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  How could Morgan know? This continent didn’t have Skilla. She had to deflect the accusation. “Excuse me?”

  “I didn’t stutter. I know who you are.”

  She scoffed. “We haven’t met.”

  “No, we haven’t had the… pleasure. But I’ve been here long enough to see you scurrying in and out of the prime minister’s office.” Morgan eyed her cleavage. “With a neckline that low I expect he’s quite pleased with your job performance.”

  She feigned offense. “You have quite an imagination.”

  Morgan grinned. “Yes, I do. But it doesn’t take much imagination to understand your role around here, Skilla.”

  She tilted her head in confusion. “What is a Skilla?”

  “You’ve never heard of a harlot, my dear?” Morgan asked.

  Her nerves unraveled a bit when she realized Morgan meant she was a whore, not a magical being.

  “I hadn’t heard that term before,” she replied. “I suppose I don’t travel those circles.”

  “Your tongue is sharp. I like that.”

  “Did you need something, Morgan?”

  Morgan’s eyes shifted back to the desk. “A great many things, my dear. But I’m quite certain you are unable to help me with any of them.”

  She took a closer look at Morgan. Her hazel eyes had a sparkle that vaguely reminded her of her brethren. Her thick, straight, long hair fell past her shoulders, and her high cheekbones were a rarity in Steelcove. Morgan’s thin build and athletic arms scarcely suited the usual high society women she’d seen in this new land.

  “Who are you… really?” she asked.

  “I told you my name.”

  “There’s something different about you.”

  Morgan rolled her eyes. “Sorry, but you do nothing for me.”

  She laughed. “You assume much.”

  Morgan sat in the prime minister’s chair. “Have you finished what you came here to do? Or rather—who you came here to do?”

  Such jabs at her character meant nothing to her. She held her head high and replied in a pleasant tone. “I have.”

  Morgan shooed her toward the door. “I’m sure your schedule is quite busy. Best be on your way.”

  She opened the door and looked back at Morgan. “I’ll tell Mark you stopped by.”

  She didn’t stay for a response. There was no need. She had no interest in arguing with some strange, uppity socialite. She had to get back and warn Niv. Her friends’ lives were at stake. She could only hope her guile and astonishingly good looks would be enough to secure fast passage in time to save the Jeweled Woods.

  Chapter 14

  Frasie wiped her palms against her dress as she walked to Brenloh. She dreaded the conversation ahead of her, but knew it had to be done. She feared she had done irreparable harm to her relationship with Aiden.

  There was only one way to find out.

  She arrived at the inn, but the tavernkeeper stopped her before she could proceed upstairs.

  “If you’re looking for Aiden, he’s not in his room.” He pointed to the roof. “He’s patchin’ things up so we stay dry this winter.”

  She thanked him, then walked around the three-story tavern in search of Aiden. She found a rickety ladder ascending the side of the building and didn’t hesitate to start climbing. By the time she reached the second story, the creaking rungs gave her pause to consider the wisdom of her decision. Nevertheless, she persisted.

  The smell of tar flooded her nostrils long before she found him. She would normally have pinched her nose, but the roof’s pitch dictated she keep both arms available to maintain her balance.

  “What are you doing up here, Frasie?” Aiden asked. “It’s dangerous.”

  She approached him and knelt into a semi-stable position. “It’s alright. I’ve been in far worse situations. I want to talk.”

  He continued to apply tar to a piece of metal flashing. He looked up briefly. “I’m listening.”

  “I thought about our last conversation. A lot.”

  He sighed. “So did I.”

  “And I’ve climbed all the way up here to remind you what a complete fool I am.”

  He gave her an incredulous glance. “I think you’re being a bit hard on yourself.”

  “No… I really make some dumb decisions. I wish I knew why. Later, in bed, when I’m looking up at the ceiling, I come up with the most brilliant answers and decide to do amazing things. And then I open my mouth and some nonsense spews out I hardly recognize.”

  She paused to see if he would respond, but he continued working.

