In Search of High Society

by Katie Holmburg

  Betony sighed and leaned forward, unclasping her hands. “While we’re speaking of healing, I have been able to figure out what kind of healer you are.”

  When she didn’t continue, Lirim asked, his voice deeper than normal and a tiny frown on his face. “Is that a bad thing?”

  The healer shook her head, “No, not exactly, but it’s not easy news either. Aletta, you are what is known as an Ad Hoc healer.”

  Aletta glanced back and forth between them, puzzled. Lirim didn’t seem to know what that was any more than she did. She ventured, “Why would being an Ad Hoc healer be a bad thing?”

  “I didn’t say that it was bad, simply that it is not an easy gift. In fact, it is more often seen as a secondary gift than a main one, but stranger things have happened. It’s not impossible, especially considering the empathy in your family.”

  Aletta kept silent, not wanting to share the truth about her gift. Her instincts had been pretty accurate and right now they were insisting that the information wasn’t relevant for the conversation. Lirim seemed to understand this, because he asked, “What is so hard about being this type of healer?”

  Betony gathered her thoughts before answering, “It’s essentially an untrainable gift.”

  Aletta swallowed hard before venturing, “I thought that all gifts had to be trained.”

  The fae woman smiled warmly at her. “Yes, you still will have to train your gift. However, it’s going to be a bit of a challenge is all. You see, that’s literally what Ad Hoc means. It means ‘as needed’. Need is what draws your gift to the surface, as you have already experienced. This means that you won’t be able to always summon your gift, it’s not a biddable one. But you still will have to do some exercises to control it and there are other things that will help augment your skill. We’ll just have to be creative is all.”

  Aletta groaned before smiling wryly. “Nothing is ever easy, I don’t know why I expected this to be. At least we know what it is now. Is that why I was able to help Dax?”

  “In a manner, yes. It was his need that drew you to him and granted you the ability to manipulate energy.”

  Glancing at Lirim who was wearing his inscrutable face, she drew in a steadying breath. “But why him? That whole wing is full of people in healing. Why did my magic choose him?”

  Betony sipped at her tea. “That’s hard to say. You are a new healer, so sometimes your magic will do things that you don’t expect. This can be because you don’t have full control or it could be because it senses a need that you don’t knowingly recognize. I believe it to be the second in this case. Like I said, that is our long-term wing, where we house our severest cases. However, our most capable healers work there. But with the unknown cases, such as Dax, it’s impossible to heal what we cannot find. Healers who can re-channel energy streams are exceedingly rare. There currently isn’t one in the Glade and I would have to query the other sanctuaries to see if anyone has the gift available. My theory is that your gift sensed the lack of a viable healer and filled the need. That was the daintiest work that I’ve ever seen and as you are untrained, it is clear that the gift was guiding you.”

  Aletta busied herself with her tea, giving it all a minute to sink in. It was a lot to take in but it made sense. Glancing at Lirim, she saw that his face was still closed off. She wondered briefly if she had offended or hurt him by refusing his arm, but set it aside. Feeling fatigue start to creep in, she decided to focus on the task at hand.

  Setting her empty cup on the desk, she straightened her spine and took a deep breath. “What do I do now?”

  Betony smiled warmly at her, “Now, you go home and rest. You’re probably starting to feel the drain now, as you used a lot of your magical energy in the healing. Return in two days’ time and I’ll have some curriculum and plans drawn up for you.” Rising to her feet, she went over to her tea station and quickly mixed some together and filled a small purple velvet back. Tugging the drawstrings closed, she walked back and handed it to her. “This should help with the aching. If it doesn’t, we’ll figure out a different blend on your next visit.”

  Aletta stood and took it, tucking it into her pocket with a murmur of thanks. Feeling the exhaustion that the healer had mentioned more with every breath, Aletta smiled and gracefully excused herself, Lirim following half a step behind her.

