by Lish McBride
Val put her hand on her hip. “Fine, so you’re not perfect. Does that mean you don’t get to be happy? Or find love?”
“Yes.” Tevin cleared the split logs with his foot, grabbing a piece that was still too big and righting it so he could take another swing.
Val was so irritated she was almost vibrating. Amaury put a hand on her shoulder, shaking his head as he stepped up. “Do you love her, brother?”
Tevin held the ax loosely in one hand. He should tell them no. But that wouldn’t stop them, because they’d know he was lying through his teeth. “Yes. The underworld take me for it, but I love her something fierce.”
Amaury shrugged. “Then nothing else really matters, does it?”
Tevin looked forlornly at his brother. “She deserves better.”
Amaury snorted. “Dear night, they all do, Tevin. Every single one of them. But that’s the way the world works, and who are we to argue?”
Tevin blinked at him. “You’re saying that even though I know I’m not good enough and my past is highly suspect, I should go after her anyway?”
Amaury pulled Val to him with one arm, linking her to him and Kate. “Absolutely. We steal all kinds of things that are too good for us. Why not a wife?”
“Stop thinking so much about your past, cousin,” Val said, leaning into Amaury. “It takes time from considering your future.”
Tevin stared at them, thinking about what they said. Imagining, for a moment. If he got down on his knees, confessed all to Merit, then what? Would his love be enough to break the curse? What were the odds that she would pick him over the others? Would it hurt to at least talk to her? To try?
“You’re all cracked.” He tossed the ax onto the grass. “I’ll mirror her. Just to see if she’s okay and to apologize.”
Kate squealed, her dimples flashing as she jigged in place. “Yay!”
He pointed a finger at her. “Don’t get too excited. If she looks happy, that’s all I’m doing.”
As a group, they jammed themselves into the small, cramped mirror room. A gold velvet couch was pushed against the new green pin-striped wallpaper. It was the only room they’d paid to repaper. Tevin’s parents wanted to look good when people called.
The mirror, when they got to it, was flashing.
“Oooh,” Kate said, “a message.” She frowned. “It’s probably a creditor. I’ll erase it.” She reached for the mirror.
“Kate,” Tevin said, “we should at least see who it’s from.”
She nodded. “You’re right. If we don’t know who it is, we won’t know which creditor to dodge. Wise.” She tapped the mirror, stepping back so everyone could see the mage glass.
The image was sideways, so they turned their heads to make sense of it. Tevin could see what looked like a cell. Lady Zarla stood next to it, holding a handkerchief to her face. The skin around her eyes was red, like she’d been crying. Next to her stood an ethereal-looking blond fairyborn woman, obviously Latimer’s mother. Latimer stood beside her, his face somber.
“She’s quite safe,” Latimer’s mother said, her voice sounding oddly tinny. Either the mirror was flawed or it was set far from her.
Something in the cell growled, swiping a claw at the bars.
Lady Zarla stepped back, the handkerchief gripped tightly in her fist. “I don’t know what happened. It’s not her birthday yet. She hasn’t come out of the beast at all? Even with tincture?”
The other woman patted her shoulder sympathetically. “We had a healer look at her. She assured us that as long as we go through with the ceremony, Merit’s curse will be lifted.” Another pat. “You’ll have your daughter back soon enough. Two days will fly by.”
Lady Zarla didn’t look convinced by that last part. “I hate to see her like this. She must be miserable.”
The blond woman tutted. “I know. We would do anything for our children, would we not?” She gently began to guide Lady Zarla out of the room as the beast watched, her orange eyes tracking her mother’s movements.
Lady Zarla sniffled, pausing to touch the bars of the cage before leaving. Latimer and his mother stayed. She continued to smile until the door shut with a heavy thud.
The smile dropped as she regarded her son. “Take her one of my calming potions, would you? Wouldn’t want her to get too upset.” She beamed at him. “I’ll take care of the rest. All you have to do is show up at the altar and say ‘I do.’ ”
Latimer nodded and stalked out of the room, Merit howling behind him.
