by Bree Verity
And yet, he was family, and the only brother her mother had. And there was no real way of knowing for certain whether Mama would welcome a decision to remove Uncle Harold from their lives, or if it would grieve her.
In the end they had decided to ensure that either Caroline or Theo was at home when Uncle Harold visited. Otherwise, Benton was given permission to deny him entry.
The situation was vexatious - and one quick word to Uncle Harold with the sapphire in hand might mend everything.
But if the magic gave Theo horrendous megrims, what might it do to Uncle Harold?
“Caroline.”
She could see in the mirror, standing behind her, her fairy godmother, jeweled wings seeming to dissolve away into nothing as they gently beat the air.
“Why do you always wear pink?” Caroline asked. “You would look very well in much stronger shades.”
“It’s our uniform,” Fenella replied, and Caroline smiled to hear a note of disdain in the fae’s voice.
“Because fairy godmothers wear pink.” Caroline nodded. “That makes some kind of absurd sense.”
“Well, good. I’m glad you got that off your chest.” Fenella seemed peeved. Caroline turned in her chair.
“Are you alright?”
Fenella sighed and plumped down on the edge of Caroline’s bed. “It’s nothing,” she said, sounding tired. “Just the stresses and strains of being a dark fae doing a light fae’s job.”
“You were going to tell me about that one day,” Caroline reminded her.
Fenella smiled and Caroline reared back in surprise. “Your teeth! They… they…”
“There’s nothing wrong with my teeth,” Fenella replied peevishly. “It’s your teeth that are wrong. Mine are perfectly serviceable for tearing and shredding.”
Caroline could not help looking at them now she had seen them. Fenella had little, sharp, pointed teeth. Beautiful and white, certainly, but pointed, nonetheless.
The longer Caroline stared, the colder the room grew, and the stronger the points of ruby light in Fenella’s eyes glowed. This was Fenella’s way of showing impatience and, eventually, anger. Caroline did not want to drive Fenella into anger.
“So,” she said, trying for a friendly tone and regretting it instantly when she stuttered. She coughed and tried again. “Are you going to tell me about how you became a fairy godmother?”
“No.” Fenella had turned sullen. “I want you to give the charm back to me.”
“What? No.”
The room grew icy, and Caroline was certain that she could see pale, wispy smoke forming around Fenella’s ankles.
“Give it back, Caroline.”
“I can’t.”
Fenella crossed her arms over her chest and raised one eyebrow.
“You see, I need it to use on my uncle,” Caroline said hurriedly.
“Your uncle?”
“Yes. To ask him not to say things that will upset my mother.”
Fenella’s eyes slimmed to mere slits. “And how exactly does this benefit your happily ever after?”
“Well… If I am not happy, then I cannot have a happily ever after? And if my mother is not happy, then I am not happy?”
Fenella stared at her for a moment in silence before holding out her hand. “Give it to me.”
“No.”
“I mean it, Caroline. It was a mistake to give it to you in the first place. Look at the damage you have done with it.”
Caroline flushed. “I did not know it would give Theo the megrim.”
“I mean about Cabot and Co.”
Caroline colored even deeper. “I could not have known that Mr. Cabot would defraud. It has never happened before. Many investors were caught up, not just me.”
Fenella stood up and came to Caroline’s side. “Give me the charm, Caroline.”
Caroline was desperate. “I can’t.” Her voice came out as a whisper.
The room was freezing. Fenella’s eyes were almost all red, and now, there was definitely black smoke with tiny forks of red lightning swirling its way up Fenella’s body. Her voice grew deep, as deep as the dark shadows over her face. “Give it back.”
Caroline quailed. She watched as long, red nails grew on Fenella’s fingers, as her gown turned to blood red, as she started to levitate.
“Give it back.”
