Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

R osa awoke the next morning to find the grounds filled with cars. At least fifty had turned up in the night while she had been sleeping.

She had dreamed of Jane all night and was feverish and damp with sweat and guilt. Her hand was swollen, and where Celyn's lips had touched was covered with a red spotted rash.

Once in the kitchen, she slathered it in calamine lotion, making sure that it was covered and that she wore latex gloves if she handled any food. By the mid-afternoon, she had to cut a pair of gloves from her hand because it had swelled up even further.

"That is the queerest thing I have ever seen," Cecily said as she studied it. "What did you say you rubbed it on again?"

"I don't know," Rosa lied. A scary hot fae! A scary hot fae! "It came up last night while I was asleep."

Rosa knew she needed to talk to Balthasar about it, and she was contemplating sending a message through a serving girl when Eli appeared in the kitchen. He stared around the room, sniffing the air as if he smelled something off until his dark eyes rested on her.

"Rosa Wylt," he announced, "you will come with me right now." The staff parted a path for her so that she could follow him into the passage.

"Where are we going?" she asked nervously.

"To my private office to see about the state of the floors." He held his finger to his mouth before indicating at the walls. Immortal hearing , he mouthed. Rosa nodded.

When they came to a locked door, Eli produced a silver key, and it swung open. Rosa had never been into Eli's apartments before. Part library and part laboratory, it looked as if he had been keeping a mad scientist prisoner. Rosa wouldn't have been surprised if an Igor was lurking about somewhere.

"Show me your hand," Eli said once the door was shut.

"How did you know that there was something wrong?"

"I could smell Fae magic on the food," he replied. "I knew they had been tampering with something or someone."

Rosa placed her swollen hand in his. She had never realized how large his hands were. They were near twice the size of Balthasar's, but to the rest of his large body, they looked normal.

"Celyn, that bastard," Eli muttered as he twisted her hand slowly. "He tried to put a compulsion hex on you and from the smell of it, an obsession hex. What did you smell when he came near you?"

"Holly and pine, sugar, cinnamon and wood smoke." Rosa tried to remember everything, but it was only the briefest flash of sensations. "Christmas."

"Show me your necklace," he said, and she pulled it out of her shirt. Eli raised a brow. "Seraphim. Old but good. Where did you get it?"

"A woman on the train."

"And you just accepted it?"

"I did her a favor, and she was very convincing," Rosa said, thinking of the Snickers wrapper.

"Well, it might have just saved you from Celyn. This hex can't sink into your skin because of its protection, so it's trying to burn its way into you," Eli said as he started to flick through an old book.

"Can you do something to stop it? I had a rough night with the worst sweats, nightmares, and terrors I've had in years."

"Sounds to me like it's more than Celyn's curse giving you nightmares," Eli said as he started to mix herbs from small jars into a pestle and mortar.

"Should you even be here right now? Don't you have a million guests downstairs to attend to?" she asked, trying to distract him. He would think she was a crazy person if she told him about Jane.

"I do, but most are asleep, and Balthasar can handle the rest. He would be furious if I didn't help you straight away. He seemed rather eager to tear Celyn to pieces last night just for looking at you."

"Sounds a bit over the top, but right now, I want to give Celyn a good slapping too," Rosa said, looking at her puffy hand. "It's strange. I'm not afraid knowing that you are Unseelie, but Celyn gave me the creeps no matter how beautiful he was."

Eli cut his finger and stirred his blood into the mixture. "You may not remember much of your childhood here, Rosa, but you grew up with our kind. It's one of the reasons you were sent away. You knew our secret, and it never bothered you. You accepted us like you accepted that the sky was blue. We seem common to you where the Seelie are alien. You are a Wylt. You see things how they really are, so they can't trick you."

Eli whispered a few words in a strange language over the mixture before rubbing his fingers through it. Taking her hand, he began to wipe it into her skin.

"If I already knew that you were Unseelie, how did I forget?" Rosa asked before she flinched. "You made me forget, didn't you?"

"I glamored you, but only to protect you. You were a child going out into the world. I didn't want to have you burdened by that."

"No one would have believed me anyway," she pointed out.

"The Gwaed Gam in London would have. It's hard enough that they know I protect a human family. You were a girl. I have enemies that could have taken you. I never meant to deceive you, but I won't apologize for it," Eli said as the mixture sank into her hand.

"There is something I want to know," Rosa began. "There are blood drinking myths all over the world. Look at Nosferatu, for example. How did that happen if they all came from you and your brothers?"

Eli smoothed more of his remedy over her hand. "Sometimes, humans do not survive the transition, or they mutate like the Nosferatu. I suppose in simplest terms, you could see them as our deformed children. Ones that did not come out quite right. Of course, over the years, the ones that survived the transition tried to make their own family and suffered the same kind of setbacks. The humans gave them names—vampire, strigoi, etc.—but I have never identified with those bastardizations. They are base creatures in many ways, and the Gwaed Gam are driven by their need of blood and fear of the sun, but the Vanes, like my brothers' direct children, are different."

