by Box Set
I shake my head. “I killed a shapeshifter. He …” He still looked like Nate when he was dead. “He didn’t return to his original form after he died.”
“You don’t have to believe me.” The man stands, and I keep my arrow trained on his forehead. “In fact, it would be better if you didn’t. It would be better if we all walked away now and pretended this hadn’t happened.” His voice is steady, but his eyes are filled with an infinite sadness. Damn, this guy is either a really good actor or he’s telling the truth. He looks straight at me and says, “You should let me go.”
“That’s exactly what you want, isn’t it?” Ryn mutters. He turns to me. “Can’t we give this guy a compulsion potion and force him to tell the truth?”
“We could. Or he could just answer a question.” I’ve managed to think of something nobody else should know. “What did my father say to me the night the boy everyone loved died?” That should be cryptic enough if this man really is a fraud.
The-man-who-might-be-my-father steps closer to me. So close that my arrow is almost touching his skin. “What do you want, Violet?” he asks softly. “Do you want it to be me? Or is it easier for you if I’m nothing but an imposter?”
My voice cracks when I say, “I already know it’s you.” I think I knew the moment he called me V.
Alive. He’s alive. How am I supposed to process this?
“Forgive my cynicism,” Ryn says, “but I’d still like to hear the answer to that question.”
My father looks at Ryn, then back at me. He takes a deep breath. “You saw my tears and said you’d never seen me crying before. I told you it was only the second time I’d shed tears in my adult life. I also told you that I didn’t know why, but I’d always loved that boy like he was my own son.”
I nod. That’s exactly what Dad told me. Dad. My father. Who isn’t dead. The realization hits home and a shudder passes through my body. “Dad?” I whisper.
He pulls me into his arms. “Baby girl, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I’ve missed you every single day. I never wanted to leave you.”
Amidst my tangle of emotions, I find myself wriggling free from his arms. “But you did,” I say through my tears. “You did leave. You said everyone had to believe you were dead, but why me? Why couldn’t you have just told me what you were really doing? I would have kept your secret. You know I would have.”
“I especially couldn’t tell you, V. You were in danger. He wanted to kill you. You had to believe I was dead or he would have searched until he found you.”
“What?” What the freak is he talking about?
“I always knew you’d be angry if you ever found out about this, but I’ve never regretted it. As much as it broke my heart to leave you, my decision kept you safe. It was worth the pain we both had to go through.”
Anger flares within me. What right did he have to decide what pain I should go through? Ryn touches my arm. “Don’t fight with him, V. He’s alive. This should be a moment of joy, not anger.”
I squeeze my eyes closed. Tears drip over the edge of my eyelids and run down my cheeks. Why is Ryn always right? I should be rejoicing right now, not acting like a difficult child. I step forward and wrap my arms around my father’s neck. He hugs me back. This is real, I tell myself. His arms around me are real. And although I detest talking about feelings, I figure I should tell him something, just in case this is all a dream and I don’t get another chance. “I love you, Dad,” I whisper.
“I love you.” He squeezes me tight and lifts me off the ground for a second. “And I’m so proud of you. You’ve grown into such an amazing, smart, beautiful young lady—and guardian.” He sets me down on my feet. “And why are you wearing this hideous dress? You hate purple clothes.”
I laugh as I wipe tears from my face. “I didn’t choose it. Didn’t Mom tell you that they pick your outfits for you when you stay here?”
Dad shakes his head with a chuckle. He looks over my shoulder and extends a hand to Ryn. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised to see you here either. You were always just as competitive as Violet. Congratulations on graduating at the top of your class.” He shakes Ryn’s hand. “I am surprised to see the two of you standing in the same room without wanting to hurt each other. I thought you’d both sworn never to be friends again?”
I look at Ryn, then quickly look away. “Yes, um, we decided to put all that behind us.”
“Uh, I have a question, sir,” Ryn says. “Was it you I saw at the Harts’ house?”
“What?” I ask just as Dad nods and says, “Yes.”
