by Lish McBride
“I could do that,” Merit said. “Or I could take another dose of tincture and go ride a horse like a normal person.”
Ellery poured a dollop of cream into their coffee, stirring the liquid slowly. “That’s a lot of tincture in a short time.” They set their spoon carefully onto the saucer, so it didn’t rattle. “You’re playing with fire, Merit. You keep pushing, and the curse will push back.”
“Are you telling me no?”
Ellery took a sip of coffee, their eyebrows raised. “Would that stop you?”
“No.” Merit selected a piece of toast carefully with her claws.
“Then I will tell you to be careful and hope that you call for me when you need it.”
* * *
• • •
Despite Ellery’s misgivings, Merit had taken the dose of bloom and had another in her pocket just in case. The air had a cold snap to it, the sun hiding behind cloud cover that Merit was sure would burn off. The stable yard bustled with riders, horses, and stable lads getting everything ready.
The ride that was supposed to be her and Freddie had escalated into a group event. Latimer, Freddie, Tevin, Val, Willa, and Kaiya were there, along with Glendon, who was hoping that his presence would civilize the expedition.
Kaiya adjusted her stirrups. “So much for a quiet ride.”
“It will be fine, I’m sure,” Merit said, fixing one of the pins in her hair.
“I’m just coming along to keep you all alive,” Kaiya said, swinging into her saddle. “And to keep any of your exalted guests from riding into the Enchanted Forest.”
“The Enchanted Forest?” Merit frowned. “Why would any of them do that?”
Kaiya looked over at Freddie climbing into his saddle. His foot kept missing the stirrup, and Merit wondered if he was still drunk from last night.
Kaiya settled into her saddle and grabbed the reins. “You know how during the rutting season rams slam their heads into each other and you think, Wow, that’s really stupid, why would any creature voluntarily batter its brain?”
“Yes?”
“You have a riding party full of rams, Merit.” Kaiya glanced over at her. “You look very pretty today. Blue is a good color on you.”
Merit wore a deep blue velvet riding suit. She didn’t wear trousers very often—difficult with a tail—but she hated riding in a skirt. She wasn’t comfortable sidesaddle or bareback, and the saddle had a curve to it that pinched if she didn’t sit just right. It was a relief to ride comfortably as herself.
The rest of their party was equally turned out. Latimer looked very dashing on his white charger, Prince. Tevin was off to the side holding the reins of his bay and talking to Val. Freddie swayed like he was going to fall off his horse, but he would do so stylishly.
Glendon brought his horse forward, a tall black thoroughbred. The Hanian ambassador looked like he was born in the saddle, much like his niece. “I’m glad I’m coming with you. Between the lot of us, I’m sure we can keep the bloodshed to a minimum.”
She looked out over the stable yard. Everyone seemed ready now. People were now mounted, their tack jangling as the horses moved in anticipation. Merit nudged her heels into her horse’s side, urging her forward. The mare danced to the right, sensing Merit’s excitement. She couldn’t wait to get out onto the trail.
* * *
• • •
They left the house behind, cutting through the fields and down to the river. Lady Zarla had sent one of the grooms ahead with a picnic basket so they could enjoy lunch on the riverbank. After an hour, the cloud cover was already burning off, the sun starting to patch through. They’d been mostly riding slowly, half of their party feeling a trifle delicate from the night before. Merit rode with Willa and Freddie on one side and Latimer on the other. Kaiya and Glendon rode ahead of them, while Tevin and Val brought up the rear. They lagged behind far enough that Merit couldn’t hear them talking.
“Fine day for it.” Freddie grinned as he surveyed the countryside. “Nothing quite like being in nature. Good for the spirit!” He sipped from his flask. When Merit raised an eyebrow, he held up a hand in supplication. “It’s tea, I promise.”
Freddie straightened in his saddle, putting the flask away. Now that he was out riding, he perked up, looking more alive than he had earlier. Though he didn’t seem much taken with nature walks, Freddie was clearly happy on horseback.
“We could do this all the time, you know,” Freddie said, sweeping his arm out. “After the wedding.”
