“No, stop Miss Gregory, stop,” Noli screamed as Miss Gregory poured cold water over her face again and again, not stopping for more than a second. Her lungs burned and she gasped and sputtered for breath.
“Noli, Noli, calm down,” Jeff soothed, rubbing a damp cloth over her forehead. “You’re not at school; you’re safe on the ship with me.”
Noli felt torn between the two events, not knowing which was real. “Stop,” she sobbed.
“We’ve docked in Chicago to refuel,” Vix said from the doorway. “Are you certain we shouldn’t find a doctor … or other help?”
Noli just wanted Miss Gregory to stop. If she didn’t get a good breath in soon she’d suffocate. Her lungs screamed for air.
“Other help?” Jeff stroked her face. “Shhh, everything is going to be just fine, Noli.”
“It’s a bit of a coincidence she fell ill immediately after that Brogan fellow threatened her. I swear I saw his hands …do something. Honestly, Jeff, I think maybe, especially after hearing Noli’s entire tale, we should stop doing business with them.”
Noli’s breathing eased, but she shivered … and thirst parched her throat.
“You think he did this?” Jeff asked.
“You heard what he did to his own family,” Vix replied. “And he kept talking about her being out of her element—I’m certain we’re missing something here.”
“If it were as simple as finding Steven, perhaps. Those two always have been the best of friends. But I wouldn’t know where to even start to look for him. I wouldn’t trust anyone else—not even, no especially, Kevighn.” Jeff sighed, head in his hands. “I can’t believe our neighbors are faeries.”
“I miss V,” Noli squeaked. She remembered a little now, and she’d left Kevighn’s role out of the story as much as she could.
Jeff stroked Noli’s cheek and even that gesture hurt. “You’re too warm.”
“I’m cold,” Noli shivered, wincing at the pain it caused. “May I have another blanket?”
“We should get a doctor before it’s too late.” Vix pressed a cup of water in Noli’s hand. “Here, drink this.” She helped Noli take sips of water.
“We need to get her to Boston—they’ll know what to do,” Jeff insisted. “Perhaps someone can pick up some broth for her. She hasn’t eaten much.”
Noli didn’t feel like eating, but it took too much effort to tell them that. She closed her eyes again, praying she didn’t have more nightmares about Miss Gregory—or Queen Tiana.
“Are you sure, Jeff?” Vix’s voice broke.
“I’m sure. We should send Winky to get her a new plant, both hers have died and she sleeps better with one in her arms.” He stroked Noli’s hair. “Just go back to sleep, Noli. We’ll get you to Boston soon.”
Noli nodded and drifted off to sleep.
Noli ran through the wildwood, a legion of pink croquet mallets on her heels. Breena and Nissa, the high queen’s handmaidens, lobbed purple and gold cannon balls at her, laughing at Noli’s attempts at escape.
“I just want to go home,” Noli sobbed as she tripped over a root and sprawled on the ground of the wildwood, croquet mallets marching closer. “I just want to go home.”
“Noli, you’re dreaming again.” Jeff shook her. “Vix, did you summon a motorcab?”
“Are you certain this is a good idea?” Vix asked, trepidation lurking in her voice.
All Noli wanted was to not be caught by the croquet mallets.
“Up you go, Noli,” Jeff lifted her. “I’m taking you to Mother; she’ll know what to do.”
“And if she doesn’t?” Vix goaded.
Noli leaned her head against Jeff’s chest, her eyes closed.
“She’s our mother; she always knows what to do,” Jeff replied.
Noli felt herself being moved as they talked about her. Again. They were going to Mama. Would she see V as well? It would be nice to see that fussy old bodger. A drink would also be welcome. Her throat felt made of sandpaper and she sweltered in that dress.
For a long time Vix and Jeff stayed silent, but she was no longer being chased by mallets or purple cannon balls, so she leaned into Jeff, enjoying the respite.
“We’re on the way to Grandfather’s,” Jeff whispered, stroking her hair over and over. “Vix, everything will be fine—they’ll love you.”
“I’m worried more about her,” Vix muttered.
A few moments later Noli heard Vix suck in a sharp breath. “Is this your house?”
“Grandfather’s house, not ours,” Jeff replied. “Noli, we’re here. Let’s find Mother.”
Noli’s eyes fluttered open, they felt so heavy, so she let them close again. Cold air hit her face. Ah, that felt divine on her overheated skin.
There was a rapping sound and Noli realized someone knocked on a door. Her eyes cracked. Jeff seemed to be holding her as Vix knocked.
The door opened. “May I help you?” an old voice creaked.
“Jameson? Is that you?” Jeff asked. “It’s me, Jeffrey Braddock, Edwina’s son. I need to speak with Mother—or Grandfather, quickly, it’s Noli, she’s ill.”
She was ill? Was that why she fell as if her skin burned with a million steam engines? Perhaps she could have a nice cool bath.
“Please, let me in Jameson,” Jeff pleaded. “We need a doctor.”
“Jameson, who’s at the door, is that the Parkingtons?” a female voice called.
“Mother … Mama, it’s me,” Jeff called.
Noli tried to sit up at the sound of her mother’s voice.
“Easy, Noli,” Jeff soothed. “We’ll have you in a proper bed soon.”
“Jeffery?” Warm air gushed from somewhere, not nearly as pleasant as the cold air. “What are you doing here?” Mama made a noise of alarm. “What’s wrong with Noli?”
“I don’t know.” His voice broke. “We were coming to visit you for Thanksgiving. Noli fell ill on the way. I … I think Grandfather needs to send for the doctor.”
“Noli, my poor girl. Come in. Jeff, it’s been far too long.” Their mother ushered them in and Noli felt the cold air leave her, replaced by hot air, so stifling it made her whimper. “Jeff, help me get her upstairs. Jameson, get Father and send Ellen up. Oh, hello, who are you?”
“Mother, if I might present Victoria Adler, of Kentucky. She and I have recently become engaged. We were coming to visit you, in part so that I might introduce you to her.” Jeff moved as he spoke, Noli with him. “Vix, this is my mother, Edwina Braddock.”
“It’s lovely to meet you, Mrs. Braddock, Jeff and Noli speak so highly of you,” Vix replied as polite as could be.
“Why Jeffrey, you’ve gotten engaged?” Their mother’s voice swelled with pride. “My word, I wasn’t expecting that. Victoria, we’ll talk. Jeff, let’s put Noli in the nursery. We freshened it up for your little cousins, but they didn’t come at the last moment.”
Noli felt her mother’s hand on her forehead.
“You don’t think it’s influenza, do you?” Mama’s voice tinged with worry.
“I don’t think so—no one on the ship has fallen ill but Noli, and Jeff’s barely left her side,” Vix replied.
She felt herself being laid down on a bed. Ah, that was it. Now, if someone would open the window.
Mama repositioned her on the bed, helping her to get comfortable. “Is she still in her corset?” Outrage colored Mama’s voice. “How many days has she been in her corset? Truly, Jeff? Off with you, now. Why don’t you and your young lady help your Grandfather summon a doctor? Ellen,” she bellowed. “Noli, sweetheart we’re going to get you into something more comfortable. Ellen! I need your help.
Mama.” Noli’s eyes flickered open to make sure it was her mother and not a figment of her imagination. Or a croquet mallet.