Chapter 17

It was a long wait until dinner, when shed arranged to see Edward again. Part of her wanted to simply rush up onto the walls to find him while he was working, but she was still a little reluctant to disturb the serious-looking armed men who patrolled the walls by day and night… and besides, she couldnt remember if hed told her he had a guard shift or duties patrolling the Loch. So Ivy did her best to keep herself busy during the afternoon, heading back up to her room to consolidate her notes and add her observations of Colin. The more she thought about it, the more she was convinced that there was nothing supernatural going on here. Changeling children may well have been a reality of her strange new world, but one thing she was sure of — the child shed met was exhibiting classic symptoms of autism, not of supernatural intervention.

But how was she going to convince his parents that this was the case? More to the point — how was she going to convince his grandmother? Armed with knowledge, empathy and understanding, most parents took huge strides in understanding their autistic children after a diagnosis had been made… it was one of the best parts of her job, seeing the relief and exultation on their faces as they grew to understand their children better. She believed in her bones that both Anna and Brian were capable of taking that journey with Colin. He was only a few months old, and catching the condition early meant that she could prepare his family to handle every stage of his development. In her old life, this actually would have been ideal news — a great deal of developmental trauma could be avoided with an early diagnosis.

That was assuming, of course, that his parents wouldnt simply prefer to believe hed been kidnapped and replaced by faeries. She gritted her teeth as she scribbled in her notebook, feeling her mind returning unwillingly to the court case shed been testifying at on her last day in her own time. The way little Emmas father had set himself against the diagnosis, refusing to take advice, insisting that his daughter could just be normal if she tried hard enough… what was that kind of denial, if not a modern form of the same thing she was encountering here?

Four hundred years in the past, and she was still dealing with the same people, she realized with a soft huff of laughter. It would have been comforting, if it wasnt so sad. Had they really made so little progress over the centuries?

Well, she wasnt going down that particular rabbit hole — not if she wanted to avoid succumbing completely to despair. Right now, she had a job to do and a client that needed her… and while maybe the paperwork wasnt quite in order, to say the least, meeting Colin had made it very clear to Ivy that this little boy needed her. Hadnt her friends been telling her that the Fae tended to bring people through who possessed skills and aptitudes that were needed in the Keep? This was — in more ways than one — her calling. And she wasnt going to stop until shed made sure he was safe.

Edward was waiting for her when she headed down for dinner, and despite her preoccupation with the events of the morning, she still felt her stomach do a backflip at the smile on his handsome face. He greeted her politely, making no reference to the new intimacy in their relationship… though the twinkle in his eyes made it very clear that their evening together had been on his mind much as it had been on hers. But they both quickly dropped into a more somber mood when she raised the subject of Colin.

Im glad you were able to meet him, Edward said once theyd settled themselves in a quieter corner of the dining hall, where theyd be less likely to be overheard. How is he doing?

Hes physically healthy and whole, she said with a shrug. He seems to be eating and sleeping just fine, from what everyones told me, and there are no signs of any physiological problems. His hearings fine, she added — shed been telling Edward about the ways in which it was easy to mistake autism for hearing problems and vice versa. But… well, it wasnt an official assessment or anything, and Id want to keep observing his development for at least a few years, but hes certainly exhibiting plenty of signs of autism, especially in a baby this young.

Edward exhaled. Is it odd to say that thats a relief?

She smiled, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand, feeling very fond of him in that moment. Absolutely not. A diagnosis is a relief, especially for family members. Its a tool to help us understand Colin better. Being autistic… it isnt a disease, its nothing that will harm him.

Well, Edward said, a shadow crossing his face. Nothing that will harm him by itself, I suppose. I cant say the same for his family.

Thats our job now, she said firmly. Our job is to advocate for Colin. To show his family the truth, to help them understand him.

Edward was smiling softly at her, and she hesitated, feeling suddenly self-conscious.

What?