“Um … yeah.” Ryn turns to me. “Remember when I said I saw someone who looked like Cecy? Well, I was lying.”
My mouth gapes open. “You saw my father and you didn’t tell me?” I try to shove him but he catches my hands.
“I just figured it couldn’t possibly be him, so why freak you out?”
“Ryn, that is so not a good enough reason to keep something like that from me.” I feel hurt and betrayed, but I’m trying to be mature, so I let it go. I sit down on the edge of a chair and turn to my father. “Okay, you have a lot of explaining to do. What undercover assignment are you on that’s taking so many years to complete? And why exactly was it better for everyone if we all thought you were dead? You said someone was trying to kill me? And what exactly were you doing at the Harts’ house?”
Dad holds his hands up. “Look, you know I can’t tell you anything. Firstly, it’s against protocol to share the details of an assignment, and, secondly, it’s for your own safety.”
“Dad, you abandoned me for the past four years. I think you owe me this much.” Yeah, I’m playing the guilt card. An underhanded move, but I don’t care right now.
“V, I …”
“Tell me! You can’t just show up in my life all of a sudden and not explain anything.”
He sits on the edge of a small table. “Okay, look, it’s something to do with the Unseelie Queen’s son, but that’s all I can say. I’m dealing with some very dangerous people, V, and I can’t have you getting involved.”
“The Unseelie Queen’s son?” I glance at Ryn, who’s sitting on a nearby chair. “You mean Zell?”
Dad frowns. “Yes. Marzell. How do you know him?”
I roll my eyes. “You’re afraid of me being involved, Dad? Well, it’s too late for that. I’m already involved. Big time. So there’s no need for you to keep any more secrets from me.”
“What do you mean you’re involved?” Dad stands up quickly. “How? What happened?”
“No, no, no,” I say. “You don’t get to demand details without sharing any of your own. You tell me your story, and I’ll tell you mine.”
With disbelief written all over his face, Dad looks at Ryn as if for backup. “Sorry, but I’m with V on this one,” Ryn says.
After another pause, Dad says, “Okay, but I don’t have time to tell you everything now. I’m already late for the meeting I was on my way to when you chased me down.”
Panic tightens around my heart. We’re leaving first thing in the morning; when will I see him again? “So come home,” I say, standing quickly. “Come home and explain everything to me.”
Dad reaches forward and touches my cheek. “I don’t want to let you out of my sight if you’re in danger.”
I tilt my head sideways and smile. “I’m a guardian, Dad. I’ll always be in danger.”
“Yes, but it’s different with the Unseelie Court. You don’t know what they’ll—”
“I have a concealment charm on me. A proper one. There’s no way Zell can find me unless we accidentally bump into each other, and that’s not going to happen.”
Dad nods. “Okay. Will you be home the night after tomorrow?” I nod. “Good. I’ll see you then.” He kisses my forehead. He’s about to walk away when his gaze falls on my neck. “Your mother’s tokehari,” he says in surprise. “I thought it was—” he looks at Ryn, then back at me “—lost,” he finishes.
“Uh, I found
it, sir,” Ryn says, “and returned it along with my sincerest apologies for … ‘losing’ it.”
Dad smiles. “That’s good.” He kisses my forehead once more and whispers, “I love you, baby girl.”
Twenty-Four
I feel like I’m looking at my life through different eyes. Every time I think back to a major event, I wonder where my father was at the time and what he was doing. Has he been watching from the sidelines, keeping an eye on me? Or has he distanced himself completely ever since his supposed death, not even knowing what I looked like until that night at the Harts? So many questions. I should probably write them down in case I forget something.
Ryn and I make the journey back to Creepy Hollow in silence. I tell myself he’s giving me space to come to terms with the monumental fact that Dad is still alive, but I know there’s also an undercurrent of weirdness between us. Neither one of us has mentioned The Kiss again. I’m hoping that if I ignore it, Ryn and I can go back to some kind of comfortable friendship. I’ll get over my feelings for him soon, right? Yes, I will. After all, it didn’t seem to take too long for my Nate-feelings to fade away.