"If you're not Gwaed Gam, then what are you? I mean, of course, you are Unseelie, but they are hybrids."

"I call us The Gwaed Teulu, but that is probably because I have spent far too long amongst the Celts. It's what my wife used to call us—the Blood Family. It sounds much more romantic in Welsh." Eli studied her hand closely. "There we are, Rosamund. It seems to have done the trick."

Rosa flexed her fingers experimentally, the swelling going down in front of her eyes. "Wow, that's amazing. I didn't know you could still do magic."

"I didn't stop being a fae just because I came to live here. A lot of their spells can be undone if you keep a clear head. Most of the Seelie magic relies on the illusions you create in your mind, the glamor. Their glamor is about sensations like smell. I simply added the things you smelled, cinnamon, pine, holly, sugar, oak ash, and finally a touch of my blood because only someone with fae blood can undo their magic."

"That makes a strange kind of sense. Does that mean that Balthasar could do magic if he wanted to?"

"Some of. If he applied himself, I'm sure it could be possible. I have taught him small things over the centuries to protect him against the fae, but that is as far as it has ever gone." Eli put the mortar and pestle down in a small stainless-steel sink and washed his hands. "Speaking of Balthasar, may I say something as a concerned father?"

"I suppose," Rosa said nervously.

"He is very fond of you, so I ask you to exercise some caution."

"We are only friends, Eli." He knows you are lying, Rosa.

"Even so, you are both dear to me, and I don't want to see either of you getting hurt because your emotions became misplaced. I do not object to your friendship. It pleases me that Balthasar is finally opening himself up to someone. The last time he lost someone, it was messy. You are human, Rosa. Your lives are short with intense pleasure and pain. He is immortal, and so he would not be suitable to give your heart to."

"You think I'm going to lead him on because I'm human?"

"Please try to understand. When we fall in love, it's serious. Human hearts can change with a season, but his heart would be wounded forever. Don't encourage him if you don't feel the same way."

"Eli, I understand your concern, but don't take me for some floozie that will change her mind or that would lead a man on for the sake of sport. I'm not interested in hurting him."

"He needs to hide his preference of you better, especially in front of the Seelie. You are safe in your cottage. I've put protections in place to make sure that no Seelie can cross its borders. It was the only thing that stopped Balthasar from going after you last night."

"Well, you can tell him I'm fine. Look, you just made it all better." She waved her hand about. "You really should get back to your people."

"You are my people too, Rosa. Don't forget that. I don't want anything to happen to you in the next few days, so please be very careful. If you see strange fae wandering around the property, steer clear and let Balthasar, Saul, or me handle it." He placed a hand on her shoulder in a fatherly gesture that made her chest ache with memory. "I hope once this is all over, you'll stay at Gwaed Lyn for a time, even if it's so I can give you the answers you've wanted all these years."

"Can you answer one now?"

"Of course," Eli said.

"What actually happened to my father?" Rosa watched the warmth leech out of his eyes.

"Someone tried to kill me while we were out hunting. One of the Vecchio clan that fancied himself a king. Your father got between us, and he was killed. It was a spontaneous human instinct to protect a friend."

"What happened afterward?" Rosa looked at her feet, her voice breaking.

"I killed the traitor, but the damage was already done. So in a moment of pure rage, I went to London, and I killed the whole clan. I drove them from Albion completely, and to this day, if any Vecchio tries to come here, I will be there to destroy them."

"I knew it wasn't an accident. Your vendetta against them is the reason you sent me away, isn't it?"

"Yes, I had to beg Cecily to do it. She lost both her husband and her child in the time span of a month. Don't judge her too harshly, Rosa. It was the hardest decision she ever had to make. She knew that you needed to be away from this place where you could be safe and free to grow and develop your own life and not be shaped by Gwaed Lyn."

"You both should've told me sooner. I've been so angry at her," she sniffed. "I thought she didn't want me around. That serving you was more important to her than raising me. I've blamed you, Eli. I blamed you for everything."

Eli pulled her close in an act of affection she didn't think he would ever show toward her. "I understand why you were angry, Rosa. Everything will be okay from now on. I'm sorry for all of the confusion and the lies over the years."

"Thanks for watching out for Cecily and me," she said stepping out of his embrace, "even when I was acting like a bitch."

"I will always look out for you. That's why I caution you gently towards my son. I lost him for many years over a human woman. I don't know if he could handle that kind of pain again."

"I won't ever hurt him, Eli. You have nothing to worry about…except for a house full of Gwaed Gam who like to fight with each other."

