Strict Life Edict

Franka

 

The next morning, I walked into the breakfast room to see only Brikkita there, finishing up her crêpes.

She looked up at me, startled, as if she had no idea I would be arriving at breakfast when Kristian and I had made that plan the night before, something I would assume he’d share with his wife.

“Good morning, Brikkita,” I greeted, selecting a seat across from her at the oval table.

“Good morning, Franka,” she replied timidly, the manner in which she always spoke to me, a manner I’d always found irksome¸ but one I now understood was a manner I’d earned.

Therefore, hearing it now, I was irked at myself.

I’d barely sat and tossed the napkin at the waiting place setting over my lap before a footman came forward to pour my coffee.

I prepared it with cream and one sugar and had taken a sip, regarding my sister-in-law, who kept her head studiously bent to her plate as she fixedly scraped up the last of her crêpes.

“Did you sleep well?” I asked.

She lifted her eyes to me for a scant second before returning them to her plate and answered, “The palace has comfortable beds.”

I decided that meant yes.

“And Timofei? Did he have a good night?” I queried.

Her glance lasted longer before she put down her fork and reached for her coffee cup, avoiding my eyes. “He was restless. He’s not woken us like this repeatedly in the night since he was first born. I hope the queen was right and he’ll grow out of it.”

“I’m sure she is. She’s raised her own child, as you know,” I replied, though the child she’d raised was not the one currently abiding at the palace, but that was beside the point.

“Of course,” Brikkita mumbled, taking a sip of coffee, her eyes aimed away from me.

“Is Kristian arriving at breakfast soon?” I pressed on.

“I hope so,” she said, and this, I was sure had more than one meaning.

“Mm,” I murmured, having used all my available discourse and finding myself in the uncomfortable position of having no more, considering the fact I knew not what interested her because I’d never bothered to find out.

The footman saved me, asking, “Would you like me to tell Cook to prepare crêpes for you, milady, or do you wish to attend the buffet?”

“The buffet, I think,” I decided. “But fresh toast would be well received.”

The footman nodded, gave a slight bow with one arm behind his back and retreated to a door that undoubtedly led to stairs that went to the kitchen.

I took another sip of my coffee, exited my chair, walked to the buffet and made my selections.

I was back at my seat, nibbling my food, the footman having returned with my toast, and I was finding I was not enjoying breakfast in the slightest. For having your sister-in-law sit opposite you, alone together for the first time when I had no ulterior motives but instead wished to find some avenue to start a different sort of relationship, was exceptionally awkward.

It would not be surprising, but utterly shocking when Brikkita piped up, and instead of me doing it, she took up these same reins.

“I hope you don’t mind me saying…” she began and my eyes went to hers.

She was casting a quick peek at the footman and I waited as patiently as I could for her to continue.

Finally, she seemed to feel safe in turning her attention to me but when she spoke again, her voice had lowered.

“My husband has shared with me much of his history.”

I put down my fork, reached again to my coffee cup and held it aloft, keeping my gaze locked to hers. I nodded once, slowly, an indication for her to go on.

She did so.

“When I say much, what I mean is all of it,” she clarified.

“You are his wife,” I stated carefully. “This comes as no surprise.”

“In doing so,” she sallied forth swiftly, still speaking low but now doing it like she wished she wasn’t, “he of course had to share about you.”

“Of course,” I agreed.

She licked her lips and pressed them together.

I took a sip of coffee, giving her time.

“I…it’s not my place,” she eventually carried on.

“What isn’t your place?” I inquired when she didn’t explain.

“To say what I wish to say,” she finished.

I drew in breath and put my cup in its saucer. Once I’d done that, I folded my hands in my lap and straightened my shoulders minutely in hopes she wouldn’t see this effort at bracing for what I suspected she felt was not her place to say was that now, as her husband had started to blossom out from under the oppression of oppressive parents, she felt secure enough to do the same.

But her oppression had come at my hands.

And therefore now she felt it was time to share a few choice things with me about how I’d treated her, and even Kristian, not the least of which was dragging my brother into my treachery, in doing so putting him, her and their son at risk.

Things I’d not only earned having to hear but I deserved.

I would not relish it, of that I was certain.

But I deserved it.

When she didn’t speak further, I felt it was my place to invite her to do so.

This I did.