When I woke up at the palace this morning, I found a note slipped under my door. My heart squeezed painfully when I saw my name written in Dad’s handwriting on the front.
* * *
I’m sure I don’t have to say this, but you CANNOT tell anyone about me.
* * *
He didn’t need to remind me, but I treasure his note nonetheless. It’s evidence that he really does exist. I keep it in my pocket now that I’m back home where the Seelie Court and everything that happened there feels like a vivid dream. The note and his handwriting assure me that it was real. The silver-framed mirror above my desk and the black candle blazing continuously beside my bathing room pool also help.
After finding Bran at the Guild and interrogating him about the investigation into the Guild’s attacks—he tells me absolutely nothing useful—I send an amber message to Tora and invite her over for dessert. I wish with all my heart I could tell her about Dad, but instead she’ll have to tell me about the guy she’s been keeping secret.
“Look, I didn’t intentionally keep anything from you,” she says when I greet her at my door with crossed arms and a glare. “I just hadn’t exactly got around to telling you about him yet.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” It strikes me that that’s exactly what I would say if she found out about Nate, so I don’t really have any right to make her feel guilty. “Tell me everything now, and that’ll make up for it.”
She heads across my sitting room to one of the couches. “Fine, but then you’re sharing the details of your love life.”
“I don’t have a love life.” At least, not one I’m willing to talk about. The memory of Ryn’s hands caressing my skin sends butterflies soaring across my stomach. I turn away to hide my smile. I shouldn’t be smiling. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it. It’s not like it’s going to happen again.
“Ooh, I haven’t had a fun dessert like this in ages,” Tora says as she eyes the low table between the couches. There’s a bowl of fruit on her side and another on mine. We also each have a bowl of melted chocolate and a thin stick. In the center of the table is a floating sphere of flickering blue and white light.
“Yeah, I don’t think I’ve used this dessert spell in ages. It seemed appropriate for the warmer weather.” We sit on the floor on either side of the table. “So, anyway, this guy—”
“Oliver.”
“Oliver. You met him at the London Guild?”
“Before then, actually.” Tora leans forward and spikes a strawberry on the end of her stick. After dipping it in melted chocolate, she holds it inside the flickering sphere for several seconds to freeze it. “Remember when you were suspended?”
“I try not to.”
“Right, well, there was this Council guy who visited from the London Guild. He had to meet with several of our Council members, and afterwards he gave a talk to some of our trainees.” She bites into her frozen chocolate strawberry and munches a few times before continuing. “I happened to be the mentor in charge that day, so, you know, we chatted.” Her pale skin flushes bright pink.
“Aaand?” I prompt with a smile.
“Well, he was very charming and everything, but I was just being friendly.”
“That’s weird. I remember Honey telling me he was boring.”
Tora makes a face at me. “He was not boring. I mean, he named the stray vine that always sneaks down the corridor Nigel, which was a little corny, but other than that he was, you know …”
“Hot?”
“Well, yes.”
I laugh as I reach forward to freeze my own piece of fruit. “I knew it!”
“Oh, rubbish, you knew nothing. Anyway, I said goodbye expecting I wouldn’t see him again, and the next thing I knew, Councilor Starkweather was saying he’d asked for me to visit the London Guild for a few days to give my input on a new training center they’d decided to build. I thought it was strange they didn’t ask for someone who actually designs training centers—”
“And then you discovered when you got there that he didn’t want your input, he just wanted you.” I give her my sweetest smile, and she rolls her eyes.
“Well, it’s not like he told me that, but I figured it out.”
“So that’s why you ended up staying longer?”
“Yes, he managed to convince me to extend my visit.”
“You know, Tora—” I lean forward, feigning a conspiratorial air “—there are these things called faerie paths that allow you to visit someone anywhere in the world in just a few seconds. You don’t actually have to stay in the same place.”
Tora crosses her arms and narrows her eyes, but I can see she’s trying not to smile. Eventually she gives in with a chuckle. “Look, it was just easier to stay there.”
