Chapter 2 #3
“Can I help?” he asked. “You look pale.”
“Are you good at your job?” I blurted out. It was a stupid question, rude even, but I had to know. I had to know that someone knew what was going on. That someone cared. After such a jarring realization that my father simply hadn’t.
“You read the letters?” Neal asked in reply. I nodded, swallowing hard. “Come to the porch with me. Let’s ease your nerves.”
He took my arm and I followed him to sit on the bench Glen had built for our porch back when my mother was still alive. My father had been certain the desert air would help her carry to term. It hadn’t.
Neal sat beside me. “My family takes our role seriously. My father sent me to start studying when I was twelve. I’m young, by Elven standards, but I can assure you I’m well prepared to assist.”
“And why should I marry you?” I asked.
“Besides abiding by your father’s wishes?
” Neal said, a hint of humor creeping into his tone.
“It provides security, both for you and the Outer Court as a whole. You’re young.
That could make you politically malleable.
Iksura didn’t like the way your grandmother ran the Outer Court.
She didn’t like the way your father ran the Outer Court.
She’s been waiting for a moment like this for centuries, for someone young and exploitable to take charge, then see if she can’t change your approach. ”
“To what exactly?”
“Your family line focuses on killing the monsters,” Neal said. “Iksura would prefer if you also killed the people who reported them. She has not enjoyed waning Elven influence. And she likes human interference in the supernatural even less.”
My stomach sank, knotting with dread.
“And so you see why our marriage would be of the utmost importance?” Neal asked.
“I do,” I agreed. “And how do you feel about all this? The portals? The job itself? Marrying me?”
“The portals are a problem to be solved, and I can ensure things stay running while you solve it,” Neal said. “Preventing Iksura’s influence is a diplomatic issue largely outside of my area of expertise. I’m sure Ansel can provide his assistance.”
“And marrying me?” I pressed.
“I believe we could both do far worse.” Neal’s jaw tightened, and he composed his expression so perfectly that I couldn’t identify what emotion he was suppressing underneath.
“I should be inclined to agree with you,” I said, looking him over again.
Neal was notably handsome. Curly hair worn unfashionably long—a red brown so dark it was nearly black.
His complexion was darker than Glen’s, and I vaguely recalled something about his late mother being from farther south—Sicily maybe?
He was broad shouldered, taller than average.
A strong nose and striking amber-brown eyes.
I could certainly do worse. I could feel a flush building in my cheeks, the anxiety deep in my belly uncoiling and turning into something different, a bubbling warmth that crept down toward my hips.
“This does not need to be a romantic relationship,” Neal said suddenly, cooling the blush and the roiling warmth immediately. “We can remain entirely professional. But I do agree with your father. You need allies, Sorcha. And this is an easy way to get one guaranteed.”
“Go talk to the priest.”
Jeremy, our Inner Court Liaison, was a diminutive man with curly red hair.
He looked, and I had always found it amusing, like a proper Christmas Elf from a postcard.
Most of us looked human, with the same range of coloring and build.
Our lone distinguishing external features were slightly pointed ears, an absence of beards and body hair, and a tendency to have larger, more almond-shaped, and wider-set eyes than the average human.
But Jeremy was pure caricature.
He sat across my desk and dithered, fussing with his black armband and the stack of documents in his lap the entire time he spoke.
“I do hate to leave during such a conflicted time,” Jeremy said. “I did so enjoy working with your father. He even sent me little birthday gifts, which I gather is quite rare. But I must report back to the Lady Iksura in person. And so I am afraid I will have to miss the funeral.”
“We will truly miss you, Jeremy,” I lied through my teeth. “But we understand completely.”
I was glad to be rid of him. After what Neal had revealed that morning about the Inner Court and Iksura’s potential for manipulation and tyranny, I wanted as little contact as possible.
“Now if you wouldn’t mind providing weekly updates by telegram?” Jeremy asked.
“I believe I give the orders here, Jeremy,” I said, voice hardening. It was going to be a challenge to be taken seriously with my age. So I thought it best not to let him get any ideas.
“Of course, High Lady Sorcha,” he said, bowing his head slightly and gripping his black armband like it was a life ring in the ocean. “Of course.”
“Now if you’ll leave me to my work?”
“Of course, High Lady Sorcha,” Jeremy said, getting up now and heading for the door. “Of course.”