Chapter 12
Chapter twelve
“Nevan and Neil speak endlessly of the diversions of town, but I quite love the simplicity of Elmbury.” – from the diary of Oren Byrne, age fifteen.
Istood in front of the manor, staring at Aidan.
He was leaving. He had to, needed to investigate the farm, but I didn’t want him to.
He was speaking to Father in a low voice, so consequentially, I couldn’t catch more than a murmur, though from Father’s gestures and Aidan’s tight expression, I guessed Father was either imparting advice or a well-meaning lecture.
Father was skilled at giving lectures, having raised seven of his eight sons, but Aidan had been precluded from them for most of his life and was unused to them, nor did I think he actually liked them.
Then again, who did?
Georgie was saying goodbye to Thomas, and he was hugging them and his daughters, who were clinging to him. Frances was also saying goodbye to Whit, but she was fretting over his clothes and admonishing him for not wearing more, while Beatrice and Sarah gripped his hands.
Cethin and Lord Abnus stood near the horses, speaking.
Lord Abnus was glaring at his cousin, probably displeased about Cethin’s schemes, and Cethin was saying something in return, his expression urgent.
Eventually, Cethin grasped the back of Lord Abnus’s neck and pulled him closer until their foreheads rested against each other.
I had never thought the cousins resembled each other, besides the obvious dark fae traits—gray-purple skin, sharp features, and gleaming eyes—but now I wasn’t so certain.
There was something there in the harshness of their cheekbones and chin.
It was more than that, though. The air they both possessed, whether it be magic or their noble upbringing, was too similar to mark them as anything but family.
Eventually, Aidan extracted himself from Father’s side and moved toward me.
I wanted to laugh at his expression. The worry he felt at leaving us behind was easily displayed on his face.
I hooked my arms around his waist to pull him into a firm hug, which Aidan returned.
At the feel of his solid hold, everything was right with in my world.
At times, like this moment, it felt as if nothing had changed between Aidan and I. We were as we had always been—best friends. Unfortunately, the perpetual estrangement between the two of us continued to burst forth when I wished it would wither into nothing.
His arms engulfed me, pulling me even closer, until I was fair smooshed against his great coat. Aidan ordered in a low voice, “You will stay safe, Oren.”
I chuckled. “You’re the one chasing the danger, not me.”
He slid back, smiling. “True, but I prefer it that way.”
And I would’ve preferred to go with Aidan.
Aidan’s eyes tightened. “I don’t think we’ve truly been apart since my mother’s death.”
I nodded.
There had been a few days here and there, like when I’d gone to visit Thomas or Whit or when Aidan had gone to the fae realm.
Most of our lives had been spent in the company of the other, and neither of us liked being apart.
When I went to school, we would be separated for months, if not years, and that thought made my stomach clench in fear.
I wanted to leave, but at the same time, I was terrified.
“I’ll be perfectly safe,” I said, squeezing his hand. “And you will be careful, right?”
“Certainly. You know Cethin and Sídhetír will never allow anything to happen to me.”
That was true, and that fact comforted me. Though, as my eyes wandered over Aidan’s tired expression, I hoped he didn’t have to take another life. While Aidan had rarely spoken of it, I knew taking Lady Blodwen’s life had bothered him a great deal.
He tousled my hair, and I frowned as the strands fell in front of my eyes. Aidan said, “I asked Lord Abnus to take care of you.”
My heart skipped a beat. “You did what?”
Leaning closer, he said in a low voice, “Don’t worry, I didn’t tell anyone or berate Lord Abnus for your and his activities. What you two do is between the two of you alone. But I did ask him to keep you and the rest of our family safe.”
“Aidan,” I groaned.
“I hate leaving any of you when there is a chance of danger circling, and Lord Abnus is a skilled warrior and gifted in magic. He didn’t seem put out, Oren, more gratified that I trusted him than anything. Think nothing of it,” he said.
I would certainly think about it. Lord Abnus and I were… something I didn’t know how to qualify, but I didn’t want Aidan to get involved.
Pushing past it, I drew Aidan into another hug and gripped him tight.
I didn’t want to release him to face whatever this problem was, even though he had Cethin, Thomas, and Whit.
None of them were me. But perhaps Aidan didn’t need me any longer?
He’d never needed me like I needed him, and now, even less than before.
I was unnecessary to him, to Sídhetír, to everyone.
