All's Fair in Love and Lion (20 page)

“Really?” Jill glances at me curiously, her eyes full of questions.

“We got together and eventually Sasha agreed to become my wife.”

“You’re engaged?” She turns on me. “You never said anything.”

My face burns. “Only Carl knew.”

“You could’ve told me,” she says. “Well, congratulations! When’s the big day?”

“December twelfth,” Monroe answers.

“Sasha has been holding out on us.” She glances at me slyly. “You should’ve come sooner, Monroe. You missed most of the dance.”

“It’s all right,” he says smoothly. “I came in time for the last one.”

Jill sighs. “That’s so romantic.”

Carl grabs a microphone and announces the senior boy and girl who are prom king and queen. Both students were in Carl’s class the year before, so I don’t know them very well. Marjorie makes the final announcements and the DJ starts the music for the last dance.

Gus tugs on Jill’s hand. “Come on, Jilly. Let’s leave Sasha and Monroe alone.”

As Monroe and I dance, I can hear his heart thump in his chest through the soft fabric of his white shirt. I close my eyes as a gentle warmth envelopes me. Close to him I feel safe. Everything else disappears. Lily’s threats feel like a distant nightmare. There’s no First or Third Realm to decide between, just this magical moment where I can forget all our problems.

When the song ends, I reluctantly let Monroe go. He never leaves my side while the students head for the door. Once the ballroom empties of the teenagers, we join the throng in the hallway. Monroe waits in an alcove while I enter the ladies’ room. I lock the stall door behind me.

“Did you see the man Miss Brighton was with?” Tiffany’s voice ricochets off the bathroom walls.

I bite my lip when the other girl answers, “I did. He’s definitely hot. Isn’t she your teacher?”

“Yeah, for English,” Tiffany answers.

“Have you ever seen that guy before?” the girl asks.

“No,” Tiffany says. “I don’t even know who he is. She doesn’t talk about her personal life.”

“Someone heard Mrs. Michaels say Miss Brighton’s engaged to him.”

“Seriously?” Tiffany shrieks. “Who was it?”

Please leave,
I silently beg.
Go away so I can get out of here.

“Dana told me,” the girl says.

“Did Dana hear anything else?”

“No, that’s all,” the girl says. “I’m gonna go now, Zeke wants to leave.”

“Yeah, I gotta go, too. RJ’s taking me home,” Tiffany says.

The door closes and I exit the stall. Washing my hands, I shake my head. Come Monday, I’ll be bombarded with questions. I leave the ladies’ room and rejoin Monroe.

“Ready?” he asks. His brows furrow. “What’s wrong?”

“Student gossip. I’ll survive.”

We say our goodbyes to Marjorie and the other chaperones and exit the hotel.

“Thank you for everything,” I say, starting my car.

Monroe buckles the passenger seatbelt. “I did it for you.”

“Do Thirdlings have proms?”

“Nothing like this. Most of us are taught at home.”

“I guess tutors make a lot of money being in such high demand.”

“Some of them do.”

“Is it hard for them?”

“Depends on what family hires them.”

“Might I tutor if we end up in the Third Realm?”

“I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s very competitive. Much more than here.”

“I could handle it.” I purse my lips. “Work is one place I am confident of myself.”

“You know I can provide for both of us.”

“It’s not about that. If I choose the Third Realm, everything will be unfamiliar. At least if I tutored, I’d fulfill a purpose.”

“Is that what you’ve been worried about?”

“Partly,” I say, avoiding the subject of Lily’s mental visits. “I’ve been independent since I was fifteen. I’m used to doing things on my own.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

We reach my building and find an empty parking space. “Melody isn’t even aware of everything. I try not to think about how I grew up.” Taking the keys out of the ignition, I blink back tears. Memories long tucked away spring to the surface. “I’ve been alone so long. I can’t figure out how to tell you about myself.”

He strokes my hand with his thumb. “You’ve told me a lot. I want you to feel you can speak your mind.”

I lean my head against the steering wheel. “How can you be so kind? How can you be gentle and undemanding?”