The screen shone and then went blank. The message was over.
“What just happened?” Kate asked, reaching out to grasp Amaury’s shoulder.
“That,” Val said, “is a very good question. An even better question is what are we going to do now?”
“Willa and Diadora,” Amaury interrupted. “They’ll know what’s going on, and I think they’ll be more likely to talk to us than anyone at the Cravan House.” The mirror chimed a few times before someone answered and went to fetch the sisters. Willa appeared after a few minutes, her cheeks flushed and her hair in disarray. Diadora followed, wiggling her fingers in greeting as they collapsed onto the gilded settee. Their mirror room was decorated in golds and creams, with a large vase of flowers. Diadora smiled at them while Willa wrote feverishly on her chalkboard.
It’s so good to see you all! Veritess has been a bore since you left. Who’s that?
“Our sister, Kate,” Amaury said. “Kate, this is Willa and Diadora.”
“Pleased to make your acquaintance.” Kate dropped a curtsey as gracefully as she could manage with all of them packed tightly into the room.
“Have you talked to Merit recently? Or her mother?” Tevin said, cutting to the chase. “Have you heard anything about Merit’s wedding?”
Willa’s face took on a concerned cast, and she turned to her sister.
Diadora looked suddenly serious. “We went to see Ellery at Cravan House,” she said, spitting out a sprig of lilac. “I’ve been having some problems with my curse. We got to chatting.”
“Wait, Ellery isn’t with Merit?” Val asked. The sisters shook their heads.
“She went to Huldre alone.” Diadora stopped to fish an obscenely large pearl out of her cheek. “No one has spoken to her since she left. Latimer’s people haven’t let us talk to Merit. Say she’s too busy or doesn’t wish to speak to anyone. Lots of excuses.” She coughed, pausing to spit up several daisies and an emerald. “Ellery is worried, Tevin.”
“We’re all worried,” Willa said. A golden snake slithered out of her lips and hit her lap. She pursed her lips and picked up her slate and chalk. Why do you ask?
Tevin told them quickly about the mirror message, and by the end, they were both frowning.
Willa erased the slate, started to write, got annoyed, and threw the slate down. She grabbed a teapot, found it empty, and held it in her hands. “Who sent the message?” Willa maneuvered the teapot, catching several newts as they fell. “According to Ellery, the whole place is on lockdown until the wedding. No guests in or out.”
“It’s a good question,” Val said. “I can’t see either Latimer or Lady Zarla sending it. Obviously, it wasn’t Merit. One of the staff, maybe?”
“You can’t even get through to Lady Zarla?” Tevin asked, forcing himself to be patient. He didn’t want to talk, he wanted to do. It would be foolhardy to attempt anything before he knew what was happening, but he was feeling excessively foolhardy.
“No,” Willa said. “When we tried to put in a general mirror message to the castle, we reached a happy blocking message about the wedding.”
Val took her hat in her hands, worrying the rim. “We can’t just leave her, right?”
Tevin rubbed a hand over his neck. “She needs her curse broken, Val.” He raised a hand to stop her from arguing. “I know I promised to give her a choice, but it’s
not like I can mirror the beast and talk to her.”
“We go there. Let her choose. Beast doesn’t want you?” She jammed her hat on her head. “We’ll give her another option. Bring Cedric with us. What can it hurt to give her one more chance to choose?”
“A beast and an ostrich would make for an interesting wedding,” Amaury said.
“We’ll catch the next train to Veritess—” Tevin stopped. He didn’t have any money. Except the money he’d stashed away. His parents had taken the coins in his trunk but had missed his second stash under the floorboard. Would that even be enough? If they took Kate and used her savvy and his charm, maybe. He looked at Kate. “The only money I have for tickets—”
“You’re getting on that train,” Kate said firmly. Amaury nodded.
“Before you start to argue,” Val said, her voice uncharacteristically flinty, “I want you to consider the fact that we all want you on that train. That we are your family and can be pigheaded when the mood strikes, as it is striking now. So I can hog-tie you and drag you onto that train, or you can walk on under your own free will.”
