He was speared with two irate female glares but he merely stared blandly back. They huffed and gave up, giving Aletta a little bit of space. Aletta gave him a tiny crooked smile in thanks. She said quietly, “Why aren’t they fussing about you? I’m assuming you just got up as well.”
He coughed and tried to think of a diplomatic answer. He ended up abandoning the attempt and speaking honestly. “You look worse than I do. When you healed me, my body went into rest and repair mode. You look like you’ve been on a month long stakeout by an onion factory without adequate supplies.”
She huffed, “Lirim!”
He frowned back at her. “Leta! You haven’t been taking care of yourself and you know it. First there was the chimas attack in which you ran on your injured leg, don’t think I’ve forgotten about that. Then you took care of the injured guard. Then you spent several hours tending me. You’ve burnt through all of your reserves and then some. Have you eaten anything since then? Or had a healer look at your leg, make sure that you haven’t seriously reinjured it?”
She looked away and he was grateful that everyone else held their silence. She admitted irritably, “No, I didn’t.”
Kane chose that moment to appear with two heaping plates. He slid one in front of Lirim and set the other in front of Aletta. “Father just sent for a healer. There’s more food coming but see how that sits first. Neither of you have eaten for a couple of days.”
Lirim felt his temper spike when Kane stood by Aletta but it eased when he walked around the table and sat next to him. He groaned inwardly, he thought that whatever Aletta had done would deal with the mood swings but apparently not. Waiting until Aletta had started eating to take his first bite, something suddenly occurred to him. He muttered to Kane, “I need to speak with you alone, later.”
Kane nodded, “In the study, after the healer has had a chance to look over both of you?”
Lirim nodded and tucked eagerly into his food. He had a feeling that he’d be needing all the strength he could muster for the next few hours.
* . * . *
Lirim finally made his way to the study, almost sighing in relief. They’d both been given a clean bill of health. Thankfully, the incident with the chimas had not injured Aletta’s leg further, the opposite actually. Since she had been operating in fight or flight mode, her body had marshalled its defenses to give her the best possible chance that it could. It had focused its healing energies on her leg, sensing that that was the most likely issue that would cause her to fail. Although it hadn’t healed her leg entirely, it had accelerated her healing enough that the cast would be coming off sooner rather than later.
He slipped inside and was relieved to see that Kane was already there waiting. Tucking the paper that he was reading into his pocket, Kane smiled and asked, “Everything ok? What did the healers say?”
Lirim shrugged, “I’m ok, she’s ok, don’t strain yourselves. The usual speech.”
He nodded. “That’s good news then. So, what did you need?”
Lirim paced, running his hand agitatedly through his hair. He blurted out, “How did you know? That Meredith is your mate.”
Kane studied him closely. “Is there a reason for this?”
Lirim glanced at him but didn’t stop pacing. “Please. Just tell me.”
Thinking, Kane chose his words carefully. “Well, as you know, Meredith and us grew up together. I thought of her as a friend, nothing more than that really. A cute and somewhat annoying girl that insisted on tagging along too much. Also, she is overly fond of small animals. She was just there and I really didn’t think beyond that.”
His steps slowed as Lirim digested this. “What changed?”
“She spent the summer with her aunt. I came to realize that I missed her, missed spending time with her and our chats. Our walks where we talked about nothing and everything. When she returned, I went to see her as I would any friend that had been away for a while. But when she opened the door, it was like time stopped. I looked at her and it was like I was seeing her for the very first time. But it was even more than that.”
Lirim stilled and waited for him to continue. When he didn’t, Lirim urged, “What was it?”
Kane smiled, “It was like coming home. Like I found my place in the world and I would never be alone again.”
Lirim said softly, “Oh.”
“Oh indeed. When that happened, I just knew. Doesn’t mean that it went smoothly. I stuttered out a greeting like an idiot and managed to have the most banal conversation about her return. She left the room to get refreshments and I was thankfully able to get my act together. I asked her if I could court her and she agreed. I’d never felt happier.”
