Between bites, I asked what was foremost on my mind. “Okay, Mistress, I’ll bite. What do we do next?”
“That’s what I’d like to know. Well, Cadmus? You see the future. What are we waiting for?”
Chapter 24
Cadmus
What came next? I met Lexa’s stare with a shrug, wishing I knew. “I have no idea what comes next. If it’s up to me, I’m suggesting we eat.”
“I second that,” Jonas said around a mouthful of food.
“You would.” Lexa frowned. “Camus, beyond your abilities as an Earth Lord, you’ve been gifted with the ability to foretell endless possibilities. You’re the one who must give us the next step. I’ve done all I can.” She stared at Ellie, a small smile curving her lips. “Perhaps it’s time you took your affai home.”
“Since when has it been decided she’s his affai?” Ethim’s fork clattered to the table and turned accusing eyes on Lexa. “You promised me she’d be happy.”
“And she will be,” I answered, squeezing Ellie’s hand. “You’re making a mistake to assume I would treat Ellie poorly simply because she’s part Djinn. She’s my affai, and I’ll protect her with my life if need be. With her help, Tanselm can be so much more than it is.”
“Than she is,” Lexa corrected.
I frowned. “So Tanselm really is female? I always thought it was just something I made up.”
“A consciousness lives in the waters, the land, and Tanselm’s very air. If you listen hard enough, you can hear what I did the moment I stepped on her grassy plains. That Tanselm’s sentience is nurturing, loving, and female.”
“Then what’s Foreia?” Ellie asked. “Because from everything I’ve felt since being here, I’d say the land is decidedly male.”
“Why would you say that?” Jonas asked.
Ellie blushed, and I nudged her. “Yes, why, Ellie?”
“Because I’ve been getting a lot of hints and not so subtle shoves in your direction.” She added telepathically, For the sex, numbskull. Do I have to spell it out for you? Foreia craves sex the way you seem to, in a kind of domineering, masculine way.
“Oh, right.” I stifled a chuckle and sent her, Damn, but I agree with Foreia. Let’s ditch these people and find that gazebo again.
Ethim glared at me, but when his gaze settled on Ellie, his features softened, and he studied her with a pained gaze. “Ellie, I would speak with you privately.” He rose from the table, waiting.
I stared from father to daughter, aware of Ellie’s inner pain. She wanted so much to love her father, to feel his complete acceptance. Lies and misunderstandings had clouded their relationship for a very long time. I studied Ethim, wondering how the man had kept his distance from Ellie all these years. It was clear how much he cared for her, even if he did have a warped way of showing it.
“I don’t think —”
“Go,” I interrupted. “Speak with your father now, while you can. Once we return to Tanselm, I have a feeling all hell’s going to break loose.” I added, You’ll never be happy until you bridge this gap with your father, Ellie. Take this time to talk to him. You don’t know what the future may hold. And a father’s love is something to be treasured.
At that moment, I swore I could feel my father’s presence near, a bittersweet balm to heal the wound of his passing.
Ellie gripped my hand and blinked away tears before they could fall. She quietly stood and followed her father into the next room. Silence enveloped the table, the only sounds to be heard Jonas’ steady munching.
“Thank you,” Amanda said. “I know Ethim sounds like he doesn’t like you much —”
“Because he doesn’t,” Jonas interrupted, licking his fingers. He grinned at me with sheer enjoyment. “But then, from my experience with you, everyone you meet wants to kill you sooner or later.”
Amanda glared Jonas into silence before turning back to me. “Ethim’s pretty ancient. Oh, you can’t tell to look at him until you stare into his eyes. But he’s lived through some pretty hard years. I’m sure, like you, he has reasons not to trust people he once considered his enemy. But if you really love my Ellie, you’ll find a way to make peace with the Djinn. Because, despite my interference, Ellie has blossomed into a true Darkling. I can sense the Darkness around her, and I’m just a plain woman from Seattle.”
“A woman who read your thoughts and rob you blind in a game of poker,” Jonas muttered.
“Just give him time,” Amanda continued as if Jonas hadn’t spoken.
Time. A feeling of doom swept over me as true understanding dawned. Ethim was Djinn, as was Ellie. And the Djinn lived as long as Light Bringer sorcerers, hundreds of years, maybe even thousands. I’d never be rid of Ethim unless one of his enemies took him out.
And that would break Ellie’s heart.
