directed to a room up a creaky flight of wooden stairs, softly lit by the evening light honeying the hallway. Julian had barely opened the door when I noticed the glaringly obvious situation at hand. There was only one bed in this room, and it was probably only just big enough for two people.