The voice was booming in Caroline’s ears and she covered them with her hands, squeezing her eyes shut and hunching over. Wind whipped at her hair and clothes, and she felt as if she stood naked, outside, in a snowdrift, it was so cold. She did not dare to crack her eyes open even a little, for fear she might see the terrifying fae, whose sharp, pointed teeth now looked very much at home in her death-like face. And one look at Fenella, she was sure, would have her heart, already jumping, beating its way out of her chest.
But she had no choice. She needed the charm for these two last tiny jobs. For her mother’s peace of mind. And her own.
“No.”
Around her, the room fell still. After a long moment, she dared to peep out. Everything was back to normal. The last of the afternoon sunlight slanted through her open curtains. She turned to look at herself in the glass - not a hair out of place. And Fenella was nowhere in sight.
Her pulse steadied. The sapphire still dangled from her fingers.
She sat back in her chair, panting a little. Then a smile dawned on her face.
She had won.
* * *
Fenella raged; black smoke tinged with red starting to appear in a whirl around her ankles. “All I tried to do was to make her life better. And what do I get? The single most ungrateful godchild in the entire world.”
Fenella glared at Lachlan, but he was unconcerned by the deep red flashes in her eyes.
“Sit down, Fenella,” he said gently. “And try not to burn my chair.”
Fenella sat, arms crossed, and fine black brows drawn. “What?” she said grumpily. “Are you going to tell me this is all my fault?”
“Well, your gift to Caroline was bound to create some disturbance,” he said with a shrug. “Using magic on anyone other than your godchildren always has drastic consequences.”
“But I didn’t use the magic,” countered Fenella smartly. “She did.”
Lachlan stared at her across the desk, one eyebrow raised.
“Oh, fine.” Fenella crossed her arms. “Maybe it was a mistake.”
“Maybe?”
“I still think it could have worked if she’d listened to what I said.”
Lachlan snorted. “And when ever have you seen a young human actually listen to what their fairy godmother says?”
“That is true. They all seem to do exactly the opposite to what we suggest.”
“Which is why you must work your magic on the actual godchild, and not anyone else. Once you have changed them, they can only take into account the experience they have had.”
“I see,” mused Fenella. But then she glared at Lachlan, accusation on her face. “Then why did you let me give the pendant to Caroline in the first place?”
“Me?” Lachlan’s eyes widened. “You did that all by yourself.”
“You could have jumped in and stopped me. You were standing right there, even though Caroline couldn’t see you.”
He shrugged insouciantly. “You had to learn. And you, Fenella, are very much like those young human ladies.” He leaned forward and let his elbow rest on the desk, chin in hand, and chuckled to see the scowl descend over her features.
“I am not.”
“Yes you are,” he chided. “You don’t listen to a word anyone else says.”
Fenella turned a sulky shoulder on him. “I do so.”
With a smile, he let the argument go, sitting back in his chair. “So, what are you going to do now?”
“What can I do? She won’t give it back.”
“No. And we don’t have the power to compel.”
Fenella’s eyes lit up. “I do.”
Lachlan was instantly wary.
“No, you don’t.”
“You know I do.”
A prickle of deep apprehension wriggled its way up his spine, and he glowed, very slightly. “Yes, but we agreed never to use that magic.”
“But what if it’s the only way?”
“It’s not the only way. There has to be another way than that.”
Fenella twisted her head so she was looking at Lachlan from an angle. “Are you afraid?” she said, and her tone made Lachlan shudder.
“Yes,” he declared. “I am afraid. I’m afraid of an old, evil magic that I have no control over. I’m afraid it will eat away at the goodness in your soul, if you let it. And I’m afraid for you, Fenella. I’m afraid what would happen to you if you were found out.”
She blinked and the teasing smile left her face. “You really are afraid, aren’t you?”
He let his troubled gaze rest on her, and she worried her lower lip with her teeth. “It’s not really that bad, you know,” she said, hesitation in her voice. “It doesn’t do anything to me when I use it.”
