* . * . *
Aletta held still while the seamstresses worked, measuring and then pining and adjusting a couple of the ready-made gowns that they had brought. In truth, she barely even noticed them as her mind was busy puzzling over the prophecy that Connor had spoken to her earlier.
Although he had only spoken the words once, they seemed to be burned into her brain.
“There is something dark in the Glade and it is not the orb. Darkness hides in the brightest light, seeking the key to the guards. Rot lurks in one of the strongest trees. But hope is not lost, because He Who Mourns will guard She Who Heals. But hurry, for the dark is close to discovering what it seeks. For on Midsummer’s day, it will be decided when the guard falls and the healer speaks true.”
She turned it and turned it over in her mind, but couldn’t find any distinctive markers in it. So now she was going over it line by line.
“There is something dark in the Glade and it’s not the orb.”
Ok, that was a given. Obviously someone was controlling the chimas, causing them to act so viciously and so out of character. At least it wasn’t the orb because that was something she had no idea how to combat, especially if the orb sucked healers who dared to touch it dry. While a few months ago she would’ve been willing and even eager to not have her powers, she was starting to realize what a gift they were. Like all power, it came with a price, but it also gave her the opportunity to be able to do more to help as well.
“Darkness hides in the brightest light, seeking the key to the guards.”
What did the fae consider light? Upper class? Lower Class? Healers? Light Fae? Was there even something considered Light Fae? She thought that sometimes Cass’s hair was blindingly bright, but wouldn’t necessarily consider that a light source. Aletta smiled internally over the thought of a glow in the dark fae. She moved on to the second half. Key. Did they mean a literal key, a password, a spell? Maybe knowledge? And what guards. Literal guards like soldiers? If so, which group, because she had no doubt that there were many contingents of guards scattered throughout the Glade. Or something else, like the key to a ward. Again, the same problem, what ward and what was it guarding. Too many possibilities to consider.
A seamstress told her to raise her arms until they were parallel to the floor, breaking her train of thought. Aletta did as she was bid, moving slowly to ensure that none of the many pins drew blood. She would hate to get blood on the gorgeous teal material of the current dress. However, the reason for the dresses drew her right back to the prophecy.
“Rot lurks in one of the strongest trees.”
Ok, this one was way over her head. She was a total city girl/non gardener/plant person. The only trees that she knew off the top of her head were maples and the weeping cherry that was in her Magia Centrum. She had no idea what trees were strong and which were not. Wait, wasn’t oak a type of wood they made furniture from? Maybe that meant it was a strong wood? Lirim would know.
She had to clamp down on the urge to fidget. Why hadn’t she told Lirim about the prophecy? She trusted him implicitly, so why was she hesitating? But on the walk back from the museum after Lirim had released her hand and they had strolled side-by-side, something had held her back from speaking. Instead, she had kept the conversation light.
Right then, her passive field picked up a maid passing in the hallway beyond the closed door and a switch clicked in Aletta’s head. Her passive field had probably picked up something that she didn’t even consciously realize. She’d have to find a time and place to talk to him where they could be secure enough not to be overheard. She waited for the lurch she’d felt every time she had wanted to tell him earlier, but it never came. Relief swept through her.
She was ordered to lower her arms and turn a quarter turn to the right. She smiled at the seamstress who’d issued the order. That particular seamstress had been quiet and withdrawn until the fitting began and then she’d transformed into a major general. The seamstress gave her an absent smile back, her mouth holding several pins, but she was already focused on the next detail needing her attention.
Aletta held carefully still and turned her attention back to unraveling things. Now, what was the next line? Oh yeah.
“But hope is not lost, because He Who Mourns will guard She Who Heals.”
