Chapter Two

Anna was still cold toward Verve for the next fortnight, so Verve spent most of her time in the attic, the one place the old maid didn’t venture due to arthritic knees. There she struggled to write the story she had been attempting to put down on paper, and instead wound up losing control of her magic and accidentally burning the page in front of her more often than not. The whole house had begun to stink of sweets, the smell Verve’s residual bursts had taken on since her transformation. No one but Anna complained, for only Anna – along with a much quieter Helena – could smell it.

Ripping at her hair one colder morning, Verve stepped away from the scribbled notes on her desk and took to pacing the attic floor. Bills were coming in, and Verve knew she needed to produce something quickly if the Springer women didn’t want to see themselves further impoverished or, worse, imprisoned in a workhouse. So she crept down to her room and locked the door behind her.

There she went to her pillow, tore it open, and plucked a handful of feathers from its insides. These she carried to the fireplace, where she sat cross-legged, and set them next to her on the floor. Currently there was a shortage of metal, thanks to the building of a new railroad. The territories still hadn’t recovered from the war, which had eaten up metal and caused many haberdashers and seamstresses to lament the scarcity of pins.

Verve tried to clear her mind of worries and doubts, things that would inhibit her transformative magic, but the house below her was in a tizzy. Mr. Franz’s upcoming nuptials to a widowed heiress had turned the household upside down, as the Springers had been asked to help with the festivities following the outdoor ceremony.

“Davinia, child, what are you doing with all these ribbons?” Anna demanded belowstairs, just as Verve had begun to transform a feather into a sewing pin. The feather wilted in her hands and fell to the hearth with a loud plunk.

“Mrs. Biddle dropped them off,” said Dav. “She says I’m so artistic that she wants me to sew them together into a bouquet.”

Verve clenched her jaw and relaxed it again. There would never be a truly silent moment for her ever again, thanks to her enhanced hearing, which exceeded that of even a fae. I’d better find a way to cope. She reached for another feather and tried again, this time succeeding almost as soon as she touched the plume. Encouraged, Verve set the sewing pin aside and was about to transform another feather, when the side door slammed, interrupting her concentration.

“They’re getting married tomorrow, child. Do you think you have enough time?” Anna was saying.

“I’m certain,” said Dav.

“Has anyone seen Verve?” Mother asked. “It looks like rain, and the washing is still out on the line.”

With a sigh, Verve abandoned her attempts at magic and went downstairs so she wouldn’t accidentally set the house on fire. “Here I am,” she said, tramping down the stairs. She was met with silence. Verve entered the sitting room, and was confused to find it empty. In fact, the whole house sounded free of breaths and beating hearts. She could hear her family, but they were next door, not downstairs as she had first perceived.

The side door opened and slammed, admitting Dav, who glowered at Verve. “I hung up the washing like you were supposed to.”

“B-but Mother just said to bring it in. That it looked like rain.”

Dav blinked at her. “But Anna just washed it.” Her eyes narrowed. “You’re not going mad again, are you?” Indeed, everyone had thought Verve to be crazy after Father was murdered. No one had been able to find the body, after all, and the scene of the crime had been thoroughly tidied up and wiped of any evidence after Verve had left it to get help. There had not even been any tracks left in the snow.

Verve’s pulse quickened. She couldn’t have been hearing things…could she?

Laughter outside interrupted their conversation, which Dav mercifully lost interest in. “Mrs. Biddle is going to drop ribbons off later. She says I’m artistic and wants me to make them into a sort of floral bouquet.”

The side door opened and slammed closed again, jarring Verve, who resisted putting her hands over her ears. She didn’t have time to think about what might be going on with her sanity, because Anna entered the room laughing and talking to Mother, only to stop and flinch at the sight of Verve.

“Looks to be a fair-weather day,” said Mother, oblivious apparently to Anna’s suddenly sour expression. “Thanks for hanging up the washing for Anna, Verve.”

“Dav—”

“Could you see to the chickens? No one’s gathered eggs yet today.”

In a daze, Verve nodded and stumbled out of the room, her eyes unfocused. She snatched a basket from the kitchen and left the house, only half paying attention to where she was going and what she was doing.

