Chapter 40
Evelyn
Ambrose and I had similar steps to take next. We both needed to speak to our families. I didn’t think his confrontation would be simple, but at least the prospective reactions of the participants were known to him. Stephen was a mystery to me.
I found Mom and Stephen in the apartment when I returned.
The real words for his presence hadn’t stuck yet.
He lived with us. He and Mom were in a relationship.
My missing father was missing no more. I knew it wasn’t fair to blame him for what had happened.
The mist plague had been a natural disaster.
He’d done nothing wrong, and nothing could have prevented it.
Knowing that didn’t diminish the ache in my chest that the years of his absence had caused.
Mom deserved this, though, and I was committed to trying. Maybe we could get to know each other as two adults, without the pressure of him being my missing father.
Today was a day for scary questions. A new one popped into my mind. Would he want that?
The title of my position might have changed, but my dream of how it should be executed remained the same. It might not have always been directly related to the Vesten historian position, but Mom and I had dreamed of moving to Compass Lake—together.
In my dreams, we would get a cottage in the Vesten neighborhood, and I would work at the Vesten House Library by day, and we’d share a living space and meals outside of my work. They had bookstores there, just like here. She had wanted to come with me. We were the only family each other had.
That had all changed now.
They were playing a game of cards in the living room when I entered. I cleared my throat, unsure how to proceed.
“I have news.”
Both Mom and Stephen looked up. I’d never been shy about my accomplishments, but all of a sudden, this felt weird. Was it an accomplishment to have so much magic that I was deemed next in line to be Vesten Point?
Maybe? It might have also been something I was born with, and I had these two to thank for it.
They both stared, waiting for me to proceed as I considered this question.
The memory of Ambrose’s notes returned to me—the idea that he’d tracked the increasing range of my magical detection.
That he’d noticed such things made my heart soar.
It also indicated that the answer to my question wasn’t so straightforward.
The power that made me the next Vesten Point must be a little of what I’d been born with and a little of how I continued to test and flex my magic and grow my abilities.
I wondered if Ambrose knew how much he’d helped me with the Vesten magic.
For the first time, I wished I had a stupid notebook to match his so I could remind myself to tell him.
And now I had completely lost the thread of what I needed to tell my parents. I cleared my throat, reorienting. “I didn’t get the Vesten historian position.”
“Oh, honey.” Mom stood and was almost around the table when I realized how that sounded.
“Oh, wait, that wasn’t the end.” I tried again. “I didn’t get the Vesten historian position, because I was disqualified due to being named the next Vesten Point.”
Mom froze, her eyes wide. She didn’t know much about fae society, but she knew that title. Stephen rose to his feet, a smile playing on his lips, his head tilting in question.
“What—” she started. “How—” She looked to Stephen for help. He glanced at me like he was unsure if I wanted him to intrude on this moment. I wasn’t sure I did, but it was clear Mom wanted him there, and my next question would impact his life as much as hers.
I needed to attempt to clear the air between us first.
“I know it wasn’t your fault that you were away from us,” I said to Stephen.
Words wouldn’t fix this, but it was a starting point.
Our relationship would need time to evolve.
The hurt I’d felt from his absence had rooted deep, but Mom wasn’t the only one who deserved this.
I thought about what I wanted: Mom happy, those who loved me close.
If it hadn’t been Stephen’s choice to be away from me, he probably fit into that group, too.
I needed to give us a chance to find out.
“I’ve told myself for the last twenty years that you didn’t want me. I know it was my twisted form of self-defense, but it’s still not something that will disappear overnight. But if you’re interested in getting to know me as an adult, I’d like to know you as well.”
I glanced at Mom. Her smile filled her whole face, so broad it looked painful. Her eyes were already watering as I continued.
“Mom and I had a dream of living at Compass Lake. We’d have one of the cottages as our own.
We’d be one of the first human families to live among the Vesten.
