by Chris Cannon
Bryn’s pulse spiked. “Is he here?”
“Yes, but he’s not waiting tables anymore. He’s cooking.” Megan glanced around. “I hope…you’re not here to try and take him back, are you?”
Bryn shook her head no. “I’m just here for the food.” And to rip the bandage off an emotional wound.
Megan gave a nervous laugh. “Good. Should I tell him you’re here?”
He’d probably hear it from one of the other waitstaff, even if Megan didn’t say anything. “Tell him I said hello. He doesn’t need to come out and see me…I know he’s busy.”
“Okay.” Megan bit her lip. “Maybe the next time you come in it won’t be so awkward. I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
Megan walked away. Bryn noticed the hostess and another waiter watching her. She gave a tight smile and turned back to Clint and Ivy. “Well, that was fun.”
“At least it’s over,” Ivy said.
“Or not,” Clint pointed to someone headed their way.
Valmont’s grandmother, the evil woman who had told her she never should have been involved with Valmont in the first place, came to their table and sat next to Bryn. What was she going to do—ban Bryn from the restaurant?
“I never liked you,” his grandmother said.
“Yes, you made that perfectly clear,” said Bryn.
The woman narrowed her eyes. “But I wanted to thank you for doing the right thing. Valmont is better off with Megan. She makes him happy.” And with that she stood and walked back toward the kitchen.
Bryn wanted to slump down in her seat. This was emotionally exhausting, but since she was part Blue she sat straight in her chair and acted like none of this bothered her. “I may never eat Italian again,” she told Clint and Ivy.
“At least the drama is over,” Ivy said.
“Unless Valmont comes out to say hello,” Clint said.
Bryn froze. “He’s not. Is he?”
“No.” Clint said. “But I’ll keep my eyes open for any more chaos that might be headed your way.”
After Megan brought their food, Bryn was able to relax. She was on her last bite of calzone when Jaxon walked in the door and headed straight for her.
“What’s wrong?” Bryn asked.
“My mother asked me to find you and bring you to Westgate Estate,” he said, sounding less than enthusiastic.
“Why?”
“Asher made his appearance early this morning,” Jaxon said. “And she knew you’d want to meet him.”
Happiness bubbled up inside of Bryn. “That’s so exciting.”
“If you say so. Let’s go.”
“I have to pay.” Bryn glanced around for Megan.
“We’ll take care of the bill,” Clint said. “Next time you can buy.”
“Okay. Thank you.” Bryn followed Jaxon out the front door.
A low-slung black sports car that looked like it was made from liquid metal sat parked right in front of the entrance to the restaurant. Jaxon pushed his key fob and the car’s lights blinked. He opened the door for Bryn and she climbed in.
As she buckled her seat belt, he climbed in behind the steering wheel and took off.
“Is this your Christmas present…the Bugatti something?”
“Bugatti Veyron,” he said. “And yes, it is.”
“It’s amazing,” Bryn said. And she meant it. The car looked like a work of art.
“Thank you.” He shifted gears and headed down the main road before taking a sharp right into the forest. He picked up speed, flying down the winding roads.
“Aren’t you afraid something might run out in front of you?” Bryn asked.
“No.” He pressed the accelerator and the engine growled.
“Not too chatty today, are you?” she asked.
He didn’t bother answering. Bryn watched the forest whiz by as Jaxon drove down roads which barely seemed wide enough for the car. “Are these real roads?” Bryn asked.
“Of course.”
Ten minutes later Jaxon pulled up to Westgate Estate. The wrought iron gates sported giant Ws, which Bryn found ridiculous. From past experience, she knew it only became worse in the house. The foyer floor was inlaid with a gold W, which was probably made of real gold. Even the silverware was monogrammed. Her grandmother had once informed Bryn that she would receive a set of monogrammed silver as a wedding present. That was one present Bryn might accidentally shove in a drawer and forget about.
Rather than pulling to the front of the mansion, Jaxon drove around the side to an enormous garage, which looked like it could hold a dozen cars. Several SUVs sat at the far end of the structure. Jaxon parked in one of the open spots and turned off the ignition. Bryn reached for the door handle to let herself out.
“Wait,” Jaxon said.
Was this one of those stupid moments where she was supposed to let someone else, like a member of the Westgate staff, open the door for her? She didn’t see anyone outside the car. She glanced at Jaxon for a clue. He stared at his key fob like he was searching for something.
“Jaxon?”
He sighed. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to act.”
And she was lost. “What are you talking about?”
“As a Westgate and a Blue, I’ve been raised to behave in the appropriate manner for all circumstances, but no one prepared me for this. How am I supposed to act around Asher?”
Okay, how should she handle this? “Don’t get mad because I’m not making fun of you, I’m trying to help.”
He nodded like he understood.
“Normal, and by that, I mean non-Blue individuals, are usually happy about having another family member. How do you feel about having a baby brother?”
“I’m not sure. I’m happy for my mother, but I’m worried about my relationship with my father.”
Where was a psychology book when she needed one? “I’m an only child so I don’t have any actual experience with this, but I’ve seen how proud your father is of you. That won’t change just because he has another son.”
