Everyone still spoke to me in either a coddled or strict manner—except Aunt El. My favorite aunt covertly offered me a wineglass. “Cheers, little troublemaker!”
Thechildhood nickname had stuck. But she didn’t say it in the same condescending manner others might. Instead, we were accomplices in the troublemaking.
“She’sthirteen,” Papa grunted and pushed the glass out of my reach. A drip of burgundy liquid stained the silk tablecloth.
Sources. There wassomuch pink.
Mama thought I still liked the color. I preferred the sharper contrast of red against my tanned complexion. Roses were my favorite flower, and they suited me. I often removed their thorns and strung them into a crown.
Aunty Lora chuckled but then slid the glass to me again. “It’s just plum juice. Settle down.”
Papa rolled his eyes and sat on the opposite side of me. “You two will be the death of me.”
I took the glass, carefully sipping the sweet nectar that came from the orchards at Lamoreaux. I’d long begged Mama and Papa to let me summer there.
This year, they’d finally given in! I would stay with Aunt El for the entire season.
We planned to make plum pudding and feed the ducks in the pond, and she would teach me how to use her throwing daggers.There was so much to do.
“Oh! When we get to the estate, can we play jumping stones?” I asked my aunt.
Mama and Papa exchanged a glance and laughed.
“I hate that game—you always best me,” Aunt El answered, and I grinned.
“She bests everyone at it,” Mama said. “Remember, Aunt Asterie will be there at the beginning of next week for your lessons.”
I groaned. “The other children take abreakfor the summer.” I sighed and glanced between my mother and Aunt Asterie. Both offered me no sympathy. I didn’t mind learning—enjoyed it, actually—but it still feltsounfair.
Uncle Fenris rested his arms on the table and said, “Well, that is their loss, now, isn’t it? Think of all you can learn having your aunt all to yourself this summer. You’ll be turning the rest of the lot into toads by fall.” He leaned toward me with a conspiratorial raised brow.
“Fen.” Aunt Asterie shot him a warning look from across the table and frowned with disapproval. “We do not cast spells or charms on our classmates.”
“I know, I know,” I droned.
“Often,” Uncle Fen whispered and winked at me.
Van curled up at my feet, with his head in my lap, waiting hopefully for scraps. Between lessons, Aunt Asterie let me play with the wolf-beast. Last year we’d mastered “fetch.” The year prior, he’d learned to “shake.” This year, we were still working on “rollover.” Sometimes his horns got stuck in the rugs, and then my aunt would frown and tell me we needed to get back to our studies.
Aunt Amara patted Asterie’s arm and said, “There was a time I caught you turning all of my socks into mice.” Amara’s eyes crinkled. She always seemed so kind, yet she visited the least.
“Speaking of things wecando but shouldn’t,” Aunt Asterie said, with a narrowed gaze in my direction. Uh oh. “I know that you’ve been using charms to unlock the wards on my library books on the upper shelves. There are certain curses and charms in there that you’re not ready for yet.”
Caught.“Sorry,” I droned. “But Iamready to learn more, Aunty.”
Aunt Asterie’s lips pinched up into a barely there smile. “All in time, dear.”
“I’ll come fetch you in just a couple of days, little troublemaker,” Aunt El said. She rose from the table. Aunt Wyeth grabbed her elbow before she stepped away.
“Cass and I will be by next week,” she whispered.
Aunt El’s frown was a rare sight. “Unnecessary, but thank you.” She excused herself. I knew she would go up to sit by the sleeping King’s side. For the past few years, she’d often let me read stories to him.
Whenever she visited Luz, Aunt El always ended up there; she thought no one noticed. I had. It saddened me that her best friend remained asleep.
Aunt Cassidee poured amber liquor into her glass. “Maybe if this goes well, then you can come summer with us next year.”
I shot up straight in my seat. “Yes! I’d like to learn to fly a Griffith!”
