Chapter 16
Tap
We all shifted from the office to Merry’s cabin, where the smell of something delicious cooking was heavy on the air.
“We’ll be right back,” Hailon said. “I’ve got some other dishes at ours, left them cooking while we took our walk.”
She and Seir ducked out the door, my heart squeezing happily when my brother propped it open with one of Merry’s many wooden carvings without any prompting.
“I’ll get the other table set up,” Coltor said, pausing to press a kiss to Merry’s cheek before moving her little round table and chairs toward the back of the sofa.
“Good idea,” Merry agreed, opening the oven and letting another burst of mouthwatering scent out. Even Ramsey licked her chops.
“I’m happy to help carry,” I offered.
“No need.” He gestured to the cabinets that faced the main room.
“We’ve got this down to a science lately with all the visitors.
” He reached under and pulled up until a tabletop I’d assumed was just the cabinet backing was horizontal to the floor.
He then pulled out legs that were hinged and hidden underneath, creating an instant table extension that more than doubled the seats Merry’s little table would have provided.
“Incredible.” I adjusted my spectacles and marveled at the ingenuity, squatting down to see how he’d attached everything.
“It’s come in very handy lately.” His words were slightly grumbled, as though visitors were a sore spot. I could understand that completely.
“Chairs?”
“Seir will bring his. And there are these.” He walked down the short hallway and opened a closet, extracting a few wooden chairs that were folded completely flat.
Again, I marveled at the design, poking and examining how they moved. “Fantastic.”
“I’m happy to share the plans,” he said, giving me a genuine smile. “Though I can’t take all the credit. Several of the craftsman who came from the conclave to work on the cabins are the ones who created the design.”
“Well, they’re brilliant. I’d love to have the plans, thank you.” When I’d have time to make tables or chairs was a mystery, but it was a project that excited me, and that alone made it worth pursuing.
“I’ll copy them when I do the logs you need,” he said, chest puffed with pride.
“Can I help with anything?” Phin offered.
“I think we’re all set, actually, but thank you. Make yourself comfortable. Ramsey, would you like something to drink?”
The hound walked into the kitchen, she and Merry having a private exchange. Merry filled a large bowl with water and set it on the floor, and the hound immediately started drinking.
Phin went to the sofa and sat in the end seat, Ramsey settling between her feet once she’d drunk her fill.
“You too, Tap. You’re a guest, please relax.” Merry motioned at the couch, and I went to join Phin at her command.
I was the recipient of a sweet, gentle smile as I sat, and my heart thudded happily.
“How long has Ramsey been with your family, Phin?”
Ramsey perked an ear at me. Her chin rested on Phin’s thigh, and she cracked one eye open to stare at me. Careful, demon. It’s impolite to ask a lady’s age. There was a subtle change in the depth of how her voice registered that indicated she’d only responded so I could hear.
I mean no disrespect. It’s just genuine curiosity, I promise. A habit leftover from all the time I spent managing familiars.
“As long as I can remember,” Phin said.
Both of Ramsey’s eyes opened and she pinned me with that potent amber stare. I was with Terra before Phin was born.
“How wonderful you could be reunited.” I fidgeted with the tiny scraps of black lacquer that remained on my nails and spun my ring. “Am I right to assume you’ll be going with us to the crossroads?”
The naked hope on Phin’s face made the bond flare painfully. I rubbed my hand over my chest, trying to ease the ache.
For tonight, yes. But tomorrow, I must leave again.
“Tomorrow?” Phin’s voice cracked and so did my heart. Even Ramsey whined.
I’m sorry, mistress. I have tasks that are not yet complete. But I will come back to you, as soon as I can. I promise. Ramsey’s glare made me shift in my seat. You and I must speak privately later, demon.
I dipped my head, subtly acknowledging her statement.
The door to Merry’s cabin opened fully, and Hailon came in, arms stacked with baking dishes and bowls. Behind her was Seir, somehow balancing multiple chairs on each arm as well as more food.
I jumped up to help, and before long, the table was set, the food was spread across every inch of Merry’s countertops, and we were all seated with a full plate in front of us.
Ramsey had been treated to her own plate as well.
Merry had gone so far as to ask her whether she’d like some of each dish and how much.
“This is my favorite thing, I think.” Seir held his cutlery in his fists like a toddler, moon-eyed over his food.
“What, the roast? Or the green beans?” Hailon asked, sampling one of the beans she spoke of.
“All of it. All the time.” He breathed in, head back and eyes closed. “We did so well on stew while we traveled, Moonflower, but I have deeply enjoyed the many hearty meals we’ve had since.”
