Ace of Diamonds, The

by Nona Mae King

10: The Next Hand

  Setzer heard Sabin’s loud and heart-felt laugh from the café the moment he stepped into Kohlingen. It brought a momentary smile to his face as he gave a slight shake of his head. That Sabin still had cause to laugh Setzer took to be a good sign of Edgar’s destiny fulfilled. Of course, Setzer had often suspected the less refined Figaro had a more . . . peculiar sense of humor. For all Setzer knew, Sabin could have been laughing at Locke as he fell backwards out of his chair in shock that Terra had actually agreed to marry the man. Let’s hope that isn’t the case.

  Setzer passed to the right and behind the café, directing his gaze carefully away from it as he kept his mind safely distant. He’d talk to Terra first before he thought anything about anyone.

  “Setzer.”

  Setzer halted and turned. Cyan approached. “Good day, Cyan. How’s Terra? Better I hope.”

  Cyan nodded with what seemed a fatherly smile. “Yes. She recovers more quickly than what was believed possible.” He came to stand by Setzer. “Hast thou heard the news?”

  “While I hope the news involves vows and happy endings, please don’t tell me if those include Sabin.”

  Cyan’s smile erupted to strong laughter that beat back the grief lines on the warrior’s face. “I heartily agree with what thou hath said, but it is indeed Edgar’s happiness we shall soon celebrate.”

  That news banished a few of the shadows. Setzer smiled as his stance relaxed. “That is truly good news. I’m glad Lady Luck saw fit to give the appropriate push.”

  Cyan gave a nod with a still lingering smile. “Yes. It is good.” Cyan motioned toward the alchemist’s house, and the two started forward. “Setzer, does thee remember the inquiry made regarding a Captain Marée?”

  Setzer tensed and clenched his jaw. “Yes.”

  “I have begun inquiries, but have not as of yet received any information. Should thou wish it, I shall tell thee as soon as I am able.”

  But what else mattered? The flame had burnt itself to an ember and now Marée despised him. Setzer shook his head. “It isn’t necessary, Cyan. Thank you.”

  “Should thou change thy mind,” Cyan said as they came to the door of the alchemist’s house, “do not hesitate to ask. I am at thy service.”

  Setzer faced the Doma swordsman with a forced smile as he gripped his shoulder. “Thank you, Cyan. I appreciate the thought.”

  Cyan gave a nod, watching Setzer enter the alchemist’s house with an odd expression.

  Setzer closed the door behind him and stepped toward the stairs that led to the basement laboratory. He heard voices and an occasional feminine giggle followed by Edgar’s recognizable chuckle. A reluctant smile twinkled in Setzer’s eyes and on his lips as he descended.

  “Warnings ahead,” Setzer called. “I don’t believe I could take a less-than-innocent scene of Miss Terra Branford.”

  He heard her gentle laughter and then footsteps moments before his eyes cleared the overhang of the floor above. Edgar met him at the foot of the stairs with an outstretched hand and a genuine smile of welcome. The haggardness and shadows were completely erased. The king seemed years younger.

  “Setzer, we had begun to wonder where you had wandered.”

  Setzer gripped the hand and then followed Edgar’s invitation to the chair beside Terra’s bed. Terra’s eyes danced as her bright smile welcomed him to her side. Setzer almost laughed.

  “Yes, I suppose you would. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you of my intent to leave,” he said as he leaned, instead, against one side of the headboard.

  Terra adjusted her position slightly as Edgar once again took his seat beside her. “It’s all right, Setzer. I’m just happy you’re back.”

  Setzer gave her a lopsided smile as he reached out to gently pinch her chin. “Thank you, Terra. It’s good that you’ve taken a turn for the better. Love heals all wounds, it seems.”

  Terra flushed but didn’t lower her eyes. “Oh. They told you,” she said with a slight pout. “I wanted to do that.”

  Edgar hid a smile behind a hand.

  Setzer chuckled. “Tell me what?”

  “That we’re going to be married,” she told him with an ‘I could have sworn you knew,’ look.

  Setzer, never one to pass the opportunity to tease, straightened with feigned shock. “What? Us? But I could have sworn you loved Edgar.”

  Terra’s mouth dropped open in a ridiculous expression of confusion. Edgar was hard-pressed to staunch his laughter.

  “Us? No, Setzer. Not us,” she stammered as she desperately tried to figure out what she’d said to make him think that.

  “But you just told me we were to be married,” he told her with his own version of confusion. “I’m certain that’s what you said.”

  “B-But . . . ” She sent a helpless glance toward Edgar, noticed his barely repressed laughter, and put her fists on her hips with an instant scowl. “You two,” she accused. And she immediately reached out to punch each on the arm.

  “Now, now,” Setzer complained as he rubbed the not-so-sore spot. “None of that.”

  Edgar laughed outright before gathering Terra’s hands to give each a kiss. “I must away, dearest. I’ll return this evening to take you on a turn around town.”

  Terra’s expression softened as her eyes focused on Edgar’s face. She squeezed his hands. “Alright.”

