Mirror Bound

by Kirsten Bij't Vuur

  us up later.'

  'If you're afraid to come, love, I can go alone,' Lukas said, though it was clear that the very idea frightened him out of his wits, which only made my fear for him worse.

  'Why does that thought scare you so much, Lukas?' I asked, 'what is it? What is out there, waiting to get you? That is what is frightening me, you're making me afraid you're marching to a certain doom knowingly, as if to do penance.'

  'I'm sorry I've given the wrong impression love,' Lukas replied, 'that is not how it feels to me. As long as you're with me I'm not afraid, you will keep me sane and on the right track. But if I were to go alone, I fear being overwhelmed by my own Gift, forcing me to heal everyone who is even slightly unhappy or unwell, exhausting my body and my spirit, leading me astray from the purpose of my visit, chaining me to a dreary existence in my old world.

  It just feels wrong to me to do such a radical thing as move to another world when I'm changing so fast myself, but I can't not make an effort to save Katarina.'

  'Let us tell your father we will be ready to accompany him in two weeks, and then go home to dress for our visit to my parents. I'll arrange a leave from my duties via them, and we'll visit your family somewhere this week, Melissa, maybe your father can help Lukas a little further, I have a feeling he has known all along something profound was about to happen to him. Are you less worried now, love?' This last was meant for me, and indeed I was easier now Lukas had explained it was really only the change in his talent that frightened him so much.

  I nodded, though visiting Paul's parents worried me quite as much as the idea of travelling between dimensions did. But neither could be helped, and both would probably be really interesting.

  It was quite a trip to cycle to Paul's parents' house, but it was worth the effort, for this part of the city was beautiful and reasonably clean, and the weather was still fine.

  Lukas was pleased to have his own bicycle, he could easily match our speed walking fast, but it was nicer to all cycle together, and we were getting used to people staring anyway.

  My misgivings about going to such a grand house with upper-class people were by no means laid to rest, I felt quite at home at the Nomes' manor now,

  but it was very clear that they were not your usual noble family.

  I was sure everyone would see my common birth straight away, my manners were working-class, and though I knew I was beautiful, I also knew it was in a healthy, earthy way.

  My dresses were probably years out of date, and cycling in the city had gotten me as healthy a colour as a person of my complexion could obtain.

  I was desperately afraid to make an unrefined impression on Paul's family, especially since both Paul and Lukas had such exquisite manners. As we reached the house and put away our bicycles in the stable area, I looked around me at the grandeur of the ancient family home and wanted to go right back to our own familiar place.

  The house was huge, built entirely out of white chalk, in a rather severe style with little ornamentation.

  The stables were at the back of the house, and were only accessible from a back street, so I had not seen the front of it yet, but the back was grand enough to totally overwhelm me, and I tried to hide behind Paul and Lukas as we walked towards the back entrance.

  It was elaborate enough to be the front of the house, I thought, but of course the master of the house would use this entrance more often than the front, alighting from his carriage or horse, so it could not be hidden away, it needed to have some style.

  The building was not free-standing, and it had no extensive grounds around it, but I was a city girl and to me it was huge, and the garden behind it was as large as some of the parks I had visited, and much more elaborately designed.

  I longed to explore that garden, and see the place where the glasshouse was planned, but that was not to be, first I had to meet Paul's parents in their natural habitat, and his sister. I think the guys had noticed my reticence by now, for Paul said teasingly: 'Dearest, you're supposed to make a grand entrance on my arm, you're part of the Kenwick family after all.'

  And Lukas took both my hands, turned me to face him and looked at me intently: 'You're really nervous about this, aren't you?'

  I blurted out: 'Of course I am, you've both seen my parents' house and neighbourhood, I look like a commoner and I feel like a commoner, big and fat and clumsy.' I was getting seriously upset by now, the guys just didn't understand, all this was as common as breathing to them, and they had left it behind them without a second thought, they couldn't care less about grandeur.

  Lukas released my hands, and put an arm around me, saying: 'Don't worry, they're just people like you and me, they can't build their own glasshouse, and you can. You're always so independent, please stay true to yourself.'

  And Paul took my arm on my other side, and said: 'Dearest, Lukas is right, I haven't chosen my own family, I was born to them. Just stick with me, I'll get you through it.'

  And he kissed me lovingly and appropriately on my cheek. Lukas didn't kiss me at all, aware of all the proprieties of our society, he just winked at me with love in his eyes, and followed Paul and me into the house, where an immaculately dressed butler was waiting to take us into the house to Paul's parents for tea.

  Seeing Paul's parents and meeting his sister did nothing to make me feel less common, for they were all as trim-figured as Paul and dressed immaculately, though rather dully. I must admit though, that Paul's parents were not condescending towards me, had never been actually, and his sister was friendly in a self-possessed way. The difference in class was really something only I seemed to feel.

  I did stay close to Paul, talking first to his mother and father, telling them all about solving the disappearance of the dryads, discovering them during a search, finding out that their souls had been taken by photography, freeing the faeries and the children. They had heard from Frances that their son had been shot, and they were shocked to hear how bad it had been. Even just talking about that horrible night I still felt the fear and the despair, until a strong hand found mine and squeezed it gently to remind me all had ended well.