  When they finally exited the guild, Aletta paused on the stairs and took a deep breath, releasing it slowly through her nose. Scrubbing at her face with her hands, she let the day drop away. Once she felt like she had control over her wildly see-sawing emotions, she looked up and smiled at Lirim. Tilting her head slightly, she drawled, “So….”

  He smiled reluctantly back. “So.”

  She teased, “Anyone surprised that my healing gift is as unmanageable as everything else in my life, anyone, anyone?”

  He seemed to relax a hair but he still felt distant to her, like he was closing himself off. He replied, “In this as in everything else, your lovely contrariness shines brightly through.”

  She rolled her eyes at him and bit back a yawn. “Ugh, she’s right, I’m tired. I’m gonna head back and catch a quick nap before the party tonight. What about you?”

  “I need to head back to the station. There’s more going on than we originally thought.”

  She searched his face but it was neutral and she couldn’t read him. Feeling her heart ache a little bit, she rested her hand lightly on his forearm for a moment. “Ok, we’ll talk later. I have some things I need to discuss with you as well.”

  He nodded and walked away, not bothering to look back. Aletta sighed and watched him go. And to think, the day had started out so well.

  Chapter Nine

  Lirim jammed his hands in his pocket as he walked away, trying to ignore the warmth where Aletta’s hand had rested for just a moment. He could feel her watching him but didn’t look back, not wanting her to see the storm raging in his eyes. He knew that his anger was irrational and unfair, but he couldn’t push down the boiling rage.

  It had started when she had stepped so hastily away from him in the hallway. It had grown when she’d glanced at him, fear flashing briefly through her eyes, before refusing his arm. She’d never refused his support before and he couldn’t understand why she had done it. However, he’d held his peace, refusing to cause a scene in the healer’s guild.

  He’d managed to hold his tongue and follow the two women. When the healer had hesitated about Aletta’s magic, he couldn’t stop his frown. The question had escaped before he had a chance to think it through. When the healer answered, he was relieved that at least the gift wasn’t dangerous, although he did wish that something in their lives could be easy for once. But apparently that thought was tempting the fates, because when the healer revealed that it was usually a secondary gift, he saw Aletta’s tiny involuntary flinch and the sudden tension in her posture.

  Sensing that she didn’t want to reveal her Sheridan powers, he spoke, wanting to draw the healer’s attention from Aletta. And when he learned that it was impossible to train Ad Hoc powers, his temper ignited into full flame fueled by a healthy dose of fear and frustration.

  How was he supposed to juggle figuring out what in the world was going on with the chimas, Aletta and her unusual powers, and all the darkness that the Glade was dredging up in him? He’d been gone for long enough that he was no longer sure of who all of the players were in the Glade anymore and the thought of corruption in the guard made him ill. Didn’t they realize what a privilege and duty being in the guard was?

  He knew. He carried the scars from the conflict that showed him how truly blessed they were to live where and when they did. The fae here had gotten complacent, preferring to stay secluded and limit their interaction with a world that was moving through life without them. The plan had been for them to reintegrate with the world, not hide here and play at petty power games.

  Then there was Aletta. How was he supposed to protect her, especially if she was afraid of him for some reaso
n? What had he done to make her fear him? He’d been so careful to temper his darkness, to never let her see too much. Had it been the knowledge that she’d been vulnerable and he hadn’t told her? But he had explained that her HSI training protected her and he had thought that she would be pleased that he considered her competent enough to protect herself.

  Scowling, he kicked at a small stone and watched with satisfaction as it skittered quite a ways down the road. Jerking his hand from his pocket, he ran it roughly through his hair. And what had been the incident in the guild? He’d seen her happy before, so why had it hit him so hard? Although it wasn’t like they’d had a lot to laugh about over the past few weeks, the case and the secrecy about Aletta’s powers had taken its toll on them.