Hope was a good thing, that mean that events were not set in stone, that there was still some wiggle room in how things might turn out. But how was she supposed to find the two that this prophecy spoke of? What were these two even supposed to do? And face it, there simply wasn’t much to go on. He Who Mourns and She Who Heals sounded like official titles, but Aletta couldn’t remember any fae positions that matched that. Though to be honest, she was starting to wish that she had paid much closer attention to super studies in school. But music had held her heart at that time, so while she had learned the ballads about them, she hadn’t really delved beyond that into their cultures and types.
Maybe He Who Mourns and She Who Heals were names. She knew that some cultures chose their names that way, drawing from people’s traits and the world around them to supply names. She added it to the growing column of Things that Lirim Might Know and moved on.
“But hurry, for the dark is close to discovering what it seeks.”
That didn’t sound good, that didn’t sound good at all. It meant that they were already behind in a race that Aletta didn’t even know the starting or finishing point for. But then again, she already knew that. Time to think about the final line.
“For on Midsummer’s day, it will be decided when the guard falls and the healer speaks true.”
Midsummer’s Day. They had the deadline, so that at least gave them something to work with. Tilting her head carefully so she didn’t move the dress at all until she could see a seamstress, she asked, “When is Midsummer’s Day? I’m afraid I’ve lost track of what day it is. Life has been a little hectic lately.”
The seamstress, a diminutive redhead, giggled brightly. “That’s alright, time flows together so quickly and we’re up to our eyebrows in flounces and fabric trying to get all the orders completed in time for the ball.”
Pushing aside the sudden image of the redhead swimming in a sea of fabric so she could focus, Aletta asked. “Ball?” Then she looked down at the gown being fitted and frowned. “Will my wardrobe cause problems?”
The girl grinned cheerfully at her, “Oh no, miss. We have plenty of hands to be doing the work. And don’t be telling me that you’ve never heard of the Midsummer’s Ball.”
“Actually, this is my first time visiting the Glade.”
The girl nodded knowingly, “Ah, and everyone knows that Master Lirim is not one for idle chatter. Midsummer’s Ball is an annual ball, one of the biggest festivals that us fae hold. There will be courting and dancing, delicacies like you’ve never imagined. And the displays of magic and skill! Oh, you’ve never seen such sights.”
The lead seamstress sighed but smiled at the girl’s dreamy expression. “It’s in three weeks, miss. Now focus girls, we have much to do before you can even think about anything to do with Midsummer.”
As the seamstresses returned their attention to their work, Aletta tuned out their quiet chatter about past balls. She mused that three weeks was not a lot of time to try and unraveling what was going on. And it didn’t look like events would be happy if the guard, again which guard, falls. And what could it possibly mean by the healer speaking true. Well, on the bright side, at least they had somewhat of a starting point. They needed to be looking for a female healer.
Chapter Six
Lirim searched out Aletta after returning from the tailors with his father, grateful that only a few outfits were required for their stay in the Glade, even if they had to attend parties or just every day work. He reflected that it was so much easier to be a male than a female when he entered the controlled chaos of the downstairs salon where Aletta was being fitted with the final outfit of the day, a dress of some sort of pale green.
He
must’ve looked lost, because Aletta laughed and said, “The shade that you’re looking for is jade. Please tell me that you’re here to save me.”
Lirim bowed jauntily, “Indeed, milady. Mother sent me to fetch you for dinner. But I warn you, gentle lady, that you might prefer this battleground to the one that you shall face. For the forces of my family have joined and we shall be sorely outnumbered.”
He waited patiently while the seamstresses helped her change behind a screen set up for that purpose. She reappeared and walked over to join him, a slight hitch in her gait. Looping her arm through his, she responded merrily, “Outnumbered we may be, but we’ve faced worse odds. And at least in this case, the odds of ending up sparkly are very slight.”
Allowing her to lean more firmly on him, he made his way out to the hallway. He murmured just loud enough for her to hear, but quiet enough that no fae could, “Are you ok?”
She offered him a small smile and answered in the same tone, “I’m ok, just getting tired from standing so long.”