“I have not treated you thus, Brikitta, and there were reasons for this that may at this juncture seem feeble and still cruel so I’ll not insult you by attempting to explain them, but in the end you are my sister. The sister my brother chose to add to our family when he fell in love with you. I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that in the past I’ve not hesitated in saying a great many things to you, most of them unwelcome. I’m sure you’ve sensed much has changed in the last weeks. Thus I’d like to encourage you at this time to return that favor, no matter what you wish to say. All I can say at this time to reassure you is that you have my vow no matter what you say, there will be no ramifications, to you or my brother.”

She stared at me, her eyes widened, her lips parted in astonishment.

She did this but she did not snap out of it and say what she wished to say.

Therefore I added, “In other words, Brikitta, you are my sister. You are my family. And thus it’s absolutely your place to say whatever is on your mind.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

I shook my head. “You don’t need to thank me for sharing that you’re free to speak your mind.”

“No, what I wished to say that I didn’t think was my place to say was…thank you.”

I stared at her, puzzled.

“Pardon?” I asked.

“You…I love my husband,” she stated.

“This I know,” I told her.

“And you kept him safe. For years, you kept him safe. Thank you.”

Suddenly, it was me turning my eyes away. Indeed, I turned my whole head away, giving her my profile. And for no reason, I lifted my napkin to touch it to my lips as I fought for composure.

“Franka,” she called softly.

“A moment if you don’t mind,” I replied, and damn it all, my voice was thick.

“Certainly,” she murmured.

I drew in breath, put the napkin to my lap and again faced my sister-in-law.

The instant I caught her eyes, I saw hers were not timid or frightened. They were bright with emotion, undoubtedly just like mine.

“That is done. We move on from here, yes?” she asked, her tone also quite husky.

I nodded, not trusting my voice not to give me away.

“Good,” she said and carefully cleared her throat.

I again took up my fork and used it to slice into a fat, juicy sausage.

“I also would like to extend my invitation for you to journey back and stay with us at our aateliskartono,” she said. “Kristian is right, we have much room and I think he’ll quite enjoy his sister close for a while. Not to mention, watching you get to know your nephew better.”

I had never much thought of children except the fact that I never intended to have any. I had not had good examples of parenting and the very thought of being in that position (I did not admit to myself but it was true) terrified me.

But one could definitely say that Timofei was the handsomest child I’d ever laid my eyes on, and from what little I’d noted, he was exceptionally bright, and I was certain that was not a prejudiced assessment in the slightest.

“I would enjoy both,” I told her. “With the addition of spending time getting to know my sister better.”

She flushed at my words and then awarded me the first smile I think she’d ever given me, except the one she gave upon meeting me, something to which I said something foul that wiped it clean from her face.

I curved my lips up in return.

“My two favorite girls in the world at the breakfast table together,” Kristian declared, and I twisted in my seat to watch him walk in. “This heralds the beginning of an excellent day.”

He was late for reasons unknown.

Until then.

He’d orchestrated what just occurred, perhaps at Brikitta’s behest, perhaps for his own ends.

And there it was.

It would seem my brother was also blossoming in the art of intrigue.

“Good morning, brother,” I greeted.

“Sister,” he greeted back, smiling brightly at me and stopping at my seat to bend and sweep his lips along my cheekbone.

When he straightened and moved toward his wife, his smile changed a nuance as he said, “My wife.”

“My husband,” she replied.

He arrived by her seat and she tipped her head back for him to touch his lips to hers. He lifted but an inch away and they shared a look that made me cast my eyes from them for it was intimate and not for me to see even if it was across a breakfast table.

But in witnessing it, abruptly I felt much like Kristian had explained he felt when he heard what had become of our mother and father.

He had Brikitta. Someone who loved him. Who gave him children. Who made him smile and laugh. Who clearly fretted for his safety and had the courage to thank a woman who had not once been kind to her because she made that husband safe. And she was a woman who gave him that intimacy it was clear he not only savored but cherished.

The feeling all that gave me was as if a weight had been lifted and I could struggle to my feet, and perhaps not fly, but be free to allow my feet to take me wherever they wished to take me.

Not to mention, I’d never thought my sister-in-law attractive, but at what I’d beheld, I changed my mind.

Love created beauty, it would seem.

Following these thoughts, I also realized with some discomfort that I’d never had that with Antoine. There was intimacy, of course, and affection. He knew me well, better than I knew myself, it was true. We shared many moments of humor and also moments of quiet togetherness that I treasured.