  But still, the sparkle in her amber eyes had drawn him like a moth to flame. He paused as he remembered. Her eyes had sparkled and her lovely lips had been curved up in a smile that had tempted him to forget all common sense and drink the joy straight from them. He had moved before he could stop himself. Only the presence of the little boy had managed to keep him from doing something that he would truly regret. Because if he took that step and kissed her, then he ran the risk of losing something that he truly treasured, her friendship.

  Aletta had been the first person since the war, no, since even earlier, since leaving the Glade, that had accepted him unconditionally. She had never pushed for anything beyond friendship, beyond their partnership, accepting his boundaries and sharing her life so freely. So when had things changed and he had started wanting more?

  He shook his head fiercely. No, the risks were not worth it and once they had figured out what was going on here and returned to Isenton, things would return to normal and they could go back to the way that things were.

  Reaching the guard post, he took the stairs two at a time, eager to get out of his head and focus on something that might actually be solvable.

  * . * . *

  Aletta slowly made her way back to the Bosk manor, feeling like she was carrying a weight on her shoulders. She should be happier, finally having an answer as to what her secondary gift was. But all she felt was tired and sad. Even though they’d only been there for a couple of days, she was starting to regret ever stepping foot in the Glade.

  Lirim had been agitated and ill at ease since they’d arrived and now it was affecting the relationship between them. She’d thought that they’d been growing closer, especially since he now knew all of her secrets. It had been such a relief to let someone in, to let someone else help carry the burden that she had borne for so long alone. Lirim hadn’t judged her for any of it, had been a rock for her through all of her ups and downs.

  So why was he shutting her out? Didn’t he know that she would never judge him. Life happened to everyone and it either tempered you or broke you. Lirim had been tempered by life and come through his trials stronger than ever.

  Her steps slowed as reasons for his distance raced through her head. Was it because she was just a human and back here amongst his peers, he was beginning to see her as a burden? Was it because he was tired of dealing with her gifts? She had never asked for them, never wanted to be traumatized to the point of developing magic in order to cope with it. She especially would’ve never asked for such strong, unpredictable gifts. Was it the fact that yet another facet of her gift was intractable what upset him? Did the thought of having to spend more time with her sorting out yet another unusual gift displease him?

  Maybe she should stop hiding her gifts and find another to teach her. Maybe that would ease the tension between them. It must be exhausting to have to spend so much time with her. After all, they spent every day working together, then there were the additional training sessions. Add to that the two-day train ride and having to escort her all over the place instead of spending his time reacquainting himself with his home or solving the case that had brought them here and it was no wonder that he was sick of her company.

  She rubbed the back of her neck, feeling the sting of tears prick at the corner of her eyes. It wasn’t fair! He was everything that she wanted in a partner, in all senses of the word, and she was nothing but a burden on him. She felt uneasy as she remembered how strong the pull to lean into and lean on him had been. Why were her feelings doing this now? Why, when he was pulling away.

  Letting her hand fall, she straightened her posture and made her decision. He had obviously sensed her changing feelings and was trying to pull subtly back without hurting her. So she wouldn’t force her feelings but would find a way to restore things to how they’d been. She would help him wrap up the case here. And when they returned to Isenton, she would request a transfer, either of a partner or of department. That way, he wouldn’t be bothered by her and her unwanted affection.

  Realizing that she had stopped walking while she wrestled with her emotions, she started walking again at a brisker pace. She was tired and needed to rest before the party tonight. She needed to be at her peak so she could help Lirim sort this out, the sooner the better.

  * . * . *

  Aletta was dressing for the party when she remembered that Lirim had been drawing on her cast. Moving carefully, she propped her leg up so she could see it. To her surprise, he had drawn several plants on her cast. His work was finely detailed and she studied it closely to see if she could recognize. She recognized an aloe plant, as well as a tiny aster. A cluster of chamomiles seemed to sway cheerfully in a nonexistent breeze. There were others but she didn’t recognize them.

