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“No one should have thought I was weak before. You don’t survive the things I’ve survived by bein’ weak.”
Dark’s fingers, folded over mine as we waltz, tighten. For an oldie, he’s got a grip.
“Darwin also mentioned that. I hope the presence of your father, brother, and uncle will not spoil Yule for you.”
“Ex-father, ex-brother, ex-uncle.”
“Ah, yes, I heard about that, too. Well-played, Teddy.”
Word about me sure has gotten around. I guess it’s no surprise. I’m engaged to a prince. I made a spectacle with the duel. There’s bound to be talk.
He twirls me again. While I pivot, I see Darwin and Gabe dancing together again, which makes me smile like a madwoman. Charlie’s dancing with Orlaith, while Struan watches them with dagger eyes. I gotta find out the story there this week. Callan said he couldn’t find a match for the twins, but Struan’s looking more than willing. Orlaith don’t seem opposed, either. She’s more circumspect with her glances, but she touches him whenever she has an excuse. That’s not a girl who don’t like the attention she’s getting.
Another familiar face in the crowd at the edge of the dance floor catches my attention. I stumble a step.
Chapter60
And Answer, Echoes, Answer
“Teddy?” Dark follows my gaze. “Ah, they came. Introduce me, dearest.”
He leads me toward them smoothly so I don’t have to do anything undignified like squealing and running to my Auntie.
“Jill!”
She opens her arms and I dive into her hug.
I can’t believe she’s come. She has a family of her own, plus her partner has two kids,plusthey’re part of a busy coven.
“Hullo,wee yin,” Jill says, before we exchange three-fold kisses.
She smells like roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, and star anise. The smells of her kitchen, where I’ve spent so many hours, safe and soaking up the knowledge she showered on me. If I owe my success to anyone or anything other than my own hard work, it’s this woman.
She hands me off to her partner, Murdina, who envelops me in her rosemary and baked bread scents.
A woman with Jill’s dark curls and heart-shaped face stands a step behind Murdina. There’s a tall fae man with his hands on her shoulders. And a little girl with the black curls I used to have tucked between them.
I give Murdina a three-fold kiss and Yule greetings before I step to the side and face the woman who used to be my mother.
“Harriet, happy Yule,” I say.
Her smile is tentative and her hazel eyes are glossy. I’m pale—a combination of genetics and spending my formative years in a place where the sun shining is reason for a national celebration—but she’s paler than snow. There’s a pink flush staining her cheeks and the tip of her nose. It makes her look delicate. Fragile.
I honestly wish she’d shown up in armor, with a flaming sword. I don’t need another person I have to protect.
Then I remember I have no reason to protect her. Although I feel a faint stirring of anger and resentment towards her, there’s no bond, no tug of familial affection. I broke my bloodline and the only person who made any effort to re-establish our relationship is Auntie Jill, who is watching us with wounded eyes.
Does it hurt her to see the distance between me and her sister? Or is it hurt that her sister would show up now, after all these years of being absent, and command my attention, when Jill herself has shown up for me in every way?
Whatever it is, I turn away from Harriet and her new family and hold my hand out to Dark. He takes it and squeezes my fingers.
“Annadark Dùbhghlas, let me introduce my aunt, Jill Scoville-Gibson.” I wait while they bow to each other. “My aunt’s partner, Murdina Gibson-Scoville.” More bowing. I turn to Harriet and her family. “Sorry, I’m not sure how to introduce her properly, but this is my biological mother, Harriet.”
Dark draws me a step closer while he bows to her. She doesn’t respond, just keeps watching me.
Her tremulous stare is starting to piss me off.
A warm hand in the small of my back distracts me from the stare-down.
