“There’s no way a Lashed One created this monster,” Aerity said.
Mrs. Rathbrook shook her head. “I cannot think of how our power could be used in such a way, but there are many far more powerful than me.”
An icy sting ratcheted up Aerity’s spine. The Lashed could not wave their hands and create a monster from nothing. Their magic didn’t work that way. She refused to believe the Lashed had anything to do with the great beast.
Mrs. Rathbrook appeared tired after so much talking.
“Can I get you anything?” Aerity asked her.
“No, no, dear. My maid takes good care of me. In a few moments I’ll walk the roof gardens with Officer Vest.”
“Is Mr. Vest your lover lad?” Vixie asked, blinking her wide eyes.
Aerity nearly choked on her own tongue. “High seas, Vixie! That’s none of your concern!” Aerity had always wondered herself if there was romance between them, but she’d never dare ask.
Vixie’s cheeks reddened and she muttered an apology. Aerity realized her sister had probably repeated something she’d heard, not even realizing how improper it was.
Aerity was still in a state of mortification when Mrs. Rathbrook began cackling with laughter.
“Don’t hold your tongue on my account,” the woman said. “Officer Vest is very dear to me. I trust him with my life each day.” She gave the girls a wink and made to stand. Aerity helped her, though the woman seemed quite capable.
“Thank you so very much for visiting. Please come again soon.” Mrs Rathbrook put a hand on Aerity’s arm, and the princess bent to kiss her cheek.
“It was my pleasure. I promise to return.”
Vixie was still blushing when she leaned forward to kiss the woman’s cheek, and then rushed from the chambers, nearly tripping on her skirts.
They’d barely made it to the bottom of the steps when Vixie whispered, “What’s wrong with lover lad?”
“Vixie . . .” Aerity shook her head and silently cursed their mother for not talking with the girls about important things. They learned far too much from the lips of maids. “When someone has a lover it means they have . . . a romantic relationship. Like married people.”
Aerity headed in the direction of the High Hall.
“You mean kissing and the like?” Vixie asked.
“Yes, Vix. And it’s impolite to ask people about such private matters. Understand?”
“Have you ever kissed anyone? Or is that too private for me to ask, even of my sister?”
Aerity sighed. She wanted to shush her sister, but Vixie didn’t have the blessing of a cousin her age or a friend to speak of such things with. Her best friend was her horse.
“I’ve kissed one lad.” On several occasions. She felt Vixie’s big eyes on her.
“Is he your lover, then?”
“No! Stop saying that word.”
“Who was the lad?”
“Breckon’s cousin, the lieutenant.” Her heart gave a squeeze.
“You mean Harrison Gillfin? But he’s twenty! Three years your senior!” Vixie pulled a sour face, as if he were an old man.
Aerity laughed.
“Are you going to marry him?” her sister asked.
This gave Aerity pause. She loved Harrison, but not in that way. They’d tried many a time to force something romantic, but their friendship overrode those notions. Their kisses had lacked passion and often ended in laughter. But during the summer gala when Aerity, Harrison, Breckon, and Wyneth had snuck down to the castle’s wine cellars and shared several bottles of mead, Aerity and Harrison had made a fuzzy-minded pact as they snuggled together between two crates, giving their cousins privacy.
“What if I never find a lad to marry, Harrison? What if I never fall in love, like my parents did? What will the people say if I rule alone?”
She’d been leaning back between Harrison’s legs, and he kissed her hair.
“You will rule well on your own or otherwise. But I will marry you in a heartbeat.”
She’d turned to peer up at his smooth-shaven face. A face she trusted. “You will find a wife long before that.”
He’d stared past her, eyes going blurry for a moment in thought, then took a long drink from his bottle. “I don’t think so, Aer. I will always be here for you.”
But it hadn’t been a confession of love. Of that she felt certain.
“I don’t know, Vixie,” Aerity finally answered. “I’m not sure I’ll ever marry.”
“Me either!” Vixie said.
Aerity pushed open the doors of the High Hall and let out a relieved breath at the sight of their little brother and cousins running about. She pushed heavy thoughts from her mind.