I hear a click, and the seatbelt slides back. His arms come around me and I sob into his tuxedo coat. “I didn’t have a good relationship with my parents,” he says. “I don’t talk about my worries much. In that way I understand why you keep things private.” He rubs my back. “You have me now, so you don’t have to push any thought aside anymore. You can let it all out.”

Burying my face in his shirt, grief and loneliness wash over me. All the years my aunt made me feel unwelcome, the way she acted as if I was a burden rather than family. Even though Mel has been a wonderful friend, she couldn’t completely drive the sensations of being alone in the world from me.

Books and fairy-tales had become my solace. Work was a distraction, as well as a purpose. It wasn’t until Monroe entered my life I began to believe I could have something special—someone special.

He makes no comment, even though the front of his tuxedo gets ruined.

A coldness replaces the tears when I think about Lily. I start to speak, to tell him everything, but at the last second, I close my mouth. Is there any way he’d forgive my silence on the matter? Will he sympathize with my need to prove myself? Or, will he decide he can do better than me?

Chapter 27: Monroe

“I’m delivering these to Sasha Brighton.”

The receptionist’s eyes travel from my face to the bouquet in my arms. Her jaw drops.

“Do you suppose she’ll like them?” I ask.

“If a handsome man was bringing me a huge bunch of roses on a Monday afternoon, I’d be thrilled. Especially red roses.” She indicates an enormous binder on the desk. “You’ll need to sign in and get a visitor’s pass. Is Sasha expecting you?”

With a flourish, I sign my name in the book. “No, I thought I’d surprise her.”

The lady stands and checks the book, then glances back at me. “You’re Monroe Dubay?”

“You’ve heard of me?”

She grins. “Jill Michaels told me she met you at the Junior-Senior Prom. Is it true you’re her fiancé?”

“Yes, I am.”

“I’m glad Sasha finally found someone. She’s such a sweet person.”

“Is there anything else I should know, or may I go see her?”

“Follow me.” The lady comes out from behind the counter, and leads me up a metal staircase.

As we climb the steps, students and faculty stop what they’re doing. I hear their whispered questions. Focused on my goal, I don’t care if the whole school sees me. A few seconds later, the receptions leads me down a plain white hall and stops in front of Sasha’s classroom.

At the receptionist’s knock, Sasha’s voice calls, “Come in!”

She opens the door. “Sasha? You have a visitor.”

Sasha turns and her eyes widen when she sees me. She clears her throat. “Thank you, Alice. I’ll see you later.”

The woman leaves, and I approach Sasha’s desk. “Good afternoon.” I hand her the bouquet. “These are for you.”

She accepts the flowers from me. “Monroe, this is a surprise.”

“A good one, I hope.”

“I’ve never seen such a big bunch of roses.” She turns it around. “You didn’t have to do this.”

I brush her words aside. “Do you like them?”

“A bit extravagant.”

My smile fades.

“I mean, they’re exquisite, Monroe. Thank you.” She sets them on her desk and turns to me. “What’s the occasion?”

“After the other night, I was concerned about you.”

“I’m okay. I’ve been waiting to see you.” She glances away. “However, I expect I’ll be the main source of gossip around the school for days. Not exactly my favorite past-time.”

“I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m not accustomed to mixing my career with my personal life.”

“If we’re going to marry, I want to know about everything in your life.”

She lowers her head. “I’ll get used to it.”

“And this, as well.” I capture her lips in a searing kiss.

She gasps when I let her go. “Oh, Monroe. Forget everything I just said! It’s a relief to have you hold me. I was afraid my meltdown scared you off.”

“Never.”

“I really do like the flowers.”

“Is your day going well?”

“My students have been asking about you all day.” She presses her lips together. “The afternoon will be more of the same.”

“Is it bothering you?”

“I wish they’d focus more on English class and less on you.”

I kiss her cheek. “My being here hasn’t helped.”

“I should’ve known it would happen eventually.”

“You’re not mad?”

She shakes her head as the bell rings. “The only problem now is my next class will be here soon.”

“I won’t keep you.”

“I’ll see you later?” she asks as students begin filing in.

I glimpse her students’ shocked expressions, and give her a wink. “Without a doubt.”

As I leave, I hear someone ask, “Miss Brighton, who was that?”

Back home, I sit in a chair to pour a glass of scotch when the door flies open.