She laughed and patted his forearm. “Me too.”
“Please, everyone, eat up.” Merry glanced in the kitchen and shook her head. “There’s nowhere to put all the leftovers if you don’t. I hope you know you’ll be taking some home with you, Tap.”
“I expected no less. The same thing happened at your ceremony, no matter that I made my esca—exit, early.”
Coltor chuckled. “And my kin were cooking then as well. Every kitchen in the glade was overwhelmed.”
“Yes, I had meals for a week. Everything was delicious, I was disappointed when it was all gone.”
“It would be no trouble to send something now and then. We should have thought of that before now, to be honest,” Hailon said. “Seir has mentioned more than once how concerned he is that you’re not eating as much as you should.”
I raised my eyebrow at my brother.
“What?” he said, unrepentant. “I’ve told you so directly many times. I bring you groceries.”
“You do.”
“Still, we can surely send a casserole or leftovers now and then.” Merry nodded. “We always prepare as though we’re trying to feed the whole of d’Arcan and not just ourselves. Best to share it rather than have it go to waste.”
“You’re giving away my leftovers?” Coltor asked, looking positively bereft.
“Oh, for saint’s sake.” Merry laughed. “We’ll figure it out.”
“It’s really not necessary,” I argued, “but I appreciate the concern.”
“Speaking of d’Arcan, should we discuss a day for you to go?” Hailon asked. “I’ve got plans to be there day after tomorrow and again on Wednesday, which is … five days from now.”
“Phin?”
“Oh, I …”
“We’ll let you know. Though I promise it will be soon.”
Phin had gone quiet again, but she seemed relieved, happily sampling the variety of foods on her plate. Thankfully, there were no greens to be found.
“How does it work, exactly, a Nephilim having a hellhound?” Coltor asked. Seir and I blinked at one another, and Merry kicked his ankle under the table. “Sorry. Is it rude to ask that?”
“Since when do you care about rude?” Seir teased. “Do you even remember how we met? You picked a fight with me and then made accusations at Hailon. I had to throw a knife at you.”
“I’d like to think I’ve grown since then, demon.” Seir only laughed harder.
Phin looked up from her plate. “Hellhound?” Ramsey came around the edge of the kitchen cabinets, eyes fixed on Coltor.
“Maybe I misunderstood—” Coltor very quickly turned an alarming shade of red.
“I thought … Can’t hellhounds only bond to demons?” Phin frowned, her violet eyes locked onto mine. Everyone lowered the amount of noise they were making to be sure they could hear her speaking.
“Yes, that’s true,” I said gently.
“But my father is an angel and my mother is human.” She stared from one of us to the next, stopping again when she got to me. Her attention made the bond flare in my chest.
“Humans can have a mixed magical heritage, many times without even knowing.”
“So, my mother …”
Part demon, mistress. Finished with her food, Ramsey came to sit beside Phin, her chin in Phin’s lap. Mostly, in fact.
“Which means I’m …” Phin set her fork down and lowered her hand to her lap.
She swallowed and inhaled a deep breath through her nose.
Her hand trembled as it reached for mine, and I greedily accepted the invitation, lacing our fingers together.
I traced my thumb along the edge of her finger, hoping the gesture brought her the same kind of comfort it did me.
“That changes nothing, Phin. You are still everything you knew yourself to be,” I said softly.
“I’m sorry. Saints, I apologize, I didn’t mean … I just was being nosy,” Coltor hastily babbled apologies.
“Mother told me you were blessed by a cherubim when I was born. That’s why you never seemed to get older and were able to pass from her care to mine.”
The sound of Ramsey’s startled laughter rang through my mind.
A cherubim? That sounds like something she would say.
I honestly thought you knew, all this time.
I don’t know why your parents kept it from you.
Your mother has many talents similar to those of a wise woman or a hedgewitch, but she is indeed a demon.
“Perhaps it wasn’t just your angel nature responding to my touch then,” Hailon said gently.
“I know it doesn’t help anything, but I didn’t know my mother was a demon either, not until very recently.
I won’t insult you by saying that I know what you’re feeling right now, but we seem to have quite a bit in common. ”
The silence was heavy for several heartbeats.
“I still went to Heaven. Frequently. How? And if I could go, why couldn’t she?”
“I expect that it’s nothing more complicated than the fact that you are still half angel, and she was not. That alone would be enough,” I offered.
“Could you go?” Her head tilted. “As a fallen. Could you go back if you wanted to?”