He had mixed feelings about this new girl. As sweet and lovely as she might be, it was risky to bring in someone else. If she really was magical, it would be good to have another person for the tricky spells that sapped his and Ariana’s strength every time they tried them— they’d figured out that more people meant more power— but if she wasn’t?
About a year back, Ariana swore she started seeing a “glow” emanating from people with their abilities. If Ariana was wrong, they risked being found out, for this girl surely wouldn’t keep quiet about such a thing. It was one more reason he so desperately wished their parents would be honest with them. He couldn’t see the aura Ariana talked about, but he believed she saw it. The fact that she saw it on their parents made the simmering anger he felt since his cousin Sorin had visited bubble up to boiling each time he thought about it.
I’m violently serious that you should visit. If my father won’t let you return with him, hire a carriage with all haste. Even if you have to tell your parents that I’m on my deathbed to get them to allow it, you must come down here and help distract me from this horrid Season or I feel it may actually kill me. I didn’t want to tell you this because I like to think you’d come out of true feelings, but I believe I’ve found the location of the portal. If you bring the book, I think we can figure out how to open it. There! Now you know how desperate I am as I meant to save this information for when we were face to face. I really wanted to see your reaction!
Owen had to force his jaw closed. His chin nearly hit his chest he was so gobsmacked by her news. He wondered if she was fibbing to get him to come. He already planned to go when she admitted to being depressed, but now he was excited. Raring to go. No, there was no way she would lie about something so important. If he had to hex his parents into believing a sack of flour was him for a fortnight, he’d find a way to get to London.
I don’t want to be a horrible brat, but I will try to open it on my own if you don’t come. Please forgive me and be the best friend you’ve always been, better than I could ever be.
Yours, Ariana
Owen grumbled, wishing they had found a way to master a psychic connection so he could holler at her from afar. First of all, it was beyond stupid to try such a dangerous thing on her own, not to mention he’d die of envy if she did and it worked.
He slammed open his writing desk and tore out a piece of paper, splattering it with ink in his haste to answer.
Dear Ariana,
I will definitely find a way to get to London before your torture starts. You should be seeing me shortly after you receive this letter, in fact. Don’t speak to your friend until I meet her and if you dare try to open that portal without me, I’ll find a way to make you regret it for the rest of your days. Which won’t be many if you dare to try and open it without me. Just so you understand.
Always, Owen
Chapter 12
It turned out Owen didn’t need to hex his parents to get to visit London. His mother had been yearning to go for some time and thought it would be perfect to ride back with Uncle Julian. His father made a perfunctory bit of fuss but agreed to accompany them for a short visit, before coming back to oversee the planting.
Owen knew he’d be expected to return with his father but he packed enough for a longer visit, knowing once they were there he could find a way to stay as long as he wanted. He was eighteen now and could make his own decisions. And lately he’d been thinking that perhaps farming the Alexander property wasn’t for him. He loved the actual work of it, but he had a burning feeling of late that there was so much out in the world to see.
He wanted to go to Moldavia and visit his cousin Sorin and the many other relatives he supposedly had there. Not that he ever met any of them, or could get his father to talk about them. The one time he asked if he could make the journey, his mother went so pale he thought she might faint. His father talked for way too long about the distance, danger, and expense. He kept adding excuses until Owen gave it up as a lost cause and didn’t ask again. He was fourteen back then, just a child. Now he was a man, and could visit if he chose. He had enough money saved up, but remembering how upset his mum had been kept stopping him.
As soon as he was together with Ariana, he meant to bring it up to her, see if she might like to make the journey with him. He was convinced it wasn’t just Sorin who knew about his magical heritage. Perhaps the other relatives in Moldavia had abilities as well. Why else would his parents be so hell-bent on keeping him from them?
Ariana wasn’t as good as him, and he chalked that up to him having the book all the time, not really that he was naturally better. Owen wanted to see how far he could make his powers stretch and he knew Ariana would love to be able to practice freely as well. The very thought of not having to skulk around put a smile on his face. Which was quickly wiped away when his mother prodded him from her side of the carriage.
“Almost there, Lovie. Take this cloth and wipe your face, will you?”
He tried not to scowl at being treated like a child and dutifully did what she asked. He didn’t want to look a fright when he saw Ariana again. She was always so perfectly put together, especially now that she was older and could fill out a gown properly. He wasn’t particularly vain but he didn’t want her to think he was a country bumpkin, either. He smiled again, thinking she and Aunt Tilly had probably made him an entire new wardrobe for his visit so he could stand up to the hoity-toity men of London high society.
Two of his mother’s dogs were asleep in his lap, and he knew he’d be covered with their fur, but his mum didn’t seem to care about that. She nodded to his father, who was fast asleep, slightly snoring each time his head bumped against the back of the seat.
They shared a smile and he felt guilty for thinking about leaving them. As angry as he got about their secrets, he knew they loved him. If he could perfect his powers though, he could make sure the farm always prospered and they would never want for anything.