Aidan hugged each of our brothers and Mother, then gave a curt goodbye to Father before facing his husband. Cethin handed Aidan into the carriage, then climbed in after him. Thomas and Whit swung onto their own horses, and the group exited the manor grounds.
Georgie moved to my side, tucking an arm through mine. “I dislike being excluded simply because my husband is overprotective.”
“Aidan and the rest of us wanted to include you,” I commented, turning toward the walk in the garden.
They peeked at their daughters, who’d sidled up to Frances, before they allowed me to lead them away.
“I know. Thomas told me. He is exceedingly protective of me,” Georgie replied.
This was one of the problems with marrying into a family.
The head of household controlled the finances and made the decisions.
Georgie had married into the Byrne family, not the other way around, so Thomas was their head, and he controlled everything.
Usually, as far as I was aware, they were equal partners, but in the end, the choices were his.
The gravel crunched under our feet as we wandered the grounds, not speaking. I didn’t know what was going through Georgie’s mind. No doubt they were annoyed at Thomas, but I didn’t know how much my older brother had told them.
Wanting to fix something, I suggested, “Maybe we should walk to Elmbury?”
“A walk might be pleasant, as long as the weather holds.”
We both glanced up. The sky was clear, and the air was crisp, but as long as Aidan didn’t interfere, it would be a lovely winter day.
“Nevan and Neil mentioned something about a speculation,” Georgie said.
Of course they had. Nevan and Neil didn’t have traditional occupations, but rather speculated their funds. Father, and now Aidan, allowed their dalliances because they earned far more than they spent on booze, parties, and gambling.
“A speculation in Elmbury? How unlikely,” I commented.
“It’s Mr. Kelly,” Georgie said.
Mr. Peter Kelly was Mrs. Sarah Kelly’s only son, and she was the housekeeper for Byrne Manor.
She’d been part of our lives since before Thomas had been born.
There had never been a time without her gentle scolding from tracking in mud or her well-timed eyebrow lifts, not to mention her ire-filled tuts that made even Father cringe.
I didn’t know Mr. Kelly well, since he was significantly older than me, but he lived in Elmbury and worked in some sort of trade. The exact nature of his business? I couldn’t say.
When we approached the front of the manor, having turned around only part way through our walk, I spotted Nevan and Neil speaking near the door.
“Are you headed to Elmbury?” I asked them.
They both glanced at Georgie and me. Nevan nodded. “We are. We spoke to Aidan of this speculation, and he has agreed to finance it after we’ve heard the details. He wishes to increase Sídhetír’s coffers for the plans he has.”
My heart thumped. The coffers were well-stocked, last I’d seen. Why would he want or need more money? He wasn’t one to be swayed by monetary gain. “Aidan has spoken to you of his plans?”
“Of course,” Nevan replied with a wave, then after a pause, his eyes on my face, he continued. “Somewhat. He has a great plan for the fae and humans.”
“I see.” He did?
Neil placed a hand on Nevan’s arm, stalling him from saying anything else. Neil came to my side. “I’m sure he will speak to you, Oren, when he has a moment.”
Aidan had found time to speak to Nevan and Neil.
Nevan immediately spoke up, “He will, Oren. You two are the closest of friends. I’m sure he wants to give you a break from the responsibilities of Sídhetír now that you're no longer the heir and everything.”
That did not comfort me. Yes, all of this was no longer my responsibility, but I still wished to help.
“Let’s go to Elmbury,” Georgie said, patting my forearm. “Let’s see what the village has to distract us from our worries. I could certainly use it.”
“Yes,” I said. “Let’s.”
We rode toward Elmbury, and somehow, Lord Abnus ended up riding right beside me.
He’d invited himself on this venture, then when we mounted, he’d forced Nevan away to settle beside me.
I wouldn’t say I was displeased with the arrangement, because I wasn’t, but having him so close made me twitch and jerk like I had an itch.
“Are you quite warm enough, Mr. Byrne?” Lord Abnus asked.
He had always struck me as a rather worry-prone person, fussing about this and that, so it was hardly an odd thing for him to ask, and yet, Neil glanced at us. I replied, peeking at him, “I am well, Lord Abnus. The weather is quite lovely today, don’t you think?”
“Indeed, but I do not feel the cold as you do.”
“True.” I readjusted my scarf, tying it tighter to ward off the slight chill.
Lord Abnus’s eyes tracked the movement. He opened his mouth, as if to question me again, but another person rode up beside us.