Betrayal Foretold: Descended of Dragons, Book 3 (17 page)

T
hey’d heard everything
. I knew they had. The shocked, raw looks on Abia and Emelie’s faces said as much. I scowled at Abia and shook my head. I did not want to discuss it.

“Here, let me take those vials,” she said stiffly.

Gaspare popped into the small kitchen. I yelped and lost my balance, stumbling into the counter. “Aren’t you supposed to do that outside,” I grumbled.

“Of my mother’s house? When she knows I’m coming?” He shook his head as if I was ridiculous.

“Did you get them?” Abia rubbed her palms together. “Did he find the books I asked for?”

“I think so,” he said and hefted the dusty tomes onto the table. “No one’s laid a hand on these in ages. What are you looking for?”

Abia fingered through the thick pages of a particularly thick book, her face tight with concentration. She didn’t answer. I don’t think she even heard the question.

Gresham slipped in to join us. Making a conscious effort not to look at someone always has the opposite effect, in my experience. Though there was nothing else I could do, I tried to will his pain away, watching his every move for signs of improvement.

“How’s it going?” Gaspare asked me and Emelie when it was clear Abia was otherwise engaged.

“Almost done,” she said. “It’s difficult to translate the exact meanings of some things, especially since they coincide with symbols and drawings. But I think Stella will get the gist once I’m finished.”

“Thank you for doing it. I want to be a part of this, no matter how small,” I said.

“Here it is!” Abia yelled triumphantly.

“What?” we all asked at once.

She laid the big book back on the table near the grimoire. “See this?” she pointed to a primitive yet malevolent-looking symbol of a melting—or more accurately, dying—heart. “This is the symbol for Malu. The word is even written beneath it. And this drop is obviously blood. I couldn’t reconcile the next symbol, but this guide Gaspare brought had older variations of symbols.”

She pointed to another image scribbled in beside the original text. “This is ‘son.’ ‘Blood of the son.’”

A vacuum of sorrow sucked the air from the room. The only sound was the coarse crashing of waves against the beach and Gresham’s measured breaths.
In
. Pause.
Out
. Pause.
In
. Pause.
Out
.

“It’s true,” I whispered and clasped Gresham’s forearm. “I’m so sorry.”

“At least we know the way forward,” he said stiffly, peeling my fingers from his arm before tracing away.

* * *

“
H
ow was your day
?” Ewan asked after kissing me like he hadn’t seen me in weeks. We were still making up for lost time, it seemed.

“I had one hell of a crazy day,” I said when I found my vocal chords. “We’ve begun work on reversing Talbot’s curse. Everyone has a role to play, and it’s going to take us all. We confirmed the curse is probably tied to Gresham’s blood,” I said sadly.

“Damn. What now?”

“There are a lot of moving parts with this thing. It’s like a recipe. Abia is working to gather all of the ingredients while the rest of us learn the very difficult techniques required to pull it all together for a finished product. Essentially, we have to re-create the dish—the curse—and then deconstruct it.”

“What else can I do to help?” Ewan asked. “I have to go to class, but I’m free in the evenings.”

“I don’t think there’s anything you can do right now. Mostly I just watch the professionals work. But my God, what an experience. If we do this, if we’re successful, Thayer will never be the same.”

“It could mean the world to so many people. Boone and Timbra, especially.”

I nodded, lost in thought. Of course, my two friends were at the forefront of my mind during this ordeal. Boone was descended of great dogs; Timbra from a noble line of deer. I didn’t know how Boone’s family felt about the relationship, but Timbra’s family—her father in particular—had been outraged. Most people in Thayer held the belief that if two people couldn’t conceive a child, the relationship was unnatural. But I knew their love to be pure and kind, generous and absolute.

“How are they, anyway?” It turned my stomach to stone to know they suffered emotional pain because they thought I’d died that night. The fact that Gaspare left me no choice in the matter didn’t make me feel better at all. They hurt, I hurt. It’s what friends do.

Ewan’s keen eyes had gone shifty, zipping from side to side for the briefest of moments. “They’re okay,” he said. “They have each other, so…”

“You did
not
tell them,” I ground through gritted teeth.

“I sure as hell did.” His hoarse whisper matched mine in vehemence.

“You can’t…but, Gaspare…Oh, Ewan.” My hand flew to my head. “You shouldn’t have done that. You promised Gaspare. What if he finds out?”

“What can he do?” Ewan’s chest puffed in defiance. “He wouldn’t forbid me from coming back here. He doesn’t want to see you unhappy.” His face grew even more serious. “And besides, I know too much now.”

“Oh, you do not want to mess with Gaspare Shaw, Ewan. I know he seems like a quirky, fun uncle now, but you have to remember who he is. What he can do. I don’t want to ever be on his bad side.”

“I’ll just have to take that chance,” he said with finality and held my waist with both hands. “You don’t know what it’s like, Stella. They
love
you. To think you were gone. It killed me. Ripped a chunk right out of my heart. There’s no way I’d let anyone else suffer through that a minute longer than they had to.”