“Perhaps you’ll catch a rich wife at one of these balls,” his mother said mildly enough, but he suspected she was hopeful. She glanced upward where Uncle Julian rode with the driver. “Your uncle will certainly sponsor you.”
“Blech,” he sputtered. “If you’re that eager to get rid of me, I don’t mind staying behind, but I shouldn’t have to get married to do it.”
She laughed. “I never want to be rid of you. The heiress would have to adjust to Scottish farm life, of course.”
For a second he tried to imagine being married. He knew Ariana’s parents were dead serious in trying to get her hitched up to some other member of the peerage, and he tried to imagine them perhaps being neighbors. He made another gagging sound. The idea didn’t suit him at all. He’d much rather be free to practice new spells, and he was positive Ariana would agree with him.
“You’re a bit rich, mum,” he said. “Or at least you were before you married father. Why didn’t you catch yourself an even richer husband while you were still young?”
She grimaced at him and he felt a bit bad for referring to her advanced age of twenty-nine when she married. Then she shrugged and made a gooey face at his father.
“Your grandfather made me go to Edinburgh for a season. But I liked living in the country and besides, no one suited me better than your father.”
He lowered his voice. “Were you in love with him when he was married to Ariana’s aunt?”
She blanched and frowned at him for such a scandalous question. “Of course not,” she said. “What a thing to think.”
“Sorry, Mum.”
She leaned over and ruffled his hair, then smoothed it back down. “You don’t have to look for a rich wife. Just have a nice time and keep an eye out for your cousin. I’m certain she’ll be swarmed with unsavory types who are after her money or title or land.”
“She’s quite pretty now, as well,” he said. “But she’s not stupid. She’ll recognize if someone’s a swine.”
“Thinking you’re in love can make a clever person stupi
d. Remember that, Owen.”
“Okay, Mum,” he said, alarmed at her sudden change of tone. She seemed honestly worried for Ariana. “I’ll keep watch over her.”
***
“Finally!”
Ariana flew from where she stalked the entry hall, laughing at the surprise on her aunt and uncle’s faces. She hugged her father and looked around. For a moment her glee faltered when she didn’t see Owen but he was only a ways behind them, herding Aunt Serena’s dogs. Ariana loved the shaggy little beasts and let them scrabble excitedly at her hem, not caring if they might tear the feather-light fabric.
“It’s roasting,” Owen said, wiping his brow and letting a servant take one of the dogs from him. He immediately peeled off his traveling coat and she raised her eyebrows.
“Look at how broad your shoulders have got,” she squealed, making him go bright red. She reached up and squeezed the hard shoulders, frowning at how much taller he was than her now. “Where is Owen?” she demanded. “What have you done with him?”
Aunt Serena laughed. “Has it been that long?” she asked. “I suppose he has grown quite a bit in the last six months or so.”
Owen scowled at being talked about, bearing it silently. Ariana grinned at him, knowing he must be bursting to be free of his parents.
“You must come away with me at once,” she said. “We’re invited to tea at my dearest friend Maria’s house. She’s dying to meet you.”
“Oh, let him get settled and eat something,” her mother said as she hurried to hug everyone.
“And let him change his clothes,” Aunt Serena said, nudging Uncle Kostya to agree with her.
“Yes, he looks shabbier than usual,” he said good-naturedly.
“He looks fine, and there will be loads of food at the Winters’ place,” she said. She was itching to go, feeling like she might expire from impatience.
The adults all exchanged glances, but finally her mum shooed them away.
“I suppose I must look well enough if your mum didn’t say anything,” he said as she dragged him down the drive.
She gave him a quick once-over, all of a sudden realizing she should care about such things. Her friend Maria wasn’t the sort to judge anyone on their appearance, but she wanted everyone to think as highly of Owen as she did.
If anyone dared to think otherwise she wasn’t sure what she might do. He was a bit rumpled, but she was touched to see he wore some of his best clothes for his arrival. He’d stun everyone at their first ball the next night after she and her mum were done polishing him up. She’d never admit it to him, but he was handsome enough to wear his work clothes and still turn the heads of any of her friends.
“You’ll do,” she said. “It’s not far, so let’s just walk. Now, did you bring the book?”
“Yes,” he sighed. “It’s in my trunk. It’s wrapped in about ten shirts and hexed to look like a badger skin.”
“Ugh, why would you?”
“Exactly because of your response just now,” he said smugly. “If anyone unwraps all the shirts they’ll certainly leave the dead badger alone.”
“No. I mean, what possible reason could you have for bringing such a thing? If anything, it would raise questions.” About his sanity, she thought.
He frowned. “I suppose I thought it seemed a Scottish thing to do.”
She laughed and started skipping, immediately stopping when she remembered to act like a young lady instead of a wild child. She snuck some more looks at Owen. He wasn’t only taller and broader, he truly seemed more like a man now. He spoke quietly and firmly and walked straight and proud, not loping all over the place like when they were at the farm.
When she looked in the mirror all she saw was a girl pretending to be a lady. He seemed far more authentic. She wondered how he managed it in such a short time. They were less than a year apart in age. She wondered sadly if she was backwards somehow.
