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“Yes,” Noctus said.
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Charon bowed to Noctus, then adjusted his customary hood before ushering the Paragon away.
“Very well, I suppose it is well past my bedtime. Good night, everyone. I look forward to a working relationship with you all in the future.” The Paragon benevolently waved, until he and Charon disappeared into the maze of bookshelves.
We were quiet around the fire pit, exchanging awkward smiles. I was deeply aware of Noctus’s gaze on me, but for some stupid reason, I couldn’t muster the courage to look at him. Nobody said anything, until I heard the groan of the wooden doors, signaling the Paragon and Charon had left the room.
“That went better than I expected.” Aristide peeled himself off his cushion and reached for his cane before standing.
“With the Paragon?” I asked.
“Indeed,” Aristide said. “He was quite angry out on the street. I thought for certain he’d complain more about the death of the tracker.”
Noctus shrugged. “After hearing how much he harmed Chloe, he’s likely thinking Magiford is lucky I chose to only mete out justice on the tracker, and not the Curia Cloisters for failing to be any kind of help.”
“They helped,” I said. “They would have helped more; it just took them forever to confirm that I really was a shadow.”
“Ahh yes, more of their stupidity. Politically speaking, as soon as they realized there was a possibility you were a shadow, they never should have left you alone,” Noctus said.
“Yes,” I said, finally able to look up into his hazel eyes. “Except I wasn’t the most encouraging since I was trying to avoid their attention foryoursake, too.”
“Is that why you were putting off meeting with the Paragon and Queen Leila for so long?” Joy asked.
Pat frowned. “You were that worried, and you still didn’t tell us?”
Feeling like a deer blinded by a car’s headlights, I froze. “Um…”
There was that feeling of disappointment—tinged with anger—again.
I guess we still need to talk more.
Ker—envoy of charisma and kindness that she was—rolled to her feet. “How about I show you Andersons to your rooms?”
Joy smiled as she gracefully stood, standing just as tall as the werewolf. “Thank you, Ker.”
Pat held up his cellphone. “I need to make a few calls with my unit first. Could someone show me to the lawn?”
“You can make calls from within the mansion,” Noctus said. “We have perfect cell reception, and town-wide wi-fi.”
Pat whistled. “Impressive, how’d you manage that?”
“Magic,” Noctus said. “And a lot of money.”
“With a dash of bribery and more than a few memory charms,” Aristide added.
“Mmm,” Pat said. “In that case, then, I’d appreciate a guide to our rooms.”
“Great!” Ker smiled, then pushed her braids behind her shoulders. “Let’s get going.”
I smiled at my siblings, then turned to Noctus with a nervous smile. “So…” I trailed off and nervously rubbed my palms together. “I guess we should talk—”
“Nah-uh.” Pat snagged me by my wrist and pulled me along. “Not tonight.”
“Pat, no. I need to talk to him.” I planted my feet and leaned back, resisting.
Pat stopped. “I’m not stupid,” he said. “You told us about your bond, so now I finally know what that necklace you’re wearing is. You need to talk alright, but it’snotgoing to be tonight.”
I stiffened. “That’s not a choice you get to make for me.”
