“Do you need help retrieving the bottles, cousin?” Ania asked, clearly curious as to why I would ask for help.
“No,” I replied. “But I’d like a moment of privacy with the both of you,” I said evenly.
“Of course, Pet,” Emma replied, her dark eyes focused on me. She knew something was happening. “Ania told me Jestine was with you,” she added. “Where is she now?”
“I left her sitting on M’Tek’s lap,” I replied.
“The Fae Queen is holding my child?” Emma asked, appearing almost startled for a moment.
“The Fae Queen is not the one you should be concerned about,” I said evenly, as I turned. They walked with me, Ania to my right and Emma to my left.
“You think I should be worried about the Noge Queen?” Emma asked. “Would she harm Jestine?”
“Of course not. I only meant that M’Tek is by far the more laid back of the two when it comes to her children’s happiness. Lore usually wants more control over her daughter’s choices,” I observed. “She means no harm, truly. She only wants to shield them from heartache and disappointment. It can be dangerous for those involved with them.”
“I’m not a child,” Ania snapped. I shook my head, dismayed by Ania’s response. I took the key from my waist pocket to unlock the heavy metal door to the stairway leading down to the vaults and cells beneath the palace.
“Ania, have I treated you as a child?” I asked. “I’m only trying to help you, cousin,” I said gently. “I’m trying to protect you both. You must see that.”
I shoved hard on the heavy door and Emma threw her weight into helping me open it. We then headed down the dark stairway and around the corner, past the empty cells. Finally, I reached my torppa cellar. “What do you think your mother would like?” I asked Ania.
“Mata’s favorite vintage was the second production year of the Merylvaine Manor, haute picking,” Ania said easily. “I remember hearing her call it a work of art.”
“Excellent. It’s one of my favorites too. I have several bottles,” I said, finding one of the dust-covered bottles, and wiping it clean with a cloth I kept in the cave for that purpose. “This should put her in an easier mood. Ania, I want you to return with me to the keeping room to sit with M’Tek. If everything goes well, I’ll come to the kitchen to retrieve you, Emma, after we’ve prepared M’Tek to meet you.”
“I thought you wanted me to keep out of sight until the ceremony tomorrow,” Emma said, suddenly nervous at the prospect of meeting the dreaded Fae Queen. “I don’t mind hiding. In fact, I prefer it to any form of confrontation.”
“You’ve met M’Tek before, haven’t you, Em?” I asked, recognizing the palpable anxiety in my friend’s manner.
“I’ve seen her, of course, but we’ve never actually spoken. I was in Faeland during that notorious season, when the Fae Queen seduced the Changeling, and brought about the eventual ruin of Vilkerland,” Emma whispered.
“Emma, I adore you, but I will not have you calling my mother a changeling,” Ania snapped. “Pet, this is not a good idea. There’s too much history between them,” she added.
“I’m sorry, Ania. I meant no offence, but even you must admit, there’s something unnatural about the Noge Queen. It’s said she hasn’t aged a day in more than twenty years,” Emma whispered sharply.
“Deus!” I snapped. “Ania have you explained nothing about what we are to Emma?” I asked with obvious impatience. Ania pleaded with her eyes for me to stop, but I pressed on. “Lore’s Lemu, Emma,” I said, trying to clear up that particular misunderstanding.
“She’s what? What is Lemu?” Emma asked, more confused than ever.
“Neither M’Tek nor Lore will age, ever. They have Lemu blood, as do Ania, Lia, Astrid, and as do I,” I said gently. “Haven’t you ever wondered why I became young again?” I asked.
“You fell in love with the princess,” Emma said quietly. “Love does such things. Only look at me if you seek proof,” she whispered, glancing nervously at Ania. “My passion for Ania has taken years from my face.”
“It wasn’t love that changed you, Emma. Lia and I did that when we saved your life and that of your daughter. Dues! I don’t have time to explain all of this just now. M’Tek is waiting for a glass of torppa. Now, this is the best opportunity you’re likely to have,” I replied looking back and forth between Ania and Emma. “If you want my help, take it now,” I said gently. “Ania, do you want to broach this? Do you want to acknowledge your relationship with Emma, or keep it hidden?”