“You have a message, sir,” Ayres says, materializing beside me.

Taking the missive, I wave him off. He vanishes.

Dear Lord Dubay,

We are not certain if you’ve heard: Alveron, Lily Tigress’s uncle, has arrived. We’ve doubled our guard. However, he’s a Fifth Level Magician. He could free Miss Tygress and we’re powerless to stop him.

Please be alert in case such an event occurs.

Sincerely,

Roark and Neville of Mount Iron Prison

The scotch crashes to the floor, staining the rug. “No!” I trip over the table and stumble from the room.

Out in the courtyard, I transport myself to Quin’s castle.

“Lord Dubay.” Quin’s tuxedoed valet answers the door, his steely gaze raking over me in astonishment. “May I help you?”

“Is Quin at home?”

“He is in his study with Miss Merilee. I’ll announce—”

“There isn’t time,” I exclaim, brushing past the valet and storming down the grand entrance. “Where is he?”

“Last door on the right,” the valet huffs behind me. “Sir—”

“Shut up!” I roar, bursting into the room.

I find myself in a huge parlor, decorated in black, blue, and gray. From a leather black couch, Quin and Merilee raise their heads and stare at me. “Uh, Monroe, what . . .?”

I thrust the message under his nose. “Read this.”

Quin lets go of Merilee and takes the paper from my shaking hand. “When did you get this?” In his agitation he flickers from shadow to solid. Nightshades don’t usually get rattled.

“Today.”

His jaw tightens and he becomes solid again. “We must act fast.” He kisses Merilee’s fingertips. “You’ll have to excuse me, my love. Pressing Council business.”

Merilee stands. “Come visit me when you have a chance.” The door clicks shut behind her.

“You suppose we can gather everyone right now?” I ask.

“It would be best. You find Bast and Neru. I’ll track down Loralyn and ask her to call on Minuet, Samson, and Delton.” He dissolves into the shadows, the fastest way for him to travel.

I let his insubstantial form pass me, then I head for the outdoors and onto my next destination.

I beat on the massive doors bellowing, “Bast, answer the damn door!”

With a creak, the door gradually opens. “Lord Monroe, what is the matter?” Rictor asks in his usual supercilious air.

“I must see Bast right away.”

“I’m afraid he’s unavailable.”

I push past Rictor and run down the hallway. “I don’t care. Where is he?”

“He’s tending to Lady Alexia. She isn’t well today. I must ask you—”

“It’s imperative I speak to him.”

Rictor sighs. “Come with me.” He mutters to himself as he leads me down the long, stone passageways. Banners bearing a jackal’s silhouette adorn the walls and a draft sends chills up my arms. He pauses at a large oak door and swings it open.

Bast turns from where he sits on the edge of a gold and white decorated bed. Alexia reclines against gold pillows.

“Monroe, what are you doing here?” he asks.

“I got a letter from the Vulture Brothers. It’s about Alveron.”

Alexia’s eyes widen. “Alveron?”

Bast jerks to his feet. “What’s it say?”

“They sent me a note. Quin has it. We must inform Neru. Quin and I are gathering the Council.” I pace around the room, and toss Alexia an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, but this is important.”

“Go,” she orders Bast. “They’ll need you.”

Bast blows Alexia a kiss as I drag him from the room and out the door.

At Neru’s palace I race past the aging butler. “We must speak with Neru immediately,” I say, motioning for Bast to follow. “It’s an emergency.”

“Lord Vytale is in the sitting room. I would warn you . . .”

Ignoring the flustered servant, I barrel down the grandiose halls filled with portraits of Vytale ancestors. Neru once told me about them. According to him, the majority of them were flirts, like him.

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Bast comments as we whiz by the paintings.

“So I hear.”

The butler hurries after us. “I will alert my master you are here.”

“We’ll find him ourselves,” I answer.

“You really shouldn’t . . .”

“Don’t bother telling us not to interrupt him,” Bast says to the servant.

Bast jogs up behind me. An opulent room opens up before us. Velvet crimson curtains hang in the windows, blocking out the sun. Gold brocade chairs bedeck the center of the room. Through the dim lighting, I can just barely make out Neru in a corner. He leans over a figure on a red fainting couch. My eyes readjust and I recognize Charla, an older muse. Her radiant pale plum-colored eyes dance in the candlelight as Neru holds a piece of chocolate above her open mouth.

