“Of course, mistress,” Verterm said, glaring at Sean’s back momentarily before hurrying off to do as he was told.
“You’re so forward,” Ryann sighed. “Even if she’s okay with it, her servant almost had a fit, Sean.”
“Would do him good,” Sean muttered as he pulled out the two shower fixtures. “Man sniffing at that handkerchief as if the whole world offends him... It irritates me.”
“Let’s not keep her waiting,” Ida said, picking up one of the faucets.
It was less than five minutes later when Verterm returned to find the three of them waiting on him. “We’re good,” Sean said, lifting the chest.
A single eyebrow went up, but Verterm just beckoned them to follow before striding away. Following the butler back through the manor, they were taken to the second floor. They paused outside of one of the doors, and Verterm knocked before opening it for them.
“Your guests, mistress.”
“Show them in.”
“Please, enter and be seated,” Verterm said, stepping aside for them.
Sean led the other two in, setting the chest down beside the door. The room was decorated in reds, oranges, and yellows, but the colors were subdued and did not make Sean want to claw his eyes out. Flamehair sat in a thickly padded chair near a fireplace that had a small fire going. Sean took the seat furthest from the fire so Ryann and Ida could warm up more.
“The tea, please,” Flamehair said.
A short, thin, Moonbound stepped out from beside the door. The small ears on the top of her head, the darkening of the skin around her eyes, and the fluffy striped tail gave away her raccoon heritage. Moving with precise steps, the maid quickly poured four steaming cups of tea from a kettle Sean recognized. Serving a cup to each person, she waited to add sugar or milk as desired.
“She is very good at her job,” Ida said when the maid stepped back.
“Her family has served my family for… is it eight generations now?”
“Yes, mistress.”
“What can we do for you, Charie?” Sean asked, sipping at the steaming black tea.
“I wished to hear about your ideas,” Flamehair replied with a polite smile. “We didn’t get the chance last night.”
“Fine. Sewers,” Sean said, waiting to see if she knew the word.
“Very expensive to maintain,” Flamehair replied, clearly familiar with the idea.
“Before I go further, what are the sewers you know about like?” Sean asked.
Flamehair described a system like the Cloaca Maxima from ancient Rome combined with sealed holding tanks. The manors that were too far removed from the sewer systems had the tanks. Hearthglen did not have a river nearby, and because their ground water was not deep, they did not have any sewer system at all.
“That could be expensive to keep up,” Sean agreed. “My idea would have taken more manpower to deal with, and the only trade off would have been convenience.”
“A pity. I was hopeful,” Flamehair sighed.
“I do have something else for you. All the members of the association are getting them,” Sean said. “Ida just needs a few minutes in your kitchen when we leave.”
“Oh, what is it?” Flamehair asked, sipping her tea.
“A faucet, much like the ones for the tubs. It will mean no more tedious pumping, and it comes with hot water on demand, as well.”
“Goodness, that makes it even more worthwhile to be part of this association. I’ll be speaking to a few friends of mine later today. Some more people should be coming to your shop within a tenday to purchase hair clips and kettles.”
“Thank you,” Sean smiled.
“One of the gem merchants will be stopping by, as well,” Flamehair smiled. “Nick owes me a favor, and I’m calling it in for you. Make sure that your deal is a long and binding one.”
“I’ll make it a point,” Sean said seriously.
“Good... The weather sounds like it is getting worse,” Flamehair said, looking toward the curtained window, where they could hear hail pelting against it. “The carriage you came in wasn’t very good. I had my servants send him home, paid. My carriage is waiting to take you to the Den, and then home.”
Sean’s eyelid twitched, but he bowed his head. “Thank you, Charie. In the future, please ask before you change my plans.”
Flamehair gave Sean a piercing gaze before she bowed her head a fraction. “Very well, Sean. Friends should listen to each other, after all. Would you like my men to load the chest onto the carriage for you while you wait for Ida to finish her task?”
Sean paused before he shrugged, “Sure. Make sure it’s two men, though.”
“See to it,” Flamehair said, not looking away from Sean. A silver blur flashed by Sean, heading for the door. “There, it shall be handled. Ida, if you’d follow my maid, she’ll take you to the kitchen.” A knock on the door came on the heels of her words, and two sturdy men wearing Flamehair’s livery came into the room. “The chest to the carriage, and gently.”
“Yes, mistress,” they said. Each of them took a side of the chest and lifted with a grunt, slowly crab-walking it out the door.
Flamehair watched her servants go with a puzzled look. Before she could say anything, Ida was on her feet.
“If you’ll show me the way? I need an item from the chest before it gets too far away,” Ida told the maid.
“Follow me, please,” the maid said, sweeping from the room with quick steps.
“Before we say goodbye, Sean,” Flamehair smiled, “I had another question. What do you want from this conflict with Denmur?”