  They held the other’s gaze for a long moment as Setzer lowered his eyes to an examination of his fingers, and then Terra released Edgar’s hands and caressed his face.

  “I love you,” she whispered.

  “And I you.” He briefly touched her lips with his before sweeping her hands from his face and giving each a kiss on the wrist. Then he tucked them fondly into her lap. “Until this evening.”

  Then Edgar left the room, Terra’s gaze following after. There was the faint sound of the door closing, and Terra released a deep breath as she looked down at her hands. Setzer sat in the chair beside her.

  “Teasing aside,” he said in a soft tone, “congratulations. I’m glad to see you two so happy.”

  Terra lifted her eyes and smiled, taking his hand and giving it a squeeze. “Thank you, Setzer.”

  “And should you need volunteers to plot revenge against Sabin, let me be the first.”

  Terra giggled. “Oh no you don’t.”

  Setzer sighed, dejected. “Ah well.” Terra seemed to examine him then, and Setzer met her gaze with an easy smile. “And for what, Miss Branford, are you searching?”

  “I . . . ” She frowned slightly. “I don’t really know.” She examined him again. “Are you all right? You look tired.”

  His smile wavered slightly, but he kept it in place through years of practice. “Tired? Yes, I suppose I am. Our adventure against Ledo and the concern for you has taken its toll, I imagine.” Terra absently nodded, but her eyes kept close watch. “Relm and the children send their love, as well as a hope to visit you. I promised I would return this evening with your answer,” he continued.

  At the mention of the children, Terra’s eyes brightened and her hand tightened on his. “Oh, Setzer, please bring them tomorrow. I miss them so much.”

  Setzer chuckled. “Relm will be ecstatic at the escape. As she will also be at your news of bliss with Edgar.”

  Terra smiled, but then her eyes grew troubled. “Setzer, how do I tell the children?”

  “Tell them what?”

  “That we’re going to a different home. That they’ll finally have a papa.”

  Setzer gave her hand a squeeze. “What I suggest is allowing them the chance to meet and fall in love with Edgar themselves. They’ve met him once already, so it won’t be a shock when he comes to visit.”

  “But Edgar’s going to have people come; to start building it up. He planned on having the children come and stay at Figaro.” And worry colored Terra’s expression.

  Setzer smiled reassurance. “Terra, remember what I said before? Where you are, home is. Be truthful when you tell them, listen to what
they say, and go from there.”

  Terra giggled suddenly. “You sound like Edgar.”

  Setzer chuckled. “I’d rather you say he sounds like me, Terra.”

  And her eyes danced again. “So, where did you learn so much about things like this?”

  “Common sense. Well, that and observing people over the cards, dice, and life in general. Observances can speak loudly when one listens.”

  Terra flushed. “Or when you understand what they’re saying.”

  Setzer laughed. “Yes, I suppose that is an important part of it.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “Don’t blame yourself too harshly,” he told her. “Edgar knew well enough his feelings for you and chose to remain silent. You, being the innocent woman you are, had no basis for knowing what you felt beyond a deep friendship.”

  “I suppose so. You’ve probably never had problems like ours.”

  Setzer smirked as he gave an uncomfortable clearing of his throat. “Each person’s problems with love are uniquely different, Terra. True, I may not have been blind to the love felt, or afraid of the voicing of it, but there are other things that can cause . . . ”

  “Heartache?”

  Setzer’s facial muscles twitched, and this time he knew she’d seen it. “An apt word,” he confessed softly as he lowered his gaze.

  “I knew it. I knew something was wrong.” Terra clutched his hands. “Setzer, won’t you tell me? I know I don’t understand about love and all its problems, but I’m your friend. I want to help.”

  Setzer released a deep breath. “There’s nothing for you to do, Terra. Nothing for either of us to do. The dice have fallen. The cards have been played. Now I must play my next hand.” All the words sounded so empty.

  “Even I can tell you don’t mean that,” she said softly.

  Setzer released another breath as he raised his eyes to meet Terra’s concerned ones. “Terra, looking back to replay a hand that’s over is foolish. I can’t change how I played it.”

  “I know, but . . . There must be something I can do!”

  Setzer smiled slightly. “Perhaps. One day. Currently, though, I believe you must think of your own health and happiness.”

  Terra gnawed her lower lip as she changed her sad eyes to his hand holding hers. “You’ve always been so kind and thoughtful, Setzer. So good to me and the children. I just want you to be as happy as I am. You deserve that.”

  “The Fates disagree, apparently.” He stood and bestowed a tender kiss on her forehead. She raised her eyes as he straightened. “Be well, Terra. And be sure to send an invitation to the wedding.”

  “I will.”

  “Then, until tomorrow.”

  Terra nodded and Setzer turned to move away.

  “There’s a woman out there for you, Setzer. Waiting,” Terra called after him. “I know there is.”

  Setzer’s chest tightened, but he forced a smile as he paused at the foot of the steps and faced her. “Then I’d best play this next hand well.”