“Magic?” Lauriana echoed sharply.
“A thousand pardons, Madam Baristani.” Kieran entered the room, followed by Kiel. Lillis’s tiny white kitten, an adorable blue-eyed darling named Love, was perched on Kieran’s shoulder. Her stubby pennant of a tail flicked continuously at his ear, andshe was purring loud enough for all to hear. She looked far too innocent to have caused such wholesale destruction.
“It is my fault,” Kieran said. “Kiel and I will clean up the mess.”
“Let me assist you,” Bel offered, and a white glow of Air lit his fingertips.
“Nei!” Kiel and Kieran shouted in unison.
At the same instant, sweet, adorable Love sprang into screeching, insane life and launched herself off Kieran’s shoulder, fangs gleaming, claws bared, every little white hair on her body standing straight up. She landed with a thud on top of the pile of pattern books, and the sound of ripping pages filled the air as her claws scrabbled for purchase.
Kieran dove for her, but she eluded him, leaping to the chair draped with fabric. Swatches spat out from beneath her frantically pedaling feet.
“Let go, Bel,” Kiel commanded. “She senses when anyone calls magic within a tairen-length of her, and shehatesit.”
Bel released his power and the kitten went skittering across the floor to hide under a tall, carved display cabinet. Blue eyes shone out from the darkness as Love crouched there, hissing and watching them warily.
“She hates Air especially,” Kieran added, climbing to his feet and running a hand through his hair. That was when Ellie noticed there were enough bleeding scratches on the backs of his hands to form a Stones grid. “I would have thought it would be Water, wouldn’t you?” He shook his head and grinned a little. “Perhaps she’s got a bit of tairen in her rather than just plain house cat. Fire, Water, and Earth only get her back up. Air makes her crazy. And if you want to see real feline insanity, try a weave of Spirit.”
“Aiyah,” Kiel agreed with a shudder. “That’s what caused all this.” His hands gestured to the destruction throughout the room.
Ellie bit her lip, trying hard not to laugh as Kieran crossed the room to crouch down beside the cabinet and croon, “Here, kit, kit, kit. Come here, little Love. That bad Fey warrior has put his nastymagic away.” Kieran turned his head just slightly to flash a laughing blue-eyed look at Belliard as the older Fey’s back went stiff.
Within a few chimes, Kieran had successfully coaxed Love out of hiding, and once more she perched on his shoulder, purred, and flicked his ear with her stubby little tail.
“How sweet of you, Lillis, to let Kieran hold your kitten,” Ellie remarked.
“I gave her to him,” Lillis said proudly. “It was the best reward I could think of.”
“Reward?”
“For pushing Kelissande into the river.”
Ellie rounded on Kieran. “You were responsible for that?”
Kieran smiled, shrugged, and scratched a finger beneath Love’s chin.
Ellie shook her head. Centuries old he might be, but there was still plenty of mischief in him. She turned back to her mother. “Mama, do you need any help in the kitchen?”
Lauriana was still staring daggers at the Fey for weaving magic in her house. At Ellie’s question, she gave them one last frowning glare and turned away. “No. Just have the girls clean up this mess. You need to look through those pattern books and make some decisions about what you want. Maestra Binchi said she’ll send a lad round tonight to pick up your selection so they can cut the fabric for your wedding gown tonight and do the first fitting tomorrow morning. The other three dressmakers have asked for the same thing.” Which explained all the pattern books and fabric swatches Love had scattered everywhere. “And Lady Marissya sent a note saying that you and the Feyreisen are expected at the palace for dinner on Kingsday night. She’s already selected a gown for you, and it’s being made, along with everything else you’ll need to wear.” Lauriana disappeared through the kitchen door.
Dinner? At the palace? Three days from now? Ellie stared up at Rain in dismay.
“Peace,shei’tani. We do not have to go.”
“Oh, and one more thing,” Lauriana said, popping back out of the kitchen. “Lady Marissya says you have to go. Something about upholding Fey honor and family ties.”
“Where is Marissya’s note?” Rain asked. Lauriana gestured to a small table by the front door and disappeared back into the kitchen. Rain crossed to the table in four long strides, read Marissya’s note, then crumpled it in his hand, glowering. The note burst into flames.
On Kieran’s shoulder, Love hissed and arched her back. Kieran gave his king a reproachful look, then set about soothing his magic-ruffled pet.
“It appears we do have to go,” Ellie said. She swallowed her trepidation and smiled bravely. “I’ll try not to embarrass you with my poor social graces.”
Rain frowned at her. “You bring pride to this Fey,” he replied. “Never believe otherwise.” He shook his head. “There is an attempt in the Celierian Council to reopen the Eld borders. I have urged Dorian not to do so, but there is opposition in the Council of Lords. He is holding this dinner in our honor in order that he and I might present a united front against those who oppose him. Marissya has sworn a Fey oath guaranteeing that you and I will be there. That makes it impossible for us not to go. But even without Marissya’s oath, if Dorian asks for my help to keep the Eld out of Celieria, then I must give it.”
“According to the papers, the Elden ambassador just wants to open trade between our countries again,” Ellie said. “That doesn’t seem like such a bad thing.”
“It is never ‘just’ trade with the Eld.”
