11. Sylvan

11

SYLVAN

I rving had received the painting by now, I was sure of it. I wished I could have been around to see his reaction, but alas, it was only something I could imagine during my extended sessions of daydreaming on those hazy afternoons when I had nothing better to do.

I wasn't ready to look for a new man to fill the void Irving left, but my cousin had other ideas in mind. I was deep in work on a new commission when they rang. I dashed to the kitchen sink to wash the paint off my new hands and picked up the phone after at least half a dozen rings, much to the consternation of the fae on the other end.

"Cousin, dear, how are you?" I asked breathlessly.

"I'm well enough, but why are you so out of breath?"

"You caught me at a bad time. I don't normally expect you to call in the middle of the day."

"Oh, you're not with someone, are you?" they asked cautiously.

"Heavens, no! I was painting."

"Ah, good. Actually, that's what I'm calling about."

"My work?"

"Your dating life. Professor Scott paid a visit to the library today, and he told me something very interesting about the two of you."

"That we've broken up?"

"Uh – yes, that was exactly what he told me. When did you do that?"

"Last we – I mean, a couple of days ago. Why?" I began to pace around the room.

"Last week? Is that what you were going to say? Don't tell me you made a painting for a man who'd already called things off with you, Sylvan."

"All right, I won't. Anyway, it's for the best. We couldn't agree on much of anything and he insulted my art before he realized how much it was worth."

"Well, that's quite rude."

I nodded, excited to finally have my cousin back on my side. "It was. He's not a pleasant man, cousin."

"Did you like him, though? Was he a good match beyond the superficial disagreements?"

I hesitated to answer the question. I already knew what I wanted to say, but if I said that, I would all but confirm to my cousin that he was the one.

"Maybe."

"Maybe" My cousin huffed. "Well, that is better than ‘no.' Say, what if I were to arrange another date for you, only this time make it a surprise? You would have more time to talk and work things out, at the very least."

"I don't think that's one of your best ideas," I said reluctantly."

"What do you mean?"

"He was pretty firm about not wanting to see me again. Of course, there was that one moment – no, we both agreed that wasn't what we wanted."

"What are you talking about, Sylvan?" My cousin sighed. "Please explain yourself better."

"He's not interested in dating me anymore," I said. "That's all there is to it, and trying to fix an unfixable rift won't work."

"Well, all right. At least come in sometime soon and update your matchmaking application so I can find you another match."

"I will. I'll stop by tomorrow, I promise."

I was a man of my word, and the following day after picking a bouquet to bring to the library to brighten it up, I headed over to see my cousin about a mate.

As soon as I walked in, something felt off. But my cousin was behind the front counter helping someone check out, the table in the back where the first dates were held was unoccupied, and a handful of people and monsters were scattered about reading all manner of books.

"Get me a vase, will you?" I asked my cousin after the other person at the counter was gone. "I brought these for your desk."

"Why, thank you." They beamed as they admired the colorful flowers. "I'll be back with one in a moment." They returned with a slim crystal vase and a plain brown folder with papers tucked inside it. "I took the liberty of going over your application myself earlier, and I just need you to confirm that everything is still correct. It won't take but a minute, and then you're free to go."

I took the folder from them and flipped it open, scanning the documents briskly. I let myself relax a little, as it was obvious that nothing strange was afoot. I almost felt bad for suspecting my cousin of going behind my back to arrange something.

"Everything looks good." I looked up at them, smiling, and closed the folder back up.

Before I could get out another word, the bell on the library door jingled and I instinctively turned around to glance at the stranger.

"I'm here. Now, what was it that you wanted me to – Sylvan?"

I stood stock-still, mouth hanging open, for the better part of a minute. This man was no stranger.

"Irving," was all I managed to get out before we both looked back at my cousin, Irving's eyes shooting daggers into them. "Well," I said after a few more painful seconds, "speak up, cousin. You have quite a bit of explaining to do."