“Tell me you haven’t used it. Since you showed me.”
She gnawed even more on her lip, and Lachlan’s anger exploded, as did his light.
“For Rianna’s sake, Fenella, what did I tell you?”
“But I can’t help it. It’s like using my dark magic, just part of who I am.”
“What did you do?”
“Nothing dreadful.”
“What did you do?”
She looked away from him, to the side and to the floor. “I got the grocer to give me a discount.”
“What?” Lachlan jumped up out of his chair and stalked around the room. “You used it for something so… banal? Right in the middle of the grocers?”
“There was nobody else there,” argued Fenella. “And like I said, I can’t help it.”
Lachlan stopped behind Fenella’s chair. Whipping it around to face him, he placed his hands on the arms, trapping Fenella, and leaned down to look her directly in the eyes.
“You have got to stop using it,” he said, emphasizing each word. “Someone will notice. Someone will find you.”
“And just who is this someone, Lachlan? I’ve been using these powers since I was born. Nobody’s noticed. And besides, why is it so important to you? I’m just another apprentice to you. Seven wishes and I’ll be gone, out of your life.”
“You know that’s not true, Fenella.” The words wrenched out of him on a harsh breath. “You know that’s not true.” He looked deeply into her dark blue eyes and she looked back, challenging him.
Breathing was difficult with Fenella so close and desirable. If he leaned in, just a little bit more, he could kiss her again, feel the smooth perfection of her cherry lips. The scent of her, like fire and life, surrounded him. His glow turned, from blue to yellow. She was almost irresistible.
Then she closed her eyes.
Lachlan came back to his senses and his glow snapped off. He spun the chair back around to face the right way and gave it a sharp shove. Fenella jerked her eyes open and jumped to her feet. Scarlet faced, she stared at Lachlan for a long moment, like a cat caught in a sudden bright light, before turning and half-running, half-flying out of the room, her long dark hair a ribbon of blackness behind her.
Lachlan wearily made his way back to his seat, which he fell into with a heavy sigh. Maybe he should give up this assignment. It wasn’t good for either of them to have actual proper feelings for each other. He should do the right thing, officially resign her case, let her be reassigned.
But what would happen when that new mentor discovered she was blackdark? Lachlan had heard about what they used to do - torture, experiments… locking the person up until they went insane. And while it was true - these were not the dark ages - there were still some power-hungry, petty fae who ran the directory, who would take an outbreak of blackdark and turn it into a circus - with Fenella as the main attraction.
No. He would grit his teeth, sit on his hands, and stay with her.
It was the least he could offer her.
Chapter Fourteen.
It was a rare evening, where both Caroline and Theo were at home.
Mrs. Cheswick spent most evenings at home, often joined by Mrs. Benton or one of the other maids who were only too happy to spend a few hours off their feet engaged in either mending or their own fancy work.
Caroline had taken to spending evenings away with friends several times a week, and Theo was very rarely at home for dinner. So, tonight was a lovely change.
They had already eaten dinner and had retired to the parlor, where a delightful, roaring fire awaited them. The blue chairs beside the fire were inviting and Caroline had curled herself up in one of them. Theo had taken the other, pipe and book in hand. And James had dragged Mrs. Cheswick’s favorite chaise over to the fire as well so all three of them created a cozy circle.
Benton arrived, and placed the tea on a small table in front of Caroline. She smiled at him. “Thank you, Benton,” she said, and he bowed in return before exiting the room.
Caroline sighed happily. Everything was coming together. Tomorrow, she could approach Uncle Harold and make sure he didn’t upset Mama again. She had a husband that she loved, and who was fond of her at least, and her Mama was well cared for. The only sticking point was Theo’s insistence that Caroline not engage in the business world, but she was still working on that too, doggedly discussing the latest from the papers each morning. Surely soon Theo would come around.
She noticed Theo’s eyes were upon her and she flushed, although the heat of the fire covered it.