Sean finished his tea before replying, “It depends on whether he was the one behind my wives being injured. If he was, I’m going to crush him as thoroughly as possible. If he wasn’t, I’ll just push him down far enough that he regrets making me his enemy.”
“Wonderful,” Flamehair smiled as she rose gracefully to her feet. “I do hope this concludes as we both wish.”
Sean got to his feet, mirrored by Ryann. “Me, too. I hope you have a good day, Charie.”
“I’m sure I will. I’ve been looking forward to trying out the new shower and bath. Saret has been all praise for them since last night. Do have a pleasant day.”
The door opened and Verterm was there. “If you’ll follow me, please,” he said, sniffing at his handkerchief.
Sean could not hold back as he started toward the door. “Why the fuck do you do that?”
“I deal directly with the cleaning crews,” Verterm replied after a glance at Flamehair. “Some of them aren’t as clean as one would like.”
“And now it’s an ingrained habit,” Sean nodded. “Got it. Sorry, it made you seem like a complete douche to me.”
Verterm looked puzzled for a long moment before he started walking. “This way to the exit, sir.”
Chapter Thirty
The weather went from bad to worse as they made their way toward the Den. The sleet storm had turned into hail that was coming down hard, pounding the roof of the carriage. Ida and Ryann sat next to Sean on the soft padded bench, huddling against him.
“Cold?” Sean asked.
“It’s a bit chilly,” Ida said.
“Wasn’t expecting it to get colder,” Ryann added.
Putting his arms around them, he pulled them closer. “I’ll share some of my heat with you both.”
Both women were happy to snuggle next to him; he was exuding a warmth that drew them in. Silence fell over them as the carriage rattled its way down the street. Sean felt pity for the driver and footman who had been forced to take them out in this weather.
The carriage came to a stop and a small bell chimed. When the door opened, Sean was the first one out, surprised to find they were at the front of the building. The same Fox Moonbound that had taken their shoes on their previous visit was waiting for them just outside the door. An overhang protected carriage passengers, allowing them to get in and out without the weather affecting them.
“I need to grab
the chest,” Sean said, stepping around the footman to snag the chest that had been tied to the back of the carriage. Ida and Ryann were waiting for him by the door when Sean hoisted the chest onto his shoulder.
“We’ll be waiting for you to finish, sir,” the footman said. “They’ll take good care of us while we wait, so no need to rush.”
Sean gave the man a nod and walked up to the door. “We’re here to install some things,” Sean told the Moonbound.
“I’m aware, sir. We’ve been waiting for you. Please, come inside,” the Moonbound said, opening the door for them. Two more Fox Moonbound were kneeling next to a leather bench, slippers before them. “Mistress has told us to treat you as we would her favorites.”
“Umm… yeah… no,” Sean said as he stepped inside and set the chest down. “Look, we aren’t here for the normal visit stuff. We’re just here to install some things. We’ll wear the slippers so we don’t ruin the rugs, but that’s it.”
“So stubborn,” Felora’s silken voice said from the door to the main room. “MacDougal, we’re just doing as we were told, but we’ll respect your boundaries. You wouldn’t wish for Mitsuko or her sisters to get in trouble and be punished, now would you?”
Glaring at the beautiful woman, Sean snorted, “Felora? Of course you’re the one waiting for us.”
“Mistress Somnia wishes to give you the best we have to offer,” Felora giggled.
“Why’d she send you, then?” Ryann asked cattily.
“Because, my dear, I’m the best inside these walls,” Felora smirked. “Besides the mistress herself, of course.”
“Ry, don’t let her bait you,” Sean said. He took a seat on the bench and began to get his boots off.
“Sir,” Mitsuko said quickly, replacing his hands with hers, “Please, let me. It is my duty.”
Sean gritted his teeth behind a tight smile, nodding. Ryann and Ida both took seats beside him and the other Moonbound began to strip their boots off. They finished quickly, and Sean was back on his slippered feet, retrieving the chest before Felora could comment.
“Which way?” Sean asked as he hoisted the box onto his shoulder.
“I’ll have the men—”
“No,” Sean said firmly, “I’ll carry it.”
Felora breathed deeply, her eyes starting to glow a light red, “As you command, sir.”
“Don’t,” Sean warned her. “If you press, I’ll consider it bad manners.”
The light vanished and Felora bowed her head low to him. “Apologies. It is hard to resist you. The mistress sent me because we have good relations.”
“Maybe one of the others should help us,” Ryann said bluntly.
“I would advise against it,” Felora said. Raising her head, she looked at Ryann, “I have a hard time resisting him. Everyone else would fail entirely.”
“Why?” Ida asked when she finally stood up. She was the last because the Moonbound had to get a different pair of slippers for her.
Felora looked away, clearing her throat. “His energy… calls to me. To all of us here. Even the mistress isn’t immune to it, though she has lived far longer than us and can ignore it.”