But he was my kept lover.

He’d never been my partner.

I’d never had that. Not from Antoine, not from anyone.

But I was pleased I could go forward with my future plans content my brother did.

“So, I hope you’ll remain with us even if you’ve finished your breakfast, my love,” Kristian said, and I turned back to them to see him sitting at the foot of the table, his wife to his right, me to his left, his eyes on his beloved.

He had his napkin in his lap and the footman was pouring his coffee.

“For a spell, Kristian,” Brikitta replied to his request. “Then I’d like to get to Timofei.”

“Of course, darling,” Kristian murmured, smiling at her fondly then turning that look to me. “I ran into your Noc in the passageway on the way here.”

I felt my breath turn shallow simply at the mention of his name but also at the way my brother referred to him as “your Noc.”

“He’s hardly my Noc, brother,” I returned.

“Hmm…” Kristian mumbled noncommittally and again gave his attention to his wife. “He’d just returned from being outside, running. Odd that. Out in the snow wearing curious shoes that I must admit look rather comfortable, the most peculiar loose-fitting pants and a sweater made of fleece material that appeared rather warm. But along with all that, he was running, of his own accord just to do so, out in the cold. He was breathing heavily because of it but seemed rather invigorated.” He shook his head in bewilderment. “Such an unusual thing to do.”

Naturally, both Brikitta and Kristian had been fully informed about the parallel universe—save Princess Finnie not being the real one, and Princess Cora not being the real one either, the same with Queen Circe, those were regarded as state secrets.

“Most unusual,” Brikitta agreed.

I said nothing, trying to visualize Noc’s attire and what he looked like “invigorated.”

I’d seen him “invigorated” once before, so just as swiftly as I tried to visualize this, I attempted to banish such thoughts from my brain (and failed).

“He shared with me his plan to take you back to his world after Brikitta safely delivers, and I wholeheartedly agreed.”

My mind was wiped of visions of Noc in loose-fitting pants looking invigorated and my eyes cut to my brother at his words.

“I beg your pardon?”

Kristian didn’t repeat himself.

He declared, “We decided that’s what you’ll do. Return with us Älvkyla. Once the baby comes, Master Noc will have concluded his explorations in our world and you’ll return with him to the other world. An excellent idea. We spent not much time with that world’s witch, but even in the short time we spent with her, she seemed most capable, and it was shared she’d be your champion. Not to mention, Master Noc shared he’d look after you and he may not be a prince in his world, but he still has a princely bearing. Thus I’m confident you’ll be safe with him and the witch.”

Although I’d been leaning toward the same decision, I found Noc’s sharing with my brother and my brother’s declaration more than a little vexing.

“I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that where I go next is my decision to make, Kristian,” I informed him tartly.

“It’s lost on no one that you’ve grown quite close with this man and he does not hide the fact that he holds great affection for you, Franka,” Kristian returned. “He’ll have your best interests at heart and seems to trust this witch. If you desire a complete change of scenery, this is much preferable to your other plans. Further, Master Noc informed me that you can return when you please for but a few gold coins and in but moments, not months.”

“I’ve not spoken to this witch so I’m actually not aware of what the cost of travel would be,” I retorted.

Though, that said, I undoubtedly had whatever the cost even if it was extravagant.

And this reminded me I had yet to speak to my brother about that as well for I intended to give him a healthy portion of what I had.

That would happen, of course, but at that juncture I wasn’t feeling the need to share my intended generosity.

Kristian pushed his chair back and began to move to the buffet, stating, “We’ll talk more of it later. Brikitta wishes to get to our boy and I wish to join them. He had a fitful night. Perhaps later we’ll all sledge into Fyngaard and get Timofei some liquid chocolate.” He gave his wife a tender look. “And my Brikitta as well as you so love the chocolate from Esmerelda’s.”

“I would enjoy that, Kristian,” Brikitta agreed.

“Then it’s sorted,” Kristian decided and scooped up eggs.

“Well, if you both will excuse me,” I announced, pushing my own chair back, having not finished my breakfast, not caring but instead standing, “I have some fuming to do and I’d prefer to do that alone.”

Brikitta grinned down at her plate.

Kristian appeared to be fighting his own amusement as he lifted his brows. “Fuming?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know your dictatorial ways aren’t especially welcome, brother.”

His expression grew serious. “I’m looking out for you.”

“And this is annoying too,” I shared.