“At his house?”
She stabs another piece of fruit and freezes it. “You still haven’t told me why Ryn was in your bedroom so early yesterday morning.”
I freeze a chocolate-covered blueberry and hand it to Filigree, currently mouse-shaped and lounging on the arm of the couch. “Since we’re changing subjects,” I say, “I saw Bran earlier and asked him about the attacks on the Guild. He used a lot of words, but he basically told me nothing.”
“You know he can’t tell you anything if you’re not part of the investigation. I’ve also asked him, and he won’t tell me a thing either. I only know the few details that have been made public, like the fact that the Unseelie Queen denies having any knowledge of the attacks.”
Which is exactly what I told Councilor Starkweather. “Yes, he mentioned that. So, when did they fix the foyer and the ceiling? I walked through there earlier today and it looked like nothing ever happened.”
“I think they finished last night.” Tora freezes a chocolate-dipped raspberry and pops the whole thing into her mouth.
“Wow, three whole days just to repair the foyer?”
“Mm hmm.” She finishes chewing. “Those are some serious protective enchantments in the domed ceiling. And apparently the floor has protection woven into it too.” She picks up her bowl of fruit and eats a few pieces unfrozen. “Now, don’t think I haven’t noticed you’re avoiding talking about Ryn. I know you’ve sort of despised him for a number of years, but you certainly seemed to be enjoying his company at the grad ball. Are the two of you more than friends now?”
“Tora!” I do my best to look horrified. “No. Do you honestly think I’d date Ryn?”
“Well, yes. He’s good-looking and charming, he’s an excellent guardian, and the two of you share a history that consists of a lot more than simply hating one another.”
“That’s ridiculous. It would never work out in the long run.”
Tora is silent a while before replying. “I didn’t want to have to be the one to say it, so I’m glad you did. I know how many times he’s hurt you in the past, and I would hate for you to wind up
hurt again. But I guess you’ve always been a sensible person. I should have known you wouldn’t just fall for him like that.” She snaps her fingers.
You see? the logical voice inside me says. Tora knows just as well as you do that it wouldn’t work out.
“Okay, now tell me what you’re going to say when the Guild offers you a job.” She points her chocolaty stick at me. “Because we both know that’s exactly what they’re going to do.”
By the time Tora and I have discussed my options for the future—which no longer include being a personal guardian to the Seelie Queen, since there’s a strong possibility she thinks I’m rude and obnoxious, and I also happen to find palace life utterly boring—we’ve finished all the dessert. I clear up while Tora reads a message on her amber and giggles. Giggles. Honestly, what is it about love that can make us act like complete morons at times? And by ‘us’ I don’t mean me. Because I would never act like a moron for a guy. Well, except for the time I tried to entice Nate with an alluring bat of my eyelashes.
“I, uh, need to go now,” Tora says.
“Got a date on the other side of the world?”
“Something like that.” Her eyes sparkle.
“Okay, well, I’ll see you around.”
She leaves, and I try to tell myself I don’t feel lonely. I try to tell myself I don’t miss Ryn. I’m lying, of course. Part of me wishes he were here, just hanging out, being friends. But there’s a much bigger part of me that’s relieved he isn’t because then I’d have to talk about The Kiss.
I head upstairs, change into a long T-shirt, and climb onto my bed with my amber. I need to practice some of the social networking spells Ryn taught me or I’ll never make full use of this thing. I pull my stylus out of my hair, which falls down around my neck in messy, unbrushed waves; Raven would not be impressed. After a minute or so of thought, I scribble the words of a spell across the amber’s glossy surface.
Nothing happens.
Great. I can remember complex spells required to heal my body from all kinds of injuries, but when it comes to something silly like a spell to improve my social life, the words escape me. Filigree shifts into the form of a white bunny with little white wings—who knows where he saw that one—and half-flaps, half-jumps onto the bed while I tap my stylus against my chin, thinking. I try another combination of words and, this time, tiny shapes swim to the surface of my amber.