Our job. Its an honor to be included, thats all, Edward said with a smile. My knowledge is nothing next to yours, but Ill do my best to make myself useful.

Please. She blushed. Im the one trying to make myself useful here. And youre a quick learner, Edward Grant.

I am?

Its one of the things I like about you.

He grinned, those gorgeous blue eyes twinkling. Just one of them? Theres a list?

One that grows longer every day.

They were interrupted from any further flirting when their table was joined by a handful of their friends — Nancy and Elena and their husbands Malcolm and Brendan, both of whom knew Edward well from working together in the Watch. Ivy didnt miss the thoughtful looks that the women gave her… or the downright conspiratorial expressions on their faces when they thought she wasnt looking at them. She wasnt a fool — shed noticed that just about every one of the time-traveling women had ended up married to a Grant man. Shed joined the dots about the Sidhe having a penchant for match-making, as well as intervening in human lives to save them from danger. It would be only natural for her new friends to be watching closely to see if she was going to fall into the pattern as well… and when she looked at Edward across the table, smiling and laughing with the other Grant men, she couldnt bring herself to feel anything other than pleased about the Sidhes meddling.

That didnt mean she wasnt going to keep her focus on what was important, however. It was nice to sit and chat over dinner, but Malcolm had brought interesting news along with him. It seemed that the local expert on Fae matters that Aelfred had mentioned — Old Maggie — had returned to her home on the lakeshore after her extended absence. Ivys eyes widened, and she reached excitedly across the table to grab Edwards hand, ignoring the cheeky grin that spread across Nancys face in response.

Thats great news! Werent you saying we ought to consult with her?

Edward looked a little reluctant. Maggies … a bit of a character.

Dont be silly, Nancy said brightly. Shes a delight. She puts on the cranky old lady act, but shes got a heart of gold under all those rags, everyone knows that.

Still. Edward looked uneasy. Perhaps we should give her a few days to settle back in before we go knocking her door down.

If she didnt want visitors, we wouldnt have heard she was back, Brendan said with a shrug of his broad shoulders. If you need her guidance, nows as good a time as any. Take a gift, of course.

Of course. Nancy grinned. Take more than one bottle if you want to share, though, thats my advice. Oh, and as much of Maeves shortbread as you can carry. Shell bake a king-sized batch if you tell her that its for Maggie.

Thoroughly mystified as she was by the way her friends were talking about this Maggie woman, Ivy was nevertheless eager to meet her as soon as possible… and in the face of the groups enthusiasm, Edward agreed that theyd ride down to visit the following day, provided the weather stayed fine. Something on his face told her that he was hoping for a thunderstorm. After dinner, Ivy caught up with him in the entrance hall, catching him by the wrist to slow him.

Is there a reason youre reluctant to visit Maggie? she asked softly. I caught some reluctance in there. I dont want you to feel like youre being bullied into doing something if you dont think its a good idea. Youre the local knowledge expert, remember?

Edward smiled at her softly. I appreciate that, Ivy. But its nothing to worry about. Maggie is… He took a deep breath. The Fae can be eccentric.

Im good with eccentric, she pointed out drily, raising an eyebrow. Youve heard enough of my client stories to know that.

True enough, Edward allowed. Despite appearances, Maggie is a powerful Fae — with a powerful temper that its all too easy to get on the wrong side of. But Nancy was right about her good heart. I suppose I just want to protect you, Ivy.

She tilted her head, torn between the genuine sweetness of the statement… and a mild exasperation at its sexist undertones. I understand, she said finally, squeezing his hands in hers. And I appreciate it. If you dont want me to come with you to Maggies…

No, he said firmly. I think you should meet her… and I think she should meet you, more to the point. Just — tread carefully, thats all.

And bring gifts, right? Ivy grinned up at him, grateful to see that his worried expression had eased a little. She cant be that hard to understand. Sweets and alcohol are universal.