He felt a spurt of irritation. “Why didn’t you request a break?”
She shrugged, “They’re doing a big favor for fitting me in last minute. A little bit of discomfort will not kill me. Anyway, I’m starving. Isn’t it just your parents?”
He fidgeted and then sighed. “Actually no. Aunt Awena got here today, and my uncle on my mother’s side is joining us as well. Not to mention my siblings.”
She pulled him to a stop. “Siblings! What do you mean siblings? As in plural? And why have you never mentioned this?”
Lirim winced as she jabbed his chest emphatically with her finger every time she asked a question. Catching her hand, he placed it on top of where her other hand rested on his arm and pinned them both gently in place. He answered evasively, “It never came up.”
She rolled her eyes then scowled. “Right, never came up. Because of course we never mention our families. I mean, it’s not like you’ve met my family or anything. Oh wait, you have.”
He tried to lighten the mood, “You were just using me as a human shield to duck your mother’s questions.”
A reluctant smile blossomed on her face. “That is true, but at least you got free food out of it. But seriously, I’m surprised that you’ve never mentioned any siblings.”
He leaned closer and her eyes widened. He whispered, “That’s because they’re total pests. Besides, you’ll get free food too.”
She giggled but before she could reply, someone cleared their throat. Both their heads shot up and turned to face the now open doors of the dining room where two men stood. Lirim bit back a groan and smoothed his face into a neutral expression. He said, “Uncle. Kane.”
His uncle raised an eyebrow and asked, “Are we interrupting something?”
Releasing Aletta’s other hand but allowing her to keep hold of his arm, Lirim turned to fully face the other two. Ignoring her slight shiver, he smiled. “Not at all. I was just letting Miss Sheridan know that there will be family for her to meet at dinner.”
He just stared at them coolly for a minute before responding. “Indeed. So, are you going to introduce us, nephew of mine?”
Lirim inclined his head. “Aletta, this is my mother’s brother, Fergus O’Brian and my older brother Kane. Kane, Uncle, this is my partner, Aletta Sheridan. She works with me but due to an injury has been given leave to visit the Glade with me while I’m here on business.”
Fergus nodded, “Ah yes, that nasty chimas business. Hopefully it can be cleared up soon. Until then, a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Sheridan.”
Aletta didn’t release Lirim’s arm but simply nodded. “The pleasure is mine.”
Kane stepped forward and the family resemblance was extremely obvious when he smiled. “Ah, I finally get to meet the infamous Miss Sheridan. Aunt Awena has been sharing the most intriguing tales about you. May I escort you in to dinner?”
Aletta took a small step closer to Lirim and this oddly soothed him. Her reply helped erase the last of the irritation that had flared when his brother has stepped forward with his charm in full force. “Thank you but no. I’m afraid that I’ve overdone it today and your brother has been kind enough to let me lean on him to ease my leg. I do appreciate the offer though.”
Before Kane could reply, Lirim broke in. “We mustn’t keep the family waiting. Is everyone in the dining room?”
Kane seemed to take the hint and took a subtle step back. “Yes. Mother just sent me to make sure that the seamstresses would release our guest and uncle decided to tag along.”
Both of the other men turned back into the room and Lirim and Aletta followed them. Lirim paused in the doorway to scan the room and he knew that Aletta was doing the same. It looked like all of the family was gathered, mother, father, Aunt Awena, Uncle Fergus, Kane, and their younger sister Meara.
Aletta elbowed him and muttered under her breath, “You have a sister too? You owe me some answers.”
He muttered back, “Sheesh, you are violent tonight. We’ll talk later.”
“Good.” Straightening, she tugged him gently forwards towards the table.
* . * . *
Aletta was seated between Lirim’s father and uncle and it was all that she could do not to fidget. While Alan was warm and welcoming, Fergus’s coolness was a startling contrast. It was hard to believe that he was related to the warm-hearted Rose. When he did speak, his words were few and to the point. Also, while his questions were within social bounds, they felt prying and invasive somehow. Aletta deflected most of the questions to the best of her ability and pretended to be focused on her meal. And while the meal was noteworthy, most of her attention was focused on where Lirim was sitting down the table between his siblings.
