‘And to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?’ Eudora trilled sharply, her blue eyes flashing dangerously.
Mistral hid a grin. This was getting good.
‘Hmm?’ Melsina looked up from wiping her gloved finger on a lace-edged handkerchief. ‘Well, that rather depends on whether or not you are up to a rather special challenge.’
Eudora darted from around the back of her desk and sped across the shop towards them, speaking in rapid, high-pitched tones that instantly reminded Mistral of an angrily buzzing bee, ‘There is no dress-making challenge on the Isle that I am not capable of taking Melsina, as well you know!’
‘Of course I know that Eudora, darling. Which is why I’ve chosen you, rather than ... oh, how should I put this?’ She paused to frown delicately. ‘One of the rather more well-known Council establishments?’
‘Being commonly known is no indication of quality!’
‘Oh I agree.’ Melsina smiled disarmingly. ‘They simply do not have your knack for creating in black.’
Eudora sniffed and looked slightly mollified, ‘I’m pleased there are some people who still appreciate quality. I can clearly see that you are in need of my services,’ she added ungraciously.
Mistral blinked in astonishment, had Eudora really openly insulted Melsina De’ath? She was suddenly intrigued to know what these two titans in the world of fashion had battled over in the past.
‘Actually, it’s Mistral who will be requiring your services.’ Melsina murmured and waved a gloved hand in Mistral’s direction.
Eudora ran her sharp blue gaze over Mistral’s ensemble of Phantom’s baggy shirt and rolled up trousers, ‘Beyond help,’ she declared cruelly.
‘Yes, my son’s clothes are hardly befitting attire for the wife of Mage De Winter are they?’ Melsina agreed lightly. ‘It is such a shame that you feel unable to assist me in this matter. I would have been only too delighted to tell the ladies at the Council how you dressed Lady De Winter for her first pregnancy.’
Mistral gaped at Melsina, torn between her desire to laugh at her blatant manipulation of Eudora’s ego and her shocking use of the word “first.”
Eudora’s eyes instantly widened, ‘Pregnancy?’
‘Yes! And the good news doesn’t stop there!’ Melsina gushed proudly. ‘My boys are to be godfathers to the son and heir of the De Winter estate!’
Mistral shifted uncomfortably. She hadn’t considered that making the twins godfathers would be seen as giving them some sort of status at the Council.
‘Are they really?’ Eudora purred softly. ‘And how are your delicious boys? I used to see so very much of them –’ she let her sentence hang suggestively in the air.
Melsina’s green eyes narrowed to slits, reminding Mistral instantly of a cat about to pounce, ‘Yes, my boys are so very handsome, aren’t they? I’m sure I have absolutely no idea where they will find wives. It will be so terribly hard match their beauty.’ Melsina gave a pained sigh then continued in a woeful voice. ‘They often complain to me how tiresome they find the unwanted attention from some of their less … young … and often sadly desperate admirers. But, I suppose it’s fortunate that they now attend Council functions and can mix with a more discerning class of female.’
Mistral choked back a laugh. Nobody in their right mind would say that either of the twins were looking for wives. They were far too much in love with themselves to have an ounce to spare for anyone else.
‘The Council is such a haven of culture, don’t you agree? It’s such a shame that things didn’t quite work out for you there.’ Melsina finished with a sad shake of her head.
‘The Council wasn’t ready to accept a contemporary vision like mine!’ Eudora snapped back, rising up onto her tiptoes like a tiny enraged ballerina. ‘And I might remind you that the Valley is also a home for many discerning ladies! We’re not all warriors you know!’
‘Oh, Eudora my darling!’ Melsina cried, her exquisite face composed in a mask of contrition. ‘Have I offended you? I do apologise! Of course I’m sure that the Valley contains many … younger ladies who may present a certain, well, rustic charm ... however none who can hold a candle to Eloise Lacey.’ Melsina sighed fondly. ‘Ah, sweet Lady Eloise. She’s been chasing one of my boys since they were at school together, which really wasn’t so very long ago you know.’
Eudora swelled with indignation at the double insult and Mistral was sure she was about to take flight as she rose higher on her tiptoes and glared furiously at Melsina, ‘Eloise Lacey is no match for a lady that can offer the benefit of a little experience!’
