Reyn sighed again. Just when she thought she might have things figured out, something raised more doubts. She had scoured her family’s records and journals in the months after she returned home from Daalj. She had found a couple of vague hints that her father’s great-grandfather might have married a less than proper woman by society’s standards, but nothing conclusive. Her parents and siblings showed no signs of having any magical powers, and she didn’t want to tell them her suspicions. Not without confirmation. Her best friend Merine’s new husband swore he sensed a lure occasionally around Reyn, but she wanted a second opinion.
She wanted someone she could speak frankly with. Lisca was her best chance, but she couldn’t mention it over tea. Reyn did not plan to tell Selona her suspicions. Until she knew the truth of her power, she would tell as few people as possible. Even after she knew, she doubted she’d proclaim her magical heritage to the world. Not if she wanted to maintain her position in society.
Purists might no longer hunt down the magical races and insist that humans remain isolated from them, but there were still prejudices. Reyn’s fellow Moialans were among the most prejudiced, especially against the incubi and succubi.
Velario knocked onthe door at the Geratisi residence. He should have gone directly back to the bank. When he stormed out of his uncle’s house, that had been his intention, but by the time he reached the intersection where a left turn would lead him to the bank, he instead went right. He needed to work, but he needed Selona to do her work, too.
That was why he had gone to the Geratisi home. Lisca was Selona’s best friend. Perhaps she could curb the influence of the pampered debutante leading his cousin astray. It had nothing to do with hoping Lisca might also know who Selona’s visitor was.
Velario tried to shake the image of her out of his head, but it stubbornly refused to leave him. Five hells, when he had turned around and seen her standing there . . .
The door opened, and the butler, looking uncharacteristically frazzled, welcomed Velario into the house.
“Is Khiran at home?” Velario knew better than to take his concerns directly to Lisca. Selona would never let him hear the end of it if—no, when—she found out. If he spoke with Khiran, though, and he happened to say something to his wife, then Velario would be in the clear.
“Lord Khiran is putting Master Marseo down for a nap at present. Would you care to wait for him in the green parlor?” Benthen asked him, his voice as cool and collected as always, despite his mussed hair and crooked cravat.
Ah, Khiran and Lisca’s five-month-old son was probably the reason for the butler’s appearance. Khiran had told Velario stories about how everyone in the household would pitch in to help with Marseo. With Khiran and Lisca’s bloodlines mixed, the baby had turned out to be a strong empath. He couldn’t always handle the emotions of his nursemaid—or anyone else nearby who wasn’t calm.
If the butler had already taken a turn and now Khiran needed to help, there was no telling how long it might take before Marseo fell asleep. Velario really did not have time to waste, but he had already come. Walking away without talking to Khiran would be more of a waste.
He agreed with Benthen’s suggestion. Once alone in the green parlor, his thoughts went right back to the last parlor he had been in. Selona’s friend was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen; there was no denying that. Golden blond hair trailing over one delicate shoulder. Blue eyes, as deep and mysterious as the ocean, sparkling over a perfect nose and lush lips. Her teal gown had accentuated her curves, but even a burlap sack wouldn’t have disguised her attractiveness.
Velario cursed again. Mysterious eyes—what was he thinking? There was no mystery there. She was an empty-headed woman trying to use her looks to control him. He did not need this. Not now. There was too much at stake to have to deal with such petty social drama. Selona’s friend was certain to attend many of the same events as Velario, and that was a complication he didn’t need. Unfortunately, as the heir to Family Ferrini, if he withdrew from the social scene, it would make people speculate. Rumors were exactly what he was trying to prevent.
“Vel, I’m surprised to see you here. You’ve been holed up at the bank more often than not of late.”
Velario blinked. He had been so lost in thought about the woman that he hadn’t even noticed Khiran walk into the room.
“And I’m surprised you already made it downstairs. Benthen said you were helping with Marseo. Since he also looked less than his usual immaculate self, I assumed the baby was fussy.”
Khiran sat across from Velario. “He was, but I think it has more to do with the nursery maid than anything else. Benthen stepped in when it became clear that Marseo was picking some sort of unpleasant emotion up from her. I only just got home and took over shortly before you arrived.”
“I don’t know how the Geratisis have managed with baby empaths over the generations. It sounds fraught.”
“It isn’t too bad. Marseo can only sense the emotions of people close enough to hold him at this age. And as frustrating as it is when negative emotions upset him, it is rather nice that positive emotions affect him just as easily.” Khiran leaned forward. “Really, Velario, why are you here? I know you have a reason. You do nothing on a whim these days.”
There was too much at stake for Velario to shirk his responsibilities, even for a short time. He hadn’t had to work this much even when he first took over at the bank. But he couldn’t tell Khiran about the real problem. He couldn’t risk telling anyone. But he could explain the lesser problem adding to his stress.
“It’s Selona. I had to check on her today.”
Khiran winced. “Is she not working out? I know it’s been several months since you gave her a position at the bank. From what Lisca has told me, I thought Selona was enjoying the work.”
“She’s done a decent enough job at the tasks I’ve assigned her, but I’m not convinced she is settled enough for more responsibility. She’s spent this entire week out shopping with some visiting friend.”
Khiran nodded. “Lady Reyn Callan. Lisca is joining them for tea this afternoon.”
“You know her?”
“Not really. My cousin Merine fostered with her family before her debut. I think that is how Selona knows her: through Merine’s letters. Lisca met her back in Moial through Merine, too.”
Velario suppressed a grimace. If Lisca was friends with this Lady Reyn, too, she was less likely to chastise Selona for spending all her time socializing instead of working. Then again, Lisca knew how to balance her responsibilities. Maybe she could still give Selona a nudge, at least.
“I understand that Selona wants to make sure her friend settles into life in Tryn comfortably, but they hardly need to visit every shop in the city her first few days. Selona hasn’t been in to the bank since Lady Reyn arrived, from what I gather.”
“Do you remember when Merine visited?”
“Of course.” Velario had met Princess Merine several times. Selona’s mother, Princess Biatra, was Merine’s aunt. She had stayed with the family much as Lady Reyn did now. Princess Merine was a pleasant woman. Pretty, kind, a little shy.
