Page 29 of Sun, Moon & Shadow

“I wondered where you were hiding,” she said, standing practically toe to toe with him.

“I prefer to keep a low profile.”

Nova tapped a finger against one of the silver buttons on his chest. “Yes, it certainly appears as though you’re trying to blend in.” A faint smile lifted the corners of her lovely mouth. “You look so different.”

She ran her fingertips along her jawline absently, starting below her ear. He mirrored the gesture, stroking his own smooth chin and averting his eyes, suddenly self-conscious under her appraisal.

“I like it,” she clarified.

She extended her hand in the space between them, and Callan thought she might touch him. But her arm dropped along with his foolish hope, and she laid her palm flat against her abdomen instead.

“Was that you I saw on the dance floor earlier?” he asked, knowing full well he could never confuse her with anyone else.

“Perhaps.” She tilted her face up toward his, silvery eyes glinting under the light of hundreds of flickering flames. “Will you dance with me?”

“I’m afraid the sight of me dancing isn’t a pleasant one.”

“Allow me to be the judge of that.” She smiled at him fully then, one eyebrow arched in challenge, and, gods above, he knew she could convince him to do anything she desired.

Before he could respond, he spied Lady Estrid approaching over Nova’s shoulder.

“Callan, won’t you introduce me to this jewel who has captured your attention?” Estrid stopped a short distance away as Nova turned to face her.

“Lady Estrid, may I present—”

“It’s you,” Estrid gasped, her face draining of color. She held her hand out, as if she meant to touch Nova, to confirm she was real. “I’ve been so eager to meet you, my dear.”

“It’s a pleasure, my Lady.” Nova made a polite curtsy. Estrid regarded her silently for a moment, her eyes gone misty.

“Please, won’t you come with me? I believe it’s time we had a chat.” The Lady forced a cheerful smile and a brief laugh, blinking away her tears as she took Nova’s hand. “I’ll have her back to you shortly, Callan.”

“Yes, my Lady.” He nodded, and Estrid guided Nova to the door leading to the antechamber where the Noble Lord and Lady had waited to be announced earlier. Estrid stopped short, throwing a look at him over her shoulder.

“I need to speak with you as well. Come find me in my study after breakfast tomorrow morning,” she said, regarding him reproachfully.

Callan nodded once more, wondering what he was in trouble for this time.

Fifteen

The Noble Lady closed the door, reducing the celebration’s cheerful roar to a dull drone. The quaint room was sparsely decorated with a small maroon sofa anchored on one wall and a low wooden table with a decanter and a set of crystal glasses against another. The wood paneling glowed in the light of several low-burning candles, creating a cozy atmosphere. Nova lowered herself onto the edge of a plush cushion and clasped her hands in her lap. She spun her mother’s ring on her finger while Lady Estrid poured them each a glass of burgundy wine.

Estrid was lovely, short with soft, lush curves. Her auburn hair accentuated her creamy complexion, and her features, though striking, were severe. Her smile was friendly, however, partially offsetting the sharper lines of her face. The Noble Lady sat, angling her body toward Nova and handing her a glass before sipping from her own.

“I imagine you’re eager to hear about your mother.” Estrid rested her glass on her knee. Nova nodded and shifted in her seat, swallowing a mouthful of the sweet wine.

“Elena and I were about the same age. We saw each other every few years but mostly kept in touch through letters. She was always sweet tempered and kind. A gifted healer. I’m told you’re also rather talented in that area.”

“I’m learning, but I haven’t had much success so far,” Nova said before taking another sip of wine, forgetting to pace herself under the weight of her unease.

“You’ll settle into your abilities in time, I’m sure.” Estrid leaned back in her seat and crossed one leg over the other. “You remind me of her. Not your coloring, but something in the eyes.” She studied Nova quietly for a moment before continuing.

“Because we didn’t keep in touch regularly, many years passed before I realized her letters had stopped. I knew she didn’t always see eye to eye with her parents, and I thought perhaps she’d run off and wed a commoner or someone who didn’t meet their approval.

“By then, I had younglings and an entire territory to govern. We simply lost touch. One day, a letter arrived saying only that she’d made a bad match, and she was with child. That it wasn’t safe for her in Aemoria, so she planned to travel to the Human Realm.”

Estrid paused to drink from her cup, blissfully unaware of the significance of her words as each one sank like a stone in the pit of Nova’s stomach.

Her mother was with child before she crossed the Boundary.