I groaned and lay my head on his chest. Beneath strong muscles, his heart thundered wildly.

“Okay,” I breathed. “Okay. We’ll figure it out.”

“
E
wan
. Just the man I’ve been looking for.” Gaspare strode toward us, his intent to deliver a message clear.

Uh-oh
.
He’s found out
. Ewan’s stiff posture told me he’d had the same thought.

“Emelie and I have got to have a break from this place, from this work. Dinner tonight at The Farm?”

“In Pearl?” I asked. “One of your conditions was that Ewan remain in Topaz.”

“I’m evolving, Stella. Keep up.”

I opened and closed my mouth. Nothing I could say would improve on this promising development, so I kept it closed.

“I’ve lifted your wards. See you at eight?”

“Ah, yes, sir.” Ewan stammered. “Thank you.”

Gaspare strode away as determinedly as he had arrived. He was always on one mission or another.

“What was that about?” I wondered aloud.

“Maybe he just wants to get to know me better.”

“Yeah, maybe,” I said, but didn’t believe it was that simple for a second.

* * *

T
he Farm was
rustic in theme only. The decor was old-fashioned and charming in a calculated sort of way. The linens were worn but pristine. We were only into the drinks and appetizers, but both were superb.

“The scallops, please,” I said. The waiter nodded politely and moved on to take Emelie’s order.

Ewan leaned into me, pressing his lips so close to my ear I felt the heat of his breath before he said a word. “You’d think there’d be a steak on the menu of a place called The Farm,” he said and lightly inhaled my neck just below my ear. I’d worn my notoriously riotous red hair up, so he had easy access. I laughed louder at his comment than I’d intended, but laughing in Gaspare and Emelie’s company was better than the breathy sigh I’d been tempted to make.

I pressed my cheek to his and whispered back. “Seen many cows on the islands, have you?”

“Look at those two,” Emelie said and blinked wide, gray eyes. “Adorable little lovebirds. We were like that once, weren’t we Gaspare?”

“I’m as in love with you now as I’ve ever been, Emelie Shaw.”

The flush in Emelie’s pale skin was visible, even in the dim light.

“I happen to think you two are pretty adorable,” I said. “You’ve been together a long time?”

They both nodded and Gaspare’s wide smile gave Emelie’s beauty contest beam a run for its money.

“We have,” Emelie said. “Seems like forever—in a good way,” she continued in response to Gaspare’s grunt of protest. But then her smile fell in slow motion, grinding down one notch at a time. “We wanted to have kids right away. We talked about it before we married. You know how couples do—who wants a girl or a boy, and how many of each. We couldn’t wait to start our family.”

Gaspare put his hand on top of Emelie’s as she fidgeted in her lap.

“Secily was my closest friend,” she half-whispered. “She always felt like more of a sister, really. She realized she’d fallen in love around the same time Gaspare and I were married.

“She didn’t mean to. Rahb was her coworker. They were both brilliant, dedicated and had worked together for years. She thought he hung the stars, and he hung on her every word. They were meant for each other. Both such generous, loving people. Affairs happen all the time, but this…this was love and, well, love is hard to come by, isn’t it?”

When I turned in his direction, Ewan was already looking at me. I can’t adequately explain that moment or the depth of the connection between us, but we understood Emelie perfectly. Ewan and I had recently found love. We knew how precious it was. Ewan’s hand found mine and didn’t let go.

“Rahb Woolfolk was descended of bighorn sheep. His were a proud, grand people. Secily came from a line of hares.” Emelie’s smile resurfaced as she recalled a memory.

“They realized quickly they were in too deep to dig themselves out. They wanted to be together, but also wanted children. Adoption isn’t an option here on Pearl. There simply aren’t any children to adopt.” Emelie smiled sadly. “Rahb decided he loved Secily enough to live without them.”

Emelie took a deep breath before continuing her story. “But some women’s maternal instinct is too powerful to ignore. Secily knew her life would never be complete without children. Her love for Rahb was deep, unmatched, but she couldn’t give up her dream of being a mother. She broke things off. It was a very difficult time for her. A very long, difficult time. Eventually, she found her way out of depression and attempted to move on.”

“Secily and I were at a shop together when we heard the news. Rahb had been dating someone and she was pregnant. Secily was stunned, and understandably upset. We left the shop, but not before she became physically ill all over their entryway rug. Secily didn’t leave her house for days after that. I stayed with her, but she was quickly sucked back into the unyielding vacuum of depression.”

Tears formed in Emelie’s eyes as she tried to finish the story. Gaspare rubbed her back gently and smoothed her hair. She cleared her throat and swiped at her eyes. “It just didn’t feel right when I left for work that day. She was a bit better, but not herself. It was strange. I tried to stay with her, but she insisted I go. I resolved to check back in at lunch.”

Emelie released a shaky breath. “They saw her…” She cleared her throat again and sniffed. “Someone saw her walk into the sea. She never came back.”

“Oh, Emelie,” I said. “I’m so sorry.” She nodded and dried her eyes again.

