by A E M
Vincent nodded. “Do you think the news might cool their heels a bit?”
“Perhaps, but I also learned a little more of his culture while I spoke with him. I’m guessing that there will be a wedding in the next several months. You need to read up on his people and have Charlotte do the same after he tells her.” He frowned. “There’s something else, but he wouldn’t confide in me. I got the impression that he was relieved that she would stay with you in the cabin.”
“What?”
“I told him that I would be living at the castle during the week, but that I’d like to come back to the cabin on the weekends so I can spend some time getting to know Charlotte.” He smiled. “With your permission, of course.”
David cleared his throat and continued. “Anyway, he instantly jumped on that idea. He said something about his new job not being something she should be around. I got the impression that he may only be around on the weekends.”
Vincent shook his head. “She’s not going to like that.”
“That’s between the two of them.” David said sternly. “And you best stay out of that mess if you have any brains in your head.”
Vincent held his hands up in the air. “Got it.”
“Look, talk to Beau privately. Get to know each other and work things out. In fact, think seriously about having me around a lot at first until you and Beau iron out your differences. It’s going to be better for me to take you both out back and knock some sense into you two rather than have Charlotte pull you both down to your knees.”
“You heard.” Vincent shook his head. “I need to have another talk with her.”
“You need to have a lot of talks with her.” David laughed. “You’re lucky I’m not stupid enough to share that little story with the Weaver Council. They want me to keep close tabs on you two.”
“That’s not fair.” Vincent’s eyes flashed. “I can’t believe you.”
“Hey, you know me better than that.” David stepped closer. “I ought to smack you upside the head.”
Vincent waved him off.
David leaned into Vincent’s side. “C’mon, V, what do you say? Do I get to hang around?”
“You are going to help me with this from behind the scenes, right?” Vincent asked.
“Is that polite for try not to be the center of attention?” David laughed. “I’ve got you, man. This is all you.”
“I’ll trust that when I see it.”
“It’ll take me a little time to get used to, that’s all. Now let’s gather your apprentice and get back underground. I feel a home cooked meal is in order.” David patted his stomach. “How I have missed dwarven cuisine!”
“David?” Vincent twirled the ring on his finger.
“Don’t worry, I leave a little food for you.” He grinned, but then caught the look in Vincent’s eyes. “Hey, man. You’re doing great.”
“Never mind.” Vincent started to walk back to the campfire.
“Hey!” David caught up with him. “What’s really bothering you?”
Vincent stopped and put his hands on his hips. “Do you remember when you very first got me?”
“Like it was yesterday.” David said. “Why?”
“No, do you really remember?” He turned to him. “Do you remember everything?”
“That’s not something a person can forget.” David said quietly. “Why?”
“She’s a time bomb, David. She has that look.” He looked up at the sky. “I’m not sure how long she will stay if I come down hard on her.”
“You have to, Vincent.” David said. “Hey, I went through this with you over and over again.”
“But I was a kid. I had nowhere to go.”
“You have to keep the line no matter what.”
“I know.”
“Good.” He paused and sat down on a log, his thumbs circled each other over and over. “I left my apprenticeship once.”
“You did?” Vincent sat down beside him. “You never told me. Why did you leave?”
“One too many arguments with my father. One too many times that I got into trouble over something or the other. As soon as I fully realized that I needed to finish my training, I hightailed it back to my father and apologized.”
“What did he do?”
“Well, after all the yelling and hugging and scolding and carrying on, he sentenced me and I accepted it and we moved on. I worked harder and one day I realized that despite and maybe because of his shortcomings, he was making me the best weaver I could be.”
Vincent looked down at his own clasped hands. He relaxed them and laid them on his knees. “There’s hope, then, even if she does leave.”
“There’s always hope, man.” David stood and clapped him on the back. “Listen, the truth is that you two are both firecrackers. The trick is to complement each other instead of clashing. It’s not going to be easy, but it will be spectacular in the end. I can’t wait to see it.”
“Thanks, D. For everything.” Vincent stood.
David waved him on. “You were a good kid. You were worth every problem you threw at me. Now, off you go. I need a minute to think.” He smiled until Vincent left the area, and then he sat back down on the log and put his head in his hands. It was true. Vincent had been worth it, but he hadn’t been honest about everything. How long would he be able to keep the secrets from him? He was no better with Vincent than his father had been with Charlotte. The secrets had started out of necessity. They were born of fear and past transgressions, and built of familiarity and guilt. Those secrets were the only way he had been able to save Vincent. They might be the only way to save Charlotte, but how could he suggest it without condemning himself?
13
The Boy and his Girl
Wynn watched her children playing.
Beau dashed in between the pieces of furniture.
He was always ducking and rolling and climbing and falling.
Bliss sat at the table watching the room or watching out the window.
“What do you two want to be when you grow up?” Wynn asked cheerily.
“I want to be an adventurer!” Beau scoffed as he ducked and rolled.
Bliss eyed her mother carefully. “I want to accept my duties.”