Next to Merit, Latimer twitched.
“The wedding?” Willa said, her eyebrows raised in question.
Freddie shrugged. “She could do worse, right?”
“That’s quite a proposal, Freddie,” Willa said with a laugh.
He squinted at her. “Merit doesn’t need me getting down on one knee and all that rubbish.” He sniffed. “Always seemed the practical sort.”
“All the dancing lords, Freddie,” Willa said, her words coming out on a groan. “Here I thought romance was dead, but you’re currently beating the corpse just to make sure.”
“What?” Freddie asked, genuinely surprised.
“It’s all right,” Merit said with a forced laugh. Romance, after all, was for a certain kind of people. Charming, gorgeous creatures who called love to themselves like an errant falcon. Even before she was a beast, that wasn’t her.
“Is it?” Latimer murmured, soft enough so that only she could hear.
“I didn’t think Merit would want that kind of frippery,” Freddie argued, exasperated. “Flowers, chocolates, and all that rot. She’s sensible.”
Be still my beating heart, Merit thought. I’m sensible.
Willa groaned again. “You’re killing me, Freddie. Talk about damning with faint praise.”
“I was being complimentary.” Freddie continued to be perplexed. His face brought to mind a puppy being scolded for piddling on the new rug.
Willa leaned over her saddle, her bob swinging with the movement of the horse. “She’s not a hunting dog. Have a little charm.” She jerked a thumb back over her shoulder. “You think the fellow in the back is calling her sensible? Bet he’s been writing her sonnets. All you can manage is a dirty limerick.” She jerked her chin at Latimer. “I bet even golden boy has pulled a little game out of his sleeve.”
Freddie was surprised now, glancing back at Tevin and then to Willa. “DuMont? But he’s human. Surely she’d pick me over him. I may not be first in line for the barony, but at least I’m in line.”
Willa laughed. “Of course, my lord, wouldn’t want to forget that. After all, no lady’s head would ever be turned by a handsome, smooth-talking lad with pockets full of money. No, she’ll definitely think of pedigree first.”
Freddie spluttered. “She wouldn’t pick him.” Then he looked at Merit, suddenly unsure. “Would you?”
“Oh, did you remember that I was here? Shall I take part in the conversation you’ve been having about me?” Merit’s tone was breezy, meant to only partially take the sting from her words. “How lovely to be able to discuss my own proposal.”
“Don’t be like that,” Freddie said, his voice cajoling.
“Fine. Of course I’ll consider your quasiproposal, Freddie. I am, after all, sensible.” She stretched the word out, her eyes half-lidded.
“That’s a compliment!” Freddie’s cheeks reddened when Willa snickered.
“It is a compliment,” Merit conceded. “And one I appreciate, but it’s not what one usually leads with in a proposal, and it makes the lady think you’re not mentioning her other charms because they are lacking.” Her tone was gentle now. Freddie hadn’t meant any harm, so she was hoping he’d listen and not make the same mistake in the future. “I like being sensible, but that doesn’t mean I’m not vain enough to want to hear some frippery.”
When Freddie looke
d confused, Latimer sighed. “It’s like this, Freddie.” He turned to Merit. “That’s a fine outfit, Merit. The color brings out your eyes.”
“Why, thank you, Latimer,” Merit said, playing along. “It’s new.”
Freddie still looked confused. “But Merit knows I don’t think of her like that. We’re pals.”
Willa looked skyward, either begging for patience or for lightning to strike her down. “Yes, Freddie, we know. Doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to hear nice things anyway.”
“I just don’t see the point,” Freddie grumbled.
Willa turned in her saddle. “Hey! DuMont! Ride up, will you?” She turned back around. “Watch. Bet you he can have her blushing in under a minute.” When Freddie started to splutter a rebuttal and Latimer looked irritated, Willa just shook her head. “Just watch and try to learn something.”
Tevin pulled his horse up to them, his expression calm, though Merit caught a wary glint in his eyes. “Yes?”
