Fragile Destiny (The Aether Chronicles)

by Suzanne Lazear

  Shrugging, she holstered her pistol and left muttering, “Breakfast is ready.”

  Steven dressed and padded down to the kitchen. His nose twitched at the smell of pancakes and his mouth watered. Everyone was there—Vix, James, and Jeff, and Noli cooking.

  Jeff was sitting at the table reading the paper. The headline read Jewel Stolen at Museum Ball.

  “You’re lucky,” he said, glancing up at Steven. “Apparently two men were caught trying to steal the gem. Then, while the police were busy with them, someone else actually stole the gem. The other men disappeared too. Noli was right—the ball was a great cover for a robbery.”

  Someone had stolen the fake. A load lifted off Steven’s chest, then slammed down so hard he gasped. “What if they realize it’s fake?”

  “Wouldn’t they have to be magic?” Jeff hid behind the newspaper.

  Noli handed Steven a cup of tea, flashing him a large smile.

  “Those would be the people I’d worry about.” Steven took the offered cup.

  “We’ll handle them.” Noli returned with plates of food.

  “Are we doing more boring research today?” James stuffed food in his mouth.

  Noli sat at the crowded table, on a fifth chair brought in from the dining room. “I need to be at the shop at ten. Jeff, if Jo comes to call will you please tell her where I am?”

  “What you should be doing is getting that thing out of here.” Jeff put away his paper so he could eat. “Go hide it in fairyland or something.”

  “We will; I’m just about finished. I’m going to see if Quinn sent us an aethergraph. I’m still worried about him and Elise.” Steven took a bite. “Excellent breakfast, Noli.”

  Noli smiled, her eyes shining in the morning light. “I appreciate the compliment. I finished my applications this morning. Will you drop them off for me at Mr. Thompson’s shop when you check for aethergraphs? Please?”

  “That was fast.” He took another bite of delicious pancake.

  “I only completed three. I still have to ask some of my teachers for letters.” Noli paused, fork halfway to her mouth. “Do you think the fact I’m not in school will affect my application?”

  “Same as it will mine,” Steven replied. “I’ll send off yours and mine, though I only have one.” It was odd that she could think about going to university at a time like this. But this was her dream, so naturally she’d be excited. “If you write some requests to your teachers, I can drop those off as well,” he offered.

  The look on her face said it all. He was actually looking forward to spending four years with her in the mortal realm, attending a university and learning new things. Being together without chaperones. After that, they could take his court back.

  “I wish you all the best.” Vix took a sip of tea. “Are you also going to university, James?”

  James snorted. “Me, go to school voluntarily? Do you think Hittie and Hattie would let me work with them for a bit?”

  Steven nearly spit out his tea. Hittie and Hattie were ornery female air pirate friends of Vix’s. Hattie did seem fond of James.

  Vix’s eyebrows rose. “Doing what?”

  “Gunning.” James shrugged. “Noli, more sword lessons after you visit the shop?”

  “Perfect.” Noli grinned.

  They finished breakfast. Noli gave Steven her applications and quickly wrote requests to her teachers. Back at his own house, the first thing Steven did was consult the book he and Quinn used for messages. He’d forgotten to check it yesterday.

  The page was blank. His finger traced the spot where there should be a symbol. Two days ago, there’d been a triangle, which had replaced the circle and rectangle that had been there previously.

  No symbol. That could only mean one thing.

  Dropping the book to the ground, Steven ran all the way to Mr. Thompson’s General Store. Chest heaving, he pushed open the door.

  “Mr. Thompson, do you have any aethergraphs for James or Steven Darrow, or for Magnolia Braddock?”

  Mr. Thompson returned with two papers. “I have one for Steven Darrow and one for Magnolia Braddock.”

  “I appreciate it.” Steven handed the shopkeeper a coin. Noli’s was from her mother. But the other …

  Stiofán, something is wrong. Come as soon as possible.

  —Mathias

  Steven’s entire being went cold. Mathias was a very good friend of Quinn’s. As much as he hoped it wasn’t true, this message wouldn’t disappear or change.