  Then we continued to Lukas' healing of the rejected children and the destruction of the false node. Paul told them about his admiration for Tristan's subtlety, and his consequent wish to learn that for himself.

  Lukas meanwhile was in deep conversation with Paul's sister, he had seemed pulled towards her from the first introduction. Lukas had such easy manners, but still acted so appropriately, that soon no-one gave a second glance to the young man sitting with an unmarried young lady. I had the impression that they were not talking about enjoyable things, though, Lukas seemed much more serious than usual and Paul's sister was almost sad.

  Although I had not planned to get married myself, and Paul's sister was probably not that much older than me, I couldn't help but wonder why she

  was still unmarried and living with her parents. Somehow I clearly thought that high-born girls should marry before they moved out. I couldn't ask without being badly mannered, but after some time tea was served, and I came to sit next to her, and I soon learned more.

  Sofia was twenty-three, and though she was tall, she was not as pretty as her brother was handsome. But maybe it was just that he dressed differently, more casually, her dress and the way her hair was styled were more suited to a much older person, the colour washing her out totally, the style making her seem emaciated and flat-chested, and combined with a certain melancholy air she did not seem particularly good company.

  But there I was wrong, she soon turned out to be very intelligent, and very well-read. It was really nice to talk to her, she remembered Paul as a really young boy, though her going to school and him being fostered at the Nomes'

  had separated them in later years.

  The weird thing was, that though she was of the highest possible class, with twenty thousand pounds to her name, I felt kind of sorry for her, for I guessed her life must be very boring, with not many prospects of it ever
getting more interesting.

  The reason for her not being married turned out to be linked to her class and money, as she told me: 'I'm rich and I have the best family-connections, but I don't really want to give up my whole life for a man. I have had suitors, but I could never be sure of their affection, I always suspected they were courting me for my money and my name, and the older and more experienced I get, the more I am convinced that I wasn't wrong.'

  I did not have anything consoling to say to her, I had no clue how their world functioned, the reason I was here at all was that her very own brother had thrown off his chains and taken his life in his own hands.

  But I could imagine that would be even more difficult for a girl, I had had my share of trouble finding my place in a man's world, and my family had supported me all the way.

  Sofia wanted to know all about my studies and my current job, and I was pleased to tell her. She said: 'Since I didn't have enough magical talent to follow in my parents' footsteps, my only career option is marriage. I may congratulate myself that my parents are enlightened enough that they are not willing to sell me to the highest bidder, or I'd already be producing high-born children for a nobleman who keeps a wife for her connections and finds his

  love elsewhere.

  What I would really like to do is to study music and become a performer, or maybe a music teacher. I love playing, and I think I'm quite good at it.'

  I must admit I had not expected to find Paul's family so nice and unassuming, the conversation was stimulating, the food was astonishing, and time flew.

  After tea, we went outside to look at the site where the glasshouse was to be built. Sofia came with us, talking to Lukas again.

  Soon Paul and me were discussing the plans of the building and Mr Jones'

  offer on the frame with his parents, and after half an hour we had reached the conclusion that it would be possible to build a glasshouse in this spot for the price Paul's parents had in mind.

  But when we wanted to go inside for some music, Sofia and Lukas were nowhere to be seen. Since Sofia was Paul's sister, her honour was his business as well, but he didn't seem very worried about it. He suggested we take a tour of the garden, see if they were back by the time we were done, and his parents agreed.

  The garden was lovely, very well kept, more formal than Frances' gardens, but of course Frances was an artist, the Kenwick's gardener was merely very able. A greenhouse would look very well in the spot designated for it, and it would be a welcome addition to the garden in the winter, if one could afford it.

  Chapter 59

  By the time we were back at the house, Sofia and Lukas were not outside, but of course there was little reason for them to wait for us outside when we weren't in sight. We went in, and when we came into the drawing room, Sofia was sitting at the piano and Lukas was standing beside it, listening to her playing.

  She was very good, and when her song was ended she said: 'Sorry we disappeared, but I wanted to ride a bicycle very much so Lukas showed me.

  it's much easier than it seems.' She was actually laughing, the first time I had heard her laugh.

  I checked Paul's expression to see if he was scandalized by his sister riding a bicycle, and I was relieved to see he actually pleased with her evident enjoyment of the exercise. I would have hated to find him a hypocrite.

  Sofia now asked me: 'Do you play, Melissa? Lukas already told me he doesn't.'

  I had to admit I didn't play an instrument, I had always been too busy studying to learn.

  'Too bad, and Paul doesn't play either,' she said, 'but he can sing a duet with me, he has a lovely voice.'

  And immediately she launched into a beautiful song, she had a lovely soprano voice, and her skills on the instrument were impressive. Halfway through the song, her soprano was suddenly accompanied by a baritone second voice, and looking to my left I indeed saw a whole new side to my husband, singing a heart-rending Italian song with total abandonment.

