Rhiannon picked up another slice.
“I take it your parents are gone?”
Deryn listened very carefully as she worked on the pie. She knew some of the story, as Paloma had shared the basics with her, but this version of Paloma—the soft, flannel shirt-wearing woman with tired eyes and adorable crow’s feet under them—was new. Deryn felt her heart almost beat out of her chest trying to reach her.
“Yes, a long time ago. Though you both know that the pain of losing parents never goes away. Still, I was very young. And I’m an only child, so…”
“So you were left all alone. I’m sorry for your loss.” Rhiannon laid a hand on Paloma’s shoulder. Seren’s head poked in the kitchen through the dining room doorway.
“Why the long faces? Victoria will have all your heads for being sad on Christmas.”
“That’s right, I will.” Victoria came in, arms full of dishes. Deryn had no idea what any of them were. She didn’t know the menu. Her aunt had merely asked her for the desserts she was making, and that was that. And “asked” was a generous term for being ordered around. Still, Deryn felt very tender inside for some reason. Weepy. Must be the concussion.
“Ceridwen is on her way. Why is this pie not in the oven yet? We’re eating as soon as your sister arrives, and you are behind schedule, Deryn.” Victoria gave her an exasperated wave.
“Rhiannon ate my apples.” Deryn felt zero remorse for throwing her sister under the bus.
“Before dinner? Stuffing yourself with apples? Rhiannon! You know better.”
Deryn’s wink at Rhiannon was met with a glare. She then looked at Paloma, who was watching the entire scene with a bewildered look.
“We can be a lot when we’re together, I know. I’m sorry,” Deryn offered.
Paloma shook her head, her hair falling prettily over her forehead. Deryn itched to touch it, to tuck it behind her ear.
“No, this is perfect, Deryn. A perfect family atmosphere.”
“Wait till Aunt Victoria makes us sing carols.” Ceridwen entered with Huckleberry and Sooty in her arms. As if on command, Seren’s kitten strutted into the room.
“No cats in the kitchen!” Both Deryn and Victoria yelled at the same time, and everyone laughed. Ceridwen huffed but did not exit. When Victoria began to argue, Prudence called from the front door.
“Rhiannon, you’d better get your behind out here and help me with Boleyn and Patches and their bed. They refused to get in the crate without it.”
Rhiannon ran out of the kitchen immediately. Seren mumbled, “Whipped,” and Victoria smacked her on the back of the head.
And Deryn just watched Paloma, who sat in the middle of the chaos and looked back at Deryn like they were the only two people in the room. When a crash sounded from the living room, followed by Rhiannon cursing, Ceridwen sighed and set the kittens in Paloma’s lap before going to help. Deryn plucked her phone out of her back pocket and snapped a picture. A woman holding cats, a smile on her lips, in the midst of chaos.
“Hey, why’d you do that?” Paloma pouted a moment, which made Deryn almost faint, because those lips were just…
“Because I had to,” she said before anything else came out.
Paloma said nothing, just nuzzled the purring kittens in her lap before whispering, “Merry Christmas, Deryn.”
“Merry Christmas, Paloma.”
Deryn no longer felt the ghosts of the house. She did not even feel the house. She only felt Paloma, her family, and even the cats. Her heart was full, love and sadness blending together, taking her breath away, heating her blood, her Fire reflecting her longing. Merry Christmas, indeed.
23
PALOMA, FEAR & NEW YEAR’S COUNTDOWNS (THINGS TO DO DURING)
NEW YEAR’S CHARITY BASH AT THE ASTRONOMY RESORT!
According to Caw’s sources, over 300 residents and mainlanders have been lucky enough to snag tickets to the island event of the winter—the New Year’s party thrown by the owner of Astronomy Resort. Victoria Crowhart-Moreau is catering, and wines have been delivered directly from France. No expense spared for the first Astronomy New Year’s Ball. Guests are required to attend in white- or black-tie attire—tails or tuxedos, and either floor-length or evening gowns.
The proceeds of the ball will be divided between several causes on Dragons, such as the animal shelter, in dire need of a new roof, and the public library, the west wing of which has not seen renovations since it was built in 1932.
Watch this space, follow Ms. Paloma Allende’s example by donating to charity causes dear to your heart, and ring in the new year in style!