‘Oh a veritable wealth of experience, I’m sure.’ Melsina murmured archly.
Eudora made a strange squeaking noise and seemed to swell further. Mistral looked around quickly for a pin in the hope that she might pop the irritating shopkeeper and get rid of her once and for all.
‘Are you ill Eudora?’ Melsina enquired with an elegant frown of concern. ‘Only you appear to be slightly redder than usual.’
Mistral laughed and disguised it quickly as a cough, ‘Sorry,’ she spluttered. ‘Still suffering with a touch of sickness.’
Eudora abruptly gave her an alarmed look. Obviously cleaning her shop floor of vomit wasn’t high up on her list of priorities because she immediately became business-like. ‘And how far into your term are you?’ She demanded briskly, flitting across the shop to grab a tape measure and scroll of parchment.
‘What?’ Mistral looked blank.
Eudora scowled impatiently, ‘Oh never mind! I’ll just make you up some clothes for each stage in advance. I should be able to predict quite accurately from today’s measurements. You won’t be the first pregnant woman I’ve seen.’
‘Oh I’m sure you possess a world of experience in that area too. But I’m guessing the fathers were never around to pay the bill.’ Melsina murmured softly and resumed her slow stroll around the shop, perusing the shelves and occasionally skimming a finger along the surfaces, checking for dust.
Distracted by Melsina’s jibes and her pointed examination of her shop, Eudora stuck more than one pin into Mistral, but she didn’t mind. It was worth it to see her soundly defeated by the formidable might of Melsina De’ath.
An hour later Mistral pushed open the door to The Cloak and Dagger and found Fabian waiting quietly at the bar with just Prospero sprawled at his feet for company, ‘Where is everyone?’ She asked, looking around in surprise at the empty tavern.
‘Xerxes is running a cockfight in the backyard.’ Fabian replied walking over to slide his arms around her and look at her with a politely enquiring expression on his face. ‘Do you want to go and watch?’
Mistral glanced out of the tavern’s grimy back window and could just make the blurred outline of Xerxes excitedly waving something in the air, no doubt a parchment of wagers. ‘No thanks. I’ve witnessed enough blood sports for one day. I just want to go home.’
Fabian laughed quietly and began to walk to the door with his arm wrapped around her, ‘How bad was it?’
‘Actually, it was quite amusing – well, in parts anyway. Melsina and Eudora seem to have some sort history, and let’s just say that neither appear to be willing to let bygones be bygones.’
Fabian’s eyebrows lifted slightly.
‘Melsina won.’ Mistral answered his unspoken question with a smile.
‘Ah, but of course she did,’ he smiled. ‘In fact, I have no doubt that it was a resounding victory.’
‘Oh it was.’ Mistral laughed. ‘Put it like this, if she’d trained with the Ri I think we’d all be out of work!’
Fabian laughed and held the door open for Mistral, following her out into the pale afternoon sunshine.
Mistral fell in step beside him, ‘Talking of work, did your Agent have anything to offer?’
‘There was one Contract that I thought might be suitable.’
Mistral looked at him, waiting for him to explain, but he merely smiled enigmatically and continued to walk with her towards the s
tables. She continued to look at him, concentrating hard; but neither his expression nor his thoughts were giving anything away. Sighing irritably, Mistral realised that she was going to have to find out the old-fashioned way and actually ask him what he was thinking. ‘Are you going to tell me about it, or do I have to wait until you think about it?’
Fabian turned to look at her, his expression amused, ‘I’ll tell you all about it in a moment. But firstly I wanted to tell you that I asked Samson to be a godfather to our son.’
‘Oh!’ Mistral exclaimed. She’d forgotten that Samson was going to be a godfather. ‘Did he accept?’ She asked warily. Being godfather to Fabian’s heir was quite a responsibility, and Samson was hardly the most reliable of characters.
‘Without hesitation. I think he was honoured to be asked actually.’ Fabian paused and gave a short laugh. ‘In fact, he was a little too over-enthusiastic. He even began talking about future hunting trips with his godson.’