Ania was staring at Emma, comprehension beginning to press in on her. She understood what I’d said, that Emma was Lemu, though Emma had not. Ania turned her attention to me again, her chest rising and falling quickly, her eyes turning red. “I’ll do anything you ask, Pet,” she whispered. “You always know what’s best.” Suddenly my headstrong cousin was pliant.
“Then come with me. Emma, go back to whatever you were doing in the kitchen. I’ll come and collect you if this goes well. If not, you’ll have to stay out of sight for the next few days, and I’ll think of something else for the coronation ceremony.”
“Are you sure about this, Pet?” Emma asked. She appeared more frightened than I would have liked.
“You have nothing to fear, Em,” I assured her. “As long as you’re under my protection, no one will ever harm either you, or Jess.”
Emma nodded, and the three of us made our way back upstairs. Emma hurried back to the kitchens without a backward glance to Ania. Ania stared after her until she disappeared around a corner. Her attention returned to me, her bright eyes focused too sharply on me. I took her arm and started us toward the keeping room and M’Tek.
“Her eyes,” Ania whispered. “I’ve always wondered about her eyes. They’re the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen,” Ania whispered. “The moment I saw her, I knew, she must have some Fae blood. Emma was offended when I suggested it, but Vilkerlings don’t have eyes like hers. And when Jestine was born, she had her mother’s eyes. I think that’s why I fell in love with the child the moment I saw her.”
“Can we talk about this later, Ania?” I asked. Ania pulled me to a halt.
“Please. I need to know,” Ania whispered. “Every morning when I wake beside her I suffer the loss of another day. With each new dawn I know that’s one less I’ll have with her at my side,” Ania whispered. “Tell me,” she demanded. “Why do her eyes appear Fae? Why does she look barely twenty when she’s in her late forties?”
“Why do you think, Ania?” I snapped. “Lia and I made her Lemu when we healed her,” I whispered. “But this is not the time to discuss that,” I said firmly. “There are Fae ears in this palace,” I warned.
“Deus! You’re wonderful!” Ania exclaimed, grinning and throwing her arms around me. “I love you, cousin!” she proclaimed, nearly crushing me in her enthusiastic grip, and very nearly making me lose my hold of the extremely rare bottle of torppa I was bringing to M’Tek. “I love you. I love you. I love you.”
“I love you too, Ania,” I whispered next to her ear. “But you nearly made me drop a very valuable bottle of torppa,” I added. “Now let go of me so we can talk to your mother.”
Ania released me and collected the torppa bottle from my hand, solicitously smiling at me. She then looped her arm through mine and walked with me into the keeping room. M’Tek was on the floor with Jess, helping the child fill in a puzzle they had found in the corner.
“I thought you’d forgotten me, cousin,” M’Tek called as we came into the room. She stood up quickly and made to brush the dust from her travel clothes.
Jestine stood and ran to Ania. Ania placed the torppa bottle on the side table and scooped the little sprite up in her arms, kissing her face repeatedly until Jess started giggling. Ania cradled Jess to her chest, cupping her head affectionately before turning her attention to me. Ania’s smile contained such obvious elation I had to look away to keep from tearing up. I turned my focus to M’Tek who was watching her daughter w
ith concern.
“Ania,” M’Tek started. “Pet tells me you claim this Vilken child as your daughter.”
“Pet spoke the truth, Mata,” Ania acknowledged before pressing another kiss to Jess’s temple.
I retrieved the bottle of torppa from the side table, and quickly cracked the hard wax seal. I went to the cocktail table to retrieve a glass, and poured one for M’Tek, and one for myself. I carried the glass to M’Tek, who gladly accepted it, taking the contents in one mouthful, and then holding it out to me again for a refill. I handed her my own untouched glass and returned to the table to fill a fresh one. M’Tek took a healthy sip of her second glass, and went to sit on the sofa. Sympathetic over the bewilderment I detected in my cousin, I went to sit beside her. M’Tek was clearly speechless. She took another sip from her glass and turned her attention to me.
“What vintage is this, Pet?” she asked casually.
“One of my favorites,” I replied. “It’s from Merylvaine Manor, not too far from here,” I replied.