  Back at the houses, he found Noli and James gone. He moved all of Quinn’s journals and research to Noli’s room, where they’d be safe. After locating a schedule of airships to New York, he returned to town to visit the bank and buy some essentials. This time, he’d bring money before charging off on an adventure.

  When Steven came home again, he found James giving Noli a sword lesson in her backyard. Jeff joined them too, his eyes shining with excitement.

  “Noli, come quick,” Jeff called.

  Noli put down her sword, hiked up her skirts, and followed her brother into the house. Steven looked at James, who shrugged. They followed Noli and Jeff into what had been Mr. Braddock’s office, which looked as if it had been set upon by bandits.

  “You found it?” Noli’s jaw dropped.

  Steven cocked his head, wondering what Jeff had been looking for.

  “You never thought to look in here, did you?” Grinning, Jeff bent under the desk.

  She shook her head. “We’re not allowed in here.”

  “Which makes it the perfect place to hide things.” Jeff’s hand shot out from under the desk, holding a glass jar stuffed with money. He emerged and waved the jar at Noli. “University fund. This should get you started.”

  Noli wrapped her arms around her brother, her eyes shimmering with joy. “You found it.”

  Ah, the infamous hidden jar of money. Steven had helped Noli look for it, and yes, this was one place they’d never dared look.

  Jeff hugged Noli back, shooting Steven a pointed glance that clearly said take that.

  “I dropped off the applications and your letters.” Steven didn’t know what else to say. He’d figured he’d pay for Noli’s school. Somehow. He supposed all his father’s money and the house were his now.

  Perhaps they could sell the house here and buy one wherever they went to university. Then they could, for lack of a better term, “play house.” Though he might have to marry Noli first. Mortal style, at least. Not that he minded.

  He smiled. Yes, he’d marry her. Mortal and Otherworld style. Even with everything, he wanted to be with her forever. He was her other half. She made him a better man.

  “What?” Noli laughed.

  “I’d marry you in a moment.” Steven’s cheeks burned as he realized he’d said that out loud. Immediately, his hands flew up in surrender. “Please, no one shoot me.”

  “Please do it,” Vix replied from the doorway, for once not aiming a pistol at him. “That way we could have a double wedding and Noli could plan everything.”

  Noli looked thoughtful. For a second her eyes took on that blank look that meant she was speaking with the sprite.

  Jeff set the jar on the desk with a loud thunk. “We’ll talk about weddings later.”

  Noli gave Jeff another hug. “Oh, Jeff, I don’t need you to be a fussy old bodger too.” She slid an arm around Steven’s waist. “Is there any word of Elise and Quinn?”

  His good mood faded as he remembered why he’d been looking for James and Noli in the first place. “Something’s very wrong. Mathias needs us to come to New York.”

  “Why?” Noli’s eyes widened.

  Steven cleared the lump in his throat and shoved away the guilt he had for feeling more for the loss of Quinn than the death of his father. “I have reason to believe that Quinn is dead.”

  “
Uncle Kevighn, that was fun, can we do this again?” Aodhan’s cherub face practically glowed with elation as they traipsed through the Blackwoods, bows and kill in hand.

  Kevighn ruffled Aodhan’s pale hair. “We’ll go tomorrow if your father doesn’t have anything for me to do; otherwise, we’ll go again soon.”

  He had to admit, Ciarán was right. Aodhan needed him. Teaching him to hunt had brought back memories of his own misspent youth.

  “May I come as well?” Elise trotted behind them.

  “Of course.” He gave the little girl a smile. Elise had refused to be left behind, so he’d taught the both of them. Elise was decent for a girl. Creideamh hadn’t been a bad shot either.

  When they reached the Thirsty Pooka, they entered through the kitchen. A staircase led directly to the hall with the secret passage to the living areas.

  “Here, Grandma Luce, will you cook these for our supper please?” Aodhan handed the old woman their kill.

  The small, elderly woman who ran the kitchen here took the animals from him. “Of course I will. Kevighn, I’m glad you’re back.”

