As I suspected, there’s no immediate joy in learning she’s extremely wealthy. Arden isn’t like that. The money won’t in and of itself mean much to her. Like she always has in the past, she’s waiting for me to frame this up, to help her make sense of it.
“It means you have options. You can pretend to be human and go to medical school as planned. Once you graduate, you can work in America. As far as the US government is concerned, you are human and a natural-born citizen. But you’ll have to be careful. You should probably come here for medical care, and you can’t overuse your luck no matter how badly you want to. If anyone determined that you were fae, the Fairy Immigration and Rehabilitation Enforcement agency would come knocking on your door. Also, you won’t age like other humans, which means that at some point you’ll have to return here.”
Seven clears his throat. “Or we can take this public. Every year on the summer solstice, leprechauns throw a ball called the Gilded Gala. It’s basically a coming-out party where all the young leprechauns of marriageable age are introduced to society. If you decide before then, I will introduce you to Devashire’s elite. Everyone will know you’re my daughter. You could attend university and medical school here, and of course you’d have plenty of resources to start your own practice.”
I almost gape at his mention of the Gilded Gala. It’s more than just a ball—it’s an exclusive, televised event. All the attendees dress in gold, although how much gold and to what shiny degree is open to interpretation. TheDaily Hatterputs out a special edition each year covering the best dressed, and designers clamor to outfit the wealthiest families. Although pixies and satyrs rarely attend the ball unless they’re working at it, humans and fae alike line up to watch the procession of leprechauns down the rainbow-colored carpet that leads into the Dragonfly After Dark hotel where the ball is held each year.
Seven must really want Arden to stay to pull out the Gilded Gala, but it’s important she understand the cons as well.
“But Arden, once it’s announced that you’re not human, it will invalidate your passport.” I shoot Seven an apologetic look for popping his gold-plated balloon. “If you go public with this, there’s no going back. Devashire will be your home… forever.”
She blinks at me. “I can never leave.”
Seven shifts uncomfortably.Back to you, good cop. “Lucky Enterprises’ employees are sometimes granted special temporary visas in order to conduct business in the United States. I’ve been there twice this year. But no, I can’t stay without permission, and if they know you’re my daughter, you won’t be able to stay either.”
Arden rubs her face with both hands. “But if I go, I’ll have to be careful not to get caught. I’ll have to live like we lived before. No one can ever know who I am.”
“It wasn’t so bad before,” I say defensively.
“Mom, you never had a real relationship my entire life. Anytime someone got close, you’d push them away.”
“To keep you safe.”
“And I’ll have to do the same to keep myself safe.”
I nod. “I liked our little life before I was arrested, Arden, but what you say is true. Now that I’m back here, I realize there is nothing more valuable than the freedom to be who you truly are.”
Seven locks eyes with me, what I leave unsaid passing between us. One daywewill beus. If all goes as planned, the two of us will live here, in our truth, come what may. We’ve agreed to spare Arden the burden of knowing about our relationship for the time being. Whatever she decides, I want it to be for her, not for me, and telling her would feel too much like pleading our case for her to stay.
My heart breaks when I turn back to her and she buries her face in her hands and slumps in her chair. No one wants to hurt their child like this. For a second I question whether we should have told her at all.
Seven reaches over and places a reassuring hand on my arm. Bright emerald eyes flash with his intense emotion. How could I miss how similar they are to Arden’s for all these years? His expression isn’t happy exactly, but he seems resolved.
“Arden.” Seven’s voice is low but certain. “You don’t have to decide now. You have time to think about this. While you’re thinking over your options, we can meet and I can help you learn to use your luck. I can answer your questions.”
She lowers her hands. Here face is wet with tears, and I give her my most reassuring smile.
“Seven mentioned the Gilded Gala. That’s June twenty-first. That’s also right around the time we have to confirm with Chapel Hill. Why don’t you take until then to decide?” Releasing a deep sigh, I reach across the table and grasp her hand. “In the meantime, you can put graduation behind you, enjoy some of the summer here in Dragonfly, and practice controlling your luck with Seven. You have time to process everything.”
I glance at Seven and see weariness return to his expression. His fingers slip from my arm where I realize he’s been resting his hand the entire time. Arden doesn’t miss it. She darts a questioning gaze between us but doesn’t say a word.
She takes a deep breath before wiping under her eyes. “Okay. Before the Gilded Gala is fair. And I’d like to meet with you, Seven, for practice.”
“How does Saturday afternoons sound? Down by the lake.”
She nods. “I can do that. I also want to visit the university here. I’ll need to apply… make sure I actually have an option.”
Seven’s smile turns smug. He probably knows the admissions people. She’ll have no trouble getting in. I have to hand it to him for not saying anything. Knowing Arden, she might insist on doing it without help. By not offering, he has more freedom to do as he pleases.
She leans back in her chair, looking exhausted. “Thanks for telling me,” she mutters. “Thanks for giving me the choice.”
“You deserve it. The truth is something Godmother never gave us a choice about.”
Arden’s eyes narrow. “Godmother knew, and she kept it a secret my whole life.”
My hand curls into a loose fist. “She did. It’s a fact of life here, unfortunately, and something you’ll have to accept if you stay. Godmother doesn’t play fair, and you can’t trust her to do what’s best for anyone but herself. Not ever.”
She stands and crosses her arms over her chest. “I’m going to go lie down.”
