“Oh, err… uh, yeah… sorry.”
“Men,” Ryann snorted, but it held a bit of humor behind it.
“No, it’s us,” Fiona smiled. “He’s had other naked women all but asking to bed him and ignored them.”
Sean thought about Oaklake and shook his head. “Never trust a woman who propositions you in a bathroom on the first meeting.”
“What’s this story?” Myna asked as she draped the towel over her shoulder.
“Oh, it was during the day Sean and I went to Oaklake,” Fiona said. “Let’s get dressed, and I’ll tell you the story as we do.”
Chapter Thirty-six
Sean wiped his hands on his pants again as the carriage rolled through the streets. Ryann touched his arm, “Never seen you nervous before.”
“I feel like this party is going to be a turning point, and I don’t know why I feel that way.”
“The Tuatha may be trying to warn you,” Ryann suggested.
“They promised to let me do my own thing.”
“You believe them?”
“Morrigan seemed honest,” Sean said. “It could just be me being afraid of changing everything.”
“Would that be bad?”
Sighing, Sean took a few moments to really consider her question. “As long as you and the others are healthy and happy, then no, it wouldn’t be.”
“As long as we’re with you, Sean, we will be. I’ve been thinking over the last few days that maybe I’m hindering you.”
“What? No.”
“I’ve been letting my insecurities color my thinking,” Ryann said, trying to explain. “You are just so… perfect. I don’t want to let anyone else close to you, fearing they would change you or I’d lose you. I think of how Fiona and Myna accepted me, and I don’t know if I ever could have done that in their place. You’ll do your best if I stop trying to hold you tightly and let you bloom. It won’t be easy, but I’ve talked with Fiona and we have an idea about helping me.”
Sean was bewildered and unsure of what to say or do. The uncertainty of the party was forgotten in the face of Ryann’s moment of openness. “Ry, you don’t need to change. Especially not for me.”
Looking up from her lap, her eyes glimmered, “That... that right there is why I feel this way. You never ask for you. You care for us so deeply you’d limit yourself.” She took a deep breath. “I don’t want to be the one clinging so tightly as to cripple you. Please, listen to Fiona when she speaks with you about this.”
Taking her hands in his, Sean stared into her light blue eyes. “Okay, Ry, if that’s what you want, I will. But you aren’t hindering me, nor crippling me. You’re my wonderful guardian.”
A tear trickled down her cheek, along with a small hiccup, before she grabbed him and kissed him hard. Sean was not expecting it, but he accepted it, enjoying when she pushed him into the side of the carriage and deepened the kiss.
Neither of them were aware of the carriage slowing and stopping. The footman opened the door and blinked. He blushed briefly and closed it, coughing loudly.
“We’ve arrived, MacDougal,” the footman said before opening the door again.
“Right,” Sean cleared his throat and straightened his suit before getting out. “Ryann will be out in a moment.”
“Of course, sir,” the footman said, keeping a straight face as he partially closed the door.
Sean looked around to see a few other carriages stopped and letting their occupants out. He smiled when he saw Fredrick and Eva step out of the carriage near theirs. “Fredrick, Eva, I’m glad you’re both here.”
Fredrick turned with Eva on his arm to face Sean, “MacDougal? It is a pleasure to see you again.” The words were formal, though Fredrick’s eye roll was not.
“Oh, great, even the words are polished,” Sean muttered.
“It is good you could make it tonight, MacDougal,” Eva said with a real smile on her lips.
“I’m good,” Ryann said from inside the carriage.
The footman opened the door fully and helped her out. Sean took her arm, much like Fredrick had Eva’s. Ryann blinked but adapted to the unfamiliar position.
“Good evening, Mrs. MacDougal,” Fredrick smiled. “I do hope you are well.”
“Oy, maybe I was the wrong one to bring,” Ryann murmured to Sean.
“If we’re going to be out of place, we’ll be out of place together,” Sean whispered back to her. “Just do your best, Ry.”
“I’m fine. Thank you, Gertihs.”
“Since this is your first event, let me be your guide,” Fredrick said a little louder than normal. “As the head of the association you’re a part of and as a friend, it is my duty and honor to do so.”
Sean caught the subtext and nodded, “Thank you, Gertihs. Let me just get the gift—”
“I will make sure it is taken in for you, sir,” the footman said.
Sean looked back and got a nod from Fredrick. “Thank you.”
“We are doing as the Mistress would have us do, sir,” the footman replied.
“I’ll thank Somnia next time I speak with her,” Sean said. “We’re ready,” he told Fredrick.
Sean and Ryann followed them toward the front of the manor, joining the line at the doors. Sean glanced at his suit and those worn by the other men in line, and saw that it fit in. He was glad he had spent a few minutes making the fit better than it had been. He smiled as he compared Ryann’s dress to the others.