His amusement came back as he turned to the heated silver chafing dish filled with sausages, muttering, “You’ll get used to it.”

I sighed.

“Excellent, we thought we’d be late and miss company at breakfast.”

This came from the direction of the doorway, words uttered by Circe as she and Lahn came into the room, Circe first, Lahn needing to duck his head to get through the door, such was his height.

“Too late for Brikitta, as she’s off to see to our son,” Kristian declared. “And Franka as well as she’s off to fume.”

Lahn and Circe both looked to me but it was Circe who asked, “Fume?”

“I’ll allow my brother to explain as he feels free to discuss me and my activities and my future with just about anyone,” I replied then arched a brow to my brother. “Would you like me to go round up the servants? Send them here so you can ask their opinion about what I should expect my next days and months to contain?”

Kristian started chuckling as he took his seat. Brikitta looked away and made no noise but her shoulders were shaking.

Lahn gave Circe a severe look that would be quite frightening if I had not seen him do it before, not to mention their many moments of open tenderness and affection, this look I took as his version of confusion even as she smiled brightly at me.

Truly, wouldn’t anyone be annoyed by all this?

“I bid you all good day,” I stated, turned and began to flounce from the room, and I felt no shame whatsoever flouncing.

If ever there was a flouncing moment, that was it.

“We’ll see you at the sled to go for liquid chocolate,” Kristian called as I continued to do just that.

I made no reply even if I fully intended to go with them.

I’d spent no time with my nephew at all since they’d arrived.

But it wasn’t just that.

I had a strict life edict I never broke.

I didn’t turn down chocolate in any form.

Ever.

 

* * * * *

Valentine

 

Once bathed, attired and her hair arranged, Valentine nodded to her maid who left her and then she wasted no time moving through the house to her sphere resting on its bed of velvet. She called up a vision of Franka in its depths, ascertained her location and she spirited herself right there.

Sitting in a chair in her bedchamber, appearing like she was trying to read the book in front of her but her mind had wandered, Franka started in her seat as her eyes flew to Valentine.

“By the gods,” she whispered, “you’re here.”

“I am,” Valentine replied, smoothly moving to the chair that was angled opposite Franka in front of the toasty fire. Without invitation she sat, her eyes never leaving the lovely woman in the room with her. “I’m pleased to note you’re in a much better state than when we last saw each other.”

“I’m pleased as well,” Franka replied, having swiftly gotten over her surprise at Valentine appearing, her regard was steady as she flipped shut her book with a snap.

“I’ve been informed that they’re taking good care of you,” Valentine noted.

“You would be correct, as annoying as it’s been,” Franka returned crisply.

Valentine smiled her small smile.

“Kindness is, of course, kind, even if it’s often most irritating, that being when it’s intrusive and unceasing.”

A quickly hidden look of relief flashed through Franka’s remarkable blue eyes, an indication she felt soothed to be in the presence of a kindred spirit. This came before she nodded smartly.

“I’m told you’ve been invited to journey to my world,” Valentine remarked.

“I have,” Franka confirmed.

“Have you made your decision to come?” Valentine asked.

“I have not.”

Hmm.

“May I ask why not?” Valentine pressed.

“Because I fully intend to do it, but I also fully intend not to let on that’s been my decision because everyone is being so damnably insistent about me doing it. And you can take that to mean they feel the decision has been made without me making it, and I intend to make clear that when the decision is official, it was my decision that was made.”

“I approve of this course of action,” Valentine murmured and watched Franka lift her chin.

“With respect, I don’t care if you do or don’t.”

“I approve of that too,” Valentine replied and at that she watched Franka’s lips twitch. With no ado, she then announced, “You have magic.”

Franka was not able to hide her response to that, quickly or otherwise. She stiffened visibly and her expression went guarded.

“Calm, my sister,” Valentine said softly. “It is your secret and as your sister, it’s also mine.”

Franka didn’t calm immediately. She studied Valentine warily and it took her some time before she nodded her acceptance even if Valentine sensed she didn’t fully give it.

“I have your mother’s magic, as you know,” Valentine continued.

“Pardon?” Franka asked.

“Your mother’s magic. I have it,” Valentine explained. “I could absorb it, such as it is. I don’t need it, though one can never have enough magic. However, I’ve not done that. I’m waiting on you to tell me what you wish done with it.”

It took a moment for Franka to answer but then she did.

