Page 68 of A Spell of Heart & Havoc

I stepped up to Mae’s side, forcing myself to roll my shoulders back and face them straight on. After everything I’d dealt with tonight, I could do this too. Mae pressed her upper arm gently against mine.

“Mother. Father,” I said, steeling myself. “The land sale is happening. It is a fraction of our holdings, and Mx. Bottlecoat and I have researched everything thoroughly, along with several experts. This is essential to the health of our estate, and our future. It is not up for debate, and I implore you to see reason. To trust me.”

Mother opened her mouth again, and I hurried on, “With the sale, I will be able to purchase a modest home for you in Talon, as well as set you up with monthly spending money. I think it’s time that we make a change in our lives. Permanently. I will remain here and retain full ownership and responsibility for the estate; we can sort out the papers with Mx. Bottlecoat tomorrow. You can embrace the return to your former life in the city. Or travel! Or we can set you up in a nice beach house on the coast! Whatever you wish.

“But this is happening. I need it to happen. And furthermore, it’s clear that our relationship needs it too. Some—some space. Otherwise, I’m afraid I won’t be able to continue, um, supporting your lifestyle. Financially.”

Going somewhat paler, Mother exchanged a heavy look with Father, who had begun to purple. I braced myself. Stiffening my spine, I picked a spot on a marble column off to the side to gaze at as my words sunk in, leaning slightly more against the comforting solidity of Mae’s warm upper arm.

Mother finally cleared her throat, and I just barely managed to keep myself from jolting.

“It’s very late, Dove. This is all a great deal for your father and I to take in tonight.” She paused, sighing. “But perhaps a change might be best. For all of us.

“Mx. Bottlecoat, send a raven to the nearest constable station and report the burglary. We will deal with them in the morning when they arrive. Now, we’re retiring for the evening,” Mother said in a tight voice. With one look back at me, exhaustion and annoyance warring—along with something that almost seemed like respect—she pulled Father toward the stairs and their rooms.

Mx. Bottlecoat nodded to me before hurrying off in the other direction, looking relieved to have gotten out of that unscathed. Choia patted my arm with a proud smile, hefting up her pan upon one shoulder as she headed toward the kitchens.

Suddenly alone but for Maerryl, my legs wobbled dangerously. All the nerves, the adrenaline of the night and this unexpected showdown with my parents, had me shaking like a sapling in a thunderstorm. I plopped to the floor on my ass, strong hands moving quickly to help guide me.

Mae sat cross-legged in front of me in the middle of the big, empty foyer. I pressed my trembling palms into the cool, smooth surface of the marble floor, feeling myself calm gradually.

“What are we going to do now?” I said quietly, staring in exhaustion at the stone’s veining. “There’s no way we can get what Zephyra wants. We’re going to fail.”

Mae didn’t move closer, but her firm voice soothed me all the same. “We’re not going to fail,” she said. “I have a plan.”

“You do?” I risked a glance up at her, but she was staring off into the distance, looking as tired as I felt.

“Yes. But first, we are both going to get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow, we’ll make your parents head back to the city for a while. And then you and I are taking a ride.”

“A ride? Where?” I asked.

“To the priory. We’re getting that stone.”

32

DOVE

The next morning, Maerryl and I stood side by side in front of the priory’s high, arched gate. I put a hand against Lightening’s warm flank to steady myself.

“This has to work,” I said.

“It will work,” Mae said, face forward. “Trust me.”

I snorted, and she winced. Hastily, she said, “Sorry. Poor choice of words. But it will work.”

Taking a deep breath, I stepped cautiously through the gate, Maerryl close behind. Making it through, we paused. And—nothing. No reaction from the gate, no smiting. No blasting us backward on our asses.

First step down. Now the really hard part.

Mae let out a whoosh of breath and led her horse forward. Today’s greeter, a solemn-faced gargoyle-like creature with spiky wings, flew down from a nearby branch and welcomed us. We were led to Prioress the Elder’s room on request, just as the first time I’d come here. That day felt so long away, months or years in the past. So much had changed since then—I’d changed so much too.

Once settled by the prioress’s hearth, teacups in hand, Mae and I exchanged a long look. I dabbed the sweat on my forehead with a napkin and tried to calm my anxious breathing. This was it.

Gently interrupting the prioress’s pleasant ramblings about their morning’s walk around the grounds and the particularly large spotted hummingnewt they’d encountered, Maerryl cleared her throat. “Prioress—Lumelle—Dove and I wish to talk to you about something. Something important.”

The prioress added another sugar cube to their tea and stirred lightly. They watched us with a twinkle in their eye. “So serious today. After a pre-wedding blessing, perhaps?”

Mae gaped, then flushed beet red from ear to ear, her adorably round nose reaching an impressively deep burgundy. I found myself stifling a smile.