"It only needs to last another two days, and then all will be well and quiet again," he said as he straightened his tie and buttoned his jacket. "Watch out for the fae. All of them, not just Celyn. They are coming tonight, many of them more powerful than he is."

"Their charms don't appeal to me," she waved her hand at him, "especially after this."

"Well, Rosamund, if you are feeling better, I had best be on my way back to my guests. The ones that are awake are bound to be getting on Balthasar's nerves by now."

"Leave Saul to do the heavy lifting on the entertainment side. He seems to thrive off it."

"Yes, but I don't want him to start a clan war by thriving off one of their wives."

Rosa laughed before she could stop herself. "That sounds like Saul. Go. I will be able to find my way back."

"You have grown up to be an incredible woman, Rosa Wylt."

"Thanks Eli," she said as he opened the door for her, and she walked back into the cold tunnels.

For the rest of the day, all Rosa could think about was what Eli had told her about her father and his need to warn her about falling in love with Balthasar.

Too late for that. Maybe it would take Balthasar to convince him that his feelings and hers were genuine.

That afternoon, she went back to the cottage to clear her head. She felt invisible eyes on her until she crossed into the garden and the presence lifted. Eli had said he had put protections on the house, but it was the first time she'd felt it.

Rosa looked at her hand. She had seen magic done. Real magic. The world seemed a little bit more frightening than it had been a day ago.

Inside the cottage, someone had put a large box on her kitchen table. "What in the world?" She took the card out, thinking it must have been from Balthasar. She looked at the writing and felt a flicker of familiarity. It was the same as the letter that had summoned her home.

Dear Rosa,

Due to the unforeseen hardships that you have been forced to suffer since your arrival back to Gwaed Lyn, I would like to recompense you for the rudeness of Lily's companion and last night's incident with Celyn. Would you do me the honor of joining me at the Winter Solstice Ball this evening? You should be there to witness this historical event in person. It would also give me the opportunity to ensure your safety until the fae have once again gone from Albion.

Tender regards,

Eli Vane

Rosa put the letter down and lifted the lid off the large box. The dress was so beautiful, she didn't want to touch it. How would he have known her dress size? He's your faerie godfather. He used magic of course. The bodice had a heart shape neckline and strong boning. The rest of the skirt was a mystery of red and black.

"Well, Cinderella, looks like you are going to the ball after all," she murmured.

Balthasar buttoned up his waistcoat in front of a large mirror before pulling down the sleeves of his crisp, high-collared shirt. He picked up his cuff links, twirling them about his fingers with small smile. Through the window, he saw the lights of the cottage on. The day's snow had covered it in a fresh layer, making it look like a picturesque postcard. What he wouldn't have given to be going over there tonight instead of playing silent bodyguard to Eli.

Saul was doing his best to carry his hosting and entertaining skills. He was handsome, young and had the ability to charm women and men alike. The Gwaed Gam were all nervous around Balthasar and on guard.

His message to the Blackfox clan had been received, and they had spent the day speaking apologies for their leader's behavior. Caius had taken up leadership, which had been officially recognized by the Riverclears, Southgates, and Northland families. Eli had given his consent after an interrogation, and the matter had been settled. All slights had been forgiven, and the Blackfox members had breathed a little easier.

Lily and Pearl had stayed away from him, but he still felt his hands ache for violence whenever he saw Pearl. Even Lily's love and devotion couldn't make her into a better Gam. She was chaos incarnate.

Don't trust her, Balthasar , Rosa had said to him, and the warning came back to him in a rush. There is something else going on behind her mischief . She wouldn't be so stupid as to try and defy Eli now, not when he was already angry with her. Pearl might not know the difference between Eli bluffing and biding his time, but Balthasar did. Eli loved Rosa, in his way, and he didn't like anything harming people he cared about.

Balthasar picked up his phone, flicking through his messages and lists of supplies. They were getting more blood delivered tonight to ensure that the staff were kept safe. Many had been advised to bring their supplies or donors, but Balthasar didn't want to risk it. Fae blood was a temptation many of them would struggle with. If Ryn bothers to turn up .

Balthasar was uneasy with Celyn's appearance the night before. Eli had tried to assure him that it was protocol, but it was insulting nonetheless. It had been a flash of power and intimidation on Ryn's behalf to annoy Eli. If it worked, Balthasar could only guess. His father had been a model of civility ever since.

Ryn had been at court when Eli was a hostage and had suffered greatly before he and his brothers had managed to escape. Eli would never talk about it, but there was old rage there that went further back than Queen Deryn's murder.

The list of atrocities was extensive, which was why Balthasar was so surprised that Eli would bother with an alliance at all. Eli said he wanted peace, but Balthasar knew he could never have it.

Balthasar pushed the thoughts out of his mind. It was done now. If Eli had some hidden motive, the time had long passed to act on it.