The hens clucked at her as she traipsed past them and ducked into their enclosure, which smelled strongly of waste and straw. She picked up one egg, accidentally crushing it in what she had thought to have been a gentle grip. Touching her skin, the whites and yolk bubbled and sizzled and cooked fully until she shook them off. She dropped the basket and retreated from the henhouse. The birds scattered at the sight of her, and Verve’s hands began glowing with blue light. “No.” Verve shook her hands, and sparks went flying, which she quickly stomped out in the grass.

With a nervous glance first at the house to make certain no one was watching, Verve turned and ran through the back gate and sped toward the Woodhouse property abutting their own, knowing she would be truly alone there to sort out whatever was happening to her.

Verve’s hands continued to glow and spark as she ran, until she came to a stop in the middle of a puddle. There things seemed to calm for a moment, but soon waves of pure white light exploded from Verve’s body with a deafening boom, knocking over the trees immediately surrounding her and scorching them as well. With a strangled sob, Verve lowered herself to the ground and sat in the puddle, which began to bubble and evaporate until it was nothing. She paid it little mind, hugging her knees to her chest as tears stung her eyes. “What’s happening to me?”

At her voice, the trees began to stir, righting themselves, their trunks mending where they had snapped, until they stood proud and tall once more with no signs they had even been burned. The air smelled strongly of toffee and sugar, and Verve choked on a cough. She’d been in control for most of her time back in Etterhea. What had changed? Fenn couldn’t be right about her being a danger…could he? Verve attempted to dry her eyes, but new tears spilled forth.

“What’s the matter?”

Verve’s head snapped up at the sound of Fenn’s voice, and then crumpled again to her chest. “What’re you doing here?” She didn’t look up but could hear his soft tread approach her, feel the wind stir around her as he stopped a few feet away.

“I thought you might need me.”

She shrugged. “Are you here to say ‘I told you so’?”

Fenn lowered himself next to her, their arms brushing as he settled. Comfortable silence sat between them for a moment while Verve attempted to bring her tears under control. When they would not subside, Fenn wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. “The change has been hard on you.”

A snort escaped Verve’s lips. “That’s an understatement.”

She waited for him to beg her to return to Letorheas with him, to submit to his training and instruction, but instead he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze and simply said, “Tell me your woes.”

Verve launched into a short explanation of how she had started hallucinating and glowing and involuntarily knocking over trees. When she’d finished, she looked up at Fenn, only to find him watching her lips. “What?” she asked.

He blinked and looked into her eyes. “It doesn’t sound like you were hallucinating. It sounds like you were seeing ahead.” Here he brought a hand to her face and cupped her jaw in his palm. “It’s nothing to be afraid of, love. In fact, it might come in useful.” He kissed her softly, taking her lower lip between his teeth and gently tugging on it. She could feel a shudder ripple through his body, and he smiled as he pulled back, his eyes twinkling. “As for the energy bursts, it might be a good idea to leave for a while. Just to keep everyone safe.”

Verve groaned and got to her feet. “I told you I’m not ready to return to Letorheas.” She sounded like a sulky child and she knew it.

But Fenn was kind and did not push her. Instead, he got to his feet as well and took her hand and kissed it. “I didn’t necessarily mean Letorheas. There are other places, Verve.”

She scowled as he tapped her nose playfully with his finger. “My family needs me. We’ve been over this.”

Gently he led her farther into the woods, leaves crackling lustily beneath their boots. “I’m sorry. I don’t wish to lecture. Come, let’s walk until you forget what’s troubling you.”

The air held a nip to it, though the cold no longer affected Verve in quite the same way. In a sense, she almost missed a runny nose and chapped lips. “I need to get back soon,” she said, stopping Fenn, who seemed intent on leading her away. “The wedding’s tomorrow and I’m supposed to be helping.”

“Wedding?” Fenn tilted his head to the side.

Verve rolled her eyes. “Our neighbor, the eternal bachelor, is settling down.” She sighed and pulled her hand from Fenn’s. “The ceremony and reception will both be outside at his house, unless the weather is foul.”

“I’d love to see a mortal wedding,” Fenn said, a distant look in his eye that Verve didn’t understand.

She laughed, suddenly feeling shy. “Well, you’re welcome to come, if you want to play witness.”

His eyes flashed to hers. “You’re inviting me?”

“Why not?” She threw up her hands. “The more the merrier.”

