“She saw us, Min! She looked right at us! What’ll we do?”
“She can’t see us, Nim,” Min said. “She’s human, remember? And stay out of the lemon pie.”
“She’s also the Bright Lady,” Nim pointed out. “That means she’s a special human. And I only had a little taste of the lemon pie.”
“Of course she’s special! Did I say she wasn’t special? No I did not! But being special doesn’t mean she can see us! And your face is covered with lemon custard, Nim, so don’t tell me you just tasted it.”
“You’re just jealous cause there’s no banana,” Nim sniped.
“And you’re just mad about the Changeling.”
“There was no Changeling!”
“Queen Eibhleann believed me,” Min said.
“That’s only because you’re her pet.”
Min rolled her eyes but Nim felt the hurt rolling off of her. “I’m sorry,” he said contritely. “That was a mean thing to say.” Min shrugged. She didn’t want to talk about it any more. “Shall we tell Queen Eibhleann that she might have seen us?”
“You decide,” Min replied coolly.
Nim thought a moment, then shook his head. He was sure the Bright Lady had seen them, but he really hadn’t meant to hurt Min’s feelings. “If she sees us for certain we’ll both tell.”
“All right,” Min said.
“I really am sorry, Min.”
“I know. But I really did…oh my, quick quick quick! Smell the air!”
For once Nim didn’t argue. He immediately raised his nose into the air and sniffed deeply. His round eyes grew even larger than normal and his wings fluttered out of sync for a moment, nearly sending him crashing into a slice of chocolate cake. (If it had been lemon pie he wouldn’t have minded, but he hated chocolate.) “Oh my goodness! You were right Min! I smell a Changeling!”
“I know I was right, but where is it coming from?” Min asked. “Which human is it pretending to be? It must be very strong to hide itself so well.”
Nim sniffed carefully. “Oh no, this is bad.”
“What’s bad?” Min asked, and sniffed the air again. “It’s gone! How can it be gone? No one left the restaurant!”
“It’s not masquerading as a human, Min,” Nim said. “It’s hiding inside a human.”
“Are you sure?” Min squeaked.
“Yes, I’m sure,” Nim said grimly. “That’s why I couldn’t smell it before. Its true scent is released only when it takes control.”
“How can we tell which one it is?” Min asked.
“I don’t know,” Nim said. “We must go tell Queen Eibhleann about this right now!”
“Not until you wash that lemon off your face,” Min said huffily. “I’m not going to see the Queen with you looking like you went swimming in pie.”
Nim waited until he was sure Min wasn’t looking to roll his eyes. “Fine, we’ll stop by the waterfall first.”
“Really?” Min asked.
“Yes, really,” Nim said.
“Well, in that case, maybe I’ll have a wee taste of that chocolate cake.”
***
Ian checked his watch for the third time, then looked up and around at the other people in the park. Frustrated and a little angry at being stood up, he turned to leave just as his name was called. He spun back around in time to see Flora Layton step out of her carriage. He remained where he was, waiting as she strolled casually across the grass, her pale blonde hair shining in the sunlight.
Her step slowed significantly when she realized she’d drawn the attention of every male in sight, which added to Ian’s irritation. Not because he was jealous, because he wasn’t. He was just tired of waiting for her.
“You’re late,” he said when she finally reached him.
“I had some last minute shopping to do, and then my mother invited me to have tea with her,” Flora said dismissively. “I didn’t eat, though, and I’m hungry. Let’s go have lunch.”
“No,” Ian replied, angry that she hadn’t even apologized. “I said noon, it’s nearly one, and I have a meeting. I invited you to lunch to tell you that Bree and her guest will be joining us this evening. Now, if you’ll excuse me I really must go.”
“What?” Flora asked, her tone so angry that it drew him up short.
“You heard me,” Ian said.
Flora glared at him for a long moment, then shook her head and pasted a smile back on her face. “You’re teasing me, Ian, and it’s not nice of you. We both know that you can only take one guest.”
“True,” Ian replied. “But Bree got her own invitation.”
“Your twit of a sister got an invitation to the Cartwells’ ball?” Flora asked in a low voice, her blue eyes icy. Ian was torn between smiling at her reaction, and fury at her casual insult toward Bree. Did she think he wouldn’t care?
“Yes, she did,” he said shortly. “We’ll pick you up at 7:30.”
“No, Ian,” she said coldly. “Your sister will not be going to the ball with us. In fact, I think she should skip the ball altogether. You need to tell her she can’t go.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me.”
“Yes, I did,” Ian agreed. “I just don’t know why you think you can tell me, or my sister, what to do.”
Flora placed her hands on her hips and stepped a little closer to him. He had to fight the urge to step back, which surprised him.
“Let’s be honest, Ian,” she said. “You got all the looks and all the sophistication in your family, and your sister got zero. She’s an embarrassment, pure and simple. We’ll be the most beautiful and envied couple at the first and most important ball of the season. Unless Bree is with us. Her presence alone will drag us down, not to mention that low-life friend of hers. I saw the two of them in the restaurant and the best I can say about either of them is that they’re disgraceful.”
