Page 113 of Siren’s Secret

“Only the best for you, Lady Stormbringer.”

“It is your birthday.” She felt the need to remind him. Something flashed in Tanner’s eyes, too quick for her to read, but then he leaned closer.

“But… if you like us enough, maybe you’ll give Marc another chance,” he whispered, his voice catching a little.

“Tanner,” she began but didn’t know how to continue. The boy was too damn observant for his own good, and she wasn’t going to insult him by lying. “It’s not as simple as that,” she finally concluded and Tanner straightened.

“I want him to be happy.”

“What are you two whispering about over there?” Marc asked.

“Nothing!” They spoke at the same time, and that brought the smile back to Tanner’s lips. Wave patted his hand gently.

“I’ll think about it, okay? You’d be the best little brother I could ever want,” she whispered. Tanner looked relieved and they let the subject drop. Wave piled her plate high with all the delicious little things and smacked Marc’s hand when he tried to dip his talinde nugget into her marreke sauce.

“Get your own!”

“Oh, is there not enough?” Hatty whined from the other side and started to berate the server closest to her. Wave tuned her out and enjoyed the food.

As the dinner progressed, Tanner good-naturedly accepted toast after toast in his honor. Most of the speeches were dry or self-important, trying to lift the speaker more than congratulate Tanner. Typical juggling and politicking that Wave hated. Tanner made them fun by telling her little, salacious rumors of every speaker once they sat down. Everyone.

Wave narrowed her eyes and looked the table up and down while she thought about it. Uncle Essi hadn’t been impressed with Marc’s spying, but Tanner… She tried to figure out if Marc or Mr. Ulriche realized they had a budding spymaster in their family.

By the time dinner was over, Wave knew way more than she had ever thought possible about most of the people at the table. They got up, and Hatty ushered everyone into the ballroom. If dinner had clearly been to Tanner’s tastes, the rest of the entertainment screamed Hatty’s involvement.

After dancing the first dance with Hatty while Wave danced with Tanner, and the second dance with Wave, Mr. Ulriche excused himself from the party. Marc rolled his eyes but didn’t otherwise comment. Tanner looked resigned. Hatty hurt. Wave wanted to smack the man. He cared for his sons but was shit at showing it. He reminded Wave of her mother.

“You could dance with him again,” Marc murmured, while they watched Tanner dance with a pretty fae girl with deer horns.

“You wouldn’t mind?”

“Fuck no, it cheers him up.”

“Okay.” Wave nodded and waved Tanner over when the music ended. “Go get them to play something other than this funeral music,” she said, nudging Marc toward the orchestra. Yes, a half of an orchestra was set up on the dais.

“What would you like, my lady?”

“Surprise me, Mr. Ul—ugh, no. Marki-bear. That’s better. Surprise me, Marki-bear.”

That got a laugh from Marc just as Tanner reached them. “As you wish, bunny.”

When the music started again, Wave wasn’t the only one laughing. Hatty looked horrified as the rambunctious drinking song filled the room, but all of Tanner’s friends rushed to the floor, singing along and swaying with the tune like they were all drunken sailors.

It was much later when Wave made her decision. She caught Tanner’s arm and led him out to the garden for a little walk. They wandered slowly until the noise from the open doors waned and Tanner cleared his throat.

“What—”

“Do you have any contacts in Hell?” Wave decided to ask directly. Tanner froze and looked around them frantically.

“What are you talking about?” He tried to look innocent and failed miserably.

“You know very well what I’m talking about, little spymaster,” Wave said softly.

“What? I’m not!” Tanner’s voice rose and Wave took his arm.

“Tanner.” When the boy stopped to breathe, she smiled. “Does your father know?”

Tanner’s shoulders slumped, and he looked defeated. “No,” he muttered. “I thought I was getting decent at it.”