“And it’s on your neighbor’s property?” A slow grin spread across his face. “I’m welcome on your property as well, I imagine?”

A jolt went through her body. It was good to see him happy. He’d been so downtrodden yesterday – or had it been three days ago? Whatever the case, he seemed more alert, hopeful. “Of course you’re welcome anytime at Maplehurst. Maybe you can even help me put a better damper on my magic.” When he leaned down to kiss her again, she sighed, relieved to no longer feel so out of control as she had been moments prior.

He took her face in his hands, pulling out of the kiss with apparent reluctance. “How I’ve missed you, Verve.” His thumb stroked her chin once and then he released her and began to walk away backward. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

Cheeks heating, she nodded.

“Good. I look forward to it and perhaps seeing your family.” Smiling softly, he turned and began a slow retreat, only to turn once more and ask, “Are you certain you won’t walk a little farther with me today?”

Verve scoffed. “No. I have work to do.”

He shrugged, his eyes flashing. “You can’t fault a man for trying. Tomorrow, then.”

She watched him leave, noticed the buoyancy in his step, and smirked in puzzled contentment. Well, as long as he was happy to leave her be for now, there was no use attempting to figure out why. Her own steps lighter, Verve reached a hand to her face, making certain her power was muted and not apparent in her appearance, and then trekked home.

Apparently Verve had been gone for more than two hours, leaving the others to fulfill her household duties and make speculations as to her whereabouts. Even before she slipped in through the back gate, Verve could hear perfectly well what everyone in the house was saying.

“If’n you ask me, something’s not right with Verity,” said Anna, causing Verve to slow and listen. “You know the stories where I’m from, of children being snatched and changelings being left in their places.”

Verve nearly choked on her own saliva at the words. How far and yet how close to the truth! She was still Verve, and yet…she had been changed. The housekeeper was too observant, and Verve resolved then and there to be more careful and avoid the woman as much as possible. She’d already taken to hiding and washing her own laundry, as certain changes to her body would be evident on some private articles of clothing. Mercifully, no one had commented on this strange behavior…yet. Verve worried her lower lip and closed the gate behind her.

“Anna, you are overly superstitious,” said Mother.

Dav was quick to chime in as well, however. “I don’t know. Even Helena doesn’t seem to want to go near her, and don’t tell me Verve wasn’t once her favorite.”

The words brought Verve’s spirits crashing to the ground once more, though she no longer felt as though she were about to lose control of her magic. Head down, Verve pushed through the side door and went straight upstairs to her room, ignoring the others’ calls to her, asking where she had been and what she was doing now. After shutting and locking the door behind her, Verve sat in front of the fire, drew in a steadying breath, and proceeded to produce seventy pins from the feathers she had left behind earlier. The magic felt natural, and each pin was perfectly straight and sharp. Hopefully, she would be able to sell them to the local seamstress in town and put more food on the Springer table.

* * *

The preparations for the wedding went smoothly, and Verve managed to stay out of the way up in her room and in the attic until the next morning, skipping meals. She fell asleep at her desk, and when she awoke, the sun had already made its appearance. With a yawn, she rubbed ink from her hands and went downstairs.

All was a bustle of activity, and Verve was surprised she had slept through all the noise. Anna was in the kitchen, tending to bread in the oven, by the sound and smell of things, and Dav was placing cutlery on the dining room table.

“Good morning, Verve,” said Mother, her hands full of boxes. “Would you mind taking these linens next door? I was up late last night, ironing them.”

Careful not to touch Mother’s skin, Verve took the boxes in her arms and moved toward the side door. “Will our neighbor be up and about, you think?” She looked over her shoulder, but Mother had disappeared into the kitchen.

“You slept in, Verity,” said Mother, her voice raised to an unnecessary volume that made her daughter cringe. “It’s nearly ten.”

Swearing below her breath, Verve balanced the three boxes and managed to carry them through the door, which she shut behind her with the tips of her toes. The air was cool but tolerable, and the skies were clear of signs of rain, a mercy. Though Mr. Franz’s house was large, Verve doubted it could comfortably fit the one hundred people who had been invited to attend the nuptials and the ensuing festivities, should they need to be moved indoors.