“I suppose not…so I’ll pretend I’m happy and go from there?”
A strange thought occurred to Bryn. “Do you spend most of your time pretending?”
“Doesn’t everyone?” he asked like he actually meant it.
“No,” Bryn answered.
“If there’s one thing I learned from my relationship with Rhianna, it’s that real feelings will only cause you pain. Pretending is a much better choice. We should go.” He reached for his door handle and exited the vehicle.
Bryn was caught between wanting to hug him or yell at him. Maybe both. What did he plan to do? Keep a layer of ice between himself and the rest of the world…between him and her? Forever? Not that she expected him to fall in love with her…that was ridiculous…but she at least needed the warmth of friendship, of a good strong ally that she could depend on…hell, she’d settle for someone she could have a dinner conversation with.
Maybe they needed to discuss some ground rules for their current and future relationship. His personality had already been molded by Ferrin and polite dragon society. Maybe she could help Asher become a more normal, happier, healthier person…sort of balance out the strange proper Blue teachings with normal feelings. She opened her car door and caught up with Jaxon.
Chapter Thirteen
Lillith sat in the nursery, cradling Asher in her arms. When Bryn and Jaxon entered the room, she beamed at them. “Come meet your brother.”
Jaxon approached his mother with a polite smile frozen on his face. “How are you feeling?”
“Tired but happy,” she said.
He studied the baby like he wasn’t sure what to do.
“Out of the way.” Bryn scooted past him and reached to touch Asher’s cheek. His skin glowed golden like his mother’s and he had a sprinkling of curly blond hair. His chest rose and fell with every breath as he slept. “He’s adorable.”
“I know.” Lillith grinned. “I may be biased, but I think he’s the most beau
tiful baby I’ve ever seen.”
“Every mother thinks that,” Bryn’s grandmother said as she walked into the room, “And every mother is right.”
“It’s a little crowded in here.” Jaxon backed up toward the door.
“Your father is in the den if you want to join him,” Lillith said.
“If you want me to stay—” He left the sentence hanging.
“Thank you for coming and bringing Bryn. You’re free to go do manly things now,” his mother teased.
Jaxon walked over and kissed his mother on the forehead before exiting the room.
“May I?” Bryn’s grandmother reached for Asher.
“Of course.” Lillith passed the baby off.
Her grandmother held the baby and did that walking bounce maneuver that seemed to be innate to all species. “I can’t believe he’s sleeping so well.”
“He ate an hour ago,” Lillith said. “So I’m expecting him to start fussing any minute.”
“Westgates fuss?” Bryn acted surprised. “I didn’t think that would be part of their genetic code.”
Lillith laughed. “Not so much fussing as making their voice heard in the world.”
As if on cue, Asher opened his mouth and wailed.
Bryn’s grandmother handed the baby back to Lillith. “Bryn and I will take a walk in the arbor-areum. You can send someone for us when you’re ready for company.”
“Thank you.”
They shut the nursery doors on their way out. Bryn followed her grandmother down the hall. “I’m hoping you remember how to find the arbor-areum because I have no clue.”
“I’ve learned my way around Westgate Estate over the last few months,” her grandmother said. “Even with its idiosyncrasies, it’s a remarkable home.”
“It sure is…something,” Bryn said.
Her grandmother laughed. “The arbor-areum is amazing.”
“True.” They entered the glassed-in forest with its slate paths and mature trees, and headed for a park bench.
“So I hear that you and Jaxon have not been coexisting peacefully.”
What was her grandmother talking about? Oh…their argument in Elemental Science. “We straightened it out. He was upset about something else.” She couldn’t tell her grandmother about it being Rhianna’s birthday, so she improvised. “He came to me later and admitted he’d overreacted because something else was bothering him, so there’s no lasting damage.”
Her grandmother sat and stared at Bryn like she had two heads.
“What?” Had she broken some archaic Blue code of conduct?
“He came to you,” her grandmother said. “He admitted fault?”
Bryn nodded.
“I have no words. Your grandfather has never admitted fault for anything in his entire existence.”
Bryn shrugged. “Maybe it’s because Jaxon and I started out as rivals who have come to respect one another.”
“Whatever the reason,” her grandmother said. “I hope it’s a trend that continues in the new generation of Blues.”
“Me, too.” Maybe she could change the attitude of the Blue males for the better.
Lillith ended up sending word, via a maid carrying a sealed note, that she was going to take a nap with Asher and asked that they come back another time. She also asked that they not pass that information onto anyone else because she didn’t want to seem rude.
“We’ll come back another time,” her grandmother told the maid. “And we can see ourselves out.”
“Should I track down Jaxon and tell him we’re leaving?” Bryn asked.
“I have a better idea. Let’s tell him we’re going to Suzette’s for pie and that he’s welcome to join us,” her grandmother said. “Then we can do whatever we want and not worry about him or Ephram trying to locate us.”
Bryn laughed. “Sounds good to me.”
…
For a Friday evening there weren’t as many people as Bryn thought there would be wandering around Dragon’s Bluff. “Curfew isn’t for another hour and a half,” Bryn said. “Makes me wonder where everyone is.”