“So you see, I have a very good reason for making the vow.” Another tear escaped and she wiped it from her cheek with a shaky hand. “I swore Gaspare and I would not conceive until I found a way for people like my Secily to have the same opportunity we do. It’s been my life’s work, and until now, I’ve had nothing to show for it.”

“It’s been a very long wait,” Gaspare said. “A very difficult wait.” His eyes held the weight of the world when he said, “Your discovery could mean everything to us. We can’t thank you enough.”

Ewan and Emelie nodded their silent agreement. My chest was suddenly tight. Too tight. “Oh, no. Thank Abia,” I said. “This is her theory, her plan.”

“Yes, we will. But you set this whole thing in motion.”

I shrugged and looked to my lap. “Thanks,” I said, just so they would move on.

I wasn’t sure where the conversation could go after that, but Gaspare did not disappoint.

“So, Ewan, what are your intentions with my niece?”

There it was: the real reason he invited us.
I shook my head at Gaspare and laughed under my breath.

“Well, sir, I intend to marry her, if she’ll have me.”

“Ewan Bristol, you do not!” I laughed again, but this time aloud. I rolled my eyes in Gaspare and Emelie’s direction.
This guy
.

But my aunt and uncle weren’t laughing. Neither was Ewan. With a petrified jerk, I turned back to him. His lips pressed into a thin line and his dark eyes held only a hint of pain at my unexpected reaction.

“Oh, God. You’re serious.” I laid my hand in his, but he didn’t squeeze back. “I’m sorry. It’s just so soon. I hadn’t thought…” I scratched my scalp and pulled at the too-tight up-do. “I just hadn’t thought…” I said again.

“Your scallops, ma’am.” The waiter said as he slid the plate into place.

* * *

T
he remainder
of dinner was strained and awkward. I tried to engage Ewan in conversation. He wasn’t rude or angry. He smiled and nodded, but his heart wasn’t in it.

Gaspare and Emelie exchanged a meaningful glance and asked for the check. “More tough work ahead of us tomorrow,” Gaspare said. “Best call it a night.”

I harbored some resentment at Gaspare for asking such a loaded question. What had he been thinking? How did he expect the night to go? Not the way it did, that much was certain.

With Gaspare and Emelie gone, I asked Ewan back to my temporary home. We were in Pearl, after all. Ewan hadn’t seen any of it. Hell, since we’d been relegated to Topaz, we hadn’t had access to a bed.

“I think I’ll head back to The Root,” he said, not meeting my eyes. “Big day tomorrow.”

“Ewan,” I pleaded and put my hands on each side of his face, coercing him to look at me. “You just caught me off guard. You know how I feel about you. But it’s so soon. I hadn’t considered marriage yet. Not that I wouldn’t. I just hadn’t.” Ewan’s eyes closed and I rubbed a strand of his chunky curls between my thumb and finger. “We have all the time in the world. Together.”

His smile didn’t reach his eyes, but I could tell he was trying. “It’s not a big deal. Don’t worry about it.” He kissed me lightly on the nose. “Really. Good night, Stell.”

And then he was gone.

* * *

I
needed
someone to talk to. More specifically, I needed Timbra. She would know just what to say, how to help me through the rough patch with Ewan. I desperately missed my friend, and paced the patio behind Gaspare’s cottage. There was no one in the house and it was so lonely. Being outside helped somehow.

From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of something before it came into full view. Dragons. Six of them speared upward and swooped playfully in the night sky. I smiled at their abandon and longed to fly freely, too. Recognition struck. The back two were Bay and Forster, and without further thought, I undressed to meet them beneath the stars.

“
You’ve hurt his pride
,” Bay said gently after hearing my story. “
But, I think he’s the type that heals pretty quickly
.” She chuffed a laugh in her dragon form. “
They say we’re the gentler sex, but I’ve always thought men’s feelings far more delicate
.”

“
I don’t know a lot about men, to be honest
,” I told her. “
Since my father died before I was born, I didn’t grow up with a man in the house. Mother never had boyfriends. Mine weren’t serious.
”

“
So, you’ve never really been exposed to what committed love looks like, have you, dear
?”

“
I never thought about it like that, but I guess not.
”

“
Do you think you might be afraid of what Ewan is proposing? Maybe you don’t know
how
to commit, or what marriage even means for the two of you
.”

“
Oh, you’re right on all accounts. I’m scared to death, and I don’t have a clue about any of it
.
But, well, commitment is one thing. Marriage is something else altogether.
”

“
Too true
,” Bay replied. “
But
y
ou’re a smart girl.
” She leaned her lovely armored head in my direction. “
You’ll figure it out. Nobody ever said relationships are easy. They’re hard work. But if it’s meant to be, you and Ewan will figure this out together. If he wants you for forever, waiting a bit won’t kill him.
”

“
Thanks, Bay
.” I dropped my shoulder and angled to fly beneath her. I found her moss colored eyes, so like my own. “
I’m glad I have you.
”

She practically purred with delight and slowly nodded her head. “
I feel the same, dear
.”