Chapter 25

And so the days dragged on… and though Ivy would have much preferred to be dedicating her time to something useful, like helping Colins family understand what autism was and how to manage their sons symptoms, she had to accept the boundaries that had been set for her. At least she had Edwards company to keep her mind from brooding too much on the subject. After a few days of coyness, the two of them gave up the pretense that they werent going to be spending every night together — she didnt like the feeling of her bed without him in it any longer, and besides, these spring nights were still chilly.

Still, during the days he was still on watch, and that was when Ivy found herself wandering the Keep in search of something to do. Word had gotten around the Keep about the dispute between Ivy and the Gilroys, and she was surprised by how much interest the castle folk showed — she found herself explaining the basics of autism to quite a few curious locals who sought her out. It made her feel good to know that the people around her were at least receptive to her knowledge… but the people she really needed to talk to about it were the Gilroys, and they wanted nothing to do with her. Every time she saw Mary, the woman made a point of sweeping past her as though she wasnt there, lips pressed tightly together. Chieftain Brian was similarly giving her the cold shoulder… though she caught an awkward little smile from Anna when she ran into her by chance in the courtyard one afternoon, which gave her hope.

Edward, to her relief, hadnt been barred from the childs presence despite his association with Ivy, which meant that he could at least keep an eye on the boy and report back to her. From what he was telling her, things werent going great. The child continued to exhibit his symptoms, frustrating and confusing his mother and father — egged on, no doubt, by his grandmother Mary, Ivy thought sourly. More and more, he was being handed over to the increasingly frustrated nursemaid — who it seemed had also been banned from speaking to Ivy — but what little time he did spend with his parents was fraught and uncomfortable.

A week after shed spoken to Laird Donal about Colin, Edward came to her room with a troubled expression. Hed been invited to spend that afternoon with the Gilroys, something that had made him hopeful that they might have changed their minds about the situation… but instead, it seemed, hed been invited to a gathering with the whole family… and the village priest.

The priest? Like for a christening? Ivy frowned from where she was sitting on the bed. Even though hes theoretically a Changeling?

It wasnt a christening, no. Just a blessing. I think it was Marys idea, Edward said with a sad shake of his head. She invited the Laird along as well, claimed the event ought to be witnessed. I have a feeling she was expecting Colins skin to sizzle when the holy water touched it.

Thats just what we need, Ivy said with a sigh. Adding religion to an already fraught situation… shed had religious clients before, and though for some people their faith made them more accepting of differences, that sadly wasnt always the case. Theres a long and horrible history of neurodivergent people being considered possessed or demonic, Im afraid.

Stolen by Faeries or possessed by devils, Edward said with a shake of his head. Poor Colin.

Poor Colin, she echoed. Did they bring a priest in?

Father Caleb, yes. Hes a nice young man, Edward said. Hes been something of an ally to the Sept over the years.

Thats a surprise. She tilted her head. Id imagine a medieval priest wouldnt be exactly thrilled about… faeries and monsters and the like.

Edward nodded. At the end of the day, what Father Caleb cares about is the people of the village. And he trusts Laird Donal to do whats needed to protect them. Hes seen enough of the kinds of things that come through the burgh to know who his friends are, at any rate. He smiled faintly. Remind me to tell you a few of those stories. Great for a long winters night.

Ivy set aside the pleased glow of recognition that Edward was already thinking about spending the winter with her. How did the blessing go? Did Colin burst into flames when the priests crucifix came near him?

Edward chuckled, but he looked tired. No, but he didnt exactly respond well to the whole situation. He started screaming when he saw the priest for the first time and it took a long time to settle him enough to proceed.

Ivy winced. Autistic children often reacted unpredictably to new faces… but she was sure that wasnt the way Mary Gilroy would have interpreted the situation. And then what happened?

Well, Father Caleb spoke some prayers over him, which he didnt seem to mind — but he started screaming again when the priest splashed him with holy water. I didnt like the look on Marys face at that. He sighed. I at least asked Father Caleb if babies often reacted badly when they were blessed like that, and he said that the cold water often startles them into crying, so…

That was quick thinking, Ivy said, grateful that Edward had been there.

