Evryn opened the box, revealing a delicate silver bracelet adorned with tiny blue stones that glinted like sunlight dancing on ocean waves.
“Oh, how exquisite!” Mariselle exclaimed, wanting nothing more than toknock the undoubtedly enchanted jewelry clear across the room. “You really shouldn’t have.”
“Nonsense,” Evryn replied smoothly, mischief dancing in his eyes. “I thought of you the moment I saw it. The stones are a perfect Brightcrest blue, wouldn’t you say? The exact color of your eyes.” His own eyes danced with mischief as he said this, and Mariselle’s suspicion increased another degree. “May I?” Evryn extended his hand, clearly intending to place the bracelet on her wrist.
Mariselle hesitated fractionally—she didn’t want the unknown enchantment anywhere near her skin—but she could hardly refuse in the presence of his family. “Of course,” she said, extending her left hand. Her muscles tensed involuntarily as the cool metal settled against her skin. A moment passed, then another. But nothing happened. Whatever enchantment lurked within the innocent-looking bracelet was clearly lying in wait, biding its time before revealing itself, much like the excruciatingly dreadful poetry she had forced upon Evryn.
As he fastened the clasp, all eyes dropped to her other hand, where the distinctive silvery pattern of the ‘soulbond’ gleamed against her skin. Mariselle resisted the urge to hide it within the folds of her skirts. Let them look. It was, after all, the entire reason for this awkward gathering.
“How lovely,” she said, turning her wrist so that the bracelet’s blue stones caught the light.
“We came across it in Vesper’s Curiosities & Oddities yesterday,” Aurelise offered tentatively, immediately confirming Mariselle’s every suspicion. There was no way that something found in an oddities shopdidn’tpossess some form of strange enchantment.
Evryn cleared his throat and sat a little straighter, directing a pointed gaze at his sister.
“Indeed, Aurelise expressed a desire to find something special for a friend’s birthday celebration,” he said smoothly. “I offered to accompany her. This particular piece caught my eye the moment I saw it.” His gaze softened as it returned to Mariselle. “It seemed crafted specifically for you—as though the artisan had somehow glimpsed your very essence.”
Mariselle pressed a hand to her heart, gazing adoringly at him while her eyes promised,I will make you pay for whatever this latest trick is, you insufferable scoundrel.
The drawing room doors opened, and a housekeeper entered carrying a polished silver tray. She set the tray down on the low table beside the paper flower arrangement before stepping back with a small curtsy. Lady Lelianna nodded her permission, and the woman began pouring steaming amber liquid into delicate teacups.
“I hope you’ll forgive my less than complete family gathering,” Lady Lelianna remarked, turning her attention back to Mariselle. “Lady Rivenna sends her deepest regrets. She was unable to tear herself away from The Charmed Leaf this afternoon.”
“Please convey my understanding to Lady Rivenna,” Mariselle replied, fully aware that the older woman regretted precisely nothing about missing this afternoon’s gathering. Mariselle accepted a cup of tea with a gracious nod, relieved to be spared another confrontation with the Rowanwood matriarch.
An uncomfortable silence descended upon the room, broken only by the clink of silver against porcelain as spoons stirred tea, and the gentle tap of cups being returned to saucers. Each small sound seemed magnified by the tension.
Mariselle leaned forward slightly, desperately grasping for conversation. “Aurelise,” she began, “were you successful in finding a suitable gift for your friend at the oddities shop? Besides serving as an excellent excuse for your brother to purchase jewelry, of course.”
Aurelise’s eyes widened slightly at being directly addressed, her teacup freezing halfway to her lips. After a moment, she carefully lowered it back to its saucer and offered a small smile.
“Unfortunately not,” she replied, finding her voice. “Nothing seemed quite right for my friend. She has rather specific tastes. I did, however, discover the most intriguing enchanted box that Evryn was kind enough to purchase for me.” Her face brightened with genuine enthusiasm. “It had the most curious inscription. What did it say exactly, Evryn? Something about … Oh yes. ‘To the seeker of correspondence: Place your reply within and receive an answer that may change your path.’” Her eyes sparkled as she grinned. “Doesn’t that sound intriguing?”
Lady Lelianna leaned forward with visible concern, her teacup making a sharp sound as she set it down. “That doesn’t sound entirely appropriate, dear.” She cast a questioning glance at Evryn, her brow furrowed. “Youcannot know who might be on the other end of such correspondence. It could be someone quite unsuitable.”
“Oh, I’m sure it’s just a silly enchantment, Mother,” Aurelise said. “Most likely there’s no real person involved at all. I expect the magic will fizzle out quickly and the responses will cease. But I was curious nonetheless.”
“There’s no need to worry, Mother,” Evryn said. “I spoke with the shopkeeper at length about the box’s origins. He assured me it came from a most reputable source—a retired enchanter specializing in harmless novelties. The magic is self-contained and entirely benign.”
Lady Lelianna’s expression softened with visible relief. “Thank you, dear. I should have known you would have been thorough.” She turned slightly toward Mariselle, lowering her voice in a confidential manner. “He’s always been remarkably attentive to his siblings’ needs. When they were younger, if he noticed any of them having a particularly difficult day, he would sneak down to the kitchens and convince the cook to prepare their favorite meal for dinner. Or he’d appear with just the right quip to make them laugh when they needed it most.”
“Mother,” Evryn interrupted with a pained expression, “is this the part of the tea where you share embarrassing childhood stories? Because I believe we had an agreement about that.” He straightened his cuffs with exaggerated attention, clearly uncomfortable with being the subject of such fond reminiscences.
“Hardly embarrassing,” Lady Lelianna replied with a warm smile. “Merely illuminating.” Her gaze slid back to Mariselle. “He’s always been my most sensitive child, you know. Even as a little boy, he was the one who expressed his affection most readily. He gave the most wonderful hugs—would wrap his arms around my neck so tightly as if he never wanted to let go.”
“Mother!” Evryn’s face flushed crimson, and Mariselle had to bite her lip to contain her grin.
“Apologies, my dear, I can’t help it.” Lady Lelianna’s eyes twinkled with mischief before she composed herself once more.
An awkward silence fell over the room as the conversation stuttered. Lady Lelianna cleared her throat delicately and returned her focus to Mariselle.
“Lady Mariselle, how are your …” She appeared to grasp for words, her expression suggesting she was mentally weighing several possibilities—prospects? ambitions? fashion sensibilities? “Parents?” she finished, then winced as though she immediately regretted it.
“They are quite well,” Mariselle replied automatically. “Though rather … surprised by recent developments.” This seemed a diplomatic way of describing her father’s cold fury and her mother’s calculating assessment of how to exploit the situation.
“I imagine so,” Lady Lelianna said with a smile that conveyed perfect understanding. “This unexpected connection is quite astonishing for all involved.”
“‘Astonishing’ is certainly one word for it,” Rosavyn muttered into her teacup.
