Delphinium, or A Necromancer's Home (TCoLaD Book 2)

More Letters

~ (Continued) Dvoday, 14th of Aprilis, 11831 ~

His Grace only asked that she contact her parents, and it may even have been faster to send a written message, but Síofra instead dressed to leave and go in person. She had not been home or in Faery for almost a week, and while overall that was not a long time, it was the longest time she had been away until now. She was rarely in this plane for more than a day or two and previously always with one of her parents. Pierre said it was alright if it took some time, so she took that as permission to at least spend a day at home. This close to the fée's Summerfinding would have the inhabitants getting ready for a change in rule as the King of the Summer Fae took over from the Queen of the Spring Fae. She would then move her court to this plane and begin its Midspring.

She took off the necklace that Renaud had given her. Despite her uneasiness with him last night she smiled as she saw the flakes of silver that swam in the water. It was a lovely piece and she adored it. Putting the necklace in a drawer for safekeeping she then took the pins out of her hair and ran her hand through her locks. Renaud preferred when she had it pinned up, but she tended to like it loose, or at most in a tail.

Ready now, she bid Elizabeth a farewell and promised to be back soon, and to bring her something. She intended to bring Renaud a gift back as well. Whether she would tell her parents about him was another matter—they were coming on official business, after all, it would not do to bring up personal matters and split their attention. And truly, she felt it thrilling to keep him a secret for a while.

She stopped by his rooms but he did not answer, though the door was unlocked when she tried. He was not in his quarters. She wrote him a quick note instead, not wishing to leave without any contact. As she left his rooms and began to head towards the back gardens someone grabbed her arm.

Their grip was tight, and she twisted around to see who had dared take such a painful hold on her.

"What are you—Renaud!"

He seemed to realize he was hurting her and his grip loosened, but he did not let go.

"Where are you going? You are dressed up in the clothes you came here in. You were in my rooms. And where is your necklace!"

"Home," she replied, trying to gently remove herself from his grip. He did not let go and she tugged harshly, freeing herself and stepping back. "I left the necklace in my quarters."

"Why?" he asked. He reached for her, then his arm fell back to his side. His annoyance—anger?—left him and he spoke more softly now, "Síofra, dear, please. What is because of what I said? Do not go."

"What? No, Renaud. His Grace asked me to summon my parents, I thought I would go to them and then we all return together. I left my necklace because I did not wish for it to get lost."

"Oh." He stepped back, looking her over again. "I am sorry, dear. I do not know what came over me."

He reached out again and this time she let him touch her. He took her hand and raised it, kissing her fingers, and then continuing up her arm until he kissed the spot he had gripped too tightly. There were no marks, but she was not sure if it would stay that way. "I am sorry, Síofra. I thought you were leaving me and I panicked. Did I hurt you?"

"No," she lied. "I am fine. Just be careful when you grab me."

"Again?" he asked, his sheepish look turning into a grin.

"Well, I may wish to be grabbed sometime," she replied. He laughed, and the uneasy feeling she had left her as they fell back into flirting. It had been an accident and a misunderstanding.

"Will you walk me to the forest?"

"By all means," he replied, holding out his arm. She took it and he held her tight as they walked to the gardens together.