I dont know if it helped, he said with a shrug. Mary was still peppering poor Father Caleb with questions about how to tell if a baby was ungodly while he was leaving, but I did what I could to speak up for him.

How did his parents seem?

Annas exhausted, Edward said heavily. I can tell the stress is really getting to her. She always looks like shes about to burst into tears, these days… though she did seem relieved when the priest said it wasnt unusual for babies to cry when they were blessed. And Brians responding the way he usually does when things are difficult… bearing up and pushing on. Edward sighed. Im sorry it isnt better news, Ivy.

Its not your fault, she said softly, reaching out to catch his hand and draw him down onto the bed with her. Im glad you were there. Now… lets think about something more fun for a while, hm?

She could feel him smiling as she claimed his lips in a kiss… but then he drew back reluctantly. One last piece of bad news before that, Im afraid. Theyre sending me out to the other side of the Loch tomorrow to ask the fishermen there if theyd seen anything. Ill be gone a few days.

Ivy groaned, dropping back onto the bed with one hand over her face. Seriously? Another wild goose chase?

I know. Im sorry.

Well, she said, sitting up again. I suppose that means weve got to make good use of the time we have, hm?

They made good on that suggestion. It was so good to lose herself in Edwards embrace, to dedicate herself completely to the feeling of his body against hers, the heat between them… and much later, as they lay in a contented heap of limbs, she found herself gazing at his face in the candlelight and wondering just how shed gotten this lucky. Worried as she was about the situation with Colin and his family, she knew shed be struggling a lot more to get through it if she didnt have Edward by her side.

She saw him off the next morning, surprised to find herself a little tearful at his going. Shed never had someone in her life shed felt this strongly about, even her closest friends… shed regularly gone weeks or months without seeing them. Her job had always taken up so much of her life that there hadnt been room for anything else. But working with Edward like this over the last few weeks… she was beginning to reconsider her priorities. Shed always imagined love and relationships would distract her from her work, but her growing relationship with Edward was showing her that a supportive partner actually made her better at it.

She was so distracted by these thoughts as she watched Edward ride away through the gate that she almost didnt notice the soft touch of a hand on her elbow… and when she finally turned, she was surprised to see a familiar pair of worried blue eyes gazing at her.

Good morning, Anna, Ivy said blankly, nonplussed as to what the woman could want from her. Hadnt she been instructed to avoid her presence whenever possible?

I wanted to talk to you, the young woman whispered, though there was nobody in earshot. Obediently, Ivy followed her across the courtyard, down the side of the Keep where there was a narrow passageway between the outer wall that surrounded the castle and the inner wall of the Keep itself. Ive been hearing about what youve been saying about Colin. About whats wrong with him.

Ivy bit her lip. Shed been worried the rumor mill might make something like this happen. Look, Anna, Im sorry if?—

I want to know more. Annas eyes were wide and pleading and Ivy could see her hands trembling a little as she gripped her own wrists tightly. I want you to tell me about this sickness Colin has.

Could this really be happening? Ivy took a breath, trying to settle her nerves as an explosion of adrenaline rushed through her. This was the chance shed been hoping for — the chance to get Anna alone, away from her interfering mother-in-law… Well — the most important thing to say is that its not a sickness, Ivy said, noticing the slight relief that colored Annas expression. Its called autism, and its not a bad thing like a disease or an injury. Its only bad if its misunderstood.

Autism, yes, thats what the servants were saying, Anna whispered, as though they were sharing treasonous secrets. Ivy was surprised and pleased to hear that the conversations shed been having with the locals had spread this far. What makes you think Colin has it?

I work a lot with autistic children, where I come from. There are certain signs we look for… some more common than others. Not making eye contact is a big one. Not looking at people when they talk, not liking to be held or cuddled or going stiff when theyre picked up… there are physical signs, too. Many babies struggle to lift their heads while theyre on their stomachs, for example. That wasnt something shed had a chance to look for in her brief time with Colin — but Annas gasp of recognition told her everything she needed to know.

Was it possible that she was about to convince the boys mother of his diagnosis?