She left the linens with a servant, again careful not to touch the woman, who gave her a wary look, stole the tablecloths inside, and shut the door in Verve’s face. With a frown, Verve caught her reflection in a window and noticed her eyes were glowing softly. “No wonder she was so rude. I terrified the poor woman,” she said with a groan and attempted to regain control of her magic before returning home. Closing her eyes and breathing slowly seemed to work as she wrestled with herself, and when she opened her lids again, her eyes had ceased to shine. Just to be certain she didn’t cause any further suspicion, Verve made herself scarce for as long as possible, wandering in the woods where she had seen Fenn the day previous.

When she returned home, she only had enough time to slip into a high-necked blue dress and a yellow shawl. Downstairs she could hear the others getting ready as well, all but Anna, who had offered to take a last-minute look over the seating and the tables set up in the yard behind.

“Verve, dear, there’s someone down here who wants to see you,” Mother called up the stairs.

Had Fenn arrived early? Who or what had he introduced himself as? As far as Verve knew, he’d entirely wiped himself from Mother’s and Dav’s memories. “Coming,” she shouted back, taking the steps at a gallop. But the person waiting for her was only her elder sister, Ainsley, whom she hadn’t seen for over a month now.

Ainsley laughed at the sight of Verve’s face. “You look like you were expecting someone else.” She leaned in to embrace Verve, who backed away, nearly bumping into Dav, who was rushing past. “Were you expecting someone?” Ainsley sounded more interested in the notion than Verve liked.

“I was hoping you’d bring my brother-in-law,” Verve said, putting a careful smile in place. Markus had taken a disliking to Verve since she had returned from Letorheas, and Verve was secretly pleased to see him nowhere around.

The smile on her elder sister’s face faded slightly. She shook her head and sighed. “You know Markus. He’s always working on our little home.”

Verve grunted. “Well, as long as he still treats you well, I have no reason to complain.”

“Have you seen my gloves?” Dav asked.

“No. I thought you said you were going to lay them somewhere where you wouldn’t easily forget them,” Verve reminded her.

Dav shook her head. “I think…. Oh, yes, on my bookshelf. Hello, Ainsley.” She pecked her eldest sister on the cheek and ran off, pushing around her hooped skirt in the process.

After breakfast, the Springer women made their way next door, where a string quartet had situated itself on the back lawn, welcoming guests with familiar tunes as they arrived. Rows of white chairs tied with champagne-colored bows were lined up on either side of the aisle with a white satin runner placed smartly down the middle. Verve trailed behind her mother and sisters, opting to sit behind them in an aisle seat in case she lost control of herself and needed to leave quickly.

Thankfully, that did not end up being the case. The guests arrived and sat, and the quartet played as the soon-to-be Mrs. Franz walked down the aisle to meet Mr. Franz. It was sweet, watching the couple holding each other’s wrinkled hands, gazing into each other’s eyes with such joy that envy tugged at the pit of Verve’s stomach. To grow old with someone and love them without complications, or fears of hurting them: the thought made Verve ache. But she kept hold of her magic and saw the couple pronounced husband and wife, which was met with generous cheers and applause.

Fenn had not made an appearance. At least, not that she had noticed. There were too many mortal heartbeats and other noises surrounding Verve for her to be able to separate any immortal ones.

As the aisles were dismissed, Verve sneaked away so the bride wouldn’t attempt to embrace her. It wouldn’t do to have the woman collapsing in a fit of agony. She headed for the far back, where tables sat between trees, all decked in white or champagne-colored bows. It was beautiful and festive, and Verve ought to be happy, but the longer she watched everyone, the more she began to feel as though she no longer quite fit into their world.

“There you are,” said Anna, snapping Verve’s attention. But the housekeeper wasn’t talking to her; she addressed Dav, who also must have left the ceremony early. “You can man the punch bowl.”

Dav sighed. “Wasn’t the ceremony romantic?” She practically floated over to the table where the crystal punch bowl and ladle lay. “Verve, why are you just standing there looking so sad?”

Verve shrugged but made no other answer. Instead she moved toward a round table next to the one bearing the punch, upon which gifts of varying shapes and sizes sat. As busy as she’d been trying to keep herself, she had forgotten to get the newlyweds anything. But what could the rich couple possibly need?

Wishing to avoid the crowd heading her way, Verve turned and walked back toward her home. Surely no one would miss her. But she didn’t make it very far. Someone took her elbow and she tensed, fearing for that person’s safety. When she turned, her heart tripped all over itself.