  “I love you, Aiden. More than anything. But I’m an even bigger fool when it comes to love. I thought boys were gross for the longest of time, and then when I finally start to find them interesting, my whole world turns upside down with Nivvy and Vorea.”

  Aiden applied a glob of tar to the chimney with more force than it probably required. “I was new to love, too, Frasie. I went to several dances and even met this girl’s parents once, but I wasn’t really in love. When I finally spent time with you, I learned what being in love is all about.”

  Her heart warmed with his words. “You’re so sweet.”

  “Maybe too sweet. Watching Niv and Shareis marry made me want to have that with you. We’ve known each other longer than they have, and even though we haven’t dated much, we’ve spent countless hours staring up into the starry nights talking, sometimes until dawn.”

  She smiled. “I adored every minute of that.”

  “To me, it’s like we were married. Almost, anyway. I have long ago committed to you, Frasie. In my mind, it was only a matter of making it official.” He slammed his trowel into the bucket of tar. “But then, when you turned me down, I realized I was the fool.”

  She grabbed his arm. “Don’t say that. You were right. We are already dedicated to each other.”

  “Then why was your first instinct to tell me no?”

  “I… I don’t know, really,” she replied. “I suppose I was scared. Scared of disappointing you.”

  “You did disappoint me!” Aiden yelled.

  The sharpness of his tone sent shivers throughout her body. “Aiden, I…”

  “Oh, it wasn’t with Kytis. No, he had you under his spell. I saw it then, and I don’t blame you.”

  “I allowed myself to be charmed,” Frasie said. “I’m a gullible person. First Olivia, and then Kytis. It was even easier with Kytis because he built up my self-esteem so high, I would have done anything he asked.”

  “You did do anything he asked,” he sneered.

  She gritted her teeth. “So, you are still mad about me doing that nude painting for Kytis.”

  He shrugged. “Maybe I am. I know he was half-Skilla, but… Come on, Frasie. You needed to get naked to save Olivia? Who believes that kind of nonsense?”

  She wasn’t prepared for how hard his words hit her. In all the time she’d known him, he had never insulted her intelligence. The only person who ever claimed she was naïve was her. In fact, on numerous occasions he defended her to her, saying she was being too hard on herself. But now it was clear—he thought she was stupid.

  “A fool,” she replied. “That’s who’d believe it.” She turned and climbed back on the ladder. “I may not be smart like you, Aiden, but I’m not so stupid as to vow to spend the rest of my life with a man who secretly thought I was an idiot.”

  She rushed down the ladder and disappeared into the woods.

  She didn’t look back.

  Chapter 15

  Frasie tossed and turned as the argument with Aiden replayed in her head. She couldn’t catch a bit of sleep, so she rose earlier than usual and tended to her chores. Her parents didn’t expect her to do them, but she was glad to help. They were getting older and less able to tend to farm work, and the pre-dawn tasks helped occupy her mind.

  She kept herself busy with their garden and livestock until after lunch. She walked to Brenloh when she ran out of distractions. Aiden hammered away at the t
avern roof, so she proceeded to his room and knocked on his door.

  “Aiden’s not here,” Lilly answered.

  She stepped inside the room. “I’m not here to see him. I’m here for you.”

  Lilly tilted her head. “For me?”

  “Mmm hmm.”

  “Aiden is helping me get where I need to go, and I’m using a meditative healing technique to hasten my recovery. I fail to see what else I need to do.”

  She scoffed. “Aiden is busy, so I can help with all that. Plus, you have to prepare for your reunion with Mauria.”

  Lilly put her hand on the door. “That wasn’t part of the deal.”

  She pushed the door open a bit more and Lilly reluctantly gave way. “I’m changing the deal.”

  “You can’t do that.”

  She entered and shut the door behind her. “It’s for the best.” She lowered her voice, though they were the only two in the room. “Look, Aiden and I are not getting along at the moment, so I need something to do.”

  Lilly frowned. “I am not your project, Frasie.”

  “I know that sounded bad. Remember, I’m not good with words.”

  “You communicated your intent well, but I am not interested in your scheme.” Lilly relaxed her stance. “And, it’s worth mentioning that the last woman to make me her project fell in love with me.”

