“Well, Elodie can, and I will just come along.”
Elodie chuckled. “Sure. I am willing to transport anywhere to visit you two.”
Wylda smiled, and she felt a blush on her face. “What just happened?”
“You got engaged to Lord Rez, and he will come when you call.” Elodie smiled. “He made a declaration. You echoed it, and he locked you in. If you are attacked again, he will be there in a moment.”
Wylda perked up. “Really?”
Elodie smiled. “Really. The rules of courtship are the one thing my mother-in-law had me studying. She was planning on selling me off like a prize horse.”
Delphine frowned. “Why?”
“Because elf law says that if I have a child, it will belong to my deceased husband’s line if the stud agrees to it. She had been actively looking.”
Delphine scowled. “What about Veeso?”
“He’s busy trying to create a second child. He won’t do it, but he is disinterested in Halla’s life.” She paused. “But he might have been the only one who suspected I had taken Halla over.”
They finished their meal and got up.
Delphine ordered Elodie to come back so Ambera could take charge of her and get her some clothing.
Elodie sighed. “I can just change mine.”
“No. They don’t stay if you are unconscious.”
Elodie paused and said, “Fine.”
They chatted as they walked back to the company, where Ambera was chatting with Orvis in the lobby. Delphine smiled. “Mom, we have another one to kit out. Enjoy.”
Wylda said, “I have to get to work.”
Elodie said, “We will drop you off.”
Ambera nodded brightly. “Okay, let’s go.”
They piled into the car and got settled as the driver pulled away from the curb. It was time to enjoy being themselves. They had waited long enough.
Chapter Six
The week flew by, and on Saturday, the ladies got into the car and were on their way to the party. Wylda was calm, but Elodie was nervous. She had a feeling something was coming.
They had practiced together when Wylda was off work, and Delphine had joined in. Orvis had been asked if they could do something off-script, and when she had learned what it was, the harpy was all for it.
Elodie and Wylda were dropped off at the performer’s entrance while Delphine was taken to the main entrance. She was going to provide some power while Elodie provided the magic.
Elodie asked Wylda, “How many times have you performed in public?”
“I dunno. Fifty?”
“Do you enjoy it?”
“Not particularly, but it is something I can do.”
“Why didn’t you get paid for it?”
“They kept getting at my banks. So, I get an honorarium that I use to pay for food and clothing, and sometimes a place to sleep. The rest of the funds went to my favourite charities directly. No bank, no problem.”