  Of course I had not ever heard really good singing or playing, either in a home environment or at a concert, but I thought this was good enough for any concert I'd visited.

  When the song was ended, Paul looked at me in triumph, and I had no trouble acknowledging his fabulous performance. His parents were really affected by their two youngest children singing together, it had been a very long time since they had been privileged to hear their son sing.

  We all begged for more, and they soon found another piece they both knew, and this time, Paul started the singing, and hearing him solo stirred my feelings quite a bit, I realized that his voice was naturally suited to expressing deep feelings, even if his character might not be. After one verse, Sofia's voice joined his in the refrain, and the next verse was hers alone. I discovered I enjoyed the music very much, the feelings the songs conveyed seemed so real, and I was a bit disappointed when it was done.

  Paul thanked Sofia for her accompaniment, and asked his father: 'Do you still sing, father?' He didn't give a clear answer, but Sofia observed: 'He does, as well as you, Paul, and I think you may remember his favourite, though it has been a long time since you sang together.'

  She rummaged through a pile of sheet music, removed one set and showed it to her father, then put it on the stand of the piano.

  When she started on the intro, it was clear both men recognized it, and she said: 'If you recognize the song, feel free to join in.' She repeated the intro, and launched in a haunting melody in a minor key, still totally instrumental, but speaking volumes nonetheless.

  And when I was totally immersed in the feeling of the music, her father started singing English words along with it, his voice as smooth as her playing, the lyrics telling a tale of woe, of a man plagued by misfortune. It was capital.

  After the first verse, the refrain followed, and not surprisingly, the song didn't get any cheerier, the singer detailing how he lost his siblings to famine, then his parents to disease.

  Now the second verse started, and Paul joined his father in a slightly higher second voice to the melody, harmonizing perfectly, brightening the atmosphere of the song a teeny bit. And indeed the lyrics mentioned a lover, making life bearable again.

  But of course it couldn't last, after the second refrain they started on the third verse together, again in perfect harmony but Paul's part lower than his father's, and indeed, the lover betrayed the singer and left him dying of a wasting disease.

  The last refrain brought tears to my eyes, I had never heard music like this before, I experienced it instead of just listening to it, and the fact that the performers were people I knew made it all the more powerful.

  When the last notes died away, Lukas, Paul's mother and I applauded

  energetically, and I'm sure my face showed my state of mind.

  And indeed, after giving us a flourishing bow, Paul took me in his arms and whispered in my ear: 'So now I know how to make you cry, beloved. Next time I sing for you I'll make you smile.'

  And then he kissed me, chastely, for we were in company, but it gave me a thrill nonetheless.

  Sofia now looked at Lukas once, pointedly, then left the room. It was not yet time for dinner, and we all sat down in the drawing room for some more talking. Paul of course wanted to discuss a few months' absence with his parents, and this was the ideal moment.

  He said: 'Mother, father, you know I am planning to practice magic once more, I might do a testing in about half a year from now.' They both looked very happy again, and nodded their acknowledgement.

  'I have had an invitation from Lukas' father to visit his country for a few months, to gain experience in working magic. They don't have any innovations there, they do everything with magic, openly, and I would like to take him up on his offer to be able to learn as much as I can.'

  His father observed: 'And you want us to arrange a replacement for your quarter for that time?' This time, Paul nodded and replied: 'Yes please.'

  'But darling, are you sure you can trust that man, he did offer some nasty threats t
o your friend here.' Paul's mother sounded rather worried, and of course she was right to be. Paul tried to appease her, by saying: 'Having been brought down to human frailty has taught Hermes a lot about compassion, and we are certain he will not offer us any harm. We have set spies on him, two elven marriage statues, and they assure us that his change of heart is genuine. They can read thoughts, you know.'

  Apparently they had heard of statues like that, for they seemed more at ease about the whole idea. Paul's father now offered: 'I think it is a capital idea, no-one in our community has ever had the chance to learn magic in a society where it is openly practised, and I think your should go. I'll arrange things with the council. When do you plan to leave?'

  'In about two weeks, George and council member Telling are preparing certain safety-measures for us, and as soon as they are ready, and I have a replacement, we will go.' Paul started to show some excitement now, he clearly looked forward to going somewhere far away from the city.

  That arranged, it was very clear to me that Lukas had something on his mind,

  and was only waiting for the right moment to spill it.

  And that moment had arrived as soon as Paul and his father had arranged all the details for their trip to ancient Greece. Lukas looked at Paul's father and mother, and at Paul himself, and he said: 'Sir and Lady Kenwick, have you noticed that your daughter is very unhappy, so unhappy that her depression is on the verge of taking over her life? Her need pulled me in the moment I set eyes on her.'

  This caused several moments of deep silence. Then her mother admitted: 'I have noticed she lacks spirit, yes, and she never goes out with friends.'

  Lukas looked serious: 'It is much worse than that, Lady Kenwick, Sofia sees her life as totally useless, being without magic in a family where talent is everything, and a girl among boys, unable to do anything but be pretty and accomplished.