“Third production year, haute picking,” M’Tek supplied automatically. “I know it well. You’re an artist, cousin. Do you have a few magnums I might take back with me to Lareem?”
“Of course, M’Tek,” I replied, flattered by her genuine praise. “I’ll have them crated for you.”
“Thank you, cousin,” M’Tek replied before returning her attention to Ania and Jestine. “Sit down, Ania,” M’Tek commanded.
Ania chose a chair adjacent to her mother and collapsed into it, still holding Jess. M’Tek’s gaze tracked the two, but then she turned back to me.
“Tell me about Countess Emmuska,” M’Tek started.
“What would you like to know about her?” Ania asked happily.
“My question was directed to Pet,” M’Tek said curtly, without taking her gaze from my face. “Well, cousin?”
“She’s been a dear friend of mine for nearly twenty years,” I replied. “Since I became Prime of Nogeland.”
“You’ve already told me she’s a widow,” M’Tek supplied. “Does she have a good character?”
“She’s kind, and intelligent, and loyal,” I said quietly. M’Tek raised an eyebrow as if I weren’t answering in a satisfactory manner. “She’s possibly a better vintner than I am,” I added.
“We both know that’s not possible, Pet. Don’t embellish,” M’Tek said firmly. “I have had torppa from Marinella Manor, though. It’s not flawless, as yours can be, but it’s quite good,” she said, softening. “Tell me this. Is the countess in love with my daughter?” M’Tek asked, coming directly to the point.
“Profoundly,” I replied evenly.
“And this relationship has been developing for some time. Since before the child was born, correct?” I nodded.
“It has,” I admitted.
“You’ve been aware of it, nurturing it even, without informing either Lore or me, for how long?” M’Tek asked.
“I learned that Ania was in love with Emma almost three years ago, when Lia and I returned home after defending Baneland from the invasion. I knew from the expression on her face while she watched the countess and Jestine, and by the scent Ania was giving off, that she was already hopelessly in love with the woman, and that she was bonded with the child as well,” I admitted. “I was unsure of Emma’s feelings until after the Pangia War was over, and Lia and I returned home. I stumbled upon the two of them in the maze, just after the countess made her feelings known to Ania,” I added. “This was nine months ago.”
“Did you do anything to encourage this match?” M’Tek asked.
“Yes. I certainly did,” I admitted. “When Ania confessed her feelings to me, I told her that I believed it possible the countess might, in time, love her in return. When I saw the two of them together in the maze that morning, the countess was mortified. She apologized for breaking protocol by pursuing my cousin, and asked me to forgive her. I, of course, told her she had broken no rules in my eyes, and that she had done nothing for me to forgive. I’m certain she took this as encouragement. And I meant to encourage her,” I said evenly. “Honestly, cousin, I’m more than pleased with any beneficial role I might have played in bringing your daughter and Emma together.”
“Why?” M’Tek asked, surprised by my words. “Why would you be pleased to have encouraged my daughter to fall in love with a Vilkerling?” M’Tek asked.
“Because I love them both,” I said simply. “All I’ve ever wanted for your daughter is her happiness. After a difficult start, she’s finally found it, with Emma.”
M’Tek ran her free hand across her face, and then took another sip of torppa. She then turned her attention to Ania, offering her daughter a gentle smile. “I see what Pet says is true,” M’Tek observed. “You truly are happy, my love. You know that’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.”
“I know, Mata,” Ania said sweetly.
“Would you like for me to go and find Emma?” I asked, smiling at M’Tek. She was taking the news far better than I’d hoped.
“Not just yet, cousin,” M’Tek said curtly. “First, we’ll have to tell Lore.”
That genuine smile I was wearing slipped from my face, only to be replaced by a more forced expression. “I’d rather you met Emma first,” I suggested.
“And I’d rather I didn’t have to tell Lore that her daughter is in love with a Vilkerling,” M’Tek said in a stressed tone I was unaccustomed to hearing from her. “Lore may not take this well, Pet. I’m relying on you to help me calm her down if this goes badly.”