Balthasar tied his necktie and put on his jacket. He only needed to get through tonight, and all would be well. He would go to Eli about Rosa, and if he approved, he would go and reassure Cecily as well. She'd often dealt with the fallout of Saul's affairs, and he didn't want her to think his attentions towards her daughter were nothing if not honorable.

His reflection grinned at him . Well, not all of his intentions were honorable. He had tried capturing a glimpse of her all day, but she had stayed hidden the way he had told her to. The Gwaed Gam were enough to keep him busy.

Downstairs, people were starting to appear out of their rooms in all of their fineries. There was no creature in the world vainer than a Gwaed Gam. All looked terrifyingly predatory in their jewels and silk.

The glamored staff were carrying about cocktails mixed with blood for their guests. In the grand entranceway, the stairs were crowded with people. Many hadn't had the opportunity to mingle with each other in centuries and were making the most of it. He saw Pearl in a white and gray gown, her red mouth smiling at Lord Riverclear. Balthasar joined Lily on the balcony. She was dressed in shades of dark blue and purple like a crow's feather.

"My sister, you look beautiful this evening," he complimented her. She smiled, the coldness in her eyes momentarily leaving.

"Thank you, brother."

"Lily, I don't want there to be any more arguing between us. It's not you that I cannot stand."

"She is the love of my life, Bal. What kind of person would I be if I did not defend her?"

"Lily, sometimes it's the things people do, not what they say that show that they really love us. She has undermined and embarrassed you. That's not the actions of someone in love. She knows you will do your best to protect her from Eli, but don't make the mistake of thinking she would do the same for you if positions were reversed." Balthasar touched her hand gently. "I love you, sister. I don't want to see you hurting anymore."

"We can't all be like you, Bal. You have your art and your battles and the honor of being Eli's companion. I have none of those things. Since you came back, I've had to step back in your shadow. Pearl might be selfish, destructive, and na?ve, but she sees me. You do not. You see no one. Your concern over the Wylt girl is the first time you have showed emotion in years."

Lily ran her fingers down the lapels of his jacket, a rare display of affection for her. "You've warned me about my heart, so let me warn you in return. Rosa is a human, and Eli will never change her, just like he tried to deny me Pearl. I changed her, but she's not the same as she was. If Eli had turned her, she wouldn't have been so vicious. I have chosen to love her all the same because that is what love is. You would want to be sure that you are prepared for a different person to emerge if you follow my path. Eli is why Pearl is this way. Our sweet Jane was a fine example of what the loss of a human can do to you."

"Do to us . I know you cared for her, and I wasn't the only one who changed after her death. Jane was a long time ago, and I have wallowed in my grief enough."

"You wallowed, but you wallowed alone and shut me out. You seemed to forget until now that you were not the only one who loved her." Lily's eyes filled before she controlled it.

"I know, Lily, and I don't want to take your love from you now, but it's not my decision to make. Pearl is the architect of her own destiny. You'd best remember that and keep her in control." Balthasar kissed her forehead. "Be alert tonight. I would hate for any harm to come to you."

"You stay close to Eli. I'm out of favor, or I would do it myself."

"I promise nothing will happen to Eli," Balthasar said, looking over where his father was charming Alena Southgate.

The candles had been lit, casting a warm glow on the proceedings. Balthasar moved through the crowds, smiling every time he spotted one of Rosa's artistic wreaths. It all seemed to be going well until he caught Rosa's scent.

It is only your imagination , he said to himself as he moved down the staircase. His eyes scanned the crowd of their own accord, and then he spotted someone standing near the autumn tree.

She wore a ball gown that shimmered with red silk beneath the sheer black fabric. The bodice wrapped around her, accenting the decadent curves of her body. Her hair had been curled and pinned up in an elaborate style, small jet pins as its only adornment, leaving her white back bare. As if she felt his eyes on her, her head turned to look over her shoulder. Balthasar swallowed hard as kohl-rimmed eyes burned straight through him, the dark berry stain on her lips emphasizing the curved invitation of her smile. Eli appeared beside him silently.

"What the hell is she doing here?" Balthasar hissed as his fear and panic threatened to choke him.

"I invited her," Eli said calmly. "She looks gorgeous in that dress."

"Good enough to eat, some would say. Are you out of your mind? This room is filled with Gwaed Gam and soon to be filled with the fae."

"Celyn hexed her last night. Don't worry. I removed it, but I didn't want her alone tonight and so far from the house. He marked her as war spoils. That is not an act of friendly relations. The protections on the cottage are strong but not infallible. If Celyn tries anything more, there will be a house full of loyal supporters to protect her at my command." Eli smiled, knowing that they were being watched. He tapped his shoulder. "Don't worry. She will do famously. I know one of the Northland men is already bewitched by her."

"You're not helping me right now, Father. She won't—" but Balthasar didn't finish. Eli's posture flexed, and Balthasar felt them moving towards them like a whisper up his skin.

"They are here."