I exchanged a quick glance with Amelia before we made our way over. She squeezed my hand once before dropping it, and I knew she was steeling herself for whatever matrimonial ambush our parents had planned.
“Everyone, you remember my children,” Mother said as we approached the group gathered around her. “Archer and Amelia. Both doing so well at Widdershins Academy.”
I plastered on my most diplomatic smile and nodded to the assembled guests. Most of them I recognized from previous family gatherings, but there were a few new faces mixed in. Young faces. Potential suitors for Amelia or myself, no doubt.
“Archer’s in his final year,” Father added, his hand landing heavily on my shoulder. “Top of his class and taking only advanced courses, naturally. We’re very proud.”
“And Amelia is such a lovely young woman,” Mother continued, her arm sliding around my sister’s waist in what looked affectionate but felt possessive. “So accomplished. She plays three instruments and speaks four languages fluently.”
I watched Amelia’s jaw tighten almost imperceptibly. To anyone else, she probably looked like the perfect dutiful daughter, but I could see the rebellion simmering behind her blue eyes.
“Mrs. Quinn,” came a smooth voice from behind us, “you didn’t mention that Amelia was also so beautiful.”
We turned to see a young man approaching, probably around my age, with the kind of polished good looks that screamedold money. His dark hair was perfectly styled, his suit impeccably tailored, and his smile had that practiced charm that made my skin crawl.
“Ah, Constantine!” Mother’s voice practically sparkled with delight. “Children, this is Constantine Pemberton. His family owns the largest magical textile business in North America.”
Constantine stepped forward and took Amelia’s hand, bringing it to his lips in what I was sure he thought was a charming gesture. “Miss Quinn, it’s an absolute pleasure.”
I saw my sister’s eye twitch slightly, but her smile never wavered. “Mr. Pemberton. How...lovelyto meet you.”
This was my cue.
“Oh, Constantine,” I said, moving closer to the group with what I hoped looked like brotherly enthusiasm, “you should know some things about my sister before you get too interested.”
“Archer,” Amelia said in a warning tone that sounded perfectly natural to everyone else but made me grin internally.
“No, no, he should know,” I continued, ignoring her fake protests. “Amelia’s wonderfully...authentic. She never holds back, if you know what I mean. Especially after she’s had beans for dinner.”
Constantine’s eyebrows rose slightly, and I caught Mother’s sharp intake of breath from the corner of my eye.
“And she’s so independent,” I went on, really warming to my theme now. “She absolutely refuses to take direction from anyone. Especially men. Last boyfriend tried to suggest she might want to wear her hair differently, and she hexed all his clothes pink for a month.”
“That’s... quite spirited,” Constantine said, his smile becoming noticeably more strained.
“Oh, that’s nothing,” I laughed, putting my arm around Amelia’s shoulders. “Tell him about your morning routine, Mel. How you like to practice your kung fu at dawn. Really gets the blood pumping, doesn’t it?” I leaned a bit closer. “She broke a guy’s leg last year in less than asecond. Pretty impressive, huh?”
Constantine’s face went pale, and he actually took a small step backward. “She... broke someone’s leg?”
“Compound fracture,” I confirmed cheerfully, patting Amelia’s shoulder with obvious pride. “There was so much blood. The healers said it was one of the most precise breaks they’d ever seen. Really shows her attention to detail, don’t you think?”
I could feel Mother’s horrified stare burning into the side of my head, but I kept my focus on Constantine, who was now looking at Amelia like she might spontaneously combust or attack him at any moment.
“And the dental hygiene thing,” I continued, really hitting my stride now. “Amelia’s got this theory that brushing your teeth too often weakens the enamel, so she only does it every few days,and only with a cotton cloth, never a toothbrush. It’s a very...naturalapproach to oral care.”
Amelia made a sound that could have been either a laugh or a strangled gasp, but she covered it well by taking a sip of champagne. Constantine, meanwhile, was edging further away with each word I spoke.
“Of course, that’s nothing compared to her collection of?—”
“Archer.” Father’s voice cut through my enthusiastic character assassination like a blade. “Perhaps you could help me with something in my study?”
The tone brooked no argument, and I knew I’d probably pushed things as far as I could without facing serious consequences later. But judging by Constantine’s expression, the damage was already done. He looked like he’d rather throw himself into a pit of hungry dragons than spend another moment in Amelia’s presence.
“Of course, Father,” I said, giving Amelia one last conspirative squeeze. “It was lovely meeting you, Constantine. I’m sure you and Amelia will have lots to talk about.”
As I followed Father toward his study, I caught sight of Amelia’s grateful smile and Constantine’s barely concealed look of horror. Mission accomplished.
Father’s study hadn’t change once since I’d been born. The walls were covered in dark wood paneling, leather-bound books that probably cost more than most people’s cars, and filled the lingering scent of expensive cigars and perpetual disappointment. He closed the door behind us with a soft click that somehow managed to sound ominous.