  Tracing them delicately with a fingertip, she couldn’t help the tiny smile even as she felt her cheeks heat up. Then remembering her resolution, she pulled her hand back and clenched it into a white knuckled fist. Friends, they were just friends. Turning her attention back to her gown, she gave herself a firm talk. Tonight would be about uncovering what was going on in the Glade. Nothing more.

  Speaking of which, she needed to tell Lirim about the prophecy. The events of the last 36 hours had driven it entirely out of her mind. Would he consider it important or simply a distraction and irrelevant? Would he be upset that she had kept it from him?

  Grabbing her wrap from where it was draped over a chair, Aletta swiftly exited her room. She was only making herself crazy and she had some questions that she needed to ask Rose and Awena before the party. Descending the staircase, she was surprised to find Kane lingering in the foyer.

  He turned and smiled when he saw her. He offered her his arm and she accepted it gratefully. “Good evening, you look lovely.”

  She smiled. “Thank you. What are you doing lingering in the foyer?”

  He offered her a shy smile. “I’m afraid it’s because I’m impatient. Meredith will be there tonight.”

  His obvious affection warmed her, it was like seeing her little brother and his sweetheart. She asked, “Your mate?”

  He led her over to a bench and encouraged her to sit. “Yes. I want you to meet her.”

  She sat, carefully adjusting her dress. The adoration in his tone and expression was clear. Once she was satisfied that her dress was properly arranged, she looked up at him. She said slowly, “Kane, I believe that we’ve reached an understanding.”

  He smiled and sketched a bow. “Indeed we have. Please share what is on your mind. Is it my little brother?”

  She shook her head but couldn’t help smiling. “No, it’s more of a cultural question.”

  It only took a moment for him to comprehend what she was not saying. “Ah, you’re curious about mates.”

  “Yes. It’s not something talked about. I’m not sure if it’s because the knowledge is so common, like reading or tying your shoes that no one thinks of it or because it’s something intensely private.”

  He shrugged. “A little of both, I suppose. Knowledge of mates and mating are common knowledge. However, the particular type of mates is usually only known between the pair.”

  She smoothed an imaginary wrinkle from her gown, curiosity sparking through her. “There are different types of mating? An
d I have a rather impertinent question. You clearly know who your mate is. How do you know? And why are you courting her?”

  He chuckled, “Those are a bunch of impertinent questions, but it’s better that I answer than either my mother or sister. They are both hopeless romantics.”

  She protested, “They’re very sweet.”

  He agreed immediately, “Yes, they are. But I believe that you are asking this in order to gain information and knowledge of etiquette and a foreign culture. They would want to know who you have your eye on.”

  She grimaced. “Ah. I didn’t think of that. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, Now, where to start? Types of mating. There are three main types. Heart mate, soul mate, and bond mate. Heart mate is the most common of the three. Do you know how some married couples seem to be so in tune with each other that the just intuitively know what the other is thinking or what the other needs?”

  Aletta nodded and he continued. “Heart mates develop their bond over time. They are people who have chosen to not look for a soul mate but to marry someone that they love. As they spend time together, the bond develops and draws them even closer, adding depth to their relationship.”

  She drummed her fingers lightly against the bench. “And this is the most common type of bond?”

  “Yes, as compared to soul mates. Soul mates are rare and the odds of finding yours are low. It’s not love at first sight, like the stories say, although that occasionally happens. But the draw between soul mates is intense and undeniable. They are like two halves and they complete each other, the missing piece if you will. When you find your other half, it is a gift of incomparable worth. The peace that it brings is indescribable, but there are other effects as well. As I’m sure you already know, fae are incredibly territorial. When a fae is courting their soul mate, it is one of the most tumultuous times in their life. They are quick to anger, even over the slightest of offenses or comments, their emotions can swing from one extreme to the other in the blink of an eye. They are only at peace when in the presence of their chosen and absence can cause pain.”