Maeve stands, then crosses the room to sit beside me on the couch. “Actually,” she says, lowering her voice even though Lyra and Alina can definitely still hear her, “I think you should ask Aric to go with you.”
I blink at her, certain I misheard. “What?”
“Ask Aric,” Maeve repeats, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. Her storm-purple eyes focus on me intently. “He’d probably love to go. And...” She pauses, something shifting in her expression, her dark brows pinching together. “Look, can we talk for a second? Just us?”
I nod mutely, and Maeve jerks her head toward the door. We slip out into the hallway, and she pulls me a few steps away from the door before turning to face me.
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about this,” Maeve says. “About you and Aric.”
My mouth goes dry. I’ve wanted to talk to her, to ask if she’s okay with me going on a date with him, but I wasn’t sure how to bring it up. “I’m so sorry, I should have asked you first before I—before we—”
“Poppy,” she says gently, tipping her head to one side so her glossy hair slips over her shoulder. “It’sokay.”
I blink. “It is?”
“Yes.” A small smile tugs at her lips. “Look, Aric is my stepbrother, and most of the time he drives me absolutely insane. He’s messy and loud and thinks he’s funnier than he actually is.” She pauses to let out a sigh. “But he’s also one of the best people I know. He’s kind, he’s loyal, and he’d do anything for the people he cares about. And if he cares about you—which he obviously does—then he’s going to treat you right.”
Relief floods through me so intensely that my knees feel weak. I was so afraid she was going to be upset with me. “You mean it?”
“I mean it,” Maeve says firmly. “You’re one of my best friends, Poppy. And Aric is...” She furrows her brow, as if searching for the right word. “Well, he’s Aric. But if you two want to date, or go to the ball together, or whatever, then I’m happy for you.” She reaches out and squeezes my hand. “You have my blessing. Not that you needed it, but there it is anyway.”
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, and I have to blink them away. I’ve always been emotional—something Lyra has teased me about on countless occasions over the years. “Thank you. That means... That means a lot to me.”
“Good.” Maeve’s expression turns more mischievous. She and Lyra are similar that way. “Now, back to my original point: Ask him to go to Faunwood with you. I’m serious. He’ll probably jump at the chance.”
The relief I felt a moment ago is quickly replaced by a new wave of anxiety. I almost start fiddling with my nails again. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
One of Maeve’s brows arches into a sharp point. “Why not?”
“B-because...” I fumble for the words. “Because we just started... whatever this is between us. And a whole weekend? Just the two of us? What if it’s awkward? What if we run out of things to talk about? What if—”
“Poppy.” Maeve’s voice is gentle but firm, and she takes me by the shoulders, looking me in the eye. “You’re overthinking this. Aric likes you. You like him. You’ll have a great time.”
“But... what if he says no?” The question comes out smaller than I intended, my voice almost lost in the tower’s winding stairwell.
Maeve’s expression softens. “He won’t. Trust me.”
I take a deep breath, trying to calm the frantic beating of my heart. A weekend trip to Faunwood with Aric. Just the two of us.
Butterflies swirl in my stomach at the thought.
“Okay,” I say finally, my shoulders drooping as I give in. “I’ll ask him.”
“That’s my girl.” Maeve grins and loops her arm through mine before tugging me back toward our room. “We should probably head back inside before Lyra starts making up wild theories about what we’re talking about. Though it is kind of fun to leave her guessing. You know it’ll drive her crazy.”
As if on cue, the door swings open, and Lyra pokes her head out. “Are you two done with your secret conversation?” Her tone is sharp, her crimson eyes narrowed in suspicion.
Maeve rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling. “We’re done.”
We file back into the room, and I sink down onto the couch again, mind racing.
Am I really going to do this?
“So?” Lyra prompts, crossing her arms and leaning forward eagerly. “What are you going to do?”
I glance at Maeve, who gives me an encouraging nod.
“I’m going to ask Aric to come with me,” I say, and saying it out loud makes it feel more real. And more terrifying.
