by Sarah Noffke
Chapter Forty
“Well, I think that went well,” Rudolf said proudly as he and Liv strode down the street to Rory’s house.
“You puked on the boardroom table,” Liv countered, recalling the way the king of the fae had concluded his first meeting with his board of advisors.
“Yes, but that’s totally your fault.”
Liv found herself looking around, expecting Plato to materialize. Hoping he would. Praying. Finally, she gave her friend an impatient look. “Please tell me how that was my fault. I need to know.”
“You didn’t tell me not to eat a whole pizza before the meeting,” he answered.
“I didn’t even know you had eaten a pizza,” she replied.
“Well, see, there you go. If you took your job as chief advisor a bit more seriously, you would know. Then you would have said, Almighty King, one pizza is okay, but two is no good.”
Liv rubbed her stomach, trying her best to keep her own lunch down. “You ate two pizzas before your first board meeting?”
“I realize it was a bad idea now,” he stated, not at all embarrassed. “Usually one is okay, but two is apparently not smart. I know that now. But other than that, I think things went well.”
“The elves have some good ideas,” Liv stated, happy she’d earned some credibility with the king of the elves. It would do her good when the time came.
“You know, it could have also been morning sickness, me throwing up on the table,” Rudolf stated, as if the idea had just occurred to him.
“Again, you aren’t the one who gets sick when Serena gets pregnant, which she isn’t yet.”
Rudolf nodded. “That’s right. But my breasts do get tender, right?”
“Sure,” Liv said, rounding the corner and heading down the path to Rory’s house.
She was surprised to find Stefan sitting on the steps waiting for her. He looked up, his black hair falling in his face, his blue eyes lighting up at the sight of her.
“What are you doing here?” she asked as he stood.
He extended his hand and a small figurine of a white tiger materialized. “I thought I’d bring a gift for your brownie friend.”
Liv smiled and picked up the trinket. “Thank you. That was thoughtful.” She and Stefan had returned Ticker to his parents that afternoon. The brownie had talked about the white tiger the entire time, or at least, they’d guessed that was what he was talking about. The little guy kept saying, “Tig biger!”
Rudolf keeled over, grabbing his stomach. “I think the pizza is still trying to make a dramatic exit.”
Liv shook her head at the fae. “Go ahead and go in. Rory probably has something to help your stomach, like antacids or an axe.”
“An axe would be good,” Rudolf said, dragging himself up the stairs. “I’m going to cut off my stomach.”
“Good luck,” Liv called to him, returning her gaze to Stefan. “Okay, spill it. Why did you actually come here?”
He gave her a guilty expression. “Well, you brought Rudolf. Why can’t I come to this momentous occasion too?”
Liv sighed. “It’s no big deal.”
“Then why did you chew off all your nails?” he asked, not looking down at her fingers, whose nails had been chewed to the quick, but rather maintaining a thoughtful focus on her eyes.
“Look, it’s not like Donald has hatched or Sophia is leaving,” Liv reasoned.
“No, but it’s the beginning of that next chapter, and I think you know that,” Stefan stated. “And without your best friend… Well, I just suspected that you could use an extra shoulder.”
She lowered her chin and regarded him from hooded eyes. “Shoulder? For what?”
“To punch, obviously.”
Liv laughed. It felt good, and broke the tension building in her chest. She held up the figurine. “This was thoughtful. I’m sure Ticker will like it. He’ll probably talk about the hemon dunter for a long time.”
“I sure hope so,” Stefan said with a sigh. “Get in good with that guy, and I’ll be golden for ages. He’s from a pretty helpful family.”
Of course, Liv had confessed to Stefan that she used Mortimer to find all her leads. He was impressed that she had used such an inconspicuous source. Most bribed influential elves or tried to seduce lonely gnomes, but making friends with brownies was apparently pretty smart—at least according to the demon hunter, which was all that mattered to Liv. She liked that Stefan admired how she handled her business. His approval wasn’t necessary, but it felt good. And although she didn’t care what most thought, it meant a lot that she cared what he did.
