“Gossip is a nasty word. We are exchanging information. It’s all very academic, you see.”
Wren found herself smiling at his silly nature. Each time she did, she scolded herself. Heron was dead, and Ivanhild had said he spent time with these two. She should not be smiling at a Valengard boy, no matter how charming he was.
Professor Ivanhild appeared at the edge of the field where she sat. His imposing figure was a welcome one.
“I’m afraid I will have to delay our exchange,” Wren said in her sweetest voice. “I am still getting settled in, and wish to make use of the rare sunlight to tour the grounds.”
“Would you like a tour guide? I can assure you that you won’t find a more entertaining one on the entire island,” Finn offered with a winsome smile.
“I have already accepted an invitation from Professor Ivanhild.”
She gestured to the man, who had not made a direct offer, but she knew would pretend as such if asked.
“You two are quite close. Did you know him before your journey here?” Castien asked.
Finn got to his feet and outstretched a hand to Wren. She accepted it and thanked him once she was standing. Castien stood last.
“He taught my brother, as I’m sure you know. We have bonded over our affection for Heron.” Wren waited for any reaction atthe mention of her brother. A flicker of pity from Finn came, but Castien was still as blank as a fresh sheet of parchment.
“We know it does not amount to much, but we are sorry for your loss,” Finn said, and Castien nodded his agreement.
“Thank you.” Wren curtsied. “I look forward to nurturing our acquaintance over the course of the semester.”
“We share your sentiment,” Finn replied.
Finn and Castien bowed in unison. Wren wondered if it was out of honor or politics that Castien lowered himself before her.
She retrieved her parasol and rested the handle on her shoulder.
“Allow me to assist you,” Ivanhild said as he approached.
He nodded to the two young men, then picked up the quilt and folded it.
“We are glad to see you back, Professor,” Finn said as Ivanhild draped the blanket over his forearm. The pink floral pattern looked out of place against the black marks on his skin.
“I am happy to have arrived safely. I look forward to seeing you both in class,” Ivanhild responded, then looked at Wren. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Let us know if you need anything at all,” Finn said as Wren and Ivanhild began to walk away. She offered him a smile in response, though it sickened her.
Her reactions to Finn’s charm were yet another example of her many deficiencies. Without her brother to be her compass, she was lost. If she did not learn to be better, she was sure to fail.
“Your first full day on the island and you decide to have a picnic with the Valengards,” Ivanhild groused once they were a ways off from their topic of conversation. “I’d thought you would be more careful.”
Ivanhild’s frustration simmered beneath her skin.
“I can assure you it was not planned.”
“Nevertheless, you should not be spending time with them. If they are linked to your brother’s death, they will not like that you are here.”
Wren swallowed her exasperation. She knew Ivanhild wanted to protect her, but he did not understand what her true goal was. To uncover the truth and put Heron’s killer to death, she would have to ingratiate herself in the society here, as much as it pained her to do so.
“A lord and the Prince of the Lucent Enclave introduced themselves to me. It is not as though I could refuse their company. That would increase any existing animosity,” Wren explained in a careful, respectful tone.
Ivanhild sighed. Worry replaced frustration.
“I trust that you are capable of making the right choices, but I still fear for your safety. Your brother was adamant you stay away, was he not?”