“Is that so?” Ian asked coldly, but Flora wasn’t the least bit intimidated.
“Yes, that’s so, and don’t pretend you don’t agree with me, Ian. I saw you in the skyport yesterday afternoon when you and Bree met that so-called guest. You’re just as disgusted as I am by her, you just hide it better.”
“You were at the skyport yesterday?” Ian asked, unwilling to discuss Nica Vinia with Flora.
“I’ve been gone for three days, Ian,” she said. “Did you forget?”
“Of course not,” Ian lied. In truth, he had forgotten that Flora had gone off planet just after he and Bree had returned from their trip. “I just wondered why you didn’t join us since you saw us.”
“Because I didn’t want to be seen with either of your…companions,” Flora sneered. Then she wiped the sneer away and tried to look concerned. Ian might have laughed at the attempt but he really wasn’t amused. “Your sister takes up far too much of your time, Ian. She’s not a child any more and it’s time for you to let her go.”
“Let her go?” Ian asked, wondering what that was supposed to mean. He decided that he probably didn’t want to know. “Why do you dislike Bree so much, Flora?”
“Oh please,” Flora said, rolling her eyes. “There’s nothing about her to like, Ian, and you know it. She’s ugly, she’s boring, and she’s got no power at all. I just hope our children don’t take after her, but I suppose there’s little chance of that. I’ve always suspected that the two of you had different fathers since you look nothing alike. Otherwise I’m not sure I’d marry you.”
“I haven’t asked you to marry me,” Ian said.
“No, but you will,” Flora said smugly. “And when you do, I’ll say yes despite your sister. We’re the perfect match, Ian, and you know it.”
“In some ways, yes,” Ian said. “But since you just insulted me, my sister, and both of my parents, what makes you think I’d want to marry you?”
“I didn’t insult anyone,” Flora said with a wave of her hand. “I’m just telling you the truth. And here’s another truth, Ian. I will not attend the Cartwell’s ball with your siste
r and that sleazy little female she calls a guest. I shudder to imagine what people would say should we show up with them in tow.”
“Very well, Flora,” Ian said, nodding. “If that’s the way you want it, it’s your choice. It’s a shame though. I know how much you were looking forward to the Cartwell’s ball. Now if you’ll excuse me, I really must go.”
Ian turned and walked away, leaving Flora standing behind him, her eyes wide and her mouth open in absolute shock. He walked quickly, wanting to put as much distance between them as possible when she came to her senses. He had just reached the corner when he heard her furious screech but he didn’t look back. He shook his head and kept walking. He’d seen Flora during one of her temper tantrums before and knew that the only solution was to get as far away from her as possible until she came to her senses.
He’d never deluded himself into thinking that Flora Layton was a nice person because that would have been impossible. But he had thought that he’d be able to live with her for the sake of their people. Now, he wasn’t so sure. The question was, had it been Flora who’d changed, or him?
***
Bree and Nica finished their lunch and were just about to leave when two men approached their table and bowed their heads in greeting. The first was a thin man with brown hair, brown eyes, and a face with such sharp features that it appeared almost skeletal. He would have looked a little creepy except that he had a warm smile that softened his appearance.
Beside and slightly behind him stood a blond man with dark brown eyes and a strikingly handsome smile. “Bree,” the first man said, “what a lovely surprise it is to see you here.”
Bree returned the man’s greeting with equal warmth. “Hello, Evan,” she said. “When did you get back?”
“Just yesterday,” he replied. The blond man shifted his weight, just a little, but it was enough to get Evan’s attention. He cleared his throat and gestured slightly toward his companion who stepped forward so that he was no longer partially hidden from Bree’s view. “Bree, I’d like you to meet Quill Thomas. Quill, this is Miss Bree Fadden.”
Quill bowed his head toward Bree and smiled brilliantly. Bree stared at him in open mouthed surprise until Nica nudged her foot beneath the table. Bree started, then blushed. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Thomas,” she said, smiling nervously. “I’d like to introduce my friend, Miss Nica Vinia of Jasan. Nica, this is Evan Hearken.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Vinia,” Evan said with a polite nod and a shy smile.
“Yes, a pleasure,” Quill said, barely glancing her way before returning his gaze to Bree.
“Would you gentlemen like to join us?” Bree asked. Nica looked at her in surprise, but Bree pretended not to notice.
“That’s very kind of you, Miss Fadden,” Quill said, flashing Nica a speculative look that she didn’t care for.
“We’ve already dined, Bree,” Evan said, “and we know you ladies were about to leave as well. We only wanted to ask if you’ll be attending the ball this evening at the Cartwells’.”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, we will be,” Bree said. “Will the two of you be there?”