“In honesty, as I didn’t know such could occur, I cannot say what you should do with it except that I want no part in whatever is done.”

As Valentine suspected, Franka Drakkar held magic but she did not use it or even understand it.

“You have options, chérie,” she began, deciding to ignore the last of what Franka said. “I could give it to you, augment the power you have. I sense your power is significant especially as you inherited it from your mother and haven’t used it, so it grows inside you in great stores. Your mother’s was used often, randomly and for ill. It wasn’t meager but it is no match to yours.”

This was not welcome news, clearly causing Franka to wonder if she knew how to use her power if she could have done so to save herself, her brother and her lover from harm.

Franka shared all of this with Valentine by looking to the fire.

“That wouldn’t have helped,” Valentine told her sympathetically. “It’s an assumption but I’ve seen others of little experience make such attempts with much less at stake. They backfired and made matters far worse. So do not concern yourself with that, sister. There was nothing you could have done, not for you, your brother, but most particularly, for your lost lover.”

Franka lifted her chin but said nothing.

Therefore Valentine carried on, “You should have been trained. It should have been something beautiful, something precious, time spent together with your mother that you didn’t look on fondly, you looked on lovingly, remembering the beauty she shared with you as she taught you to harness and wield your power. Much like every moment I shared with my mother and my grandmother when they guided me in how to wield mine.”

Franka turned back to her.

“This, she did not do.”

“I know,” Valentine replied. “But it would be my honor to do so, sister.”

A flash of interest quickly buried before she returned, “I want nothing of hers.”

“It’s the only good she’s given you,” Valentine retorted. “And no woman should eschew any power she holds rightly, or that she’s earned, or even that she’s wrested from a defeated foe. Your mother was a waste to this world. But your magic should not be wasted, and magic is sacred, so what’s left of hers shouldn’t either.”

“What are the other options for her magic?” Franka asked.

Although she admired the trait, at this moment Valentine found Franka’s stubbornness frustrating.

“I could expel it into the earth,” Valentine answered. “Close to an adela tree, which would assist all of them across Lunwyn in growing.”

“As the adela were nearly made extinct during the war, they hold great beauty and provide the same when their power is used, and they take decades to grow, I think that’s the better option, don’t you?”

“Although it would hasten growth, it would not shave decades off, but only perhaps a few months,” Valentine replied.

“A few months are just that and that’s something.”

Valentine was not pleased with how this conversation was going.

It was time to take another course with the willful witch.

With that in mind, abruptly, she declared, “In my world, when you are with me there, I not only wish to train you to use your magic, but I wish for you to join me as I perform the services I perform for my clients in order to eventually take on your own.” She leaned closer to her witch-sister. “I can assure you, the intrigues in which I’m enlisted are often quite delicious.”

Finally, she’d caught Franka’s attention.

“Indeed?” she asked.

“Indeed,” Valentine said as she sat back. “In fact, I have some meddling I intend to do. And it would assist me greatly if I had a partner.”

Franka made no reply, she simply continued studying Valentine.

“I would like you in my world. I think it would suit you. I think you’d blossom there. And I hope you’ll also blossom under my tutelage,” Valentine coaxed.

“That decision has been made, as I’ve shared,” Franka reminded her. “I’ll be journeying to your world.”

“It has, I’m talking about your magic and you absorbing your mother’s.”

Franka started to shake her head but Valentine spoke again.

“You are aware there are twins of nearly everyone in both worlds.”

“Yes,” Franka affirmed.

“And Dax Lahn’s twin lives in New Orleans.”

Valentine was satisfied to see a slight widening of Franka’s eyes and a definite look of heightened attentiveness in them.

“As does this world’s Circe, of course,” Valentine carried on.

“My,” Franka whispered, her sister-witch far from dim, Valentine had to explain no further.

Instead, she shared, “I’ve paid some attention to him. I’ve decided they’ll suit.”

It took a moment but after that moment Franka’s lips curled in a way Valentine found very familiar for she’d felt that same curve on her own lips many a time.

“My,” she repeated.

“It may take some time, it’s important for you to be comfortable in your magic, but do you fancy some meddling?” Valentine invited.

Franka took another moment and this one was longer.

Valentine waited.

It was worth the wait when she received her answer.

“Absolutely.”

 

* * * * *

Franka

 

“I would like for you to put that down and come here,” I said to the child.

