“Mother wants to have a word with you, after dinner,” Caleb said, making a deliberate effort to change the subject. “I suspect it has something to do with the courtship.”
Emily resisted the urge to groan. “I look forward to it,” she lied. She didn’t think Caleb was fooled. “Caleb…”
“I understand,” Caleb said. “But it has to be done.”
True, Emily thought. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.
Chapter Three
CALEB’S HOUSE LOOKED SMALL, ON THE outside. It was a granite building, its dark stone exterior lined with protective runes. It did not appear large enough for a big family. And yet, merely owning the house proved that Caleb and his family were wealthy. Land was hideously expensive in Beneficence. There was a good chance that Caleb and his siblings would never be able to purchase their own homes. They’d have to go elsewhere if they wanted to own their own land.
She felt her heart start to pound as Caleb let go of her hand and tapped on the door, pressing his palm against a concealed anchorstone. The wards grew stronger, reaching out to brush against Emily’s magic and confirm her identity. She hadn’t expected to be keyed into the wards, but it was still a surprise when they took nearly five minutes to scrutinize her before the door clicked open. Caleb’s mother stood in the opening, her dark eyes peering narrowly at Emily.
Emily nerved herself to look back as evenly as she could. Mediator Sienna of House Waterfall was a tall woman, a head taller than Emily, her hair a shade or two darker than Emily’s own. She looked, in many ways, like an older version of Caleb…older, perhaps, than she’d been a year ago. It felt longer, far longer, since Emily had last seen her. Emily could barely believe that it had been only nine months since she’d visited Beneficence.
“Emily,” Sienna said. Her voice was flat, emotionless. “I bid you welcome to my house.”
“I thank you,” Emily managed. She forced herself to fumble through the ritual. “I pledge to hold my hand in your house.”
Sienna studied her for a long moment, then turned and led the way into the hall. Emily followed, looking around with interest. Someone had hung a surprisingly accurate portrait of Casper on the near wall, surrounded by black ribbon. Casper looked grimly resolute as he faced down a shadowy form. There was no sign of Emily or anyone else. Even the necromancer was just a dark shape. But she had to admit that the portrait conveyed the right message: Casper had laid down his life in defense of the Allied Lands.
“Remove your cloaks and make your devotions, then join us in the parlor,” Sienna ordered, curtly. “My husband will meet you there.”
Emily undid her cloak and hung it on the stand, then glanced at the household god. It was a tiny statue, carved to resemble a stern-faced man…probably one of the founders of House Waterfall. A single candle burned in front of the statuette, flickering randomly in all directions. It looked as though the wind was trying to blow it out, but there was no wind. A chill ran down her spine as she bowed to the statue, feeling faintly ridiculous. It was probably just magic. She’d seen no real evidence that the gods truly existed.
But you have met beings of immense power, she reminded herself, as Frieda knelt in front of the statue. Does that not imply the gods might be real too?
Caleb reached out and took her hand. “Mother hasn’t taken Casper’s death well,” he whispered.
Emily nodded. She’d lost Grandmaster Hasdrubal, but he’d been over a hundred years old when he’d died. Sienna was mourning a son who should have outlived her by decades…who would have outlived her, if he hadn’t gone to war. And with all the rumors swirling around, Sienna had to wonder just what had really happened at Heart’s Eye. Emily, Lady Barb and Void were the only ones who knew the full story.
She looked up at Caleb. She’d planned to tell him about Heart’s Eye, when they had some privacy. Frieda might as well hear about the former school at the same time. The idea of using the building – her building – to create a university was appealing. They’d planned to do it even before the war. Now…now they could make their dream real.
Caleb bowed to the god, then turned to lead them through the door. Emily followed him into a comfortable sitting room. Another painting hung over the far wall, showing a young child sitting on a stool. It took her a moment to realize that it was a seven-year-old Casper. The artist had been good, good enough to capture the essence of Casper’s personality. She couldn’t help wondering just how Casper had been bribed to remain still long enough for the artist to complete the preliminary sketches. Emily had been forced to sit for two portraits and she’d hated every second of it.
The sooner we invent cameras, the better, she thought.
“Karan, Marian,” Caleb said. “Bid welcome to our guest.”
Emily forced herself to smile as Karan and Marian rose to their feet. Karan looked very much like her mother, with a face full of character rather than conventionally pretty. Marian was blonde, but the bubbly young girl Emily remembered was gone, replaced by a somber teenager who eyed her through bright blue eyes. Magic flickered and flared around her…she’d be fourteen now, Emily thought. She’d clearly come into her magic earlier than usual. It was rare for anyone to enter Whitehall below fifteen, but Emily suspected an exception would be made for Sienna’s daughter.
Someone’s clearly been teaching her, Emily thought, as the younger girls embraced her. She might never need to go to school.
“You are welcome in this house.” Sienna sat in a comfortable armchair, her back ramrod straight. “Please, be seated. Karan will fetch the drinks.”