His sister Meara, with whom she only had a chance to exchange a brief greeting, appeared to be a chatterbox. Her hands were constantly in motion, adding depth and context to her stories. Although Aletta couldn’t hear what they were, she could tell that Lirim was paying close attention to them although he barely spoke. Kane on the other side only spoke occasionally and it seemed mostly to be to tease Lirim. She saw Lirim start to respond once, glance over to where their mother sat on the other side of Kane, and promptly close his mouth. She had to smother a giggle, wondering what in the world he had been about to say.
While Alan did his best to be hospitable, his main focus was on Awena sitting on his other side. It was almost like watching Lirim and Meara, although they were more restrained. But Aletta had never seen such a sparkle in Awena’s eyes and roses in her cheeks. Alan often leaned towards her, seeming to drink in every word in a state of almost disbelief. It was a heartwarming picture and Aletta left them to it, knowing that she could speak to Awena the next day, especially about the orb and her reaction to it.
Still, it had been a long few days and she felt her energy draining more than she would like. With a sigh, she drew her passive field a little bit closer so that it would take less energy. She was relieved when the meal finally ended and regretfully declined accompanying the family to the library.
Awena came over to where she stood and laid a hand gently on her cheek, searching her face. She asked softly, “Are you ok? I checked your shields, but they seem to be holding fine.”
Aletta offered her a small but heartfelt smile. “I’m fine, just tired. The healing takes it naturally out of me. Also, a new place so I have no set parameters. My field is picking up a lot of traces that are just the natural fabric of this place.” She lowered her tone teasingly, “Plus, Rose decided that I need a wardrobe for my stay here, so I had a session with the seamstresses this afternoon.”
Awena chuckled. “Ah, Rose is darling, isn’t she?” She nibbled thoughtfully on her lip for a moment. “I didn’t think about the environment and the sheer amount of magic here in the Glade. I don’t want you to be completely drained.
Aletta shook her head, “No, it’s already adjusted. Lirim and I visited the museum today and the walk helped me to start creating a baseline. T
hat eased the worse of it. The rest will just be finetuning it during my stay. All I need is a good night’s rest and I should be right as rain. Just please, help me escape before Meara gets to me. She seems like a sweetheart, but I just don’t have the energy to deal with her at the moment.”
“Yes, that child is just like Rose. In fact, it’s like seeing Rose at that age all over again. I’ll head her off. Get some rest and I’ll see you in the morning.”
Waving Lirim away, Aletta smiled at Awena one last time and slipped from the room. Trudging up the stairs, she valiantly fought the jaw cracking yawn that was trying to escape. Finally reaching her room, she mustered just enough energy to change before falling into bed and the welcoming oblivion of sleep.
* . * . *
Lirim listened to Meara chatter away with half an ear. His appetite had deserted him but longstanding habit made him eat anyway. There had been times during the war when… He swiftly shoved that thought away. Why did being in the Glade always make those memories resurface? He was here, warm, fed, and with his family all around him. So why did the darkness that he carried in his soul always insist on leaking out?
Feeling depression creeping up, he ruthlessly shoved it back down into its box and tuned back into what Meara was saying. She was still chattering about the going-ons of the Glade and what was planned for the next few weeks until Midsummer. He sipped his wine and smiled, Meara was so innocent and bright that it drew him in.
However, his enjoyment was abruptly interrupted when Kane leaned over and murmured, “So, what’s up with you and your lovely partner?”
He glanced over to where Aletta was sitting between his father and uncle. She looked poised but she wasn’t saying much and her eyes looked tired. A quick glance showed that her shields were holding but her reserves were lower than he liked.
In Search of High Society Page 7