My nephew looked up at me but did not do as I said.

Instead, he put what he was holding right in his mouth.

“I’ll repeat,” I carried on speaking to the child, “Please put that down and come here.”

Timofei just stared at me.

Then he let out a giggle that made the precarious purchase of steadiness he had on his own two feet disappear. He wobbled, fell, and the bangle Josette had given him to attract his attention from his parents leaving him with me (this being right before Josette left him completely alone with me) flew from his hand only to roll on its thin side under a couch.

I sighed.

Timofei adjusted himself so he was on his nappy-covered bottom, looked where the bangle had disappeared, looked to me, his face started to crumple, and I knew what was coming.

Thus I stood swiftly and stated commandingly, “Do not even consider weeping.”

He blinked up at me.

I bent with only a small pang of pain, experiencing another one as I picked up the toddler who was barely a year and a half old but who was also a very big boy (he would grow straight and tall, like his father, I was certain) and planted him so one of his legs was hitched on my hip, the rest of him was wrapped around my belly.

“There will be many times to weep in life, child,” I declared as if I was a tutor giving a lesson to her pupil, one that was much older than the one who was staring up at me with wide eyes that looked like mine, and wet, rosy lips that were more endearing than I cared to admit. “I can assure you, a lost bangle is not one of those times.”

He slapped my chest and I decided to take that as his agreement to my declaration.

“Quite right,” I stated, and moved with him, instinctively bouncing him on my hip.

I took him to the mantel, pointed at a rather unattractive, but I knew nearly priceless, objet d’art resting there and instructed, “If this were to break, no weeping.”

For some reason he was smiling up at me now so I bounced him higher and that produced another giggle.

Odd.

Oh well.

I pointed to his chest and pressed in, saying in a softer voice, “Now, if this were to break, you should weep. And don’t let anyone tell you differently. I don’t care if you’re male. A broken heart deserves tears. In truth, I do believe it’s the only way to mend it.”

“Think you’re right, sugarlips.”

I jumped at Noc’s teasing voice coming to me and whirled with my nephew to face the door.

His voice had been teasing.

As he regarded me across the room by the fire holding my nephew, his face did not say playful.

It said something quite different and I blocked it before I could come to an understanding of just what it said.

“Can I assist you with something?” I queried.

“You comin’ home with me?” he returned my query with his own.

Dear goddess, I wish he’d cease referring to it like that.

Home.

With him.

“I’ve not decided yet.”

“Bull,” he decreed.

I looked down to Timofei, “It’s quite coarse and rude to speak this way, nephew. I know you’re young but it’s never too early to bear that in mind.”

He looked up at me and bounced himself on my hip. I took my cue and gave him a hearty spring and he giggled again.

I found that quite pleasant.

“Babe,” Noc called.

I turned to him and arched my brows.

“I’m also here to tell you they’re ready to take off for Esmerelda’s.”

“Ah,” I looked down to Timofei. “It’s time for chocolate.”

He knew few words but I learned he knew that one for he let out an excited shriek, bounded in my arms repeatedly, banged my chest with his fist, and once done shrieking, screeched, “Choc choc!”

“Come on, sweetheart, get your cloak. You’re riding in my sleigh with me,” Noc said.

I looked to him as I moved to him. “Will you be vexing me with your attempts to encourage me to go to your world in said sleigh?”

“Probably.”

“Then I shall ride with my brother,” I told him as my nephew and I arrived at him in the doorway, a position he didn’t move from when we did.

“His sleigh is full, baby.”

“Tosh, he can fit me.” I looked again to Timofei. “Can’t he, nephew?”

“Choc choc!” was his answer.

I turned again to Noc. “That means yes.”

“It so doesn’t,” Noc replied, his lips quirking.

“It absolutely does,” I returned.

Noc gave up the fight, grinned, shook his head and then plucked my nephew right out of my arms with a practiced ease I found both astounding and bizarrely pleasing. In the same manner he planted Timofei on his hip, reached to grab my hand, his fingers tight around mine, and thus he dragged me into the hall carrying my nephew and speaking.

“Dig you bein’ cute, babe, always. But everyone’s talking about this liquid chocolate so I wanna get some in me. To do that you need your cloak, I need my coat and this little one needs to get bundled up. So let’s get a move on, yeah?”

I had no choice of whether or not to agree to get a move on.

Noc moved me by keeping hold of my hand and pulling me with him.