“And it’s been smooth sailing since then?”
Kane roared with laughter and Lirim shot him an injured look. “Heavens no. When is the lot of a courting fae male ever easy? The mood swings are irritating beyond belief as well as totally irrational. I was jealous of her cat one day. Her cat! Not to mention the pain when we’re apart. And when has a male ever fully understood a female? But when I’m with her, it’s worth it.”
Kane studied him closely. He continued softly, “But, I don’t think that’s what you’re asking. If I ask you some questions, will you answer them honestly?”
Lirim sighed but nodded grudgingly. After all, he was making no progress by trying to go this alone. He also knew that Kane wouldn’t mock him. Although they had their normal squabbles, if he had a problem, Kane was always the first in line to help him out.
Kane spoke, distracting him, “Now, I’m assuming that this is related to Miss Sheridan.” Lirim stiffened but nodded. “Don’t worry, I won’t breathe a word of it to anyone. I’m assuming that things have changed over the past few weeks?”
Lirim nodded, “Yes. I feel like I’m out of control all of the time.”
“And you’re sure that it’s not from whatever else it was you were dealing with?”
Lirim laughed humorlessly, “No, I was irritated this morning when you were just standing by her. According to the healer, I’m fully healed, so that should account for that.”
Kane smiled, “Ah yes, the temptation to strangle any male near her, related, bonded, or otherwise. And I’m assuming that protectiveness is in overdrive, given the way that you carried her home. Providing too, the way you waited to make sure that she was eating before you even touched your plate.” He looked thoughtfully at his hands before looking back at Lirim. “All of the signs are there, but I have one more question. When you think of Aletta, what do you associate with her?”
Lirim thought of Aletta and couldn’t help smiling. “Bravery. A heart so big and warm that she offers unconditionally. A sweet voice and a sharp temper. She fluffs up like an angry kitten when she’s scared. The sheer amount of sugar she needs in her coffee to be coherent is truly frightening. Stubborn to the core and unwilling to give up even in the face of overwhelming odds. Undying love and loyalty to her friends and family. She has a spine of steel tempered by a gentle heart. Hair that never stays contained no matter how hard she tries. Eyes that range from unyielding gold to warm honey. A sense of humor that is tinged with oddity and a hunger to learn about anything and everything.”
Kane broke in, interrupting his train of thought. “I think that’s enough for now. It’s obvious that you’ve been paying attention to her closely. However, at the end of the day, is she the one that you want to go home to? Could you stand to be around her all the time? Is she the one that you’ll allow to see your vulnerabilities?”
Closing his eyes, Lirim took Kane’s questions seriously and tried to picture living with Aletta. He imagined coming home to find her in his apartment, her hair pulled back haphazardly and dressed in ratty comfortable at home clothes. There would be something cooking in the kitchen or if it had been a long day, some sort of takeout because she was always starving at the end of the day. If it had been a good day, she would smile, maybe even give him a kiss before handing him some food. If she’d been irritate
d or it was a bad day, she’d stick her head around the corner of the kitchen and snap out a greeting, sparks burning in her eyes, then she’d return to taking out her anger on the pots and pans as she cooked. On those nights, they’d most likely end up ordering take out anyway because she’d burnt the dinner in her anger.
If he’d had a good day, he’d coax her out of her ill humor and they’d end up cuddling on the couch, talking about anything and everything. If he had a bad day and was feeling particularly vulnerable, he’d hold her, a wordless plea for comfort. Even if she’d had a bad day, she would put it aside because that was how much she cared for those she loved. And if he had a bad day and was irritated, there was a high chance that they’d have a huge fight, neither one giving ground or running. Tempers would run high but eventually they would hash it out and make up, because the alternative was too horrible to contemplate.
