Chapter 21

Sunset was well on its way when Ivy and Edward rode out from Maggies cottage, their horses well-rested after an afternoon of nibbling at grass in the old womans front yard. Despite the rather fierce argument that had broken out, it had been a rather pleasant afternoon, all things considered… and Ivy had been surprised by how long the mead had lasted, in the end. The same couldnt be said for the shortbread, unfortunately, every crumb of which had been wolfed down… her stomach was grumbling as they set off down the muddy road toward the Keep, and she was already looking forward to a hearty dinner back in the place she was beginning to think of as her home.

That was pretty rough, Ivy said after the silence had lingered between them for long enough to bother her. You feeling alright?

Edward glanced over his shoulder at her, looking a little nonplussed. Hm? Oh, you mean Maggie? Im quite alright. Shes — like that. A faint smile crossed his face. A little like bad weather, honestly. If you can endure the storm, the sun comes back out eventually. And shes honest.

Its good to know where you stand with someone, Ivy said, raising an eyebrow. She was pretty angry at the idea that Colins a Changeling, huh?

With good reason. Edwards voice was heavy, and Ivy sensed that he hadnt finished what he was saying. She let the quiet stretch between them, let the dull squelching of the horses hooves on the muddy road be the only sound between them. I cant stop thinking about how many children have been lost to foolishness like Brian and Annas.

Lost? she prompted, feeling an uneasy shiver run down her spine.

He nodded; his eyes focused on the road ahead of them. Cast out, abandoned, rejected… all for things that were blamed on the Fae but likely had nothing to do with them. I understand Maggies fury. I feel it myself if I let myself think too long on the subject.

Ivy simply nodded. She wanted to ease his pain, wanted to jump in with a reassurance that in this case at least, theyd make sure nothing horrible happened… but something told her that this pain had to be honored. Similar things happen in my own time, she said softly, not sure whether this was a helpful piece of information but wanting to share it regardless.

Your time? He looked up, frowning. Surely in hundreds of years, our differences are more clearly understood.

In some ways, yes, she said hesitantly. But… theres still a great deal of ignorance, Edward. I mean, why do you think I do the work I do? Id love to live in a world that had no need for autism advocacy, but… She shrugged. Well, here I am. People who are born different to others, whether in their bodies or their minds… theyve not been treated well for most of history. Even in my own time, it was common to lock people up, hide them away out of sight so that the rest of society didnt have to see them… She sighed, rubbing her forehead tiredly. I dont mean to add to your burdens, Edward. Only to say that I understand your feelings, and I share them.

Edward nodded, holding her gaze for a moment as they looked at each other over the space between their horses… and then they rode on in silence, the twilight settling in around them as the strange liminal space between day and night slowly passed them by. They were still riding in solemn silence when they came through the gate, and for all that her stomach was still growling, part of Ivy would have been happy to ride around a little longer before they returned to the Keep and all its drama.

And sure enough, it wasnt long before the silence was broken. Ivy had just finished putting her horse away when she heard raised voices in the courtyard outside. She hurried out to find Edward standing with his arms folded and tension vibrating in his whole body. Shed seen that look before — she knew when Edward was holding himself back from giving someone a piece of his mind. It was Brian Gilroy who was doing the shouting, already drawing worried looks from grooms and stableboys… and she was grimly unsurprised to see that his mother was with him, standing a few feet away with her hands folded neatly in front of her and a prim expression on her face. At this rate, a crowd would be gathering to watch the fight — Ivy stepped up automatically, some instinct telling her to mediate the dispute before it got completely out of control.

Youve been dragging your feet on this investigation for weeks, Edward — weeks! And what have you found? Absolutely nothing.

Theres been nothing to find, Chieftain, Edward said through gritted teeth. What exactly have you sent me in search of? A missing child that isnt missing? A Faerie thief who nobody saw coming or going? What, exactly, do you expect me to have brought to you?

We expected you to do your job, Mary Gilroy said lightly, closing the distance between them with a few nervous steps. And today what do we hear but that youre out on some leisurely afternoon ride with this young woman?

Ivy has been helping me look into whats happening with your child, Edward snapped, clearly stung by the calculated slight against Ivy.

She knew what she was doing, this woman, Ivy thought with a grimace — it was clear that attacking the work Edward had done wasnt going to stir a response, so shed gone after the company hed been keeping instead. Clever, really. Even Ivy was annoyed by it… not that she was going to let that show on her face.

Whats happening? With that — thing you Grants insist on feeding and clothing? Mary said with a sneer. Whats happening is that its a beast that ought to have been thrown into the Loch by now?—

Hey, Ivy said firmly, lifting her hands to stop Mary in her tracks. After what theyd talked about on the ride, she knew Edward was at breaking point — and the last thing they needed was for him to make a scene. Lets stay civil here, alright? We spent the afternoon with a Fae expert, actually, and we have good news?—

And who, exactly, invited your input? Marys voice was high and cold, and the look she was giving her was absolutely bone-chilling. Forgive me for saying so, dear, but you really ought to keep your nose out of what doesnt concern you. Youre a stranger to this Clan and to this family.

That may be so, Ivy said, more to stop Edward from breaking in than anything. But I know a great deal about children just like Colin. Ive spent my life working with them, and I know that if youll just listen to me?—

Brian, are you really going to let this stranger tell you how to handle your own family? Mary asked, shooting a sidelong glance at Brian. The big man bristled, stepping forward, and Ivy fought the urge to swear under her breath. It was Brian she needed to get to listen to her, not Mary.

Shes right, Lady Jones. Thank you for your interest, but Ill ask you to keep a respectful distance in future. That, at least, was reasonably polite… but she felt her heart sinking into her feet. Assessing Colin despite the lack of explicit consent from the parents was one thing… but continuing to work with him against their express instructions was quite another.

Brian, listen to me. Edward stepped forward, his voice low and pleading, a desperate look in his eyes. Youre making a mistake. Ivy knows what shes talking about — shes an expert in children like Colin — please, listen to her?—

Do your job, Edward, Brain growled. Ill hear no more about this until youve found my real son and returned him to me.

And with that, the Gilroys were gone, stalking off across the courtyard toward the welcoming glow spilling through the door to the Keep. Ivy watched them go, dumbfounded… and shaking with an anger that she saw reflected on Edwards face when he turned to look at her. Then his arms were around her, and she let herself lean gratefully into his embrace, tears of frustration spilling down her cheeks. When the worst of it had passed, she pulled back, wiping at her cheeks with an exasperated little laugh… and Edward tilted her chin up to meet her eyes, smiling softly as he wiped a stray tear away with the side of his thumb.

In case wed forgotten what we were up against, right? she said softly, glancing over her shoulder at the Keep. Shed been so looking forward to dinner only a few minutes ago… now, nothing could be further from her mind. Poor Colin.

Colin is safe where he is, Edward said firmly… but she heard the unspoken for now as clearly as if hed said it aloud.

We have to get through to them, she murmured, leaning against his side as he put a comforting arm around her shoulder. We have to explain it to them somehow, we have to make them see sense…

Brians usually such a reasonable man, Edward said softly, shaking his head. And you met Anna — shes as sweet as anything, I dont doubt shed do anything to make things alright for her baby. But theres something about Brians mother that I just dont understand. Why is she so adamant about Colin being a Changeling? Its as though she saw it happen herself, though shes admitted she never saw anything suspicious…

They stood together for a little longer in the gathering darkness, wordlessly drawing comfort from one another. And then, with a deep sigh, they headed into the Keep together. Suddenly, Ivy was feeling a lot less optimistic about what the future held for baby Colin.