Fenn stood there in mortal attire, his hair trimmed and neater than it had been during their last meeting in the woods. He gave her an amused smile before turning her and guiding her back toward the party. “Thought you would escape the festivities so easily, did you?”

Verve groaned as their hands entwined. “If you’ve seen one wedding here, you’ve seen them all.”

“Yes, but I haven’t had the same privileges as you in that respect. I’d like to see more.” He steered her around guests, who tried their best to avoid them anyway, no doubt sensing his otherness, and led her to the punch table, though Verve protested.

“My family will see you,” she warned.

“Let them,” Fenn said with a laugh.

Dav was busily filling punch glasses and didn’t look up at first. “Twenty-nine, thirty, and….” She sloshed some of the red punch onto her white gloves. “Blast.”

After snatching a glass, Verve attempted to tug Fenn away, but he reached for a glass as well and seemed in no rush to leave. “A lovely wedding.”

“Yes,” said Dav, removing her sodden gloves and paying attention only to those. “It was lovely. I—” She looked up from her work and caught Verve’s eye. Then her gaze moved to Fenn and their joined hands. Her jaw dropped.

Uncomfortable, Verve freed her hand from Fenn’s, but it was too late. “Dav, this is Fenn. He’s someone I met at the boarding house.” She tried to say it with nonchalance, but her youngest sister wasn’t so easily fooled.

“Why didn’t you tell me you’d found someone?”

Verve rolled her eyes and tried changing the subject. “Where is Helena? Wasn’t she supposed to be helping you?”

Dav blinked rapidly as though she didn’t quite follow the sudden turn in the conversation. “Oh, she complained of a headache and had to go lie down.”

“A shame,” said Fenn. “I would have liked to meet her.” It was a bold-faced lie. Fenn had met Helena already, and Dav, for that matter, all those months ago when they had been prisoners of the fae king, Midras. None of them but Helena would remember that, however. “I hope she recovers quickly.”

With a blush, Dav looked down at what she was doing. “Verve, might I speak to you alone for a moment?”

“Can it wait?” Verve asked, knowing her sister was going to interrogate her about Fenn.

Fenn sipped his punch and looked back and forth between the two, clearly amused. “I’ll be right over there by the shrubbery.” To Verve’s surprise, he kissed her on the cheek and retreated.

Dav at once squealed, causing more than one old woman to clutch her pearls and stare at the young blonde spectacle. “I knew there was a man. But he was rather forward, kissing you so in public. It isn’t proper, Verve. You should have a word with your beau.” She narrowed her eyes at her elder sister. “He is your beau, isn’t he?”

It was suddenly much too hot in the early autumn air. Verve removed her shawl from around her shoulders and folded it up in her arms. “Well, I suppose he is.” If only you knew. Verve cleared her throat and looked around for signs that someone else had witnessed the kiss. I shouldn’t care. He is my husband, after all. But the problem was no one else knew that, save for Helena. “Perhaps I had better check on Hel. The poor thing has been sick more and more often.”

She turned to leave, but Dav caught her with the words, “He was staring at you during the whole wedding, so I knew he had to be a love interest.” Dav sighed happily. “Is he rich?”

“Wait a moment,” said Verve, shaking her head. “He was here during the ceremony?”

Dav passed a few more glasses of punch to the guests. “Why, yes. You must not have seen him.” A giggle escaped her lips. “He is very handsome, Verve. Do you think he’ll ask for your hand?”

“It’s not…I mean, I don’t….” Why was she suddenly so flustered? And why hadn’t Fenn admitted to having witnessed the wedding? It wasn’t like him to tease her so much.

Now Dav let out a heartier laugh, her eyes crinkling. “You love him, don’t you? Why else would you suddenly start acting so bashful about things? It isn’t like you.”

Aware Fenn would be able to hear every word they were saying, Verve knew she had to be careful not to hurt him or say anything to encourage her youngest sister’s teasing. “Never mind all this talk. I’m going to take a slice of cake to Hel. Perhaps that will lift her spirits.”

“You can run for now, Verity Springer. But sooner or later, you are going to have to tell me all about your adventures at the boarding house. Does he have a brother?”

