“There hasn’t been money in enchanted star charts for generations.” Her father raked a hand through his hair, his voice rising with a desperate edge. “And as for starlight spinning … the silks, the enchanted threads, all those magically potent materials that are so durable … they were once sought after by nobility and royalty everywhere, but that market died out generations ago. Newer enchantments made our craft obsolete. The Starspun name has become just that—a name, nothing more.”
Iris had known about the decline of their traditional craft, of course, but the revelation that their finances had deteriorated to absolute destitution left her momentarily speechless. “But … the country estate where Aunt Celandine?—”
“Is falling into ruin,” he cut in. “Your aunt and uncle maintain a skeleton staff—barely enough to keep the basic operations running. From what I understand, your uncle’s family has experienced severe financial hardship as well and cannot provide assistance from his side.”
“But … everyone speaks of the distinguished Starspun legacy …” Iris fumbled for words, her mind still reeling. Hadn’t the insufferable Lord Jasvian reminded her of her illustrious family history mere minutes ago?
“The Starspun legacy is indeed distinguished and respected,” her father said, “but there is no fortune that accompanies it anymore.”
“But surely Grandfather?—”
“Your grandparents chose to remain here in Bloomhaven precisely because maintaining the country estate became impossible. If things do not change very soon, they will have to let it go, as well as Starspun House here in Bloomhaven.”
“Starspun House as well?” Iris asked, her voice faint with disbelief. It wasn’t as though she’d ever pictured herself living as some wealthy heiress. She’d always assumed that her father, having defied his family by marrying a human woman, would inherit only a small portion of his parents’ estate. But she’d always believed she and her parents would at least remain comfortable.
“Yes.” Her father took a deep breath, as if he were steeling himself for something. He stepped closer, his tone becoming gentler. “So when your magic manifested, your grandparents invited us to return. They see it as an opportunity to restore our family’s standing. A chance to save us all from financial ruin.”
“But … what about Aunt Celandine and?—”
“She cannot have children,” Iris’s mother interrupted softly. “She represents the end of that branch of the family line.”
The full weight of this statement settled heavily upon Iris. “So I’m …”
“The only possible future for the Starspun bloodline,” her father confirmed quietly. “The only hope for all of us.”
“At … the cost of my happiness,” Iris said faintly, staring at the floor with unfocused eyes. “The cost of my freedom.”
“What happiness will you have when we are destitute?” her father asked, not unkindly. “What freedom? We are almost at the point where we cannot maintain even the most basic of appearances. We are drowning in debt, Iris. The compensation for the bookshop alone …”
Iris flinched as her father trailed off. The memory of that day still haunted her. “I’m so sorry about that. If I had known what was happening, if I had been able to control it?—”
“No, I apologize, I should not have brought that up,” her father said wearily. “The bookshop was only part of it. I’ve been borrowing for years, trying to maintain some semblance of our position, hoping …” He shook his head. “But now our creditorsare losing patience. If we return home without securing your future here, we’ll lose what little we have left.”
Iris sank onto the piano bench, her mind whirling. “So this is why you brought me to Bloomhaven? Strengthening my magic has nothing to do with it. Our sole purpose here is to find someone wealthy for me to marry?”
“Your magic manifesting was a gift,” her mother said, stepping closer, “and of course we wish for it to strengthen, both for your sake and for the opportunity it represents. You have given ushope, Iris.” She sat beside Iris on the piano bench and took her hand. “A half-fae with magical ability might be acceptable to the right family, especially one looking to secure connections to the Starspun name—which still carries weight, even if there’s nothing material behind it anymore.”
“Even if that bloodline has beendiluted?” The words tasted bitter on her tongue.
“Iris—”
“And now I’ve ruined everything by antagonizing the wealthiest bachelor in Bloomhaven with all of fae society watching.” She laughed, but there was no humor in it. “How terribly inconvenient of me.”
“We should have told you sooner, but we didn’t want to burden you with this responsibility. We thought … we hoped …”
“That I would manifest someusefulability that might save us somehow? That at the very least I would be a good daughter and secure us all a comfortable future?” Iris stood, unable to bear her mother’s gentle touch. The weight of it all pressed down on her—her family’s desperate circumstances, her own part in their financial ruin, the impossible task before her. “I … I need to …”
She didn’t know what she needed to do.Notapologize to Lord Jasvian Rowanwood, that was certain enough. She could apologize to her parents though.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “Had I known how important this evening was …” She trailed off. It would have been difficult not to engage with Lord Jasvian after what she’d overheard, but perhaps she could have bitten her tongue, greeted him politely, and sought an excuse to leave. But what was done could not be undone. She must now compose herself with what little dignity remained and navigate her newfound circumstances.
She drew in a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. “I shall do better,” she said, meeting her parents’ worried gazes. “I’ll mind my tongue in proper society and … attempt to make favorable impressions upon suitable gentlemen.” The words felt dry in her throat, but she forced them out with all the conviction she could muster.
Her parents’ expressions softened with visible relief, and her mother squeezed her hand gratefully. But as they prepared to leave Solstice Hall—it would be unthinkable to return to the ballroom now, so soon after her dramatic confrontation with Lord Jasvian—Iris’s mind was already turning over possibilities like pages in a book. There had to be another answer. Another path. Whatever it was, she would find it. Somehow, she would save her family without sacrificing her independence.
Chapter Eight
The clockin the drawing room of Starspun House ticked away with merciless precision, each second punctuated by a sharp click that seemed to mock Iris as she paced from one end of the room to the other. She paused at the window for the fifth time in as many minutes, pressing her fingertips against the glass as she gazed longingly at the street below. Though Starspun House occupied a less prestigious corner of Bloomhaven—not in the central or wealthiest district, which now made perfect sense to Iris—there was still a comfortable flow of activity in the street below. Elegant carriages rolled past occasionally, while small groups of people and couples wandered arm in arm, enjoying the pleasant spring morning.