  “Don’t worry, I’m very much into men.” She looked toward the ceiling. “Or one specific man, when he’s not acting like an—”

  “Listen, Frasie, I sympathize with you, but I cannot reunite with Mauria. As soon as my ankle is well, I will be leaving the Jeweled Woods.”

  “Alright, alright. I’ll settle for cleaning and repairing your dress, then cutting and styling your hair. Don’t worry, I’ll only be here while Aiden is working. But not on the full moon. I’m hunting then. Unless you want to come along.”

  “Frasie, I—”

  “Wait, you can’t. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  Lilly put her arms on her shoulders. “Frasie. Stop. I know what you’re doing, and it’s appreciated. But not necessary.”

  “I don’t know what I’m doing. How could you know?”

  “You can’t fix the problem with Aiden so you’re trying to fix my problems.”

  “I guess I am. What’s wrong with that?”

  “Nothing, I just—”

  Someone knocked on the door.

  “It’s not you, Aiden, is it?” she asked. “If it is, I don’t want you to come in yet. I’m talking something over with Lilly. I realize it’s your room, but I’ll only be a second more, alright?”

  She opened the door after another knock. It was the innkeeper.

  “Sorry, I guess you’re not Aiden.”

  “Frasie, a strange woman is looking for Niv’leana.”

  “Strange?” she asked.

  “Not from around here,” he corrected. “But real pretty-like. She says she is friends with Niv and has something to tell her.”

  “Then why are you asking me?” she asked.

  “I don’t know where she is. Figured you might.” He motioned downstairs. “She’s sitting at the bar.”

  She turned to Lilly. “Don’t you move. I’ll be right back.”

  She proceeded to the restaurant on the first floor and saw a woman with dark hair sitting at the bar. She seemed familiar.

  “I’m Frasie,” she announced, then gasped when the woman turned. “What are you doing in Brenloh?” She crossed her arms. “You’re not welcome here, Olivia.”

  “I think Niv and Shareis might disagree with you,” Olivia replied. “But I didn’t come here to argue. I need to talk to Niv.”

  “I don’t know why you’re coming to me,” she said.

  “No one here will tell me where she lives,” Olivia replied.

  “Maybe they don’t trust you.”

  The innkeeper looked away.

  “Maybe they don’t. It doesn’t matter. I’m here to warn Niv.”

  “Warn her about what?”

  Olivia stood. “We don’t have time, Frasie. Take me to her, now!”

  “Not until you tell me why.”

  “I know the way,” Lilly said from the handrail between stories.

  She climbed the steps. “What are you doing, Lilly? You shouldn’t be up and around, let alone walking through the woods.”

  Lilly approached to the bar. “I don’t know you, Skilla, but I know when someone’s telling the truth.”

  “She could be charming you,” Frasie insisted.

  “Proctors are resistant to the charming magic of a Skilla. She speaks the truth, Frasie. And there’s fear in her eyes.”

  “She’s a liar!”

  Olivia sighed. “I cannot argue that. I have deceived many.”

  “Am I free to go, Frasie?” Lilly asked.

  “No, of course not.”

  “Then tell me, how are you different from this woman? Are you not plotting to keep me here?”

  “That’s different.”

  “Hardly,” Lilly said. “How many lies have you told to keep my presence in Brenloh a secret?”

  “You told me not to tell Mauria!”

  “Is it not fair I get some concession if you are going to hold me against my will? Sounds like a charm to me.”

  Frasie threw her hands in the air. “Unbelievable. Fine, go! I won’t tell the love of your life you were here.”

  Lilly motioned to Olivia. “Come, Skilla. I will take you to Niv.”

  Chapter 16

  Shareis cut the vine and plopped the last pumpkin in the wheelbarrow. “That’s the biggest one I’ve ever seen.”

  Niv wiped her brow. “My dad says it’s something in the soil.”

  “Must be.” She soaked in the image of sweat glistening from Niv’s forehead. “There’s something about you working in a ponytail…”

  “What?” Niv asked.