Verve rolled her eyes and left Dav to the line that had been forming in front of her table. By the appearance of things, the youngest Springer woman would be kept busy for some time. With a quick look around, Verve spied Fenn standing where he had promised to be waiting, a smug look on his face. “What?”

He motioned for her to follow him toward the back of the property, his eyes sparkling with mischief. When she reached him, he took her hand once more and led her away from all the wedding guests who were milling about. “There are a lot of people here.” He squeezed her hand. “Is it making you anxious?”

“Well, it is, now that you mention it,” she said, shoving him playfully. It was nice being around someone she could actually touch, who knew what she was and loved her anyway. “I don’t know if it was wise of me to attend. I might’ve accidentally touched someone, and then where would we be?” She tried to keep her tone light, but the worry was real and it gnawed at her.

Fenn must have sensed her changing mood, but he didn’t comment on it or scold her, thankfully. He opened his mouth to say something only to stiffen and turn Verve around. “Let’s go this way,” he whispered.

Verve frowned. “Why? Did you see something?” Already her muscles were tensing, her magic pulsing in her veins, ready to flow. Several passersby gawped at her and quickly moved on.

“Careful, Verve,” he warned as the smell of toffee filled the air. “There’s no danger. I just saw someone looking at you oddly and wanted to get you away from them.”

“Oh.” That ought to be comforting, but Verve’s senses had been awakened and her magic needed releasing. Despite her best efforts to shove it all down, her hands began to glow. “What do I do?”

Hastily and with little care, he pulled her past staring party guests and toward the front of the house, where more people still had congregated. It would be difficult not touching anyone here.

“Fenn,” she groaned.

“Verve!” said a familiar voice from a-ways behind her, a man’s voice.

At her side, Fenn stiffened. Of all things, he released her hand and seemed ready to run off. “You’ll be all right. Imagine the light dissolving in your veins. And keep your hands tucked inside your skirts.” He leaned in, kissed her on the cheek, and attempted to disappear inside the crowd, which took to suddenly blocking him.

The air smelled of citrus and a hand came to rest on the small of her back. “Are you all right?”

Confused, Verve looked up at the man next to her and was startled to see Fenn standing there. But he was also in front of her, smirking.

“Twins!” someone from the crowd cried.

The Fenn at Verve’s side was ashen, his eyes widening apparently at the sight of himself and then narrowing once more. His hold on Verve tightened, and he made to move her behind his back, but she was having none of that.

She wrenched her arm from his grasp. Her heart was fit to beat right out of her breast, and her breaths came in small gasps as she looked from one to the other, not knowing who was her husband and who was the shape-changer. As it was, she sidled away from the Fenn at her side, and he let her. Up to that moment, her magic had barely been under control, and now she knew it was ready to burst forth from her body. Mindful not to touch anyone in the crowd, Verve hastened around and through them, moving at a speed more than one person would certainly think odd. Verve sensed rather than heard both men following her.

“Verve,” called out one of the Fenns. He caught her by the elbow.

“Let her go,” said the other, the one with slightly longer hair.

This didn’t make any sense. How were both men able to touch her without getting hurt? One was an imposter who certainly didn’t share a blood bond with her. Shouldn’t that man have been writhing on the ground in agony?

The one with shorter hair shook his head. “Stay back, fiend. Verve, are you all right?”

Verve shook that Fenn’s grip off as well. Her hands were glowing golden. Hastily she tucked them into her skirts, but she was aware her face was beginning to shine as well. Turning her back on the two, though it went against every instinct, she hastened onto the Maplehurst property. Only one of the men followed her.

This one kept his distance, watching her like a hawk ready to swoop in as she thrust her hands into the earth, which shook with the force of the magic escaping her body. Next door, a few guests cried out and plates rattled, but the tremors ceased, and Verve sat on the grass, panting. “Who are you?” she demanded.

“The real question is who the shape-changer was and how he was able to touch you.” This Fenn shook his head and took to pacing. “I should never have let you return to Etterhea alone. I am so sorry, Verve.”

“Prove that it’s you,” Verve said, her voice rising in hysteria. “T-tell me something only you would know.” She swallowed a sob, cringing when he began to approach her.

