“Could be. Magic is tricky, you know. I could pronounce one word just slightly wrong and it could ruin the spell. But you shouldn’t have to worry about that with me! I’m one of the most accomplished mages of this century!” 

I felt doubtful. “What about that pie that exploded? And all your other spells that have gone wrong? My father had quite the stories to tell at bedtime.” 

“Oh, your father exaggerated! Some of those stories must have been decades old as well! I’ve learned my lesson since then. I think… But don’t worry, I made sure to do my best for your friend!” 

I looked at the cougar and when it seemed to notice my eyes on it, it looked at me. Nothing seemed wrong with it, thankfully. 

“Thanks for your help,” I said. “How have you been doing?” 

“Oh, just wonderful! As usual! I’ve been reading and refining spells and always trying to create new ones. I hope to show you some sometime!” 

The thought of his experimental spells set me on edge. There’s no way I’d let him cast something like that near me. 

“Sure… Don’t you ever get lonely? Wouldn’t you want to come live at the palace?” 

“Your father asked me the same thing once. Sure it can get a bit lonely out here, but visiting friends like you always helps. And I’m afraid I’d only be a nuisance in the castle with all those fancy servants and people. My experiments can cause quite the ruckus sometimes. No one should be able to hear me out here though!” he grinned. 

“If you say so. I’ll try to visit more often. I think my friends like to get out in the forest too.” 

The crow cawed and the rabbit twitched his ears. The cougar decided to lay down in the doorway. It looked more comfortable now, especially from when I first met it. 

“Wonderful! I’ll look forward to it! Oh yes, I was wondering, how are you doing on injections?” 

It had slipped my mind because of the cougar encounter but I also wanted to make the trip to see Callum to get more of his carefully crafted injections since this seemed like the perfect opportunity. 

“Actually I’m getting low on them. I was hoping you’d have more for me?” Hopefully he has some already ready, I probably should’ve sent a letter in advance but it's too late now… 

“Yes, I somehow knew you’d say that! Here’s another supply that should last you a while!” He grabbed a rucksack hidden by all the books on his dining table and began stuffing it in my own bag on my shoulder. 

I immediately felt relief, tension escaping from my body. “Thank you as always,” I said. “I really appreciate it.” 

“Of course! I’ll always have some stocked up for you so you can safely maintain who you are, Luca.” His words made me pause. “I remember when you were little and so shy, visiting me with your father. He made you say it and I know you hated it. But I admired your courage and vowed to always help you when I could! Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you, no matter when, no matter what, no matter where. I’m here for you, my boy.” 

It felt like there was a rock in my throat that I was trying to swallow around. I remembered that moment he spoke of. I felt ashamed and afraid of my contradicting identity. But just like my father, maybe even quicker than my father, he accepted who I was and immediately worked on something to help me. I don’t know what I’d do without him. Just like he said, I can stay the way I am, comfortably. 

“We should probably head out now,” I said. I should leave before I get even more choked up. “Thank you again. Would visiting every week be too much?”