“So, for real,” Stefan said, his face suddenly serious. “How are you?”
“Well, I think that when Subner fixed my broken ribs, he stole one. My armor doesn’t fit like it used to.”
Stefan laughed. Again, not most people’s reaction to such an admission. “Well, I’m sure he’s going to use it for an important project.”
“We can only hope,” she said. “But other than that…well, I’m sort of okay.”
A pained smiled wisped to his mouth. “And I’m happy you’re sort of being honest with me.”
Liv shrugged. “Well, what’s the point in pretending with each other?”
“There is no point,” he stated, leaning close.
Liv felt his breath brush her cheeks. She could feel his warmth. His intensity. It was enough to make her say to hell with the law. She closed her eyes, preparing to fall forward into him.
“Hey, you two,” Clark called from too close by.
Liv’s eyes sprang open. Her brother and sister were striding down the walkway toward them. “Hey.”
“You’ll remember the law hasn’t changed yet, and you two aren’t supposed to be getting along so well,” Clark said in a disapproving voice.
“What? We’re not getting along,” Liv argued.
“Yes, we are,” Stefan fired back, gawking at her.
“That’s only because you like things that are broken,” Liv countered.
To her relief, Stefan laughed, extending a hand to Clark and smiling down at Sophia.
Liv turned her full attention on her little sister, who was wearing a black-and-white-striped dress. She kind of resembled Cassie’s beautiful dragonfly.
Liv had stayed with the new Mortal Seven for an hour after the council meeting, but had quickly realized that her adjustment period wouldn’t take very long. Cassie had everything she’d wanted for a long time: a place to belong, people who understood her, and protection. Liv had finally left her with Ireland and Harry, who was actually playing quite civilly with Freya.
“Hey, Soph,” Liv said sensitively. “Are you ready for this?”
Sophia nodded. “I’m fine. I might not have seen my dragon in a few days, but I’m not sad. I miss him, but I know that until he hatches, this is for the best.”
Liv nodded, reading the sincerity in her sister’s eyes. This wasn’t hard on the little magician, not like it was on Liv. Stefan was right. It was the beginning of the end for Liv. Soon the dragon would hatch and the Elite would know, and Sophia would be gone forever.
The only good news was that moving the egg had hidden the dragon’s energy. There hadn’t been anymore inquires from the Elite according to Raina and Clark, who had been intercepting all of the correspondence before it reached anyone else on the council. The bad news was that Sophia had to limit her time with the egg for now. This would be her first time to visit him since he’d been moved.
“Okay, lovely lady, shall we go in?” Liv offered Sophia her arm.
“That would be lovely, mademoiselle.” Her sister curtsied and took it.
Chapter Forty-One
Liv thought the squeal that escaped Sophia’s mouth was because the backyard had been entirely transformed, complete with a lava pit and tropical plants. However, when the little girl ran straight over to the large egg, throwing her arms around it, Liv knew the truth.
Those two being apart hurt them. It was apparent in the way
Sophia nuzzled her face against the blue shell, like they’d been separated for decades instead of days. And now, from this distance, Liv realized that once again, Sophia had grown rapidly, probably gaining another inch. Soon she’d be as tall as Liv, which wasn’t that impressive a feat, but it was all happening so fast.
Rory took the spot next to Liv, not saying anything but rather just staying as close to her as Stefan, Clark and Rudolf were helping Bermuda with a project on the other side of the yard. Liv actually appreciated Rory’s quiet presence right then. He seemed to be offering sympathy without saying useless stuff she couldn’t do anything with. The two simply watched as Sophia sat next to her egg, talking incessantly, telling him all about what she’d been doing for the last few days.
When Liv’s lips pressed together and her chin dimpled from holding in the emotion, Rory said, “How does an accountant stay out of debt?”
Liv turned to the giant, totally taken off-guard by the question. “How?”