Willa leaned back in her saddle and waved a hand at Merit. “Latimer here was complimenting Merit on her choice of outfit. Brings out her eyes, don’t you think?”
Freddie stared hard at Merit’s eyes, jumping in before Tevin could respond. “They’re a normal shade of brown. Nothing spectacular. Pedestrian, really. They’re just eyes. No offense, Merit.”
She shrugged.
Tevin tilted his head, looking at her as if he’d never really thought about her eyes before. “I see. Yes, rather pedestrian.”
Merit couldn’t help it. Her heart sank, and she had to tighten her jaw to not lash out.
“Of course, there can be beauty in ordinary things,” Tevin said slowly. “Her eyes might bring to mind the richness of soil after a good rain, when the world feels new and filled with promise. Or they could remind you of the sweetness of chocolate, and that moment of undeniable decadence when it first hits your tongue.” Tevin tilted his head the other way. “It’s possible you could say that the shade and sharp intelligence in her eyes invokes the majestic eagle as it spreads its wings, owning everything in its shadow.”
The entire group was quiet now, hanging on Tevin’s every word. Merit’s throat tightened, and she could feel her skin flushing, but she couldn’t look away from Tevin. He’s playing a part. He has to say these over-the-top things to get the others to admire me. Her heart wouldn’t listen to logic. No, her heart couldn’t even hear her whispers over its own shouts for more.
“Yes, you might say any of that and more,” Tevin said, finally looking away from Merit. “Or you could say pedestrian. I rather think it depends on who’s doing the viewing and the speaking.” He tipped his bowler hat. “Gentlemen. Ladies.” Then he turned his horse and went back to riding next to Val.
Willa looked at Merit and cackled, smacking the side of her leg. “Now, that is how you do it, Freddie.”
“But he didn’t even really say anything. He just said ‘might’ and ‘possibly.’ ” Freddie looked between Tevin and Merit before throwing up his hands in surrender. “I will never understand women. I give up.”
Willa looked skyward again. “You’re useless, Freddie.”
Freddie sighed. “My proposal stands, Merit.”
“I’ll take it under consideration.” Merit smiled at him to show that there were no hard feelings. Outwardly, she looked carefree, but inside, her mind spun about. Had Tevin made up those things to flatter, to charm, or did he actually mean them? Was this his way of nudging her suitors along—and her—to get her married sooner, or was it something more? And did it matter? After all, marrying Latimer or Freddie was meant to break her curse. Anything else was a gamble, and she wasn’t sure she could toss any more dice with her future.
CHAPTER 22
DANGER PICNIC
They got to the river just before noon. Their pace had been lazy on the way, no one feeling in a particular rush to get there until the end, when everyone started to get hungry. The trail had curved along the side of a hill, spitting them out into a naturally flat area next to the water. The grass was rich with clover, coaxing several fat and fuzzy bees to swagger drunkenly through the warm air. Light sparkled off the river, a deep, inviting blue.
Merit laughed at something Willa said, her eyes lighting up.
Tevin hadn’t been jesting earlier. He liked Merit’s eyes. They were warm and rich in color, but it was her sharp intelligence that drew him in. Only a fool would disregard them as Freddie had done. And yet there was a very real possibility that fool was going to get to look into them every day for the rest of his life. Unless she chose Latimer, and that appeared more likely with each second.
Tevin slid off his horse, handing the reins to a waiting groom. Two quilts had been spread on the ground, each with a basket just waiting to be unpacked. Tevin took off his jacket, giving in to the heat of the day. Merit slid her arm into his, pulling him close.
“You’re right, competition helps. Latimer has been by my side since you said the eye thing, and I’m feeling very doted upon. I find I like it.”
“You deserve a little doting.”
She grinned at him before letting go and running over to join Willa on one of the blankets. Tevin watched her go.
“Be careful, Tevin,” Val said, her voice soft. “You’re playing suitor, remember?” She adjusted her hat, as if she were waiting for him to argue. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Tevin smiled and grabbed the edge of Val’s hat, yanking down the flat rim. “Ah, you love me.”
