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The world rushed around me until I was back in the room with Uncle, once again, sitting in front of me.
My cheeks were wet, and it took me a moment to realize it was because I had been crying.
“She sacrificed her freedom for my life, and that is a debt I will never be able to repay.” The truth of his words was reflected in the emotion in his eyes.
“Regardless of who I am and what I’ve done, I always keep my promises. But more than that, protecting you was something I wanted to do.”
I looked away from the sincerity in his eyes and thought about the memory he’d shared with me in the forest. Everything he had ever done was to keep me safe. And I knew he cared. I had felt it. I had felt his emotions when he had held me as a baby, when he gave me to Mama. When he had checked in on me through the years. I knew better than to doubt his love for me. Underneath his scaled exterior, there was a good man.
One who sometimes went to extremes for the people he loved.
“I have made many mistakes in my life, Lina. But keeping you safe was never one of them. I’m just sorry I didn’t do a better job.”
Another tear slipped down my cheek, and I leaned over to grab his hand, once again.
“You did just fine, Uncle,” I added, after a moment.
He cleared his throat and patted my hand.
“So, the farm boy made it here safely.” He quirked an eyebrow.
“He did,” I responded quickly.
Uncle nodded in some sort of understanding before adding, “He’s worth more than I gave him credit for.”
I smoothed out the skirts on my dress, fiddling with one of the flowers on the hem, trying not to revisit all the reasons Edrich might have left this morning without a word.
“Careful, Uncle. It almost sounds like you approve of him.”
Rumple snorted and sat back, picking up a cup of tea.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” he grumbled, but his lips just barely tilted up.
At least I can take comfort in my family, both the new one I have discovered and the one that has been with me all along.
* * *
I couldn’t find Edrich.He wasn’t in his rooms, and no one seemed to know where he went. Uncle said he saw him out by Pepper earlier, and some part of me worried he had decided to leave without saying goodbye.
He was honorable, though, whatever he thought of himself, and I was sure he wouldn’t just stand Aster up. I couldn’t disappoint my new family by missing this ball, so I reluctantly trudged back to my room to get dressed.
I had barely been in there for more than a few minutes before the door swung open and Aster barreled in, holding a large case with several other fairies behind her. Each of them was carrying stacks of ornate gowns with accessories and shoes on top.
“Lina, these are the royal dressers. I thought we might get ready for the evening together?” She smiled, and I found myself returning it.
“Sure, that would be nice,” I answered, forcing my skin to stay neutral and not dip back to the blue it had been since I’d entered my room.
Aster must’ve caught on, anyway.
“What is this?” she asked, setting down the case and coming over to grab my hands. “Tonight is supposed to be a celebration.”
She glanced back at one of the fairies with long green and silver wings like a dragonfly with emerald hair to match. The girl nodded and left the room, returning a few minutes later with two bottles and two glasses.
The girl popped the cork, and I registered that the drink must be champagne.
“Here. Drink this down, and then the girls will start on our hair and nails.” Aster grinned and drank the contents of her glass quickly, before pouring herself some more. “I could get used to this, you know.”
I finished my glass, as well, and took a moment to savor the sweet and sparkling pink liquid. It was similar to the champagne I had tried at The Poisoned Apple before—but also a thousand times more delicious.