Lirim found that he craved it desperately, nothing special, just him and her building a life together, one day at a time. He turned to his brother knowing that his heart was in his eyes. Kane grinned at him. “There you go. Congratulations, little brother. May you be truly happy together. And if it means anything, Meara and I already think of her like a sister.”
Lirim hugged Kane and then left. He had plans to set up and criminals to catch.
Chapter Twelve
With the newfound knowledge that Aletta was his mate, Lirim threw himself into solving who was behind the attacks. The sooner that this was wrapped up, the sooner he could start courting her properly. Knowing the reason behind his seesawing emotions didn’t make them any easier to deal with them. But after Aletta’s healing, he found that it was easier to think clearly. Also, he spent as much time with Aletta as he could, walking her to and from the guild and staying with her at the parties.
There hadn’t been any more attacks since the last one and he was left wondering at their absence. Had whoever was behind them found what they were looking for or was there another reason for their sudden stop? As it was, there was only five more days until midsummer. Time was running out too fast.
He was going over the maps yet again, trying to glean something, anything that he might’ve missed. A knock on the open door drew him from his study. He straightened up and looked towards the door to see Dylan standing there, a grin on his face.
“Fancy a spar?”
Lirim shook his head no. “Sorry, swamped.”
Unoffended, Dylan sauntered into the room. “Whatcha working on?”
Lirim gestured tiredly at the maps. “Trying to figure out the logic behind the attacks before the chimas attack again.”
“Mind if I take a look?”
Lirim grinned, “Looks like you already are. Please, be my guest.”
While he examined the maps, Lirim took the opportunity to stretch. He’d been hunched over the maps for what felt like hours and his muscles were definitely unhappy with him.
A few minutes passed before Dylan muttered absently, “Huh, that’s weird.”
Moving back over to the table, Lirim asked, “What’s odd?”
Dylan pointed at the map that had pins marking the chimas attacks in chronological order. “If I didn’t know better, I’d almost say that they’re marking the museum boundaries.”
Lirim squinted at it but didn’t see the pattern. “What do you mean?”
Using his finger to draw lines, he explained, “The museum has several layers of shields, laid out in an unusual pattern to help discourage people from attacking it. Especially to help deter an attack on getting the orb. All of the chimas attacks go as far as the shields and then they turn and run along it until they’re called back by whomever it was that summoned them. But the last one doesn’t fit at all.”
Tucking aside the thought that maybe the last attack had been aimed at a person instead of a thing, after all a guard had been seriously injured, Lirim asked, “How do you know where the shields are?”
“I’m an orb guard. It’s our duty to be aware of every aspect of security regarding the museum and its contents.”
The wheels started turning in Lirim’s brain as the pieces started coming together. “What are the shields for? I don’t recall having ever felt or encountered them.”
Dylan laughed, “You probably wouldn’t have. They’re there to keep anyone with ill intent from getting into the museum or anywhere near the orb.”
“Is there a way to bring the shields down?”
His laughter dying, Dylan frowned at him. “Why do you want to know?”
Struggling on whether or not to trust him, Lirim decided to throw the dice and trust him. “I think someone is going to try and get the orb. Intelligence indicates that they’ll try for it on Midsummer’s Day.”
He stared at Lirim. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Why do you think I’m here? It just isn’t to visit family and handle some rogue monsters.”
Becoming serious, Dylan started pacing. “Crap. That means that we only have a few days to prepare. There’s a crystal in the guard room. If you move it, it will disrupt the shields, but only for a few minutes.”
Lirim frowned, “That means that whoever is behind the attacks has to have accomplices. How in the world am I ever going to find them?”
“Follow the money.”
Lirim raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“Follow the money. Isn’t that what Instructor Williams always said?”
Lirim growled, “Why didn’t I think of that? But will there be enough time?”
Dylan shrugged, “Dunno mate. Do what you can, I’ve got to go make some preparations at the museum.”