Mistral groaned, ‘Not him too! Along with the twins, his army of uncles and an entire centaur tribe, our son is going to grow up with the largest extended family of thieves, assassins and Arcanes ever known, all teaching him their irresponsible ways.’
‘Maybe so.’ Fabian murmured so quietly that Mistral heard his thoughts more than his spoken words. ‘But he will also know an abundance of love.’
She glanced at his wintry expression and felt a burst of empathy. Their son would have the childhood Fabian never knew. ‘Yes he will,’ she whispered softly. ‘More love than anyone has ever known.’
They crossed the stableyard in silence and entered the dim stables to begin saddling Cirrus and Spirit for the ride back to their house. Mistral leaned over the partition between the stalls to continue their conversation in a worried voice. ‘You know, it’s all very well our son having three godfathers, six uncles and an entire tribe to pander to his every whim, but I think we ought to keep a close eye on all these over-indulgent relatives, or they might turn him into a spoilt brat.’
Fabian finished tightening Spirit’s girth and stood upright, ‘Heaven forbid that should happen,’ he turned to give her an amused look. ‘I’m not sure I could cope with two equally bad-tempered creatures in my life.’
Mistral glowered at him and flounced out of the stall, dragging Cirrus behind her.
Mistral and Fabian left the Valley and broke into a canter once they reached the meadows, slowing to a walk again when they approached the edge of the forests.
Exhaling sharply Mistral pulled Cirrus to a halt beneath the shelter of one of the forests huge oak trees, ‘Can we rest for a minute?’
‘Of course.’ Fabian immediately reined in and turned to look anxiously at her. ‘Are you in pain?’
‘Not really. Just a bit uncomfortable.’ Mistral grimaced and pressed a hand to her side.
Fabian regarded her expression closely and frowned, ‘Maybe we should buy a house in the village, or at least rent one until the baby is born. It would save you from having to make this journey too often.’
‘And how many Contracts would you have to take to pay for that? No thanks Fabian. It’d just mean more expense for you.’
Fabian smiled and reached over to brush his fingers against her cold cheek, ‘I value you more than money Mistral.’
Mistral gazed into his eyes of liquid night and sighed, ‘I don’t want to be more of a burden to you than I already am.’
‘You will never be a burden to me.’
Mistral looked away over the damp meadows. The snow-flattened grass was starting to show the first signs of spring in a flush of pale green. Another year had begun ... a year beholden to Leo. ‘Maybe I could take a few cash Contracts on the side … if I get the chance,’ she added bitterly. ‘Leo gave me the Council schedule this morning, and put it this way, if you’re going to buy us a second home I think you’d better make it one at the Council because I’m going to be practically living there for the next year.’
Fabian gazed speculatively at her, ‘I hope you have no objections, but in view of your present condition I have actually renegotiated your schedule with Leo.’
‘Oh Fabian! Why?’ Mistral exclaimed resentfully. ‘I know it’s going to be a bit tough, but I’ve got to pay back my apprenticeship sooner or later! Won’t we just be putting off the inevitable? I’ll only have to do it all next year – and probably with our son in tow by then!’
‘I sincerely hope not.’ Fabian snapped. ‘The less time our son spends at the Council the better! However, with regards to your apprenticeship, you are still paying it back this year. It’s only the location that has altered.’
Mistral gave him a perplexed look, ‘I think you’d better explain, because none of that made sense.’
‘Leo has sent a message for Eximius back with Melsina politely declining his summons for your attendance due to your pregnancy. Instead Leo has extended the invitation for any meetings that Eximius feels require the services of a Seer to be held in the Valley.’
Mistral looked suddenly elated, ‘Do you think Mage Grapple will agree?’
Fabian gave a half-shrug of indifference, ‘The offer has been made, whether he accepts it or not is up to him. What is not up to him is your health, and I am adamant that you are not accepting that schedule.’
Mistral glanced at Fabian. Seeing his face set in familiar uncompromising lines she smiled, wondering for the millionth time what she had done to deserve such love. A sudden thought pricked at her bubble of happiness with sharp claws, Leo-sharp in fact – ‘And Leo just agreed to this did he?’ She asked sceptically.
