by A E M
Beau looked over at Vincent. “Can I have her now?”
“You have fifteen minutes.” Vincent said and released Charlotte’s ear. She held her head high as she walked briskly to her room.
“Thank you.” She said after Beau shut her bedroom door. She reached up and rubbed her ear. “Although you are probably happy I got a taste of my own medicine.”
“I only thought you might need a little privacy after that.” He laughed. “You’ll get somewhat used to it after a while.” He added. “It’ll still be embarrassing, but the first time is always the worst.”
“He won’t leave me be.” She picked her thigh pack off of her bed and snapped it on. “He says I’m building a wall and he can’t make me a good weaver with a wall in place.”
“You poor thing.” Beau said with a teasing smile. “You’ve met your match.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes and put her hair up in ponytail.
“Oh, Lottie. C’mon. Ebby was always the only one who would even attempt to keep you in line before, and she’s gone now. Well, you know what I mean. Vincent will be good for you.” He stood across from her, unmoving and eyes locked on hers.
“I don’t need anybody to keep me in line!” She yelled before she realized that she might be heard in the hall. “Ugh. Sorry.” She sat on the bed and crossed her arms. “He gets under my skin.”
“Been there, felt that.” Beau said. He sat down by her and put his arm around her shoulders. “Didn’t I come out better after my apprenticeship?”
She groaned and leaned into him. “Yes, but you were a kid. I have a college education.”
He stroked her arm. “This isn’t the dane world anymore. In weaver years you are young.”
“It’s hardly fair and he drives me crazy. He’s my age and he’s bossing me around!” She fumed. “What do you think of him?” She raised her eyebrows. “For real.”
“He seems like a decent enough guy.” Beau said. “But I’d rather not talk about him right now. We are almost out of time.”
She placed her hand on his cheek and rubbed the stubble. “If I were you, I’d be a tiny bit jealous.”
He laughed. “Of him?”
She stepped back from him and glared. “Well I’m mad and jealous for the both of us, then! This apprenticeship is going to rob us of time together! Why aren’t you upset?”
“Because I had to go through this, remember? I put my time in being an apprentice. It’s hard, and I think you’d profit from it, especially after your little scene back there.”
She stared back at him quietly.
“Fine, you want the truth?” His wings shook slightly and his shoulders were taut. “I’m going to do my best to work with him because it’s what’s best for you and what’s best for you is what’s best for us.” He ran his fingers through his hair and shook the strands out. “But I’m not happy about having to share you with him, okay?”
Charlotte wrapped her arms around his waist, burying herself into his back muscles in between his wings. She reached up and turned his face back so she could kiss his jaw. She continued her kisses across his jaw and down the back of his neck. “Do you need reminding?”
“I won’t stop you.”
Charlotte pulled her gloves off and tossed them into the chair. She traced her fingers over his stomach, chest, and back muscles. She worked slowly over his warm skin, smiling to herself when every now and then his wings would jerk slightly and add the soft ruffle of his feathers to the sound of their breathing.
“Enough for now, Lottie.” Beau turned around pulled her into his arms. He buried his face in her hair and breathed in and out slowly. “I’ve got to go.”
“Why can’t you stay?” She asked. She ran her fingers through his hair.
He laughed. “First, you’re killing me lovingly. Second, I regrettably have things I have to do. Third, Vincent and I have come to an agreement. It’s best I take a step back at first, but I will be checking in a lot.” He tucked her head in his shoulder and softly sang into her ear. “Caramia, oh my heart, from you I’ll never part. Through the dark and through the light, you will remain my delight.” His kissed her mouth. “Your lips so soft.” He kissed both eyes. “Your eyes that shine.” He kissed her hand. “Your touch it sets my heart on fire.”
She leaned into him. “Beau, do you really mean to love me through the dark and the light?”
“You have to ask? Apparently I haven’t reminded you well enough.” He walked her backwards until she was against the wall and leaned forward to kiss her. He put his hands on her temples and let them fall slowly down her body as he continued to kiss.
“Beau.” She said gently after some time. “I am adequately reminded.”
He continued for a second longer before he pulled back and grinned. “I have something for you.” He grabbed a feather that was lying across the nightstand. “Keep this in your pack.” He grinned and traced the outline of the pack against her waist and leg. “I like the new pack, by the way.”
“One of your feathers?” She asked as she gently slapped his hand away from her leg.
“Why, yes, it is.” He said. He rested his hands on her waist.
“Did it hurt?”
“It did, which is why I pulled it in private so I could mope properly right after.” He said as he flexed his muscles.
She laughed and slipped it into the pack. “Now I have you with me, but don’t do that again!” She said crossly. “It’s a little weird, anyway.”
“Hey, I thought it was a romantic gesture!” He laughed and held his hands up.
She gave him a quick kiss and opened the door. “Go now. I need to learn and you are a lovely distraction.”
“See you soon.” He smiled.
“Not soon enough.” She smiled back.
She went to the restroom and looked at the sloppy mess of hair she had tossed into a ponytail. It would have to do for now. Only Vincent stood in the hallway working on something at the desk when she stepped out a few minutes later. He nodded when he saw her and put the paper and pencil in his pack. She paused before him and waited. She would let him lead so she could stay safely behind his reach.