“You look terrific,” Sean murmured. “Fiona was right to get dresses and alter them.”
“It’s too fancy for me,” Ryann whispered back. “I feel better in my leathers.”
“Where did you get the dress?” Eva asked Ryann.
“Silkenhands,” Ryann replied.
“He does wonderful dresses,” Eva replied. “Yours is amazing.”
“It’s not as colorful as yours,” Ryann said.
“True, but the cut is wonderful. I might have to see about having him try that with my next dress.”
“Unfortunately, Silkenhands normally takes tendays to finish one,” the woman behind them added.
“Craftsmanship takes time,” Sean said. “You can have fast or great, but very rarely both.”
“As I tell people all the time,” the man with the woman agreed. “Magus Giralt. Who might you be?”
“Sean MacDougal,” Sean replied. “This is one of my wives, Ryann. I’ve seen one of your runes. It was a marvel.”
Giralt puffed up at the comment, “I do specialize in a number of runes. Which did you see?”
Sean paused, a tinge coming to his cheeks. “It was a heating rune under a rather large tub.”
Giralt’s face went blank before he nodded, “Ah, yes. I’ve only done a couple of those, so I’m sure I know which one you saw. MacDougal… the name sounds familiar, but I don’t think I’ve met you before.”
Magus Giralt was a stately, distinguished gentleman with graying temples. Sean could tell he was older, but could not guess at his actual age. The gray suit with red shirt that he wore projected the image of power.
“MacDougal is part of my growing association,” Fredrick said, joining the conversation.
“Gertihs,” Giralt said slowly, “not planning on another display, we hope?”
“The heat of the moment caught me unprepared,” Fredrick replied. “Not many could resist the urge if such an insult were directed at a dear friend or loved one of theirs.”
Giralt bowed his head an inch, “I might have been moved similarly if he had spoken of my wife in such a manner. Your point is well taken, Gertihs.” Turning back to Sean, the Magus paused, “You must be the one Denmur has developed such disdain for, then.”
“He did take a dislike to me the first day we met,” Sean replied.
“You’re the one making the new hair clips, aren’t you?” Giralt’s wife asked.
“I did patent a new style of hair clip,” Sean said.
“And kettles,” Giralt added. “We have an order in with
Gertihs for one of them.”
“I have an order in with Silvertouch for some of those hair clips, myself,” his wife added.
“Curious that you handed off such potentially lucrative business to others,” Giralt stated.
“I was hoping to never be here,” Sean shrugged. “Plans, though, are what you make while life drags you with it.”
“Too true,” Giralt chuckled.
“I’ve been blessed to have found a few helpful friends, luckily.”
“Friends who you gave the means of making a lot of money,” Giralt clarified.
“Nothing wrong with helping friends,” Sean said. “Now we’re all making money, after all.”
“The new bath house. I’ve heard rumors, but haven’t been there myself,” Giralt commented, touching his neatly trimmed, graying goatee.
“We’d set aside one of the private rooms if you’d like to come by,” Fredrick said. “Or you can wait a little bit longer.”
Giralt smiled, “So the rumors are true, then?”
“We have two more bathhouses in production. The one you’d be interested in will be a few blocks from the Den,” Fredrick replied.
“Speaking of,” Sean said, “I was hoping to speak with you regarding your heating rune. I have a few ideas that, when used in conjunction by Watercaller and myself, could offer another style of tub.”
Giralt’s lips pursed for a moment, “Intriguing. Working with you would be tantamount to siding with your association, though. Maybe after tonight, we can discuss the matter further.”
“See if I pass the test first,” Sean smiled. “I don’t fault you for caution.”
Giralt blinked, “Very blunt... how different. I can see why Denmur dislikes you.”
“He dislikes me because I didn’t kowtow and accept him as my superior,” Sean shrugged. “Though, taking Ida Bronzeshield as my apprentice might have been the real reason he doesn’t care for me. He probably became even more bitter when Ida and I became a couple instead of teacher and apprentice.”
“Husband,” Giralt’s wife said, poking him in the ribs gently, “I’ve made my views regarding Denmur clear to you. If this party goes better than expected, I’ll be having words with you.”
Giralt sighed, “Yes, dear.”
“We’re next,” Eva said.
Four men in polished armor and a liveried servant with a list were posted at the front door. Fredrick stepped forward with Eva when their time came. “Fredrick Gertihs, with guest, Eva Silvertouch.”
“Yes, you are expected,” the servant said with an aloof sniff. “We are to remind you of the decorum that is expected at these events, sir.”
“I’m aware,” Fredrick replied.
“Very well. You may enter and enjoy the Lord and Lady’s party.”
“I’m also guiding a member of my association tonight, who is attending for the first time,” Fredrick told the servant. “MacDougal,” Fredrick and Eva stepped aside.