  “Me too,” Kevighn replied. Old Luce had been grandmother and then some to him and Ciarán both. “Let’s get cleaned up.”

  As they walked up the staircase and into the little hall, Kevighn could hear Ciarán yelling. He pushed the children through the passage. “I’ll be there in a little bit.”

  He followed the voice toward its source—Ciarán’s office, the one where he conducted official dark court business.

  The office was very simple for a king. There was nothing but a few wooden chairs, a simple desk, a bookshelf crammed with books and scrolls, and a window covered with a heavy curtain. Ciarán, hood down, sat behind the desk, scowling at a large purple jewel in his palm.

  “This is a fake! How could you get me a fake? It was real a few days ago.”

  “I … I don’t know,” one of men standing before Ciarán stammered, knees shaking. He was tall and not someone Kevighn recognized. “Perhaps someone else stole it. We weren’t the only fae at the ball.”

  “What? Who else was there?” Ciarán’s eyes burned with fearsome intensity.

  Kevighn leaned against the doorway, watching.

  The shorter man, named Lefty, rubbed his chin. “There were two. A blond boy and a girl … a pretty girl with dark hair and grey eyes.”

  The tall man shook his head. “She was a sprite, though.”

  “Sprites like shiny things.” Lefty shrugged.

  “Sprites aren’t smart enough to steal a gem and leave a decoy,” Ciarán snapped, his scarred face contorting in anger.

  A dark-haired sprite and a blond boy at a ball. Could it be?

  “Where were you?” Kevighn asked.

  “Los Angeles. Why?” Ciarán shot him a look.

  Kevighn came over to the desk. “I know a rather uncommon dark-haired sprite, one related to thieves, who unfortunately is sometimes in the company of a blond, sorry excuse for an earth court prince. Both of whom occasionally reside in Los Angeles.”

  “You mean the girl. That girl?” His eyebrows rose. “Why would she steal a gem?”

  “Her brother’s a thief.” Kevighn eyed the gem. “May I?”

  Ciarán nodded. “It’s nothing but a hunk of glass.”

  “What should it be?” Kevighn examined it. It wasn’t even some mortal semi-precious stone. It was literally purple glass.

  “You two had best be off before I hurt you.” Ciarán waved the men off.

  “Yes, Your Majesty.” They bowed and left.

  Ciarán’s attention turned to Kevighn. “Hunting lessons went well?”

  “Aodhan shows promise. We had a good time.” Kevighn set the glass gem down on the desk. “What is this?”

  Ciarán sighed. “I think it’s part of the staff. Well, if it was the actual gem, it would be.”

  “Is it?” So little was known about the staff, and the man who knew the most was dead.

  “It’s rather powerful in its own right. We can’t let Brogan or Tiana have it.” He frowned. “Who does she work for? Brogan? I need to know what pieces he has.”

  “Magnolia would never work for Brogan. But … ” Kevighn sighed and shook his head. “Her brother does, upon occasion. She probably has no idea what it is. I never told her what the pieces became.” While he trusted Noli with his life, there were some secrets he couldn’t trust her with. Yet.

  “Go get it from her.” Ciarán said this with the easy air of authority.

  Kevighn stared at him. “You want me to do what ?”

  “I need the gem. You like the girl. Go get the girl to give you the gem.” Ciarán rolled his eyes. “It’s simple. I don’t care how you do it. Just don’t come back without it.”

  Kevighn bowed. “Of course, my king.”

  Now this was a mission. After all, he was a huntsman, and he always got what he wanted.

  Eight

  Mathias’ Place

  “We’re going where with what ?” Noli’s nose wrinkled with distaste as Steven ushered her and James through the bustling city street.

  James made a noise of exasperation. “It’s just a burlesque hall. It’s a perfectly respectable establishment.”

  “One that requires code words and fluffy kittens,” Steven muttered, not believing he was actually having this conversation. At least this time they were dressed like gentleman.

  Noli straightened the skirts of her blue dress and scowled at James.

