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Apart from last night, the fanciest I had ever gotten was for prom and that was a whole slew of awkward memories I didn’t want to revisit. Uncle Martin snarled at the expense, and I could sense his resentment even now. He told me I was selfish and a silly girl for wanting to go, and it was only at Nana Bess’s urging that he relented. But the cold, slithering glare he gave was so intense it followed me to the dance, and I wound up standing in the corner of the gym, just watching the humans as they enjoyed their evening.
I’d been a shy, outcasted figure all through high school and I had no idea what made me think that night would be different. I suppose the Bright in me wanted to believe the fairy tale of prom night, that I would sense some hidden affection come to life in one of my classmates.
I hadn’t, of course. I left the dance early and hid in father’s study until late the next day. I’m not sure what became of the dress.
Splashing fragrant water over my face and arms, I did my best to become presentable and then donned my simple clothes. The day dress ended mid-calf and for a heart-stopping second, I worried they hadn’t packed any other shoes and that I would be forced into my faux-fur boots again. But Meredith brought out my pair of black dress shoes and I breathed in relief. She also presented me with a simple rose-shaped broach of silver that made me ridiculously pleased.
As much as I hated to think about Henry and Mark pilfering my things, one of them at least had some taste. The broach was a gift from my father and its smooth, cool surface was an instant comfort. The familiar fabric of my dress felt like armor and for the first time since the abduction I began to feel like myself again. I wasn’t going to be the prettiest girl wandering the grounds, but these were at least mine, not borrowed or gifted.
No sooner had the last lock of my hair been pinned into place than Meredith was beckoning me out of the room. She wasn’t a talkative woman, Ms. Meredith, but neither was I. We made our way down extravagant halls, all boasting deep mahogany wood and brass fixtures flickering with dim light. There were tapestries and portraits that I barely glimpsed thanks to Meredith’s clipped walk, but I got impressions of faces that resembled Ms. Maureen and Delilah, and a patriarch with a gnarled cane and bristly white hair.
Meredith gave two sharp raps on one door before opening it and ushering me inside. I’d been so engrossed with the masculine woodwork in the hall that it was startling to step inside Delilah’s rooms.
Gossamer white drapes hung at various intervals, covering the mahogany wood and reflecting light from several large windows. There were still brass fixtures, but they hung from the ceiling instead of the walls, and they were surrounded by dangling crystals on strings that whirled in a breeze and sent dancing rainbows throughout the room.
I hesitated in the doorway and marveled at the sight. This was a woman of powerful grace who was unafraid to deviate from the standard, and I knew at once how Derrick had been roped into all this. Ms. Maureen was not the only power under this roof, and honey always caught flies more easily than vinegar.
“Miss Grayson, how lovely of you to join us,” Delilah said.
Her silhouette was visible through one of the drapes, but I could see which of the two figures beyond was talking. They were seated at a table, straight-backed and proper, and I could see the shape of a tea set. One figure waved a hand and Meredith left, closing the door behind her, and leaving me to the machinations of Delilah King.
I swallowed, prayed to the Maker that my wits were up to the task, and moved around the drapes into the room proper. The dancing rainbows swirled color in an otherwise white space. Even the table and chairs were wrought iron painted white, and I could see a settee and divan settled beside a fireplace to the right. Both were done with cream-colored cushions and cherrywood accents that in no way resembled the rest of the manor and I had to wonder at the daily battle Delilah’s childhood must have been.
The other figure at the table turned out to be Mariana Telvinni, which made sense. She was the maid of honor, that had to mean she had Delilah’s utmost confidence.
What exhaustion kept me from noticing the night before came into sharp relief now. Mariana was extraordinarily beautiful. Her face was perfectly proportioned, her skin a creamy bronze that had me staring for several seconds beyond what was proper. She had a full mouth that twitched at the corners in a secret sort of smile, and liquid dark eyes that followed my progress into the room. She was wearing a pale pink gown of gauzy fabric with a satin underlining in ivory, and there were lilies pinned to her shoulder that were, undoubtedly, real and blooming and likely enchanted.
An earth summoner must have made it, and a good one. I was tempted to look into the aether to see its enchantment but was reminded of the runestone curse and exhaled as I made my way to the table.
“She seems clever enough, Delilah, but I’m still not sure I like this scheme of yours,” Mariana said.
“Tush,” Delilah said and then gestured for me to sit in the empty seat between them. She was wearing a silvery robe tied at the waist and I suspected was still in her nightgown underneath it. “Derrick informs me that you prefer coffee, but I was hoping you would indulge me this morning. We have masala chai tea that Mariana spoils me with and I’m gracious enough to share.”
“Thank you,” I said, and took my seat. As I smoothed out my skirt and crossed my ankles, Delilah filled a cup for me.
“I am very sorry for how you were treated,” Delilah said. “When I spoke with my mother about the need for a counselor outside of the family, I never dreamed she would resort to abduction tactics.”
I rubbed at the runestone in my palm reflexively and tried for a polite smile. If they were aware of how I’d been delivered to them, there was no sense beating around the bush. “As I have attempted to explain, there’s no way for me to maintain objectivity in this matter, Miss Delilah. I can’t perform any counseling for you that wouldn’t be mired by recent events.”
Delilah and Mariana shared a look.
“No, of course not,” Delilah said while Mariana hid a smile behind her teacup. “But then, I wouldn’t be getting a fair judge from my mother’s counselors either.”
Reaching for my teacup, I lifted it and took a sip of smooth, warm tea. I could smell cinnamon and cloves and other invigorating fragrances that made me settle back into my seat. It took a moment, but I refocused on the women in the room and immediately had to quell my unease.
Delilah King didn’t really want a counselor, that much was clear. But then, why was I here?
“If you can’t get a fair reading from either of us, I’m not sure what I can do to help,” I said.
“How wonderful you should ask,” Delilah said.
She sat back in her chair and folded her hands in her lap, which drew my attention to the glittering rings on her fingers. There were two: one a diamond crusted affair that was without doubt a symbol of her engagement, and the other an emerald on a silvery band that looked far older. I imagined there might be some significance in the second ring but before I could compliment it or ask further, she was speaking again.
“I fully understand your position,” she said. “And I am sympathetic to your predicament, Miss Grayson, so I will speak plainly. Mr. Norton and I are not in love, nor do I expect we will be in the future.”
I frowned and watched the woman, choosing to let her get everything out before responding.
“However, I do wish respect,” Delilah continued. “It might surprise you to hear that Brock and I have not spoken in private about the engagement. It’s quite maddening, to be frank. Any time I think we might be able to speak plainly, his father or my mother happen upon us and steer the conversation their direction.”