“I say,” Neru exclaims, dropping the chocolate as we stride into the room. “You two mind?”

“Any other time, yes, not now,” I say, striding toward Neru.

Charla giggles, playing with a piece of her pale lavender hair. “Hello, boys.”

Bast rolls his eyes at Charla. “Neru, Monroe got a note from the Vulture Brothers and—”

“Alveron is here,” I cut in. “You know what this means. Quin sent me to find you. We’re to meet the others at the Council Hall immediately.”

Neru’s face pales. His attention returns to Charla. “It seems, my dear,” he says to the diverted muse, “business calls me away. Another time, my sweet?”

“Of course, you old devil.” She pinches his cheek. “Nice to see you, gentlemen,” she says to us, then raises her eyebrow suggestively at Neru. “Bye-bye, cutie.”

After Charla leaves, Neru rings a tiny silver bell. His valet enters. “Lars,” Neru says, “It appears there’s an unexpected Council meeting. Please relay to anyone who comes that I’m indisposed until further notice.”

Lars bows and leaves the room.

“When did this happen?” Neru asks. “What did the note say?”

“The note said Alveron has arrived in this part of the country. They reminded me he can get Lily out of prison.” My fingers flex. The urge to change form in defense swells inside me.

Neru strokes his chin. “It wouldn’t be the first time a magician overrides the Council. It happened one other time long ago when your fathers were on the Council. Perhaps there’s something we can do. Quin is the General this time, correct?”

Adrenaline pumps through me and I’m unable to stand still. “Loralyn appointed him General at the last one.”

Neru shakes his head. “Quin should’ve called the Council together a long time ago.” We follow Neru back down the expansive halls into his courtyard. “No matter, we shall come up with a plan to handle the situation.”

Seconds later, we enter the Council Hall. Loralyn, Minuet with her baby in tow, and Samson are already there.

“Quin went to find Delmont,” Minuet tells us as we take our places. “And Loralyn talked to Brinda.”

“She will be here shortly,” Loralyn adds.

“Good.” I clasp my trembling hands together.
Transform . . . transform . . . transform
thumps in time with my heartbeat.

Neru and Bast sit around the table. Bast watches me as if he expects I’ll fly into a temper. He wouldn’t be far off the mark. Years of etiquette stands between me and full-blown fury. I grind my teeth. Too much restraint. I want to run, shred things, do whatever is necessary to ensure Lily remains at Mount Iron.

“Quin showed us the note.” Loralyn rests her chin on her fingertips. “Do you know how Alveron found out?”

“I expect Lily contacted him,” I answer, trying to hide my nerves. “He spoils her. She has him wrapped around her finger.”

“Would she really have her uncle override a Council decision?” Minuet asks.

“She would do anything to have Monroe,” Bast answers.

Minuet taps her fingernails on the tabletop. “Does Sasha know about Alveron?”

“I’m afraid I’ll have to tell her,” I say grimly. “Originally I didn’t think he would be a problem.”

Brinda and the rest of the members arrive. Quin raps on the table to call the Council meeting to order.

“By now,” Quin says, holding up the note, “you are aware of the reason for this meeting. We must help Monroe.”

Brinda raises her hand. “There is no guarantee Alveron will have Lily released. He may dote upon his niece, yet he is not unreasonable.”

Bast snorts. “You believe that?”

“Why shouldn’t I?” Brinda asks.

“Monroe and I know Alveron might not be unreasonable in most cases,” Bast replies, “but anything Lily wants Alveron gives her. Her own parents didn’t spoil her as badly as he does.”

Brinda’s eyebrows furrow. “It seems we fairies have been duped. We were under the impression he behaves rationally.”

“In any other situation, perhaps,” Bast says. “Not when Lily’s involved.”

Brinda resumes her seat.

I raise my hand and Quin nods. “We should consider what we can do, now. What are our options?”

“We can apprise Alveron of the circumstances surrounding Lily’s imprisonment and hope it’s enough to convince him to keep her there,” Neru suggests.