He looked over at her out of the corner of his eyes and chuckled quietly. The same feeling she remembered from being near him in the library had been washing over her like a wave in the sea off and on again all morning. He held his hand out toward the door. “After you.”
How did he do that? She cursed the smug smile he had pasted on his face as she walked quickly past him and scrambled up the stairs two at a time.
“That excited about your first lesson?” Vincent asked when he caught up with her at the top. He wiggled the ear he hadn’t pulled earlier. “Or are you simply trying to keep out of my reach?”
“I’m on to you.” She said.
“No, you’re not.” He laughed. “Trust me, I’d know.”
“I can’t be that easy to read.” She said.
“You are an open book, Protégé.”
She pushed up against the metal door, but it held still.
“What, super strength didn’t come as part of the package?” He teased and pushed the door open.
“I guess I haven’t burned the right person.” She said. “Not that you’re worried about it.”
For a second Vincent’s face paled. She hadn’t hid her amusement fast enough. His teasing grin had vanished, replaced by a sterner look. She hurried out of the old homestead. It was a chilly day, but the sun bathed the dirt in its warmth. She curled her toes through the top layer until she felt the layer of cold dirt below. The contrast was soothing. She slipped her shoes on and waited for Vincent. He was taking too long.
“Are you cold?” He asked as he finally stepped out. It was a bit chilly, but the sun was rising and the fairy clothes kept her warm.
“I have a cloak in my pack if I need it.” She responded.
“Let’s go for a hike.” He said. “There’s a spot nearby where we can talk about how things are going to work between u
s.”
So that’s what this morning would be. Apprentice protocol. She looked over at him, trying to gauge his mood. He had been lighthearted and teasing until her remark. She should have kept her mouth shut, but honestly, they both seemed to have a knack for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. She thought back to last night when he had told her that her hair was falling out of her braid. It was in those awkward moments that she hoped that they would be able to balance out their new roles in a way that they could both still breathe. Would he open up and let her get to know him? Would he get to know her? Surely. How else would they be able to survive years together?
She worried about balancing both him and Beau at the same time. Not to mention David. While she did at least know Beau very well, she was certain that being married would change things, even if Beau didn’t believe it would. Guys never understood that sort of relationship change. Having to get to know three guys all while trying to get to know herself and her new powers? It made her stomach churn. Phoebe would laugh at her if she were here. Complaining about three guys in her life? Absurd! How dare she complain about a lover, a brother, and— She frowned and looked away from Vincent. A man to cripple her defenses, lay her faults out before her, train her to use her powers, and annoy the fire out of her?
Her face must have betrayed her again, because Vincent’s face softened and he reached for her hand. She let him take it this time. It didn’t seem to do her any good to fight him, and it was reassuring in a way. Beau, David, Vincent. Three who could or would touch her. They walked like that as the sun lit the entire sky and the world came to life around them. Birds sang as they hopped from tree to tree and flew across the sky. Squirrels shimmied up trees, chattering at them disapprovingly. It was good to hear the normal sounds of the forest again. She didn’t avert her eyes when they walked by the occasional blood splatter. This was life now. Blood. Battle. Loss. She forced herself to look at it for what it was.
“It gets better, you know.” Vincent said after a time. He squeezed her hand and let it drop between them.
“What does?” She asked.
He stopped and waved his other hand in between them. “This. It gets better. It gets easier.”
“What is this exactly?” She waved her own hand in the air between them. “You can’t tell me that this will be the same as every other apprenticeship. It just won’t.” She paused and put her hand on her hip. “I don’t understand how it’s even going to survive.”
“It has to.” Vincent said. “Sometimes things work because there is no other alternative.”
Charlotte walked ahead on the trail, kicking rocks to the side now and then. The alternative was not something she wanted to think about right now. She wondered how steady he was. Now that she had been in battle, she wondered that about each person she met. Even the greatest warriors could fall. What made him think that there was a chance of success? Yes, she wanted this to work, but wanting and trusting were two different emotions. She turned around and spoke to him as she walked backwards. “Sometimes things fail. Sometimes people fail.”
“Sometimes they do.” Vincent said. “Do you have it in your mind that we are going to fail?”
“I am aware of the possibility.” She answered.
“You are going to kill us before we even start if you entertain the thought of this failing.” He scratched his beard. “I don’t understand. Last night you spoke of being eager to learn.”
“That was before you yanked me by the ear and demanded a public apology.” She said and turned back around to walk forward.
Vincent caught up to her side. “Are you still sore about that? David and I would have already moved past it by now.”
She turned and got in his face. “You and I are not you and David. We aren’t going to trade punches and be fine.”
Vincent set off without a word. She followed him quietly. Maybe she shouldn’t expect him to understand. She chided herself. He was a mentor, not a friend. He didn’t care how she felt. But then he did strange things like hold her hand. What exactly was she supposed to make of it all? Vincent stopped at a ledge of rock that overlooked the forest below. He sat down, long legs dangling over the edge, and patted the stone next to him. She sat down beside him on the cold rock and stared out over the treetops. Many were still bare, but that would change in the weeks to come as spring finally wrestled winter back into the earth.