  “You could have stayed behind,” James replied, jacket squirming.

  She hugged Steven’s arm. “Never.”

  The doorman of the unassuming restaurant in a fashionable neighborhood stopped them with a scathing look.

  “We have reservations under Gentry.” Steven handed the doorman some coins.

  The doorman handed one back and opened the door, his nose wrinkled in slight disdain as he sniffed, “It’s ladies’ night.”

  Steven pocketed the change. Ladies’ night? Did he even want to know?

  They entered and James walked over and gave the unfamiliar girl, clad in not much other than a red corset and bustle, a winsome smile. “Hello, we have a reservation under Gentry.”

  She appraised them, eyes lingering over him and James. “It’s ladies’ night.”

  “We’re actually here to see Mathias. He’s expecting us.” James patted his squirming jacket. “We brought him a present.”

  “Follow me, then.” She turned and waggled her bottom at James, leading them through the red velvet curtain down the hallway, past another doorman, and through more curtains.

  Music greeted them, a thumping, wild music far from the waltzes and ballads of their earlier visits. The dim lights gave everything a rose-colored glow.

  “V, is a burlesque hall the same as a joy house?” Noli’s eyes went wide as she took in their surroundings.

  “Not quite.” He pulled her closer to him. If Jeff found out about this …

  The hostess seated them. The tables had been draped in burgundy tablecloths, the chairs topped with velvet cushions. Men wearing nothing but what might be bathing costumes brought drinks and supper to tables filled with women.

  Women?

  He took another look. Yes, nearly everyone at the tables were well-dressed women. Very scantily clad men wiggled onstage while women cheered and yelled things one normally didn’t hear from ladies.

  Oh. Ladies’ night.

  “You’re such a prude,” James teased, openly enjoying his discomfort.

  “No, he’s not.” Noli turned her chair so her back was to the stage.

  A man came over to take their order. Steven tried not to look at him, since his chest, and most of the rest of him, was bare.

  “Whiskey for everyone,” James said, as if nothing was out of the ordinary about this entire
situation.

  “I don’t like whiskey.” Noli’s nose scrunched. “May I please have some honey wine … If you have any? I think that’s what it’s called. It’s made of berries and honey?”

  The man left.

  “Have you ever had whiskey?” James asked.

  “No. But I don’t want any.” Noli’s arms crossed over her chest.

  Steven put a hand on her arm. “Noli, what’s wrong? Something’s been bothering you since we boarded the airship.”

  Hopefully, it wasn’t more voices.

  “My mother expects me to return to Boston for Christmas.” Noli sighed, shoulders rising and falling. “The good thing is that I think she might be marrying off Vix and Jeff under pretense—”

  “Under pretense?” James made a face. “You mean she’s going to throw them a surprise wedding.”

  “Unless I’m reading too much into the wording, I believe so. However, with Vix’s hatred of wedding planning, it’s better that way. Vix won’t have to plan a wedding, and my mother can play mother to both the groom and the bride, planning everything just as she’d like.”

  Yes, she’d like it quite a bit. Steven could see it now.

  “I wouldn’t miss that for anything. But I have a feeling that … ” Noli’s face fell.

  “That she’ll want you to stay in Boston.” Steven squeezed her hand. He knew she loved her mother, but Noli and Mrs. Braddock had very different ideas of how Noli should live her life. In many ways, he understood.

  “Yes,” Noli replied. “After all, why wouldn’t I?” Her hands moved in an empty gesture and she gave a defeated sigh.

  The waiter returned with their drinks. He winked at Noli as he set down her wine. Steven hit the table with his fist as the waiter left.

  Noli’s net-gloved hand covered his. “No half-naked waiter is going to sway me.”

  Then she blanked out for a moment. Steven wasn’t sure he’d ever grow accustomed to this.

  “What did the sprite say?” he asked, curious.

  Noli’s cheeks pinked. “She’s admiring the men. Also, she thinks we need one of those unseemly red outfits the hostess was wearing, she wants you to wear one of the outfits