Again with no choice, as Josette was at the grand entryway awaiting me with my cloak, I accepted it and my gloves and hat.

Noc shrugged on his other-world coat, a nice, dark-blue, double-breasted wool that Finnie shared later was a, “Navy pea coat…hot,” (her words exactly).

Timofei was bundled by his nanny.

And away we went.

With me in Noc’s sleigh.

He did not attempt to press me to go to his world during our trip. Nor during our time at Esmerelda’s. Nor much later, when he was my dinner partner at dinner (something Queen Aurora seemed intent on doing, only Kristian had taken his place but once in all the dinners I’d shared with them).

And yet he did.

And he did it simply by being Noc.

 

* * * * *

Valentine

 

Valentine studied Lavinia with unconcealed distaste.

After her friend swallowed a bite of her sidewalk-hot dog-vendor hot dog while standing on a street in New Orleans, Valentine shared, “I can introduce you to much more sumptuous delicacies, my friend.”

Lavinia took another bite of the chili, onion and mustard slathered hot dog and said through a full mouth that had Valentine’s lip curling, “But this is delicious.”

She was quite wrong.

Valentine didn’t share this.

She looked across the street.

It was nearly time.

“I’ve decided you’ll come to my world more often and the next time you come, I’ll take you to Arnaud’s.”

“Do they have these at Arnaud’s?” Lavinia asked and Valentine turned again to see her lifting the remaining quarter of her hot dog.

“No,” Valentine drawled disgustedly.

Lavinia grinned, took another bite, glanced away from Valentine and promptly choked on her hot dog.

Valentine’s attention went to where her friend’s eyes were aimed and she saw Dax Lahn walking out of the handsome building wearing his exceptionally well-tailored suit.

She would not have thought a man such as him would wear a suit well, but she was wrong.

“You brought the Dax here?” Lavinia asked incredulously.

“No, chérie, I did not,” Valentine answered.

There was a moment’s silence before Lavinia queried, “That’s…that’s…this world’s Dax?”

“It is, indeed.”

Through this, her friend didn’t tear her gaze from Dax Lahn as he walked to the waiting sleek, gleaming-black Mercedes parked at the curb.

“He’s an attorney, known as ‘the Savage,’” Valentine informed her fellow witch. “He’s quite feared in the courtroom, it’s said. Razor-sharp. Shrewd. Sly. A cunning strategist. And ruthless.”

The man under discussion got in the car while Valentine spoke, and both women watched as the vehicle smoothly moved away from the curb.

They continued to watch until it disappeared from sight.

Only then did Valentine feel Lavinia’s eyes on her and she turned her attention back to her friend.

“He’s wealthy, very,” she stated. “Unmarried, obviously. And he gives not only generously of money but also of the expertise of his firm, of which he’s the founding and managing partner, to a local domestic violence shelter. This for reasons I can’t fathom, outside the fact he’s simply a good man, for his mother and father had a long, loving relationship that only ended when his father died in a tragic car accident.”

“Valentine—” Lavinia started.

Valentine didn’t allow her to continue.

“And he moves in circles that are such it’s unlikely he’ll run into the office manager of a towing company.”

Light had already dawned in Lavinia’s eyes, but with that she moved closer to Valentine.

“With our Circe, I’m not sure this is wise,” she declared.

“You would be wrong,” Valentine sniffed.

“My dear—”

“It is, as it can’t have escaped you, the natural order of things,” Valentine reminded her.

Lavinia’s focus wandered to the street where they last saw Dax Lahn’s car.

She then whispered, “The Savage.”

“Perfection,” Valentine decreed.

Lavinia’s attention cut back to her. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

Valentine tried not to be offended.

And failed.

“I know precisely what I’m doing,” she said with a slight snap.

“I think you believe that down to our emerald soul, I just hope you’re right.”

“I’m absolutely right.”

Lavinia held her gaze and shook her head.

Really, her friend’s misgivings were quite insulting.

“It’s late in Lunwyn and I have things to see to there,” Valentine announced. “Are you finished with that… fare?” She tipped her head to the remains of Lavinia’s repulsive hot dog.

To that, Lavinia shoved the last bite in her mouth and followed that by chewing at the same time smiling.

Valentine controlled her lip curling in derision.

She then moved them both to an alley close by that was deserted and there were no eyes on them.

And with verdant green smoke mixing with jade, the two witches disappeared.