Only a few families walked along like normal. Students moved quickly in small groups from one destination to another. “Is it me,” Bryn said, “or does everyone seem to be rushing because they’re afraid to be caught loitering?”
“I’m sure Ferrin or some male is behind that rule. They don’t understand that part of enjoying Dragon’s Bluff is leisurely wandering from one store to the next. It’s supposed to be relaxed and enjoyable, not a race. Let’s see if we can get to the bottom of this.”
“You lead, and I’ll follow,” Bryn said. Would anyone approach her grandmother in a rude manner? She doubted it, but it would be interesting to see how this played out.
“We’ll start with that lovely little park that the Women’s League paid for which no one is enjoying.”
Most of the trees and foliage in Dragon’s Bluff had been burned to ash during the attack several months ago. Over the summer the bare areas had been transformed into green spaces or small parks.
“It’s beautiful,” Bryn said. There was a multilevel circular copper fountain surrounded by plants and flowers. A fantastical swing set sat off to one side. Instead of normal swings, at the end of the chains there were horses that looked like they belonged on a carousel. Some were small enough for toddlers, but a few were large enough that Bryn thought she might fit on one. Next to the swing set was an array of wooden balance beams connected to one another, suspended a foot off the ground.
Benches were scattered around, so parents could keep an eye on their children or enjoy the fountain.
“You want to ride one of the horses, don’t you?” her grandmother asked with a knowing smile.
“I do,” Bryn said. “Would that be all right?”
“That’s why we made some large enough for high school students. They’re hard to resist. Go on. I’ll loiter right here and wait to see what happens.”
“I almost feel sorry for whatever guard is clueless enough to approach you.” Bryn headed over to the horses and picked a white one with black spots. Would it hold her weight? Her grandmother and the other women would have spared no expense making sure this place was safe. Still…she sat and tested the feel of it before pushing off with her feet.
Her grandmother laughed as Bryn held onto the handles protruding from the horse’s head and leaned forward and backward, making the horse swing higher.
A few students who’d been walking stopped and watched Bryn. They ran across to the park. One girl climbed onto a horse while the other walked on the balance beams. The boys stood and watched, talking among themselves.
A guard approached from across the street and walked up to the young men. Bryn slowed her swing so she could hear better.
“No loitering allowed,” the guard declared. “Move along.”
Before the young men could get a word out, Bryn’s grandmother approached. “I’m sorry. Is there a problem?”
The guard turned to her and paused like he’d lost some of the wind from his sails. “There is no loitering allowed.”
“But they aren’t loitering,” her grandmother stated. “They’re enjoying the park.”
The guard took a deep breath. “I have my orders. Students are not allowed to loiter. They are supposed to shop and eat and leave.” He handed one of the papers to her grandmother like that would explain everything.
Her grandmother looked at the paper and flipped it over like there might be more information on the back side. “This is counterproductive to our efforts to restore Dragon’s Bluff and ridiculous to apply when it comes to a park. Who gave you these orders?”
The guard shifted his weight back and forth on his feet. “My superior.”
“Do you have a phone? Can you call him for me? I’d like to speak to him.”
“I’m sure he’s busy,” the guard said. “Perhaps you should all just move along.”
Oh no, he didn’t. Bryn fought the urge to laugh. Time to sit back a
nd enjoy the show.
“Let me rephrase my request. Call your superior and tell him his presence is required here, now.”
“Uhm…he may not be available,” the guard said.
Her grandmother crossed her arms over her chest and smiled at the guard. “I’ll wait.”
The guard walked away, pulling his phone from his pocket. After placing the call, he stayed where he was rather than returning to her grandmother.
Bryn pushed the swing higher and waited to see what would happen next.
A harried looking guard entered the park and sighed when he saw Marie Sinclair waiting for him. “Mrs. Sinclair, is there a problem?”
“Yes. There is. My granddaughter and other students are here to enjoy the town and the park. Your friend over there seems to find that objectionable. Can you explain why?”
“We are under orders to keep people from congregating.”
“Yes, I’ve seen the pamphlet.” She held it up. “Who gave you this directive?”
“A member of the Directorate,” the guard said.
“Which one?” she asked.
“I’m not at liberty to say.”
“Were you specifically ordered not to reveal who gave this ridiculous order?” her grandmother asked. “Or do you fear retribution?”
He glanced around. “It’s almost curfew. I respectfully suggest you enjoy the park and then seek answers elsewhere so that my men and I won’t receive the fallout.”
“I understand your position. Answer me one question and I won’t trouble you any more. When I search for more information, should I bother contacting Ferrin Westgate? He’s a busy man and I wouldn’t want to disturb him needlessly.”
“He might be able to point you in the right direction.” The guard stepped away from her. “Good night, Mrs. Sinclair.”
Both guards retreated. Bryn hopped off her horse and went over to her grandmother. “Ferrin would have been my number one guess since he seems to suck the joy from most situations.”
Her grandmother gave her a warning look. “However accurate your sentiment might be, we are in public.”
Bryn rolled her eyes. “Fine. Where to now?”
“I’d like to sit here for awhile longer, if you don’t mind.” her grandmother said. “It is a beautiful night.”