Wynn smiled. “You choose the wisdom of our people, daughter. I am proud.”
Bliss looked back out the window at the palace.
Beau flew them slowly above the tree line. The sun kissed the horizon in yellows, oranges, and reds. The sky kissed the sun in blues and purples. He loved the feel of the air rushing against his wings and rushing against the windboard under his bare feet. The muscles in his legs guided the board, and his wings powered his movements. His arms were thrillingly free to hold his girl. It had been mere days since he had seen her last, but it felt like ages. Back at home he and his father had mobilized their army and tightened security on their borders. His mother and sister were busy, as well. Bliss would be of age soon. There was a ceremony to plan, and he was eager to pass his inheritance over so he could be with Charlotte.
Beau played with the curls and waves in Charlotte’s hair with his right hand as he thought. His other hand held her close. David had given him a deadline, but after what he had seen of Charlotte this morning, he thought the news would be too much for her right now. The last thing he needed to do was add more pressure and possible guilt to her life. Tonight she had wrapped her arms around his neck and let her own neck drop back so she could gaze at the stars. Her face was drawn in tight lines, and she avoided his eyes whenever he tried to catch her glance. He slipped his right hand up to the nape of her neck and slowly traced down her backbone with his fingers until he reached the end. Her head pulled forward and she flicked the nape of his neck hard. He smiled at her. Finally, a grin warmed her face.
“Ah, there you are.” He settled his hands at her waist and dipped his head to kiss her neck. “I’ll give you that the stars are slightly more phenomenal that I am,” he kissed the other side of her neck, “but I am the one
holding you close.”
She ran her hands across his shoulders and down his arms until her fingers collided with his and held tight.
“I heard you were causing a little bit of trouble for Vincent.” He started to say.
She tipped her head and raised her eyebrows.
“Yes, bad timing.” He nudged her closer and wrapped his arms back around her waist. “Hear me out, Caramia.” He nipped her ear and kissed her neck again.
She straightened her head and looked him right in the eyes.
“Here’s the thing: those fools aren’t even thinking straight, but I am.” He ran his hands through her hair. He loved the way her eyes glazed over when he did that. “I’ll always take care of you. Those boys may have potions and spells and powerful words, but I have something they don’t have: your heart.”
She gently stroked his neck.
“I’m going to go fast, hang tight.” He flew them higher and faster, the cold wind biting their skin as they ascended. “I have a little trick up my sleeve I haven’t ever told you about. One of the things my parents liked about hanging out with your dad was that he did love to do things the long way. My parents loved to fly the long way. I do, too. But right now we need a little shortcut.” He reached into his pocket and threw a ball into the air ahead of them. It burst into a large circle of swirling light. She grabbed his arms, digging her fingernails in his skin.
He rubbed her back. “This time you will be fine because you’re in my arms.” Her hands relaxed and his heart beat faster knowing she trusted him. They flew through the portal and came out right in front of the castle. He gently stroked the side of her face. “I know you. You need to be with your hobs. You need time to grieve.” He descended in a circle on the front lawn. Charlotte pulled him close for a kiss that nearly made him stumble off the board. She smiled and pulled him upright before running to the front door and banging on the knocker.
Basil was there in a flash. He wore his usual jeans and boots and condescending frown. “Charlotte! You don’t need to knock, child!”
She fell to her knees in front of him; hand over her mouth and eyes closed. Basil stepped forward and kissed her head. “There, now. Hush. I never have been able to listen to you cry. Not even as a baby, and you were a loud, angry baby.”
“She can’t talk right now.” Beau said as he caught up to them. He gently tugged at Charlotte’s arms until she stood, shaking; tears streamed down her face.
“That’s okay.” Basil said. “We can do the talking for her.”
Charlotte kissed Basil’s head, and then ran through the entryway and into the courtyard through the dining room doors. The courtyard had already been cleared of bodies, but the after effects remained, including a hole in the tower that was her family’s living quarters. Beau watched as she walked through the courtyard, stopping to kneel down in different spots. The concrete of the pool wore bloodstains now. Benches and statues were gone or in pieces. A slight stench permeated the ground. Charlotte went to the back of the property and stepped through the hole in her parents’ old window. Beau followed her as she worked her way through her old home quickly. When she was done, she ran back across the courtyard to the hobs’ kitchen where Basil was sitting on a stool at the table turning a coffee cup one way and then the other way.
“I’m afraid everyone is a bit tired. I’m the only one out and about right now.” Basil said as he twisted the cup in his hands.
Charlotte put her palms and arms up in front of her.
Basil nodded toward the doors that led to the hobs’ personal library. “Josef is having a rough time of it.”
“Lottie,” Beau said as he crossed the room to stand beside her. “He lost his vision.”
She stared at him, her forehead furrowed.
“Sebastian can work miracles, but he can’t heal everything.” He said softly.
She shook her head at him.
