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The joviality Corvus had been feeling slipped away entirely. Surely she didn’t mean Pearl? But who else could it be? Who else would his mother march in here to tell him was off the market. She’d been dating her current boyfriend for almost three years, so it would make sense that an engagement was the next step.

“I’m sure you’ll recall the Snowsill girl I tried to set you up with last year? She’ll be married by the end of the year.”

Corvus tuned out the rest of what his mother was saying as his heart returned to its normal rhythm. He knew Pearl was dating someone, but he wasn’t sure what he’d do if she got engaged. Throw himself at her feet and say, “Please, marry me instead! I know you only really knew me for a few months, and I was unforgivably cruel to you, but I promise I’ve changed.” He put his head into his hands and laughed.

Cecilia’s voice became more shrill. “And just what is so funny about your marriage prospects thinning?” When her son didn’t respond - merely looked out the window, she twisted the knife as though she were following his thoughts. “Don’t tell me you’re still holding out hope for that American girl? Corvus, you knew her for less than a year when you were barely out of childhood - do you even know her at all?”

It was a question he’d often asked himself. Was he romanticizing the past? Was he just clinging to a moment in his life when he’d been truly happy? But then she’d publish a new article, and when he read it, it was like she was there in the room sharing some new discovery with him, and he’d remember how real it had been. He’d remember that if he hadn’t been such a persuadable fool, he’d have been the person who heard about each of her new discoveries first.

“I am in fact holding out hope for ‘that American girl’ as you call her. And if I am incredibly lucky, I’ll get another chance with her.”

“Corvus, you have to let that dream go. Your father was entirely too harsh, but he wasn’t wrong. She’d have never fit in this world. You need someone who is your equal. And…” His mother paused as though she didn’t want to say the words. “You’re running out of time.”

Standing, Corvus’ next words were very quiet. “My equal. She is my equal intellectually. She certainly far exceeds my emotional intelligence. Her ambition surpasses mine. She’s contributed to society in a myriad of ways that have been helpful to both the magical and non-magical communities. She challenged me, she supported me, she even loved me. In what way do you want her to be my equal, Mother? Why don’t you spell it out for me? Why don’t you say the part out loud that we always tip-toe around?”

“Of course I want all of those things for you Corvus, but she would be lost among our people.”

“And why is that mother? Perhaps because we would make her feel lost? We would bind her up so tightly in our ridiculously overinflated opinion of ourselves until she felt lesser. Until she felt worthless.”

“Corvus darling, you’re twisting my words. We also have the Winterbourne wealth to speak of. You know someone with her background would want you for your money.”

At that Corvus laughed outright. “And all these fair debutaunts with which you are presenting me aren’t interested in the Winterbourne coffers? And what about you, mother? Are those diamonds on your ears and the designer shoes you click around this house in not purchased with Winterbourne money? What about your trips to Italy in the winter and the garden parties you throw for your 300 closest friends? Remind me who pays for those?”

Sniffing, his mother went to leave. “That’s unfair.”

“Is it?” Corvus took long strides and planted himself between his mother and the door. “You came to have this conversation, so let’s have it. Do you know what I bought for Pearl the entire time we were together? Books and food. That’s it. She wouldn’t even let me buy her a plane ticket home, even though I tried every way I knew to convince her to let me. She is the only woman I have ever known who doesn’t want me for my money. She is the only woman who ever wanted me. Just me.” His mother’s lips thinned, and Corvus threw up his hands and returned to his desk. “I don’t know why I waste my time trying to speak to a brick wall.”

Cecilia started to walk away, but she stopped at the door. “Corvus, you know I only tell you these things because I love you, don’t you? It’s just the way our world works. It’s not always pretty, but it’s just the way things are. I’m trying to help you.”

Scoffing, Corvus didn’t even look up from the letter he was writing. “If this is your idea of help, I cannot express strongly enough how much I do not want it.”

Realizing she’d make no more headway today, Cecilia opened the door, but was stopped by her son’s voice. “Oh, and Mother? Just to make it perfectly clear. The only person I will ever marry is Pearl McCoy. If it’s not her, it’s no one.” And before she could open her mouth to protest, he used his magic to shut the door in her face.

Chapter seventeen

Present - May

If Pearl had thought she would have to weave her way through the crowd to get to Corvus, she was proven wrong almost immediately. Corvus went through the crowd like he was cutting through warm butter. Pearl didn’t care if it was because of magic or just sheer force of will because whatever it was got him exactly where she wanted him.

“Do you want to get out of here?” She was pleased the words came out confident and sure even though her heart felt like it was about to beat out of her chest.

Corvus’ laugh was full and lovely. “Can you bail on a party in your own home?”

Waggling her eyebrows, she grabbed his hand and pulled him to the door with Mercutio close on their heels. “Watch me.”

The last of the sun was setting as they stepped out her door, and Pearl took a deep breath. It was only when she stepped outside that Pearl realized how overstimulated she had been surrounded by dozens of conversations that had merged into a low roar. She lived in a firmly middle class part of London, but the people who lived there took pride in their homes, and everything was blooming in May. Taking walks was one of her favorite pastimes, and she kept her hand in Corvus’ as they meandered their way through her neighborhood.

Pulling him into the local park, she hopped on a swing and took off like she would have at eight-years-old with her hair in two braids down her back. To her pleasure, Corvus joined her without hesitation, and they swung together in a gentle silence.

Mercutio chased her feet as they went back and forth, and Corvus’ swinging was just as comical. His legs were so long his feet never really left the ground, but as she opened her mouth to make a quip about it, he spoke first. “I like seeing where you live. It’s as lovely as I expected.”

“Well, it doesn’t have a historic library or a hippocampus lake, but it’s home.” Pearl teased gently.

“Hmm.” Corvus responded neutrally. “The manor has those things and more I suppose, but it doesn’t have this. This place where you’re living now is just like your old flat in so many ways. There’s warmth and love, and it feels like home in a way I’ve never really experienced. I can’t deny I’m envious of it.” His smile when he looked back at her was sheepish, but she knew the truth to his words. The manor was sumptuous and regal and contained a world of luxury, but it was also cold and museum-like so that you never felt completely comfortable.

“I’m glad you came even if it was only because of Hannah’s machinations. After I give her a firm talking to, I’ll have to thank her.” She wasn’t sure if Corvus heard her, as his gaze had turned contemplative.

“Would you like to meet the hippocampus? It’s another thing I can make right, if you’ll allow me. I know I promised you an introduction many years ago.” Of all the things she’d been expecting him to say, she hadn’t been expecting this. And the child inside of her said, “Yes!” before she could think about it for even a moment.