“You seem quite pleased with yourself,” he commented with a smile.
“I am,” she said. “Today is a good day.”
Theo nodded and smiled, then transferred his attention to Mrs. Cheswick.
“Did you want tea, Mama?”
Caroline turned to find her mother regarding the teaset gravely from her perch on the chaise, her expression a little like a puppy whose one focus is the stick he has placed at his owner’s feet. “Mama?”
With a start, Mrs. Cheswick looked over at Caroline.
“Did you want some tea?”
“Yes please.” Her expression softened again, and Caroline, pouring the tea into fine white cups bespeckled with blue and purple flowers, wondered what had been going through her head.
She placed a teacup in front of Mrs. Cheswick and, knowing there was little point in offering Theo tea (he would definitely want something stronger), poured her own cup. Putting down the teapot, she stirred in a little cream, then lifted the cup to her mouth.
Mrs. Cheswick shrieked “No!” and in a blindingly fast movement, slapped the cup out of Caroline’s hand, spilling tea across her lap and the rug on the floor. Theo jumped out of his chair, as did Caroline.
“Mama!” Caroline scolded. “Why did you do that?”
Mrs. Cheswick had returned to her chaise and was cowering. “I don’t know,” she whimpered. “I have to keep you out of trouble.”
With aplomb, Benton came back into the room and picked up the cup. “I shall fetch you another cup, madam,” he said, unperturbed. Caroline nodded, her shocked eyes still fixed on her mother, who had already slipped back into her own world. She was singing a little rhyme and playing with the fringe on her shawl.
“What was that all about?” Theo murmured, and Caroline turned to look at him.
“I cannot tell you,” Caroline replied also in a low voice. “She has never been violent with me before.” She thought for a moment. “Maybe this has something to do with Uncle Harold’s visit this afternoon?”
“Perhaps,” said Theo, settling back down into his chair. Caroline had told him about her uncle’s visit and the trouble it had caused. “But Ponsonby has been in your mother’s periphery for years, yet, as you said, she has never behaved violently before.”
Caroline knew what Theo would say next, but she dreaded to hear it.
“Is it possible this is the next stage in your m
other’s illness?”
“I hope not,” she said fervently. “She has been the same for so long. I had hoped that she would just stay quiet and forgetful and docile. However, the doctors did tell us that there was the possibility that the illness would progress.”
“And Ponsonby did mention that she had been agitated when she was away from you just after our wedding,” Theo reminded her. “Perhaps that was the start of it.”
Caroline’s eyes filled with tears. She found Theo’s comforting hand in hers.
“If she needs more help, we will get it,” he said, and Caroline smiled at him through her tears.
“Thank you.”
Theo smiled, and went back to his pipe and book.
Caroline watched him for a moment before wiping her eyes. Benton returned with the replacement teacup and she poured herself a new cup, drinking it without incident.
All the while hoping that this was not a new stage in her mother’s illness.
The doctors had warned she might become unmanageable, even to the point of needing to be committed to an asylum.
And that was something that Caroline never wanted to have to think about.
Chapter Fifteen.
Theo looked around himself, feeling pleased and proud. Caroline had outdone herself, and the dinner party was spectacular.
As was the fashion, Theo was seated at the head of the table, with alternating female and male guests from the most important to the least trickling down the sides. So, beside him on one side he had Caroline, who was seated beside Sir Allan Peabody and his wife, and on his other side sat Lady Edenburgh, Quincey’s tall, astonishing wife, with Quincey, who was the only Earl in the room, by her side.
Caroline spent a good portion of her time chatting to Sir Allan and his wife, but came back to Theo regularly to tell him what their conversations had been about - so far, they had discussed Sir Allan and Lady Helene’s goddaughter, who was preparing to be presented to society next year, and their daughter, apparently an old school friend of Caroline’s, who was expecting her second child after delivering to her husband a healthy baby boy last summer.
