Cloak and Scalpel

ABERLEEN ARC: Sunset

Aamon swept my hair to one side. He gently fastened the necklace around my neck, the pendant dangling just below my collarbone. I touched the cool gem and felt my cheeks reddening yet again.

"It looks perfect on you." Amy clapped her hands together as she tilted her head, surveying me with a critical eye.

Honestly, this necklace was...too much. Aamon buying out a storeful of jewelry was too much for a fake engagement, even if the added value of such a gift was just pocket change to him. I spun around to face him, making a mental note to talk to him about it later. For now, I was the adoring fiancée.

"Thank you," I said, smiling at him.

But his head was turned sideways, narrowed eyes looking far off into the distance. "Aamon?" I asked.

He immediately turned back to me and smiled. "This color does indeed suit you," he said, the tip of his finger lightly touching the necklace.

I stared down at the jewel. The chain itself was a glimmering silver, while the pendant consisted of a round ice-blue diamond, surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds of the same color. The color of Aamon's eyes, eyes that seemed to linger on my own...

"You two may go back to Castle Aberleen, if you want," Amy drawled, crossing her arms. "Madame Marie's dress shop is still open, thankfully, but if you two would rather plant the parsnip, be our guest."

Stop blushing, Diana.

I slowly turned towards Amy, a sheepish smile on my face. "Sorry," I said, with what I hoped was a bashful—and not hysterical—chuckle.

"Brother, why would big brother Aamon and Diana plant parsnips in their room?" Sitri asked, placing a finger on her chin, and looking up at Vas.

"Exactly, little bud, you plant parsnips in the garden," Vassago said as he scooped Sitri into his arms. He glanced at me and Aamon, and gave us a roguish wink.

I vividly recalled Aamon and Gusion mentioning that Vassago was a bad influence on Sitri. I was starting to think that maybe they were all a bad influence on Sitri. Dammit, I couldn't stop blushing. Breathe, Diana.

"I'm hungry!" Sitri announced.

"Dresses will have to wait then," I said, giving Amy an apologetic look.

"I know just the place," Vassago said as he turned on his heel, Berith and Amy following close behind.

"Go on ahead," Aamon said quietly, eyes narrowing as he turned away from me. He drew the hood of his cloak up.

"Where are you going?"

He glanced at me from over his shoulder, glacial eyes boring into my own. "To exterminate a rat," he said. There was something about his tone that told me he wasn't referring to a rodent.

"I'm coming with you," I said as I walked up to him.

"Diana," he began.

"I couldn't possibly let my beloved fiancé do something dangerous on his own now, could I?" I said, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Stubborn."

"Look in the mirror, Your Grace."

Aamon frowned at me. Without another word, he unfastened the cloak he wore and draped it around my shoulders. "Keep this on you at all times," he said as he walked brusquely ahead. "Do not leave my side."

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