“He learns to act his wage,” Rory answered, a total deadpan look on his face.
Liv’s eyes widened but she quickly covered it with a nonchalant expression. If she overreacted, this might be the last joke that Rory ever told. Instead, she nodded. “Rory David Laurens, you’re a good friend.”
He shook his head. “That’s not my middle name.”
She waved him off. “I know that, Rory Steven.”
Pointing at the pair cuddled on the island next to the lava river, he said, “They seem to be getting on well.”
“Yeah,” Liv said, not able to say anymore.
“About Plato…”
Liv sucked in a breath. “You never much cared for him. Don’t worry about saying anything.”
“I know that a lynx is full of secrets, but not until I heard what you told mum did I fully understand why,” Rory said sensitively. “She’s really grateful you passed along the information for the book. It will help to fill out that chapter.”
“Well, hopefully it helps someone, someday.”
“There isn’t anyone quite like Plato,” Rory stated. “There are other lynxes, but he’s different; full of a unique magic, I believe.”
Liv nodded. “Apparently…” She wasn’t sure what to do with all this sympathy. It was seeking to destroy her, little by little. She suddenly missed the rib Subner had stolen, and considered leaving to go and get it. Just when she was about to argue with herself that this was an attempt to avoid her emotions, a commotion broke out by the fence.
“I know what I’m doing,” Maddie stated, her tone firm.
Bermuda, who was only a nose-width away from her face, clenched her hands by her side. “I think you know how to make barbeque and wait tables, but this is all a bit much for you, dear.”
Liv and Rory exchanged vigilant expressions.
“Should we interfere?” Liv asked.
“They do this at least once a day,” Rory said with a sigh.
“So they are getting along well, then?”
He shook his head. “No. I think I’m going to have to ask Maddie to leave.”
Liv turned to face him. “Do you want her to leave?”
“No.”
“Does she want to leave?”
“Well, no,” Rory said, shaking his head. “She told me this has been good for her. And she’s teaching me all about cooking, and I’ve been helping her…”
His voice trailed away and he hung his head.
“But Bermuda doesn’t like her,” Liv stated.
“Mum is just protective,” he argued.
“You know it’s more than just that.”
“I know, but what am I supposed to do?” Rory asked, and for the first time, Liv got the impression that he really wanted her to tell him.
That was the reason she jumped up on a nearby rock, putting her nearly at eye level with the giant. She placed her hands on her hips and said, “Rory, go and fix things. Make Maddie feel at home if she wants to stay, and tell your mum to stop being a bully. If you want something…well, something that’s worth fighting for, you’re going to have to start standing up for it. Otherwise, there won’t be anything to fight for. Bermuda will tell you what to do and you’ll do it, and that will be the end of it.”
He glanced in the direction of the feud and back at Liv. “But…she’ll be mad.”
“So?” Liv challenged.
“She can hold a grudge,” Rory reasoned.
“So?” Liv stated more emphatically.
“But what if—”
“What if you live the rest of your life not doing or being who you want? Will you be happy then?”
“No,” he stated, throwing his hands up. Everyone was so focused on the two giants fighting they didn’t even notice the exchange Liv and Rory were having.
“And are you happy now?” Liv asked him.
“Well, sometimes,” he admitted. “When I’m gardening. Cooking in the kitchen. I like painting. And, well, there’s something else I’ve always loved, but I’ve been too afraid to tell anyone about it. And then there’s Maddie. I like her.”
Liv smiled. “Then fight for what you want. You can live the rest of your life being safe, or you can take a chance to have and be who you are. But if you allow other people’s standards to dictate the way you live, you might as well lay down and die right now, because you’ll have never lived at all.”
Rory’s mouth pinched and his eyes filled with emotion as they drifted to the fence where the two were still arguing. Finally, he nodded and marched off toward the feud.
Liv knew she should give the giants some privacy, but she also wanted to warn Clark and the others to back up before the ruckus started. She went to pull them back, but not before Rory stepped in front of Maddie, facing his mum.
