A sparrow flew overhead and landed on his shoulder before taking off again. Sean didn’t react. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen birds getting close to him, and on any other occasion, I would have considered that a positive trait. Wild animals didn’t trust just anyone. Yet something disturbing lurked beneath his fairy-tale-like charm.
“Birds seem to like you.” My tone sounded awkward to my own ears.
“They do.” He didn’t add anything else as if the situation weren’t peculiar.
But then again, I sensed other people’s feelings and saw them as colours in the auras. My situation was peculiar as well.
Before entering, I glanced at him. The sparrow was again perched on his shoulder.
Papa came out of the study, his aura sparkling with yellow happiness. “Did you enjoy yourself?”
I handed my capelet to Jones. “Sean is charming.” That was true.
He gloated. “I’m so happy for you.” He held my hand and became serious. “Knowing that you’ll be well cared for after I’m dead makes me so happy.”
“Please, Papa. Stop talking about your death.” I kissed his cheek, but he kept his gloomy expression.
As I went up the stairs to my room, I touched my neck where two small scars were the only things left of Alex. I hadn’t seen him since that fateful day years ago when I’d been taken home unconscious.
Every time I thought of him, the two scars tingled.
Papa had searched for him after the outbreak had ended, but all the patients at the fever hospital had died.
In the brief time we’d spent together, I’d discovered a side of myself I’d ignored. For Alex, I’d sneaked out of my house twice, gone to Whitechapel in the middle of the night, and had the fiercest arguments with Papa.
But Alex was dead, and I missed him terribly.
With him, my spirit of adventure had died, too.
15
A WEDDING VOW
Irene
The sense of loneliness stayed with me for the whole day. Alex’s presence remained vivid in my mind as if there were a bond between us that transcended death. It was as melodramatic as it sounded, but the sensation was there.
I missed him the most after dusk for some reason.
After I’d changed into a blue evening gown, Sean, Papa, and I sat at the table as if we were a family. Sean was distracted, talking only when necessary, and I wasn’t exactly entertaining either.
The closer the date of my wedding came, the more I thought of Alex. He was a constant but soothing presence.
A bird hopping on the ledge distracted me. It tapped the glass with its beak, attracting Sean’s attention. Another bird landed on the ledge, then another. Soon a group of birds was spying on us from the window.
“You could spend some time at my estate in Cornwall.” Papa was oblivious to the strained atmosphere in the room. “It’s beautiful in autumn.”
Sean simply nodded, picking at his roast beef.
“Is everything all right?” I caught his glacial gaze. It never failed to cause my neck muscles to tighten.
His aura changed from dark blue to pitch black. “I’m fond of you.”
“I know.” I exchanged a glance with Papa.
“I mean…” Sean wiped his mouth with the napkin. “You’re silly, not particularly bright, and more frightened than a rabbit, but you have your pleasant moments.”
“Excuse me!” I put down my fork. “That was uncalled for.”