“Then why are you even here?” Ryann snorted. “Can’t one of them,” she pointed at the Moonbound, “show us where we need to go?”
“No, miss,” Mitsuko replied.
Ryann blinked at Mitsuko, “Why?”
“Mistress’ orders,” Mitsuko replied, her head bowed. “Felora is to be near you at all times. If you wish myself or my sisters to come with you as well, we will do so.”
“No need,” Sean sighed. “Let’s just get this over with.”
“Follow me, please,” Felora said as she turned to lead them through the main room.
She took them to the kitchen first. “How did you know?” Sean asked, curious.
“Dame Flamehair sent a Messenger Fairy so we could be ready,” Felora replied.
Sean looked at the six Rabbit Moonbound in the room, “Sorry for the intrusion. Where would you like the water faucet?”
The tallest of them took a single step forward, “Over here, please, sir.” She moved over to a wall nearby, where Sean could see three barrels.
“Sure thing,” Sean said, setting the chest on the floor and picking out a faucet. “Ry, you want to do this one?”
“Yes,” Ryann said, smiling as she took the faucet and walked past Felora with a smirk. “It’s nice to Shape.”
Felora’s eyelid twitched, but instead of replying, she leaned against the counter and watched Ryann intently. “I’m curious, Sean… I can call you Sean, right?”
“Sean’s fine.”
“Your wives... is it true that a Life Bond is required?”
“Where did you hear that?” Sean asked.
“Lilly. She’s a friend of mine.” Felora giggled when she heard Ryann mutter a curse.
“I’m done, Sean,” Ryann said stiffly.
“I’m going to add a little extra to it,” Sean said. “Felora, can you get me some copper for a pipe?”
“Fetch what he requires,” Felora told one of the cooks. “They will bring it momentarily,” she told Sean as one of the Moonbound left at speed. “I can’t leave you unattended while other staff are present. Those are my orders.”
“The copper, sir,” the Moonbound said, coming back into the room with a bar of copper in her hand.
“Thanks,” Sean smiled. “If one of you will come over here, please.”
The tallest one moved over to the barrels with him. “Yes, sir?”
“All of these are water?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You fill all of them?”
“Yes, sir. They all have a water purification rune inscribed on the bottom to keep them fresh.”
“Good,” Sean nodded. “I’m going to put a pivoting slide on here. That way, you can get the water from the faucet into any of the three, or fold it out of the way.”
The Moonbound looked confused but nodded. “It won’t hinder the faucet?”
“Shouldn’t,” Sean replied. Touching the wall with one hand, Sean made the copper in his other hand soften. “I’ll want you to test it in a minute.”
The Moonbound’s jaw dropped as she watched him effortlessly Shape the copper and attach it to the wall. The other Moonbound all took a few steps back and bowed deeply in his direction.
“There we go,” Sean said as he pivoted the open copper channel back and forth over the barrels, then folded the two sections up. “Hmm, I need a hook or something to keep it up when not in use.” A moment later, he had added a ring under the first section and a hook to the bottom of the faucet to attach it to. “There we go. Try it out?”
“Lord, I’m so sorry... I didn’t mean to disrespect you,” the tallest Moonbound was kneeling on the floor, her head touching the ground.
“Err, what?” Sean asked. “Felora?”
“You just did more than any Shaper they’ve heard of could do in such a short time,” Felora smiled broadly. “They think you are nobility, Sean.”
“No, no, no— I’m not one of them,” Sean said quickly, reaching down to take the hand of the Moonbound.
“Don’t!” Felora shouted.
Sean stopped just short of taking her hand, “Huh?”
“Their Agreement is no one not of the Den will touch them,” Felora said quickly. “I’ll handle this. Please, give me a moment.” She was approaching at a fast walk and seemed deadly serious.
“Oh, um, sure.” Stepping back, Sean looked around and saw the others all bowing to him. “Fuck me,” he whispered.
All six Rabbit Moonbound trembled, and a few whimpered.
“No, no, not what I meant,” Sean said quickly in a normal tone. “There will be none of that, not with me.”
Ryann and Ida looked at him with concern, but Felora had heard him and sighed.
“Raise your head,” Felora said softly, stroking the Moonbound’s head between her ears. “Sean isn’t a Lord. You didn’t offend him, nor
have you dishonored the mistress.”
“But he—”
“Not a Lord. He’s not even a Knight,” Felora cut her off. “He’s just a Shaper... an abnormal Shaper who seems bent on changing things around him, but a Shaper all the same.”
“She’s not wrong,” Sean added. “Not part of the nobility at all. I don’t even like many of them.”
Lifting her head from the floor slowly, the Rabbit Moonbound looked to Sean, who gave her a friendly smile. “You’re sure?”
Forged Bonds (Binding Words Book 4) Page 30