” I glanced between the two of them. Stephen moved closer to Mom, and she grabbed his hand for support, her knuckles white with how hard she squeezed.
“I know this is a little different, but I still need to move to Compass Lake for this position. I will live in Vesten House, but it would still bring me a lot of joy if you two would consider moving to the Vesten neighborhood anyway.”
It wasn’t easy, exactly, but the words flowed more freely. Every opportunity Ambrose had taken to press me on what I wanted … they’d paid off. It was Mom and Stephen’s decision whether they came, but I could tell them what I wanted and let them choose. That was progress.
Mom glanced at Stephen, her question written plainly on her face. It was a true testament to Stephen’s commitment that he saw it, too. “If your mom wants to move and wants me to come with her, I will, happily.”
I glanced out the window at the flowers that grew so high they were visible beyond the sill, and Mom flung herself at Stephen. Moments later, she threw herself at me.
“Honey, I don’t quite know what all of this means, but I am so proud of you. I know you’ll be able to do everything you dreamed of in this position.”
I hugged her back and smiled at Stephen over her shoulder. “I think so, too.”
My conversation with Carter before he left was simple.
We’d have a formal announcement to the Vesten Court at the next meeting, which would be in ten days.
He’d asked that I fully relocate by that time.
I got the sense he had understated the urgency of his other commitments.
The current Vesten Point was slowly tearing in two, and my running the court would allow him to be pulled in the direction of his preference—beyond the Veil.
He promised to help with my veil cat. He’d tell me everything he knew about the shifted form, including how to reach him when he left the realm. Something like fear spiked through me at the thought, especially after reading the journal’s details of the passage.
Terrifying? Probably, but I wouldn’t find a better teacher for this particular set of skills, and my veil cat trusted him. Which I now knew meant I trusted him.
“Did you decide on the historian position?” Carter asked with a glance over my shoulder. Ambrose had entered the Great Room as he asked. We might no longer have been connected by blood magic, but my fire magic burned for him at every opportunity.
I nodded. “Ambrose will take the position. He will fulfill the duties from Compass Lake. He won’t be there quite as quickly. I believe he needs more time to help his family move.”
Carter nodded like he had expected this response. “And what about your family?”
“My parents will also relocate to Compass Lake.”
Again, he nodded. “Wonderful. I will see you soon, then.”
Ambrose and I had cataloged the rest of my work.
He would do most of it; no one else studied blood magic like we did, but he seemed eager for the new challenge now that he’d decided for himself to test on living things.
He would also spend his extra time in Sandrin helping Gabriel find new researchers to train.
I heard him advocate with all the authority of his new position that we should find someone with a particular interest in blood magic.
My heart was so full it might burst.
Now, we headed to Parkview Tavern. I’d asked Seraphina and Luna to meet me there.
I’d been back in the city for less than forty-eight hours and everything had changed, but I wanted to prioritize time with my friends, especially if that time might soon be limited.
I knew in my heart that Seraphina and Luna would understand. That didn’t make it hurt any less.
Ambrose held the tavern’s heavy wooden door open for me, and I stepped inside.
We strode hand in hand toward the bar. I was so thankful for Seraphina.
She would tell me a million times that it was nothing, but when I’d been unsure how to follow my dream and still make ends meet, she had given me the chance.
Tears prickled the back of my eyes as I thought of all she’d done for me. Ambrose squeezed my hand as if he could feel my heartbreak over this pending separation from my friends.
My gaze met Seraphina’s over the bar. She stood the same way she had the first night we’d met.
Then, the tavern had been empty, and she’d dared me to ask how she could afford to hire me as a waitress.
Now, a small smile joined the stubborn tilt to her chin.
She suspected my departure and wordlessly communicated that I didn’t need to worry about her.
Then her attention moved over my shoulder, landing on Ambrose.
Her brow pinched when she spotted his hand, which was on my lower back, ushering me forward.
Luna twisted around on the stool in front of Seraphina. She tilted her head with interest at my and Ambrose’s apparent intimacy, and she swatted at Vincent.
