“I heard the news. I understand why you’d want to keep it quiet.” Again he was grateful that his life and troubles had all remained very private.
She nodded. “It wasn’t you.”
“No. I don’t divulge details; it’s not good for business.” Neither was standing around chatting. If he hadn’t been here for work, he’d have gladly spent hours talking to Lydia about anything and everything. It had been a long time since he’d felt at ease around someone—not enough to be himself and tell all, but enough to relax a little and enjoy her company. If he let himself slide down that path he could almost picture himself sharing the details about his life that he’d never told anyone. He’d vowed to be honest next time. To not get into a relationship without at least mentioning the psychometry… it was best for everyone that he never mentioned fairies.
She smoothed her hands over her thighs in a move that drew his gaze for longer than it should have. “You’re all about business?”
“I run my own, it’s only me, so yeah, it takes up a lot of time. But I like it. It’s interesting to find out when a piece was made and working out what it’s worth.” His work had stopped him from drifting after Natalie. He’d thrown himself into it, partly out of necessity as he’d needed to eat and get another house, and partly because it was familiar and something he could control.
Now was the moment to explain how he worked and to see how she’s react, before he let himself get too caught up in the idea of asking her out or thinking she’d accept. He looked at her and the way her lips curved, inviting and tempting, and the words that he should say failed to form. Asking her to believe in psychometry was as bad as asking her to believe he was a changeling prince.
“Every day something new to explore?”
He’d never thought of it that way. “Yeah… except for the paperwork.”
She laughed, and warmth filled her eyes as if she was seeing him in a new light. “I think Gran would’ve liked you.”
The tension in his shoulders eased and he smiled. He’d passed whatever test she’d set, even as he failed his own. The longer he went without telling her of his gift, the harder it would become to reveal. “Thank you.”
He meant it; it felt like he was one step closer to Lydia seeing him as something other than the vulture valuing her grandmother’s things. Small steps; after all, they weren’t even dating. Maybe family secrets could wait until after the job was finished. Except in his heart he knew that would be too late. She would look back at this time and know he’d kept things from her. Would she even want to know the things he saw? He didn’t half the time.
Lydia put her hand on his arm. “She might have even let you into a party.” She sighed. “It’s nice to talk about her without the slurs that usually follow.”
“It’s nice to hear more about her, the real woman, not the spin.” Her hand was warm against him, the heat seeping through his shirt. The simple touch was a reminder of the human contact he’d shunned. A shimmer of desire slid over his skin. It would be very easy to fall and not think about the landing. Too easy. And he knew how destructive and devastating the impact could be.
For a moment she just looked at him as if not sure what to make of him. Her eyes darkened, inviting trouble. Then she grinned. “You’re something different, Caspian.”
Yes he was, and it was a good thing she didn’t know how different.
Felan leaned against a tree in the cemetery. Above him the branches swept toward the sky, muttering softly. But he wasn’t here for the whisperings of trees, or to enjoy the mortal world; he was waiting for someone.
The shrubs to his left gave a rustle and then a small fairy in dull clothing appeared, the exiled fairy he’d assigned to watch his son’s house. The fairy bowed low as was proper when greeting the Crown Prince of Annwyn.
Felan inclined his head. “Full stature, I don’t wish to stoop.”
Once he and Chalmer had drank and gambled together. Now it was more than the veil that separated them. Yet he still trusted the fairy. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have sent him to his son’s house to be Caspian’s Brownie.
“Your Highness, thank you for agreeing to meet your most humble servant at such short notice.” The man gave another slight bow that put Felan on edge. Chalmer didn’t bring good news and was afraid… yet not so afraid that he wouldn’t spill.
“I don’t have long.” He had other meetings tonight and he didn’t want to be seen talking to Chalmer; it would start rumors he could ill afford.
While he’d told Chalmer to attend the changeling, he hadn’t said why. He’d done everything he could to ensure Caspian’s safety after allowing him to be born in the mortal world. A lump formed in his throat that was very un-prince like, and more like that of a father who hadn’t seen his son in thirty-five mortal years. He couldn’t.
His fingers curled as if remembering the feel of the tiny babe in his arms. Just the once he’d held his son and kissed his downy hair. That was all he’d allowed himself—any more and his son would be in danger. He knew Caspian would grow up in a loving family; he’d seen their joy and had known he’d made the right decision. From what he’d heard, Caspian was everything a father could want in a son—except the mortal part.
The Brownie inclined his head. “The changeling was recently visited by a banished lord, my Prince, Shea ap Greely. I thought you’d want to know, given recent events.”
“Why does this concern me?” For how much longer would the secret of Caspian’s linage be safe?
“Lord Greely is looking for something called the Window. He was… ah,” Chalmer glanced at Felan before finding the right word, “quite insistent.”
Felan drew in a breath. Had his son betrayed his family? “And did the changeling make a deal?”
“No, Prince. The lord was not happy. He broke the ritual spread, forcing my family to leave, as is proper.”
“Hmm. Thank you for your information; it was most useful.” And most troubling. He’d heard the murmurs between the measures of music and knew that Shea and the Queen were planning something. He’d hoped to have the Window by now, but it appeared to have vanished. If Shea wanted it, it meant he planned to sneak back into Annwyn and cause more trouble. Felan needed the Window, not only to protect his father from the bitterness of the Queen, but also to protect himself.
The Brownie bowed again and hesitated as if not sure if he should leave. “I am ever your loyal servant, Prince.”
“I know, Chalmer.” Felan glanced at the lord who’d been reduced to a Brownie. The gambling debt had been a setup, Felan was sure of it, but that didn’t change the fact that Chalmer needed to pay a penalty. “What is it that you desire?”
“I’m concerned for my family when the power shifts.”
Felan nodded. Many were petitioning the King to lift their exile. They could see the King’s rule was ending and no one wanted to be on the wrong side of the veil when the power of Annwyn shifted from father to son. Those caught in the mortal world would die. “Your daughter is fairy?”
“Yes, Prince. Taryn merch Arlea.” Chalmer used his daughter’s full name to confirm her linage, and make clear he’d broken none of his exile conditions. Taryn was his wife’s child.
“Send her to Court before the vanishing of the moon. For the moment it is all I can do.” At least she would be safe.
Chalmer sighed and looked at the ground as if he had expected more.
“I’m sorry, but the King is issuing no pardons.” He knew his father hadn’t forgiven Arlea for choosing love over duty to her King.
“I understand.” Chalmer bowed, but Felan still saw the disappointment.