“It is gorgeous.”
“It is.” She agreed.
“But you can’t see this beauty when you are down there.” He added.
Charlotte sighed. “I can’t see the forest for the trees right now. Someday when I’m experienced like you, I’ll be able to guide my own apprentice because I’ll be able to see the big picture. Right now I need to trust that you can see what I can’t.” She turned to look at him. “Did I get that about right?”
“You ruined my speech.” Vincent said. He leaned back on his arms. “You don’t look very inspired, either.”
Charlotte crossed her arms. There was so much she wanted to say right now. Did he honestly think she hadn’t heard that speech before? She stopped that train of thoughts before she derailed. “I’m sorry. Shall we move on to the rules part? I don’t know those.”
He sat up straight. “You have to call me Maven.” He started. “I’m being patient with you right now, but you can’t flip flop names on me based on your mood. I have never called David by his name. Not once.”
“What about you?” She asked with a swish of her ponytail as she turned her face toward his. “Why is it that you can flip flop my names?”
“Because I’m in charge.” He said. “Which is the next rule. I am technically your guardian right now. I know it’s awkward, but I promise to be as fair as possible.”
“Yeah, I’m having trouble with that one.” She flicked a rock off the ledge.
“I can understand that.” He said. “I expect it will take time to get used to it, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t expect you to be trying.”
“What exactly does it entail?” She asked.
“It means you live where I live. It means that I decide what you learn and when. I’m in charge of your magical education.”
She snorted. “Three’s company, Maven.”
“It’ll be four. David will be in and out, as well.”
“I suppose we’ll make it work.” She said. “What’s next on this wonderful list?”
“Only two more for now. You need to walk behind my left shoulder and when we go places, you will let me speak first and wait until you are directly invited into the conversation.”
“You’ve got to be kidding.” She sighed and closed her eyes.
“Your father made the rules.” He said.
“Well, then unmake them.” She snapped. “I thought you were going to keep my age in consideration.”
“I am. I have already been making accommodations, but some things will stay the same.”
She stood up and stared out at the land around her. She knew he was right about the big picture, but something bothered her. “Maven, it is pretty, but there isn’t as much detail. Will you be able to see the little things, as well?”
“I may not always see the little things right away, but yes, I will see the details, too.” He stood.
“How can you be sure?” Charlotte took a step back. She doubted he would see the details. He had, after all, grown up with David. David, no doubt, knew a bit about girls from living with his aunt, but Vincent? It was all laughter and jokes and pranks between him and David. She supposed that they had their own nuances to work through at first, but this was going to be different.
“You’ll have to trust me on that one.” He said. “Are you bothered by the rules?”
She shrugged. “I’ll get used to them, hopefully. I don’t suppose I have a choice.” She pushed the dirt around with her foot. She summoned her courage. She had to know if he really could see the details. “Am I forgiven for this morning?”
He tilted his head slig
htly. “You heard everybody. Of course you are.”
All but one. Details. She kicked a rock. “Are we done?”
“No, we are not.” He answered. They stared at each other silently. Charlotte held his gaze and wondered what he was thinking. Was he going to catch on? Would this be like having a bossy older brother? She had no idea what to even compare it to, other than perhaps her parents. But she doubted that he was even that much older than she was. Could he really guide her through all of this?
“Come here a minute.” Vincent finally said. She crossed the short distance between them. He turned her so she faced him and her back was to the view of the forest and her feet were a few inches from the tip of the ledge. She took a shaky breath and grabbed his arms.
“I know that at first being with each other is going to feel a lot like standing on this ledge.” He firmly placed one of his hands on the small of her back, and held her hand with the other. He dipped her quickly as he had when they had danced, and she yelped.
“I’m not going to drop you.” He said as he pulled her back up. “Trust me.”
“What is wrong with you?” She yelled at him. “Did David do this to you? Did he hold you over a ledge by your ankle?”
“No. This is between you and me, not him and me.”
She tried to move to the side to get around him, but he held her in place. “Let’s try again.”
“I don’t think so.” She tried again to wiggle out of his grasp.
He stood quietly, waiting. Time passed. She wasn’t sure if it was an hour or a minute, but he didn’t budge.
“Fine.” She finally said. She wanted off that ledge one way or another.
He dipped her again, slowly, and she couldn’t tell if she was dying or flying inside. He pulled her up quickly and stepped them back to the middle of the ledge.
“You did well.” He said. “Are you okay?”
She pushed away from him. “I hope you know how much I hate you.” She hurried back to the path on the mountainside. The world was spinning, and her breath was ragged. She cursed herself when the tears fell, but she was exhausted and emotional. How dare he try to make her trust him! She didn’t need anybody to trust like that. Battle with? Share supper with? Fine. But trust to catch her when she fell? She was having none of that nonsense. She wished Beau were here. He knew how to stand by her side. She stumbled along the path kicking stones and branches and passing out seething glances at the trees until she came across a large, fallen tree in the middle of the path. She wiped her eyes and sat down.