“I hope to attend, Miss Fadden,” Quill said. “I have a business meeting that may run late, but if you’ll be there, I will do my best to cut it short.”
Bree swallowed hard. This was the first time in her life that a handsome man had ever spoken to her like this, had ever focused his attention on her this way, so she wasn’t certain how to respond. But he was standing there, waiting, so she had to say something. “I hope you’re able to make it, Mr. Thomas. I’ll look for you.” Quill smiled, and Bree relaxed. Apparently she’d said the right thing.
“This is my first visit to Apedra, so please forgive me if it’s too bold to ask for the first dance, Miss Fadden.”
From the expression on Evan’s face, Nica suspected that it was, in fact, against the rules of Apedran propriety. But Bree only smiled and blushed an even deeper shade of red that clashed horribly with her orange red hair. She dropped her eyes demurely, staring at her hands as she spoke. “It is bold, Sir, I do not deny that. But if you will agree not to tell anyone, I’d be honored to reserve the first dance for you.”
“Well now, it seems I have the upper hand,” Quill said, his smile widening even further. “I will agree to keep silent only if you promise two dances. The first and the last.”
Bree’s eyes widened as she looked up at him in surprise. “Of course, Mr. Thomas,” she replied in a voice barely more than a whisper.
“In that case, my lips are sealed, Miss Fadden,” Quill said with blatant satisfaction. Nica glanced from Quill to Evan and back again. Evan was, she thought, a nice enough man. A little shy. A bit awkward. But essentially kind and, she thought, harmless. But there was something about Quill that set Nica’s teeth on edge. She just didn’t know what it was.
Once the men made their farewells, Bree and Nica rose to leave as well. They made their way out of the restaurant in silence, Bree nearly floating on thin air, while Nica was lost in thought.
In all the years that Nica had known Bree, she’d never once seen her become infatuated. She’d had the odd crush now and again, but nothing serious. Her instant, almost fawning, reaction to Quill troubled Nica, but she knew better than to say so straight out. Bree was very sweet and thoughtful most of the time. But, like everyone, she had a couple of negatives. The first was an occasional tendency to act like a spoiled brat. The second was a temper like a flash fire. Of the two, Nica preferred the temper. It appeared suddenly, seared everything in sight, and then cooled just as quickly. Nica wasn’t nearly as worried about setting Bree’s temper off as she was of hurting her best friend’s feelings, so she decided to keep her opinion of Quill to herself.
“Evan Hearken seems very nice,” she said once they were both in the carriage and on their way home. “I got the feeling you’ve known each other for a while.”
“Yes, we have,” Bree replied. “He’s a couple of years older than me, but we’ve known each other all of our lives.”
“I suppose Mr. Thomas must be a friend of his from school.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because he said he’d only been on Apedra a short time.”
“Oh yes, that’s right,” Bree replied, then shrugged. “I don’t think so. Evan’s been on Sauria for the past couple of weeks. In fact, Ian, Evan and I traveled together when we went to that wedding, and he never said anything about an old friend coming to visit.”
“Wedding?” Nica asked.
“Didn’t I tell you? No, I suppose I haven’t had a chance yet,” Bree said. “A college friend of Ian’s who lives on Sauria invited us to his wedding, and Evan just happened to be going there on business at the same time. Actually, it was supposed to be a double wedding for Ian’s friend, Vito, and his twin sister, but something happened at the last moment and the sister changed her mind. That’s where I was when you sent me that message from New Ugaztun. I didn’t get it until we returned home.”
“Well, I guess you can ask Mr. Thomas where he’s from when you see him tonight.”
Bree’s face lit up, startling Nica. She’d never seen her friend look so happy. She practically glowed. “Isn’t he handsome, Nica?” she gushed. “And such manners! I can’t believe he asked for two dances! From me!”
Nica couldn’t help but take pleasure in Bree’s happiness, even if it did bother her to see such a strong reaction after only a minute of conversation with a man who was, in truth, a total stranger. So, when Bree’s smile faded, it worried her.
“What’s the matter, Bree?”
“I just hope Mr. Thomas isn’t interested in me for the money,” she said, her shoulders slumping against the back of her seat.
Nica hesitated. This was her chance to steer Bree away from Quill. But Bree had looked so happy a moment ago. Happier than she’d ever seen her. Did she have the right to crush that happiness just because her first impression of the man was less enthusiastic
than Bree’s? The answer to that question was a simple no.
“Is Evan the kind of man who’d tell strangers private things about you?” she asked, hoping she was making the right decision for Bree’s sake.
“No, he’d never do that,” Bree said, her smile returning. “If there’s one thing Evan is passionate about, it’s fortune hunters. They started coming out of the woodwork just after his parents died when he was sixteen and he truly hates them. He must trust Mr. Thomas a great deal or he’d never introduce him to me.”
Or he thinks Mr. Thomas has a lot of money of his own, Nica thought, but didn’t say out loud.
Nica's Legacy (Hearts of ICARUS Book 1) Page 7