Just a few of them did, but Maeve decided not to be offended.
“No one’s quite sure how they ended up together,” Blaire remarked about the last couple they ran into.
“No, indeed. I could’ve warned her against it if I’d known.”
“It must be strange.” Blaire turned to look out into the mulling crowd. “Going away for so long to come back to things being so different.”
“Yes and no,” said Maeve. “So much hasn’t changed. Mama and papa really haven’t. The house is the same. The fields and the hills.”
“The otherly village must’ve been at least a small surprise.”
“Honestly, nothing was surprising after Sorcha brought home Orek.”
Blaire grinned. “That’s true.”
Sensing her sister had something more to say, Maeve waitedpatiently, directing them around the north side of the festival grounds. She hadn’t seen a single manticore yet, although she hoped she wasn’t being too obvious about it.
Who they had run into already was Aunt Sofie, and Maeve had quickly redirected Blaire away from Sofie’s pointed smirk. Within all the harried hours of preparation, Maeve had managed to slip away yesterday evening to visit Sofie and ask for a pouch of her most potent silphium.
Her auntie had arched her brows in surprise, but Maeve refused to take questions. Sofie shrugged after a while and said,“Just be responsible.”
It wasn’t that Maeve and Soren were keeping their tryst a secret per se, more that they were sharing it just between the two of them. They didn’t need to bother with the speculation and curiosity of others—what they did and felt was entirely their own business. And, well…the sneaking around did excite Maeve.
She wanted to keep seeing him. What it all meant, well, that was for later. And shewasbeing responsible, taking silphium to stop the chance of pregnancy. She didn’t know how compatible humans and manticore truly were—his brother Balar had been with Imogen Ahearn for months now, and as far as Maeve knew, they weren’t expecting. Still—responsible. That was Maeve.
When Blaire was ready to say what she needed to, she tugged Maeve’s arm, bringing them to a stop. Although she spoke to the ground, Maeve was impressed when Blaire said, “I really do want to go to university, like you did.”
Maeve smiled, squeezing Blaire’s hand. “You’ll love it! There’s so much to learn and so many people to meet who like the things you do. There’s a whole world out there for you, Blaire.”
Her sister nodded, beginning to smile, before it fell again with worry. “Mama and Sorcha won’t like it, though. They’re hoping I stay close.”
“Mama and Sorcha can’t live your life for you. I support you completely, and I’m sure papa will, too. As well as Niall and Calum.”
“I don’t want to split the family.”
Maeve patted her hand. “You won’t. Don’t worry about mama and Sorcha. Study for your exam, and I’ll help you all that I can to choose the right university.”
Finally Blaire smiled. “Will you really?”
“Of course!”
She squeezed Maeve’s hand back. “Will you be with me when I tell mama?”
“Anything you need,” Maeve promised.
Drawing in a big breath, Blaire seemed to exhale a million worries. Looking lighter and happier, she peered around them at the merriment of the festival as if seeing it for the first time. Her attention stopped and focused over Maeve’s left shoulder.
“Oh, there’s your Mister Soren and the others.”
Maeve spun around to see, and, yes, there he was by a makeshift pen full of goats.
When Maeve faced Blaire again, she found her sister looking far too smug.
“He’s a nice man,” said Blaire. “I’m happy for you, sister.”
Maeve stuck out her tongue. “I don’t know what you mean,” she said before grabbing Blaire’s arm and hauling her toward the manticores.
She slowed their pace before they came too close, not wanting to seem too eager. Ignoring the snickers Blaire hid behind her hand, Maeve smiled as she met Soren’s gaze.