‘Yes.’ Fabian responded promptly, then added more quietly. ‘With a slight proviso.’
Mistral rolled her eyes, ‘What a surprise.’
Fabian turned to look intently at her, his dark gaze destroying any resistance she might have had, ‘You recall that I still owe you the remainder of our honeymoon?’
She struggled to cling to reason, ‘But we had over two weeks during that snow storm in the mountains –’
‘Opportune, but hardly what constitutes a traditional honeymoon, particularly since we did have all of your brothers with us.’
‘Yes, well, I agree they were a bit inconvenient ... sometimes. But what did you have in mind?’
Fabian smiled teasingly, ‘Before I make my suggestion, is there anywhere in particular that you would wish to go?’
‘Home,’ she replied promptly, her eyes not leaving his.
Fabian laughed, ‘Other than home.’
Mistral wrinkled her nose while she thought, ‘No, sorry, home is good for me. It has everything we need; food, a bed –’
‘Permit me to make a suggestion that would admittedly combine both business and pleasure.’
‘Suggest away then.’
‘Well, as you know, I visited my Agent this afternoon to enquire if he had any suitable work, and it just so happens that he did have one particular Contract that I have accepted.’
Mistral instantly felt her heart plummet. This was not the way she had anticipated the conversation going. How could Fabian telling her that he was leaving on a Contract equate to them finding the time to spend on another honeymoon?
‘It is a Council Contract –’
Mistral gritted her teeth. Surely Fabian wasn’t about to suggest spending their honeymoon at the Council?
‘– to round-up and oversee the safe return of a herd of unicorns.’
Mistral gasped out aloud, making Cirrus start nervously, ‘Unicorns? Really? I’ve never even seen one!’
Fabian smiled at her reaction, ‘That’s because there are none on the Isle. Mage Grapple has negotiated the purchase of one of the last surviving herds from an elderly French Mage who is close to his time and wishes for them to be rehomed on the Isle.’
‘And we’ve got that Contract?’ Mistral said eagerly.
Fabian nodded, his dark eyes dancing with humour, ‘I thought it would make a fitting honeymoon for us.’
‘Just you and me?’ Mistral
breathed, barely able to believe what she was hearing.
‘Just you and me.’ Fabian repeated softly. ‘And a herd of unicorns.’
Mistral drew in a happy breath and immediately let it out in a sudden rush, ‘Oh! But you are too clever for your own good Fabian De Winter!’
He met her accusing glare with an expression of innocence.
‘Leo?’ She reminded him tersely. ‘The proviso you mentioned?’
‘Ah, yes. Leo.’
Mistral kept silent, looking at him expectantly.
‘Well, the unicorn herd are kept in a remote region of the French Alps, which are quite magnificent in spring; it will be truly picturesque –’
‘Yes Fabian, I’m sure it’ll be amazing, but please don’t try to change the subject.’ Mistral snapped.
‘I apologise.’ Fabian smiled at her so beautifully that she instantly regretted her harsh words. ‘The herd is grazed on pastureland in the same region as the Rochfortes’ mountain stronghold. Leo and I strongly believe that they are conspiring to infiltrate the Council and challenge Mage Grapple for the right to rule. It would be profoundly beneficial for the Isle if you were able to read one of their tribe and provide an on-going insight to their plans –’
‘You mean read one of the Rochfortes without them knowing so that I can See into their mind again remotely?’ Mistral cut in impatiently. ‘Isn’t that the same as spying?’
‘This is for the future of the Isle Mistral. Spying is nothing compared to what the Rochfortes would resort to.’
Mistral shrugged, ‘Well, I won’t do it for the Isle, or for Leo,’ she looked up, holding his gaze. ‘But I’d do it for you and our family.’
‘There is no greater reason.’ Fabian returned her look then frowned slightly. ‘I admit that I have yet to finalise the details of quite how we’re going to accomplish our plan, so perhaps it would be best if we kept this between ourselves.’
Mistral instantly looked dubious, ‘You know I can’t lie to the twins. They have this weird ability to know when I’m hiding something from them.’
Fabian smiled, ‘No Mistral, everyone has that ability when it comes to you.’
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