“I’m going, I’m going.” Without further instruction, Vincent slipped behind the bar and took over pouring drinks for patrons. He smiled fondly at Luna as she took my hand and pulled me forward.
“Whatever it is, clearly, we need a consult.” She dragged me away from Ambrose and down the hallway.
We were in the moat in moments, and words poured freely from my lips. Finally, I didn’t require them to ask me questions. I wanted to share. I told them about the Vesten Point position, about Mom and Stephen, and about Ambrose.
Tears streaked down Luna’s face, but she seemed happy. She smiled, laughed, and hugged me with each part of the story. Seraphina’s evaluation remained reserved, but even her facade crumbled when I told her that Ambrose said he’d follow me anywhere. And that he would move with me.
“We’ll miss you, of course,” Seraphina said.
“Ambrose offered to work my shifts at the tavern until you find someone else.”
She waved her hand. “First, I’m not sure he could handle it. Second, I’m not sure if you’ve realized this, but I don’t require either of you to run this place.”
“I had noticed that, I just thought it was one of those things we didn’t say out loud.”
Seraphina’s laugh was loud. Even Luna turned and swatted at her. “We were excellent contributors!” she protested.
“You were. You are. I love you both dearly. The tavern isn’t the same without you, but it doesn’t need you to run. Just remember that, so you don’t feel any guilt while you’re both off chasing your dreams.”
I smiled. It was such a Seraphina thing to say. “And what are your dreams?”
“This place is finally making enough money to sustain itself. That has always been my dream. To have my own place for my friends and community to gather.”
The tavern as a thriving community fit Seraphina like a well-tailored jacket, but I also didn’t think it was the whole story. She’d been more than patient with me, though. I would let her share what had driven her to seek this community in her own time.
“We’ll visit Compass Lake,” Luna said. “I’ve always wanted to go.”
Seraphina’s brow furrowed, but she smoothed it before I could ask a question. “When you’re ready, we’d love a tour of Vesten House.”
I smiled. “I’ll be back, too. Carter said there is plenty of business that needs to be done in Sandrin for the court. It’s part of the job to visit.”
“We would love you either way,” Luna said. “And we won’t let you go just because you’ve been declared the second most powerful Vesten on the continent.”
The door to the tavern opened, and Ambrose stepped out. “Vincent says he only knows how to make Solstice Sips, and he could use some assistance with something his sister ordered … a Berry Blush?”
Seraphina hugged me tightly. “We love you so much. I’m so happy for you.” Luna did the same as we stepped from the water and back into reality. They both returned to the tavern, leaving Ambrose and me alone on the riverbank.
“You’ll have to explain these consults to me at some point,” he said. “They seem very powerful.”
“Female friendship certainly is.”
He pulled me to him. “Still feel good about your decision?”
I stretched on my toes and pressed my lips to his. “Carter was right. It was never really a decision. I wouldn’t have wanted to escape it.” I paused. “I’m just glad that you’re in it with me.”
Gold flashed across his eyes as he nipped at my neck. “You lead, I’ll follow.”
The refrain of our relationship was one of strength. To lead, I leaned on him—to challenge my thoughts, to share his own. His support kept me steady, and his love filled the well in my chest that seemed reserved only for him. He said he followed, but we both knew we were stronger together.
Our trials were only beginning. The veil cat might have chosen me, but the fae court might not yet be ready for a half-fae leader.
Our relationship would be tested in the spotlight of my position, but we grew together against all odds.
Just like my rose and morning glory. Whether bound with magic or connected by our hearts, we knew how to strengthen each other.
And that was the love I wanted.
A love that sought to understand, appreciate, and help each other grow. That was the message I would pour into the Vesten Court. That was the hope with which I would lead our people into the future.
Want more in this world? Check out Compass Points to discover the love between fae court leaders that changed everything.
If you enjoyed Research with Rivals, please consider leaving a review on your preferred platform(s).