“I’ve changed my mind,” Val said. “I hope she strings you up like a deer.”
* * *
• • •
After lunch, Tevin stretched out in the grass with Val, enjoying the sun. Soon they would saddle up and head back to the house, but right now everyone was taking advantage of the fine weather. There was a shout from down by the river, and Tevin looked up to see Latimer running along the bank, chasing after something thrashing in the water. Tevin cursed when he realized Freddie had fallen in. The river, while looking gentle and idyllic, moved at a deceptive pace, and either Freddie was panicked and not thinking or couldn’t swim well. Latimer was taking a few precious seconds to remove his boots, which was smart, but Freddie was getting farther away.
“There’s no way Latimer will catch him.” Val levered herself up next to him, scrambling to her feet.
“Get your horse.” Tevin yanked off his own boots, glad he wore ones suited for riding that slid off easily.
Val bolted to where the horses were tethered, shouting at the groom to untie her mount. She practically vaulted into the saddle before swinging the equine around with practiced ease. Tevin may tease her a lot about being country, but Val’s family herded cattle. She could ride better than anyone he knew. She leaned low over the horse’s neck, hooves pounding as they aimed right for Tevin. When she got close, she didn’t slow but leaned down, catching his arm along the elbow, helping him swing up. It was a move they’d practiced before, but Tevin was still surprised when he landed heavily in the saddle behind his cousin.
They aimed for a spot downriver from Freddie, careening through the grassy hillside toward the water. When they got close enough, Val pulled back on the reins, causing the horse to skid to a stop. Tevin slid off, ran to the edge of the river, and dove in.
The chill of the water bit at his skin as Tevin kicked up from the river bottom. He broke the surface, paddling around until he could see Freddie hurtling toward him. Freddie screamed for help, sucking in a mouthful of water for his trouble. Tevin knifed through the water toward him, grabbing the neck of his jacket and dragging him close. Freddie, still panicked, was flapping his arms around, hitting Tevin so hard in the face he almost lost his grip.
“Cut that out,” Tevin said, spluttering out his own mouthful of water. “You’ll drown us both.” The fight went out of him—unfortunately, all of it went. The fairyborn became a limp weight as Tevin tri
ed to drag him closer to shore. It was tough going, fighting the current of the water and the pull of Freddie in his arms.
Tevin heard a sharp whistle and looked up, seeing Val. A groom had brought her a length of rope while Tevin had been swimming. She knotted a loop at the end, swung it, and tossed it out over the river. It fell short, the current taking it away before Tevin could get close enough. Val pulled it back and tried again and again, moving her horse farther down the river with each toss. By the fifth attempt, Tevin was able to grab the rope. Val nudged her horse, and the beast leapt forward to help drag Tevin and Freddie out of the water. A few seconds later, they were pulled ashore. Tevin flopped exhausted onto his back, doing his best impression of a landed fish.
Glendon grasped Freddie, pulling him farther onto the grass before turning him over and smacking his back. Freddie vomited up several mouthfuls of water, then lay shivering in the grass as Glendon took off his own jacket and covered Freddie with it.
Val walked her horse over, leaning so she could see Tevin. “You okay?”
“Perfect.” Tevin closed his eyes.
* * *
• • •
The ride home was a lot less fun than the ride out. Freddie rode behind Glendon, stuck to his back like a limpet and wrapped in one of the picnic quilts. Tevin was able to ride, but Val had to stay close to him for the last mile. Exhaustion seeped in, making him sway in the saddle, his eyes drooping closed. He couldn’t stop shivering, despite the heat of the day.
Kaiya had galloped ahead, making sure Ellery was ready with supplies to greet them with when they arrived. Tevin was unceremoniously pushed by Val to his room and immediately cosseted into a hot bath. He didn’t see Ellery until after they had taken care of Freddie, since he was by far the worst off.
By then Tevin was bundled up in a robe and blankets by the fire, drinking hot tea, but somehow still shivering. Someone knocked at the door.
“Enter.” Tevin had to say it twice, his voice little more than a croak.