  She approached and took Niv in her arms. “It’s incredibly sexy.”

  “How?” Niv asked. “My hair’s a wreck, I’m filthy, and I—”

  “And you’re beautiful.”

  Niv sighed. “If you insist.”

  She kissed her. “I do.”

  A wagon pulled up to them.

  “Alright, lovebirds,” Frasie said. “Enough of that.”

  She noticed Lilly and Olivia among them. Not wanting to draw attention to her mother, she remained silent.

  “Whose wagon is that?” Niv asked Frasie.

  “I borrowed it from the blacksmith,” Frasie replied.

  “Olivia!” Niv exclaimed as she ran to the wagon.

  Olivia climbed down and stood next to her. “It’s good to see you.”

  “I’d hug you, but I’m a mess.” Niv looked back at her. “Though Shareis would tell you otherwise.”

  She shook her head.

  Frasie jumped down from the seat in one motion and hugged Niv. “I don’t care if you’re dirty!”

  She and Lilly exchanged glances, but she continued to hold her tongue.

  Frasie motioned to Lilly. “I’ve got a surprise for you, Shareis.”

  Olivia and Frasie went to help Lilly from the wagon.

  “You were at the wedding,” Niv said.

  Lilly approached her. “I wouldn’t have missed it for anything, High Priestess.”

  A subtle nod from Lilly encouraged her to step forward. “Niv, I’d like you to meet Lilly.” She took a breath to steel herself. “My mother.”

  Niv hesitated. “Your…” Niv mouthed mother?

  She offered a quick, confirming nod.

  Niv remained stunned for a moment, then lowered her head as though greeting royalty. “It is an honor to meet you. And please, call me Niv.”

  “The honor is mine,” Lilly said.

  “I… I don’t understand, Shareis. Did you know she was in town?”

  “Do not blame your wife,” Lilly interjected. “I asked Shareis to conceal my presence. She was carrying out her mother’s wishes.”

  Her hear
t skipped a beat at Niv’s disapproving glare. “I suppose I’ll have to let it pass.”

  Lilly took Niv’s hand. “Proctors do not have family. We call this lack of ties a blessing, but after seeing how happy my daughter is, I will label it a failing. Shareis’s mother taught me to love, and I extend that love, best I know how, to you, Niv. I am pleased to have you as part of our family.”

  Niv’s stance relaxed as she let out an exasperated sigh. “I understand, and I am eternally grateful. May I hug you?”

  “Yes. Thank you. No one ever asks us, and we would prefer they do.”

  Niv embraced her mother-in-law and exchanged a warm smile with Frasie. Seeing her mother and wife hug touched something deep inside her, something she hadn’t ever felt. It was beyond love. Could this be the bonds of family humans speak of so fondly?

  “The Skilla has something to tell you,” Lilly said. “I will not take more of your time than necessary.”

  Oliva stepped forward. “Thank you. Niv, Shareis, I’m so happy for you both. I wish I could have been there for the wedding.”

  “Where have you been?” Niv asked.

  “I was fortunate to find passage to a distant land, and continent to our west named Asaria.”

  “I’ve never heard of that,” Niv said.

  “Most haven’t. They have wonderous inventions there—ones that run entirely on steam. These engines, as they call them, do the work of many horses. Their wagons have no steed, only a boiler fed by coal. They create fire from chemicals glued to sticks of wood.”

  Niv gasped. “I’ve seen one of those. Saros showed it to me. That’s astonishing. Maybe we can trade with them.”

  “They said they’ve tried to initiate trade talks but Selandis wasn’t interested,” Olivia said.

  “They never approached me. Perhaps Vorea rejected them.”

  “I’m not certain,” Olivia said. “Regardless, they pose a tremendous threat to us.”

  “Why?” Niv asked. “We weren’t even aware of them.”

  “They want our resources,” Olivia replied. “Our ships would take weeks to reach them, but their steam-powered ships will be here any day.”

  “How do you know this?” Shareis asked.

  “I read some top-secret documents of their leader. They want to take over our continent and exploit its resources. They believe we are misusing the natural elements of the land.”