Tevin’s jaw clicked shut.
Diadora clasped her hands. “Are we crashing a wedding? How romantic.” Flower petals drifted out of her mouth on a sigh.
“Yes.” Amaury’s eyes had a twinkle to them. “It’ll be fun.”
“What do you know of fun?” Val scoffed. “You hide at parties and read grocery bills.”
“I’m always fun,” Amaury said, deadpan. “Look at me now. I am a ball of laughs and jollity. A human construct of giddy social merriment.”
“Of course you are.” Kate hugged him.
“We’re not crashing the wedding.” Tevin tried to sound authoritative, putting his hands on his hips. He didn’t think it worked. “We’re going to find where they’re keeping the beast and discreetly see if she needs help.” They all stared at him, and he sighed. “Fine, and if that doesn’t work, then and only then are we going to crash the wedding.”
Diadora grabbed Willa’s hand. “I’ve always wanted to crash a wedding.”
Val rested her hands on her holster. “We’ll let you know what train we catch. Can you call everyone together—Glendon, Ellery, Cedric, and Kaiya? We’re going to need help, I think.”
Willa grabbed the slate, writing another note. We’ll mirror everyone. And, Tevin? Every second helps, so don’t feel the need to change or anything. Come exactly as you are.
Tevin looked down. Due to the heat and the work, he’d taken off his shirt. He’d forgotten about it. He didn’t even have his undershirt on, just trousers and his suspenders hanging down off his hips.
“What did you write?” Diadora yanked the chalkboard away, brushing away the diamond and two peony buds that fell from her lips. “Willa! You are not allowed to objectify him! He is asking us for help!” A carnation and three violets fell in quick succession.
Wilhelmina shrugged. “I can multitask.” She grimaced as an orange tree frog hopped from her lower lip.
Diadora rolled her eyes, erased the board, and wrote a new note. You earned that frog. Sorry, Tevin. You have time to put on a shirt. Let us know what train you’re on, and we’ll send a hack to fetch you.
* * *
• • •
Tevin cleaned himself up quickly before putting on a fresh shirt. After that, he threw a few things into his satchel. Wondering who the beast would choose, or if she was even capable at this point. What would he do if she didn’t pick him? What if they were too late and she couldn’t choose anyone? Fear cascaded through him, and he let it. Yes, he was scared. He didn’t have much to lose, not really, but when you only have a little, it seems important. He wouldn’t lose Val. He’d still have Amaury and Kate. It was enough.
Once he had his stuff packed, he grabbed the rest of his money, practically running down the steps before halting at the bottom.
Brouchard blocked his passage, carefully removing his gloves and hat. He must have just come in the door.
Florencia stood next to him, easing out of her coat. “Where do you think you’re going?”
Tevin didn’t answer, but he figured he didn’t need to.
Brouchard’s eyebrow rose slowly. “Going after the girl? Good for you. A DuMont should never admit defeat.”
“I’m not going for her fortune,” Tevin said. “If she picks me, you won’t see a single coin.”
“Of course not.” Brouchard clasped his hands behind his back, his tone mocking.
The words were a well-placed shot, echoing in the chamber of his body. He squared his shoulders and stared his father down. Tevin hadn’t realized he was taller than him until now. Brouchard had always been lean—Amaury favored his build. At some point, Tevin had surpassed his father. He was wider. Stronger. “I promise you, Father. This is it. The end of the road.”
Brouchard’s expression became quizzical, affecting an air of innocence. “Amaury will be an adult soon enough, but what of your sister? You would leave her here? To struggle in a life of uncertain finances while you live a life of prosperity?”
“What if our next ship doesn’t come in?” Florencia removed her hat carefully and hung it up. “Would you abandon us, after all we’ve done for you?”
Tevin felt something in him waver. Could he sacrifice Kate for his own happiness? A momentary look of triumph flashed across Brouchard’s face.
Kate stepped onto the stairs. “Yes, he will.”