“Child, he can’t heal broken hearts and souls.” Basil added. He jumped down from the stool and walked over to the large, engraved doorway. He turned to look at Charlotte. “He’s not exactly himself, child. He’s there, but at times he’s not.” He pushed the doors open. Josef was sitting in an armchair, staring at the wall. Charlotte put her hand over her nose as the smell of blood and the creatures slammed into her. Josef was still wearing his clothes from the dance, bloody and torn. She ran to him, fell to her knees, and lay her head in his lap.
“Ah, you’ve let some of your barriers down.” Josef said as he tenderly patted her back.
“Her magic is still unstable.” Beau warned. “Maybe even more so.” He hoped she would be fine. He hadn’t asked Vincent or David if he could take her away for a time. He could apologize when they got back, but hopefully the apology would come without having to tell them about a new incident.
“Well, of course it is.” Josef said softly. “I remember when your father started training. I taught your father, you know.” He patted Charlotte’s back.
“She can’t talk right now.” Beau added.
“She can’t talk. I can’t see. What a pair we make.” Josef said with a frown.
“I didn’t know you taught Isaac.” Beau said as he sat in the wingback chair across from Josef. Charlotte stood up and took the chair next to him. He reached over and squeezed her hand. Basil took the fourth chair by Josef.
“His master couldn’t teach a monkey to swing from a tree.” Josef snorted. “Nobody saw it coming. Isaac’s parents were distraught. They couldn’t do much back then, but they could send me to be a companion of sorts. I was officially his servant, but unofficially I was his mentor and father and brother and friend.”
“I didn’t realize that there were other reasons you two were so close.” Beau said. “I knew you traveled with him later.”
“I’ve been with him since he was born.” Josef said. “In fact, we were born on the same day. His parents were so delighted that they placed me in his crib from the beginning.”
Charlotte squeezed Beau’s hand. He glanced over at her and smiled reassuringly. Her lips twitched, but he couldn’t tell if she was close to a frown or a smile. She was changing. He held her hand and hoped that he could hang on for the ride.
Josef pulled a nearby blanket over his lap. “When your father first started to learn to control his magic, he would make things float.”
Beau smiled at Josef before he remembered that Josef couldn’t see. “Charlotte accidentally caught trees on fire today. She was alone, so she improvised some magic and created a rainstorm to put the fire out.”
“That’s impressive, Charlotte.” Josef said.
“She then made a tornado, again on accident.” Beau said. “When Vincent caught up with her, she threw her arms out and tossed the storm into many pieces in many directions. Poor Vincent had to run around the country putting out the storms and tornadoes that resulted.” Beau laughed.
“Is that why she can’t talk right now?” Basil asked with a laugh.
Beau shook his head. “No, she hasn’t been listening to his directions today, and then she got mouthy right after the poor chap finally got back.”
The hobs laughed some more.
“You are mouthy, Charlotte.” Josef said as he wiped tears from his whitened eyes.
Basil said, “Give the poor man a little leeway, darling. He’s your instructor, you’ll have to listen.”
“Or spend a lot of time quiet.” Josef added. “Has he dealt with her yet?”
“No, I whisked her away when he went to talk to David.” Beau said. He looked over at Charlotte. “I’ll take the blame for that one.” She shrugged.
Josef leaned forward. “Charlotte, you know he’s in charge, right?”
Charlotte sat back with a silent humph and frowned at the floor.
“She’s still getting used to that idea.” Beau said and squeezed her hand again “Hey, I get it. I had to have an apprenticeship, too. Remember? We didn’t see much of each other for a few years.” His last words came out slowly. Would it need t
o be the same for the two of them? Would he have to stop seeing her until she controlled her magic?
“Yes, but you were a child.” Basil said. “You were still used to having your father in charge of you.”
“There’s also the personality difference.” Josef interjected. “You are much more easy going and much less stubborn.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes and looked away.
“How long until she controls her magic?” Beau asked as he sat forward in his chair.
Josef sat back farther into his chair. “There’s no telling. It takes a good dozen years or so for a normal weaver. She’s older, so there’s a chance she can cut that down a bit, but honestly it’s not something she should rush.”
“I can’t believe we are talking about that many years.” Beau said with a sigh.
“I can’t believe that surprises you. It’s not a faucet she can turn on and master perfectly. There’s a reason weavers have to go through a lengthy apprenticeship.” Josef said with irritation.
“Oh, hey!” Beau said. “I’ve already told her that I support her in this. Spare me a real moment of shock, please. I’m trying here.”
“Sorry, Beau.” Josef said. “Have you two talked about waiting to marry until she’s done, even though it will be several years?
“We haven’t had time to talk.” Beau answered and looked over at Charlotte. “But I will wait, you know that. This is a lifetime deal for me.”
“Yes, we know.” Basil said.
Charlotte stared at him. She was frowning, but there was so much love in her eyes that he fought tears. Charlotte pointed to the courtyard.
“I think she needs to grieve.” Beau said softly. “But she’s afraid to get emotional. She’s having dreams and losing control.”
“Naturally.” Basil nodded at her. “There’s not a thing wrong with you.”
“I can help you.” Josef said. “I helped your father, and I even helped your brother sometimes when your father needed a break.”