Jude's Magic

By Hollis Shiloh

Jude has never had very spectacular magic, though he's always been too sensitive to the kind that hurts people.  Desperate for work, he hires on as a companion to a wealthy man—who turns out to be a severely injured dueling wizard named Ferrous.  Any sort of violent magic makes Jude physically ill.  But Ferrous thinks Jude is the only one who can heal him.  He might just be right.

 

A fantasy-themed gay romance

16,000 words

• Language: English
• Publisher: Spare Words Press
• Release date: May 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781498962704

Book preview

Jude's Magic

by Hollis Shiloh

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About the story:

Jude has never had very spectacular magic, though he's always been too sensitive to the kind that hurts people.  Desperate for work, he hires on as a companion to a wealthy man—who turns out to be a severely injured dueling wizard named Ferrous.  Any sort of violent magic makes Jude physically ill.  But Ferrous thinks Jude is the only one who can heal him.  He might just be right.

Jude's Magic

Jude stood tall and slim and straight, in a black suit that was nearly threadbare.  A spell tugged irritatingly at his mind as he stood on the mansion's step.  He pushed thought of it away, because it was old, heavy magic obviously meant to keep out anyone meaning harm.  Its cloying presence irritated him, even though he didn't think he'd meant anyone harm once in his life, certainly not the people who lived here.

Nearby, horses clip-clopped past and carts and cars rumbled down the street.  He straightened his jacket, wishing it was newer.  His other jacket was in finer condition, but the long tails were too theatrical for such a job interview.  He'd never felt as shabby as he did standing on the mansion's steps.

A thick woman wearing an apron opened the door.  She looked him up and down.  He smiled at her hopefully.  This way, she said, turning and stumping down a long corridor, muttering something that didn't sound complimentary.

Jude followed, trying to keep a friendly, guileless expression on his face.  When he'd worked as a stage magician, it was particularly important that he not look sneaky, and it would likely be important for a job like this, too.

Companion, the advertisement had said.  Live-in companion wanted.  It had said nothing more than that, but all the same he was here applying, as no doubt a long stream of people had and would.

The servant let him into a large, imposing drawing-room and he looked around at the high windows and sweeping curtains, the rich rug, fireplace, and fresh-cut flowers on the wide, low table by the couch. 

Two people were in the room.  One stood in front of the fire, gazing into it.  He had nice shoulders and a well-cut suit.  The other was a woman in her late forties or early fifties with an extremely expensive, well-cut dress and hair, makeup, and skin that made her look younger at first glance.  She was slim and beautiful, but old enough to be the mother of the grown man.

He turned from the fire, and Jude saw no resemblance in their features.  The dark-haired, dark-eyed man looked grave as he weighed Jude with his gaze. 

Come closer, he said after a moment.  Jude stepped nearer.  He handed over his résumé.  The man glanced at it.  No experience as a companion, then.

No, sir.

Tell me, have you experience dealing with difficult people?  The sort of man who might be friendly one day and yell at you or even throw something the next.

Jude stayed very still for a moment.  More than I wish I had, sir.  Where was this going?  Surely he wouldn't talk about himself or the woman that way.  The companion must be needed for a third person.

The man snorted softly and glanced at the paper again.  Ma'am? he asked without looking at the woman.

She gazed at Jude, very closely indeed.  Her eyes were interested, alight with interest in fact.  I think he would do very well for a trial, she said, clasping her slender hands together and looking pleased.

Well if that's the case, he'd best start at once.  I've several more interviews scheduled for this afternoon, and need to know whether to put them off or have them round at once.

So saying, he moved forward and took Jude's elbow, steering him toward the door.  Come along.  He's in the back garden.

Um.  He got his elbow free, his heart pounding.  The man might have handsome shoulders, but he was far too brusque and seemed to see Jude as a thing not a person.  And he had always been extremely uncomfortable being touched, especially by someone who used magic, as this man clearly did.  It prickled along Jude's skin at the touch, making him feel a little ill.  It wasn't a harmless magic, then.  Inwardly, he shuddered a little.  He tried to push the emotion away  and concentrate.

In the back garden, the man repeated.  I'm just showing you there.  By the way, my name is Alphonse Engelhard and that was Mrs. Engelhard.  You're going to see her son, Ferrous.

Ferrous.  That's an element, isn't it?  What an odd name!

He didn't say such a rude remark, though.  Are you his brother? he asked cautiously, keeping a wary eye on the man's hand in case he decided to grasp Jude's arm again. 

I'm his cousin and lawyer.  We'll be keeping watch to see how you handle him.  By the way...  And here he stopped before a pair of great doors and looked at Jude weighingly.  "The reason