Tevin turned to her. “Kate—”
His little sister lifted her chin. “Oh, no, brother. You’re not sacrificing for me this time. Don’t make me sic Val on you—you’re getting on the train. I can take care of myself.” She turned hard eyes on their father. “Tevin isn’t my parent. It’s not his job to provide.”
Tevin was shaking his head. As her brother, he did share some responsibility.
“I don’t have to go.” He dropped his bag to the floor. “Val can take Cedric to Merit.” Then she’d still have an option, if she’d changed her mind. His heart lurched, thinking of her pacing in that cell. Something was wrong, but maybe he didn’t have to be the one to fix it. Kate might need him more.
“That’s right.” Brouchard reached for the handle of Tevin’s bag. “Send your harridan of a cousin away.”
“Father—”
Brouchard picked up the bag, rolling his eyes. “I’m only teasing, Tevin. Learn to take a joke.”
Kate snatched the handle from her father, a thunderous expression on her face. “Oh, no.” She jammed the bag at her brother. “I’m not a baby anymore, Tev. You’re going.”
Tevin accepted the bag out of reflex.
Florencia frowned at them both. “Kate.”
Kate ignored her. “It’s okay, Tevin. I can take care of myself. I promise. Have faith in me for once.” She put her hands on her hips. “If I needed you, if I called, would you come?”
Tevin hesitated. “Always, but—”
“Then you’re hardly abandoning me.” She stared at him, the rest of her message clear. No matter what they say. “No. Go, Tevin. I’ll be okay.” She grinned, revealing her dimples. “Promise to get me something nice when you get back from the honeymoon.”
“You assume a lot, sister, but thank you.” Tevin enfolded his sister in a hug. He squeezed her tight. “If you ever need me.”
“I know,” Kate whispered. “Don’t you worry about me. I’ll handle Mama and Papa. Things are going to change in this house, just you wait.”
Tevin laughed, letting her go with a final squeeze. Then he swept past his parents, without so much as a by-your-leave, and went to find Amaury and Val. Brouchard tried to follow him.
“We only want what’s best for you.” He quickened his pace to match Tevin’s. “You’re our child. We’ve clothed and fed you, given you everything, but of course if you feel comfortable leaving, I can only give you my best wi
shes.” Brouchard took out his handkerchief, covering his mouth as he started coughing, a great hacking noise. “I’m sure we’ll be okay.”
“You’ll be fine,” Tevin said. “Aren’t you always saying DuMonts land on their feet?” Val and Amaury were already outside, their satchels full and ready to go.
Florencia leaned against the doorway but didn’t go any farther. Brouchard followed him down the porch steps, Kate drifting behind him. “Tevin.” His father straightened to his full height. “Tevin DuMont, I am your father, and you will listen. If you walk away from me, you’ll not be welcomed back.”
Tevin waited while Kate hugged Val and Amaury, all of them ignoring Brouchard.
“I mean it. Not even to visit.”
“You keep walking,” Kate said in a fierce whisper. “For once in your life, do something for yourself. You don’t need to come back. We’ll come to you.”
He gave a final hug. “My door will always be open, even if I’m not sure where that door might be.” He let her go, hitched his satchel over his shoulder, turned, and walked down the paving stones that led to the main street.
Brouchard kept spewing threats while Florencia stood a silent watch from the door. Tevin, Val, and Amaury ignored them both, then waved at Kate right before they turned and lost sight of her.
CHAPTER 29
ACKNOWLEDGING THE CORN
They caught the train to Veritess, then climbed into the hack Willa and Diadora had promised and went straight to their house. Val gave a low whistle as they arrived—Willa and her sister lived in an elaborate home of white brick and wrought iron that could comfortably sleep half the city. The staff let them in without question, showing them to a sitting room, where everyone had gathered. Glendon was talking quietly with Kaiya. Ellery fidgeted with their watch, a determined look on their drawn face. Willa and Diadora greeted them warmly, welcoming them all to their home. Someone in the corner squawked, and Tevin saw Cedric, looking much better than the last time he’d seen him, but still an ostrich.
“He agreed to help?” Tevin asked.