Lirim grabbed his arm before he could leave. “I don’t know how far this goes. Only tell those that you trust implicitly.”
Dylan’s gaze turned hard. “Understood. Take care.”
Lirim watched him march from the room, his shoulders ramrod straight. Turning back to the paperwork, he couldn’t stop himself from reaching for Aletta.
It only took seconds for her to respond. “Lirim, is something wrong?”
He smiled at the concern in her voice. “No, nothing’s wrong. There might actually be a lead worth following. I just wanted to make sure that everything was okay your way.”
Her mental voice turned wry, “I’m ready to head home. I am thoroughly tired of making bandages. And if I have to drink anymore herbal tea, I may stage my own harbor tea party.”
He laughed but soothed, “Only a little while longer. Then we can return to Isenton and I’ll get you as much syrup, I mean coffee, as you want.”
She laughed, “I’ll hold you to it. Now get to work, detective man. I want to hear all about it tonight. And make sure that Legraine knows what is going on.”
“Will do. I’ll see you tonight.”
He could almost see her smile when she said, “Take care, I’ll see you tonight.”
She let the connection go and he sighed. Only a few more days, he reminded himself, and then he could start courting her. Turning, he left the room and set off in search of Legraine.
* . * . *
Aletta bit back a yawn, trying to keep her eyes from drooping. She and Lirim were at the polished dining room table, going over the financials of everyone in the guard. It was finicky work and all of the numbers were starting to blur together. Pushing away the now cold cup of coffee, she propped her arm on the table and rested her head on it, glancing sideways at where Lirim was steadily making his way through yet another stack.
Extending her passive field, she waited until she was certain that no one else was around before speaking. “Lirim?”
Not looking away from the papers, he said, “Hmm?”
“We’re running out of time.”
Setting the stack of papers aside, he turned and focused on her. She offered him a tired smile as he looked at her, knowing that he was noting her exhaustion and the growing circles under her eyes. “What do you mean?”
She straightened and gestured wearily at the stacks of papers. “It’s
two days until Midsummer’s Day. We know the when and we know the where. We even know the what. They want the orb for nefarious purposes.” Her brow wrinkled as something occurred to her. “Won’t the orb suck anyone who touches it dry?”
He took a sip from his mug and grimaced when he realized that the coffee had gone cold. “No, it only does that to healers.”
She sighed. “Well, there goes that idea.”
Setting the mug aside far enough that he wouldn’t accidentally pick it up again, he prompted, “What do you mean that we’re out of time?”
She rubbed between her eyes, “Sorry, I’m just so tired. We’ve been sifting through these papers and we’ve found dozens of suspects. There are over three hundred members of the guard and we’ve found at least a quarter of them have been compromised, especially in strategic positions. Someone has been planning this for a long time now. If that’s the case, what are we going to do? If the attack does go down in two days’ time, how are we supposed to protect the orb and stop whomever is behind all of this?”
He reached out and took her hand, offering her a crooked smile. “I wish I could tell you that everything is going to be ok, but I can’t. I’ve messaged Capt. Jones but I don’t know if he received it or if anyone he sends will make it in time. Dylan and I have laid out plans for several scenarios, but without knowing who is behind it, we can’t guarantee their efficacy. I know that’s not what you wanted to hear, I’m sorry.”
Shoving a stubborn curl behind her ear for the umpteenth time that evening, Aletta laid her hand over his hand that held her, stilling its restless movements. “I prefer honesty. We’ll get through this, we’ve faced worse. I mean seriously, we’ve been sparkled and also been threatened by a psycho diva. A common museum heist will be child’s play. Besides, anyone that had dealt with us knows that we make a formidable pair.” She winked at him.
His expression softened then turned teasing. “You’re right. Just don’t let my siblings know about the interdimensional beast. We’d never live it down and I’d have to retaliate by telling them that you were chased by an ogre because you were glowy.”
In Search of High Society Page 17