“What’s got you frowning so fiercely already?” he asked. “I’ve barely said three words and I’ve already irritated you? Are you really worried about the badger?”
She sniffed and shook her head. “I got a little morose about us growing up. Well, you growing up, anyway.”
He laughed heartily, sounding like the Owen she was used to and making her feel more comfortable again. “I’m just scared to death to make a mistake and embarrass you. You’re a fine lady now. My mum’s been lecturing me the whole way on how to act at these society functions you’re going to drag me to.”
“Bother that,” she told him vehemently. Owen wasn’t the sort of person to put a filter on. He was charming in his own way and Ariana was certain people would recognize it. He didn’t put on airs, but he had enough simple pride in himself that he could easily stand next to any man with a title or vast fortune. “You act normal or you can stay at home.”
“Fine with me.” He shrugged. “These balls and whatnots sound awful.”
“They are awful,” she wailed. “Which is why I need you to go to them. Also, I was thinking. If you were to get engaged to an Englishwoman, I’d get to see you far more.”
“You get engaged to a Scot,” he countered, making a sickly face. “Why do you sound like my mum? She was just speaking to me of getting married.” He made an actual gagging noise and she giggled.
“Sorry. I think our mums might have mastered the psychic link we’ve constantly failed at. It seems we’re both under siege. The thing is, I don’t think my mum really believes most of what she says. It’s like she’s reading out of a book or something.”
“Who can understand them?” he sighed, then perked up. “But now you’ve got to tell me about the portal.”
She pursed her lips and nodded across the lane to a vast, gated wall. “Sorry,” she said, not seeming sorry at all. “But we’re here.”
He stood on his toes to see past the wrought iron gate and down the winding drive. “It makes Belmary House look downright cozy,” he said. “Who is this friend of yours?”
“She’s lovely and kind and very pretty, as well.” Ariana wanted to see if he noticed for himself when he met her, but he’d always been unable to see what she could. And if he didn’t, she might not get the opportunity during the tea to tell him. “She’s the one who I’m certain has abilities.” She dropped her voice on the last bit, even though they might have been talking about her friend’s excellent riding skills. “See what you think of her during this little party and then we can decide if we’re going to let her join our club.”
“Oh, I see,” he said, nodding. Then he blanched. “Little party? It’s not just you and me and her? Bugger, Ariana. I should have changed.”
“No you shouldn’t have, and you shouldn’t change the way you act either. I’ll throw a fit if you do, see if I don’t.”
He looked truly frightened, and held out his hands. “Okay, I’ll try, but between you and mum, I’m all confused.”
“Perfect, then,” she said. “Confused is definitely normal for you.”
She ducked away from his playful swipe and they both took a moment to compose themselves before Ariana reached for the bell.
“Lady Ariana Alexander and Master Owen Povest.”
The butler announced them and Ariana gave his hand a quick squeeze for courage as he was soon surrounded by a gaggle of her friends. She shoved through them all to push Maria in front of him, making the introductions as properly as she’d ever done in her life. She watched with satisfaction as Owen’s eyes widened at the sight of Maria’s masses of lustrous black hair, her big blue eyes lighting up as he took her hand and bowed.
They got seated with tea and cakes and Ariana settled in to watch her friends take to Owen the way she knew they would. He was fresh blood after all, and dangerous in that most of these girls’ parents would absolutely not approve of him. Ariana thought those parents could stuff themselves, but it did add to his allure.
Maria tugged her off to a window seat. “He’s the most handsome boy I’ve ever seen,” she breathed. “You never m
entioned how much his eyes sparkled.”
Ariana was half pleased and half wanted to gag. “I did tell you he looked like a fairy tale prince, didn’t I? You thought I was making it up. And he’s just brilliant, too.”
Ariana didn’t feel the need to cross her fingers behind her back because Owen was brilliant at magic, and if all went well, they’d be letting Maria in on their secret soon.
Maria didn’t look at all interested in Owen’s mind, and it was starting to irk her that her friend couldn’t seem to drag her gaze away from him. It was unseemly. And Owen was eating up the other young ladies’ attention with more gusto than the tiny cakes he was inhaling. Her plan was going almost too well. She felt a bit abandoned when Maria left her alone in the window seat to join the harem surrounding Owen.
Her smile grew stiff, but she let him have his moment in the sun, only wanting him to approve of Maria so they could do more advanced spells. She knew the more people who added their powers to the mix, the easier it would be to conjure. In her most fervent dreams, she wanted to be surrounded by other magic folk.
She could barely make herself think the word for what she wanted. A coven. People she didn’t have to keep secrets from, who understood. People who weren’t so afraid of the truth, like her parents were.
Finally, the party was over and they said their goodbyes. As soon as they were back on the street, she pounced.
“What did you think of her? Did you by chance see the glow?”
He scowled and pulled some coins from his pocket. “Is this enough for a ride home?” he asked, holding them out.
“Oh, bother,” she said, hailing a driver. “I’ve got plenty if it’s not. We could have called for Horace if you wanted a ride.”
“It would take too long. I know it’s not far but all those cakes made my stomach hurt.”
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