“Stop nitpicking her,” Rory said, his voice quavering, but only slightly.
“Oh, dear, you don’t understand,” Bermuda stated. “She was digging the post holes all wrong.
“Then tell her that,” Rory stated.
“Really, I shouldn’t have to,” Bermuda argued. “If she’d been raised on the island, she’d know how to do manual labor. Sure, she can marinate steak, but the girl has no grit.”
“Mum, all you do is criticize her. And, well, me too!”
Liv had rarely heard Rory raise his voice. She looked sideways at Stefan, who shared her cautious expression.
“Rory Dustin Laurens, how dare you raise your voice at me?”
“Dustin!” Liv shouted triumphantly, earning the attention of everyone. She cowered into Stefan’s shoulder. “Sorry, just happy to know what to put on Rory’s next birthday cake.”
Rory turned back to his mum. “Maddie is staying here. She likes learning about life here on the West Coast, and I like having her help.”
“But honey, she really should go back to Liam,” Bermuda argued.
“I don’t want to,” Maddie interjected.
Bermuda looked over Rory’s shoulder. “Of course you do, honey. You’re just confused. It’s all the sweating, which you’re not used to.”
“Mum,” Rory urged, regaining her attention. “Let her do what she wants. For that matter, let me.”
“What do you mean, son?” The contemptuous tone in the giantess’ voice made the hair on Liv’s arms stand up.
Rory swallowed. Stood tall. “I don’t want to be an accountant anymore.”
Bermuda’s eyes widened so far that Liv thought they were about to pop out of her skull. “What? How can you say such a thing?”
“Well, I’m saying it because I’ve felt it for a very long time,” Rory explained.
“But your father, and before him—”
Rory shook his head. “I don’t care. I don’t want the family business. I never did. But you never gave me a chance to tell you what I really like to do.”
Bermuda drew in a breath. To Liv’s astonishment, her eyes connected with her. There seemed to be an exchange between them. Was the giantess remembering the conversation they’d had while following the
moving truck? She cleared her throat. “Rory, what do you want to do?”
He smiled, and it was pure and unabashed. “I really want to be a fiction writer. I always have.”
Bermuda swayed. Liv thought she might topple over. Instead, she steadied herself on the fence post. “Fiction writer? Is that a joke, son?”
“No,” he stated at once. “I have stories I want to tell. Things that make me feel alive. I don’t like numbers, but I love stories. And I like having Maddie here.” He turned to the girl at his back. “If you want to stay, you should do it. I enjoy having you to teach me things, and I’m hoping—”
“I want to stay, Rory!” Maddie said, throwing her arms around his shoulders and hugging him tight.
He released her after only a few seconds and turned back to his mum, but it was still progress. “Mum, I don’t want you to be mad, but I want you to accept me. And Maddie. And Liv, and—”
“I don’t know why you had to throw the magician into this,” Bermuda snapped bitterly.
“Because she’s my friend and you’re hard on her,” Rory stated.
“I kind of like it,” Liv chimed in, earning an elbow in the ribs from Stefan. “Hey, don’t add injury to insult.”
He smiled at her. “Let them have their moment.”
She winked at him. “Fine, why don’t you help me with…” Liv looked around for something to do. Sophia was still chatting excitedly to her egg. Clark and Rudolf had moved off to the kitchen, apparently to eat, like that was a good idea for the fae. There was absolutely nothing for Liv to do for once, and she felt useless and lost because of it. She reasoned that John might need her help at the shop, but then remembered he had Alicia, and the two probably wanted time alone together anyway. Liv sort of wanted that too: time alone with herself for once.
“You know what, I think I’m going to head home,” Liv said after checking briefly on Rory and Bermuda. They were hugging, and Maddie hadn’t run off. It might take some time, but those three were going to get along.
“Okay. Do you want me to walk with you?” Stefan asked thoughtfully.