I reached for my torppa glass and took a deep swallow. Just then, Lore appeared at the entryway into the keeping room. Lia followed close at her heels, carrying Astrid. Lia appeared panicked, her gaze falling on M’Tek first, as she tried to determine what was happening. She met my eyes next, and I shook my head. Lia crossed the room and sat beside me on the couch, draping an arm across my shoulders. Astrid scrambled onto my lap and turned to face M’Tek, who appeared edgier than I’d ever seen her. All the while, Lore stood transfixed, watching Ania and Jestine. Finally, Lore turned her focus to M’Tek and some communication must have passed between them. Her gaze fell on me next.
“My dearest Pet,” she started. “Are you determined to make an enemy of me?” Lore asked in that false sweet voice that usually meant disaster was looming. She then laughed quietly and shook her head. “Well, Pet, my beloved friend?”
“You and I will never be enemies, Lore,” I replied. “We love each other too much. We’re family,” I said evenly.
“And this Vilken woman, is she to be a part of our family?” Lore asked calmly.
“Emma is Lemu, as we all are, and she’s in love with your daughter. Ania is in love with her. As far as I’m concerned, this Vilken woman is already family,” I replied. “Jestine as well,” I added.
At the mention of the child’s name, Lore shifted her focus to Ania and Jestine sitting in their chair across the room from her. Ania cradled Jess, who had at some point fallen asleep, in her arms. She pressed a kiss to the child’s forehead and smiled at Lore. Lore blinked and then rubbed one of her eyes with the back of her hand. She took a deep breath and then approached her daughter. Lore knelt down in front of them and smiled at the child.
“She is a beauty,” Lore whispered to Ania, brushing Jestine’s dark hair back from her forehead, careful not to wake the sleeping child. “And this is what you want, Ania?” Lore asked in a whisper, gazing into her daughter’s eyes. “This woman and her child have made you happy?”
“Yes, Mamma,” Ania said. “I love Emma. I love them both.”
“Well, what are you waiting for, Pet?” Lore asked without turning around to look at me. “Fetch the countess.”
I eased Astrid off my lap, stood up, and walked calmly from the room. Once in the hall I took a deep breath and let the tension melt from my shoulders, shaking it out, briskly, through my hands. That had gone far better than I anticipated. I took my time walking back to the kitchen; aware the family needed a few
minutes to process the turn of events before I threw Emma into the fray. I found Emma standing just inside the kitchen entry. She appeared frightened, and clearly had been unable to focus on anything but what was taking place on the other side of the palace. I wrapped an arm across her shoulders and drew her close.
“It’s all right, Em,” I said gently. “Everything is going to be fine. We’ve told them.”
“You must remember your promise, Pet. Jestine and I are under your protection,” she whispered. “You can’t let any harm befall my child.”
“I’d protect you both with my last breath,” I replied. “But that won’t be necessary. You’ve no need to worry. Everything will be all right.”
“Where’s Jestine?”
“Your daughter is with her family,” I said gently. “Come with me. Lore and M’Tek want to get to know you better,” I said.
“Not like this,” she whispered. “I’ve been working all morning, and my dress is…”
“You look beautiful, Emma,” I assured her. “Besides, the Queens haven’t even changed from their travel clothes yet. They don’t care about your dress.”
“If you deem it appropriate, Pet,” she whispered. “If you’re sure.”
“I am,” I assured her, grinning at my friend, and feeling quite pleased with myself suddenly. Emma had been accepted. Both Lore and M’Tek would do everything in their power to make the woman Ania loved feel comfortable among us. Of that I was certain. “I’m completely sure.”
Epilogue
As we crested the hill above the Village of Lareem and the palace finally came into view my heart started racing. The last time I’d seen my birthplace was scorched into my mind. I wanted to rid myself of that terrible memory, of those feelings of loss and vulnerability. I wouldn’t even allow myself to acknowledge them during that horrible, long ago night. I gazed past the graceful stone structure that was the palace, to the vibrant turquoise blue of the Luminous Gulf in the distance, as my mind picked through the details of that terrible night when I lost Lia, if only for a while. The night I was banished, and turned out of my home, simply for loving her.
A Fortunate Woman (Fortune's Favor Book 2) Page 42