Sean and Ryann stepped forward. “Sean MacDougal and wife, Ryann MacDougal, as requested.”
A single eyebrow went up on the man’s face. “Hmm, yes, MacDougal. You may enter and enjoy the Lord and Lady’s party.”
One of the guards opened the door, and the four of them went inside. The hallway was brightly lit by chandeliers of silver hanging from the vaulted ceiling. The soft golden glow coming off them was not from candles, but from glowing orbs where candles would have been. The polished marble floor was not as slick as Sean feared, and the gold and red flecks in it gleamed gently in the soft lighting. The walls were a golden wood that almost glowed in the light from the chandeliers.
“Welcome to the party. If you’ll follow me,” a young woman in livery addressed them.
“We are in your capable hands,” Fredrick replied.
Sean looked curiously around the richly decorated manor while Ryann did her best not to gawk at the wealth on display. As they followed the servant, Sean glanced up at the lights again. The balls of light were actually contained in glass, and they almost seemed to follow him as he walked.
“Fredrick,” Sean asked softly, “the lights, what are they?”
“Wisps,” Fredrick replied. “Catching them is a dangerous business. Once they’re contained in pure crystal, they cannot escape and continue to shine for all time.” When he finished, he glanced up and frowned, “They seem oddly still tonight. Normally, they keep circling their orbs, trying to find a way out.”
Eva looked up and her eyes widened. “Look behind us,” she whispered. The other three did and saw the wisps all facing them, just as still as the others. “Why are they doing that?”
Sean felt a shiver run down his spine. Staring at one of the wisps directly, he felt a thin thread of hope coming from it. “Are there any stories about them?”
Ryann shivered and held Sean’s arm a little tighter. “Wisps are said to be the souls of the first who came to this world. They stalk the wilds, trying to lure the unsuspecting to their deaths.”
“That is a common belief,” Eva nodded.
“We’re almost there,” Fredrick coughed lightly, looking away from the orbs.
Sean blinked as he looked away. He had been only mildly aware of the other hallways they had passed, and now they were in front of another set of double doors, where two guards were standing. The servant brought them to the guards, who opened the doors for them.
“Please enjoy the party,” the servant said, stepping aside.
They walked into a grand ballroom. A band sat on a balcony, playing soft music as people milled about the room, greeting each other. Massive chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, nearly a hundred orbs of wisps easily illuminating the entire room. When the doors opened, the wisps all turned, pointing directly at Sean and shifting the light in the room. Sean concealed his frown, but was glad that the light change was almost unnoticeable. Sean and Ryann followed Fredrick into the room, a sense of foreboding growing in his gut as they did. The double doors shut behind him and sent another shiver down Sean’s spine. He felt as if a trap had just closed on him.
Chapter Thirty-seven
“There he is now,” Mageeyes said as Fredrick led them toward her and a group she was speaking to. “MacDougal, please come speak with my friends. They are all quite interested in meeting you.”
“A pleasure,” Sean said, wearing a polite business smile on his face. “I’m not used to speaking with the powerful, so please excuse me if I misstep.”
“Humble. Surprising, considering what we’ve heard you’re capable of,” the largest man in the group said. “Humility is often seen as a weakness.”
“Knowing your weaknesses is a good thing,” Sean replied bluntly. “If I’m not mistaken, you’re all at least Dames and Knights. As such, should I not be a little modest at least?”
“He has you there, Bloodheart,” one of the women laughed lightly, “though it is unusual. From all we’ve heard, you don’t mind being blunt and abrasive to the people with more power than you.”
“To those I’ve met with actual power,” Sean smiled, “I don’t think I’ve been abrasive. Have I, Dame Mageeyes? You and Dame Flamehair are the only two I’ve met who are actual nobles.”
Mageeyes’ smile grew slightly, “You’ve only ever been polite to myself and Dame Flamehair, MacDougal, but there are those of similar station who have gotten the sharp edge of your tongue repeatedly.”
“That may be true,” Sean chuckled. “I have little patience for fools, after all.”
One of the other women in the group began to laugh. “Oh, you really are not afraid to speak your mind. You do know that Denmur is favored by Lord Sharpeyes, do you not?”
“No accounting for taste,” Sean said, without thinking.
The circle went quiet at his words. Mageeyes sighed into the silence, “He did say he would misstep, though that might be a larger misstep than we had accounted for.”
“I’ll just pull my foot out of my mouth instead of doubling down, then,” Sean said wryly.
/>
“It has been said that you are the real motivator behind Gertihs’ new association,” Bloodheart said.
“I just create things,” Sean deflected. “Hair clips, kettles, showers, and faucets to date.”
“Yes, we were talking with Mageeyes about getting some of those for our own homes. We’d need something that shows higher status than mere copper, though,” a third woman said.
Forged Bonds (Binding Words Book 4) Page 36