Thankfully, he stayed where he was and answered, “Your magic used to smell like coffee and chocolate. But it changed after you touched the Cunning Blade and absorbed its power.” He looked her directly in the eyes. “It smells like toffee and sugar and other sweet things now.” He stopped pacing and sat on the grass several feet away from her. “Your greatest fear is being trapped, but you would risk anything to be there for your family, even if it trapped you even more.”

Verve sniffed.

“And, if you will let me perform some magic, it should prove it really is I.” He gave her a small, reassuring smile. “May I?”

She hesitated a moment and then nodded. “All right. Just don’t – don’t hurt anyone.”

His smile softened further still. “I won’t.” Without moving or gesturing, this Fenn conjured an empty jar labeled blackcurrant jam, which settled on the ground between them. Accompanying this magic was the aroma of oranges and limes, causing Verve to relax somewhat.

A crease formed on Fenn’s brow. “I don’t understand how an enemy fae was able to enter that property. The wards I put up were powerful ones and should have covered all of that and most of your other neighbors’ lands.” He paused. “Did you see anything unusual in the last few days?”

Verve shook her head. “No.”

“Then—”

“I mean, yes. Just what you saw.”

Fenn’s frown deepened and he got to his feet. “What I saw?”

“Yesterday, I mean, with the trees and my magic.”

That did not seem to enlighten the fae. He approached Verve slowly, until she instinctively bared her teeth at him and sprang to her own feet. “Verve, there’s a difference between the passage of time in Etterhea and in Letorheas. Perhaps you ought to clarify.” The look he gave her was expectant, but he did not attempt to approach her again.

“Yesterday. In the woods next…door.” A chill ran up Verve’s spine as Fenn’s eyebrows rose. “It wasn’t you in the woods yesterday, was it?” She swore. “I invited the shape-changer to the wedding…and onto my property. But…are you sure it wasn’t you?”

He shook his head. “It’s been at least four days in Etterhean time since I’ve set foot in this realm. When I took you back to Letorheas, I had no intention of returning so soon.”

“Then why did you?”

The tips of Fenn’s pointed ears turned pink and he seemed suddenly ill at ease. “Because I was going to attempt again to talk you into returning to Letorheas…for good this time.” Before Verve could get one word out against the idea, Fenn raised his hands in a truce. “The wards are no good against him – or her – now, whoever they are. A direct invitation from you was the only way for them to break in.” Now he did approach Verve, slowly and deliberately, even though she showed him with her posture what she thought of him taking such liberties. “Verve, this isn’t safe. Please, stop pushing me away.”

Verve laughed bitterly. “I’m not. Can’t we live here in Etterhea?”

He scrubbed a hand over his face and his shoulders sagged. “You need to come with me.” His voice held an edge to it Verve didn’t like, and he stalked slowly toward her, his movements suggesting he was contemplating aggression.

A feral hiss escaped Verve’s lips, but Fenn continued his approach. “I’m sorry, Verve, but I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t try. And I expect you’ll never forgive me either if I let you hurt your loved ones by my inaction.”

“What do you—” The words had barely left her mouth when Fenn was upon her, pulling her into his chest.

“It’s all right, my love. I’m not going to hurt you.”

Verve squirmed, knowing full well she could break Fenn’s hold on her…but not without physically hurting him. He must know and be depending on her fear of harming him, curse the man. She laughed without humor, and he tightened his grip. It would have been painful, had she still been a fragile mortal. “You said you would give me more time.”

He made it two small steps ere she dug in her heels and forced him to stop. “That was before you were almost abducted.”

“You think that was the shape-changer’s plan?” Verve leaned back against him, meaning to push him, and he swiftly released her and moved away, causing her to lose her footing.

At once Fenn took advantage of her misstep and lifted her into his arms. “I’m convinced it is.”

“And how is that different than what you are trying to do now?”

Fenn paused, and that was all the hesitation Verve needed. She placed her hand near his heart, her fingers contorting into strange positions as she fed golden light into his chest.

Under her control, he set her down and stepped back, hurt and betrayal written across his fair features. “Verve.”

“Just go,” she snapped. When he seemed ready to fight her hold on him, tears formed in Verve’s eyes. “You promised.” Magic was building beneath her skin once more, threatening to escape her in a wave of pure devastation. Verve tried to fight it and to hold Fenn back at the same time, but her control quickly slipped, just as the side door swung open.