Page 17 of The Mirror and the Curse

“You?” Eddi couldn’t have resisted smiling back when his dimples flashed like that. “From what I’ve seen, you and Geoff are both goofs.”

“You got that right.” But then Kai placed his hands flat on the table and looked directly into Eddi’s eyes. “About my magic . . . I can make myself invisible for brief periods, and I can teleport short distances, like from here to the castle, but only to places I’ve been before. I also have slightly enhanced physical abilities. That’s it for the magic. I don’t use it often. About my height—I have human blood on both sides, and a drop of fay blood on my mom’s side from generations back. They’re both taller than most dwarfs. What you see is the real me. I’m done with glamours. You can always ask another staff member if you doubt me.”

“I trust you.” Eddi dropped her gaze to her hands clenched in her lap. Should she share her secret with Kai? Of all people, he would be the last to judge her or her family.

Just as she opened her mouth, Kai glanced toward the door, and the moment was lost. Quick footsteps entered the room, and a sharp voice asked, “What are you two doing, hidden away in here?”

Eddi’s heart dropped a little, but she rose from her chair and turned with a smile on her face, determined to be pleasant to Kai’s mother. “Good evening, Tea.”

Eddi remembered when Tea was a pretty woman with Cupid’s-bow lips like Kai’s and a bright smile. She was still pretty, but these days she mostly scowled.

Cog entered behind his wife and immediately radiated delight with his entire being. “Your Sweet Little Highness, you’re a welcome sight hereabouts!”

Eddi’s stiff smile softened into genuine pleasure. “Hello, Cog. You haven’t called me that in years!”

“Well, then, you needed a reminder.” His powerful hand gently enfolded hers, and she looked down into sapphire-blue eyes set in a freckled, sun-browned face.

An unexpected lump filled her throat. “It’s great to be back.”

Tea’s sharp gaze took in the two empty plates, but instead of commenting, she asked, “Did you bring your fterotó, Your Highness?”

“Yes. White has settled into the new barn and seems quite comfortable, thank you.”

The dwarf woman made a sound that might have been satisfaction but probably wasn’t. “The brownies will spoil him.”

“They were eager to meet him,” Cog added. “We all were. I’ll check on him when I make my rounds. Has Flurry met him yet?”

Kai’s brow twitched. “She managed to arrive at exactly the right time. The two of them seem to get along well. White is a mannerly colt.”

“Good, good.” Cog’s hearty voice filled the large room. Just as he opened his mouth to say more, Tea spoke.

“Toressa sends her greetings, Kai, and the whole family looks forward to your visit next week.”

Something in her tone made Eddi turn to Kai just as color tinged his cheekbones. “What visit?” His voice sounded deep for once. “You know we’ll be crazy busy these next few weeks before the Summer Ball.”

Tea chuckled. “You can always make time for Toressa Warmane.”

“Mom—” He broke off, squared his shoulders, and turned to Eddi. “It’s getting dark. I’ll walk you up the hill.”

Eddi took her leave from Cog, who gave her a charming wink, and Tea, who avoided her gaze and offered a limp handshake. Eddi smiled anyway. “I’ll see you both again soon!”

As soon as they stepped out of the barn into deepening twilight, Kai said, “Eddi, I’m sorry. There’s no excuse for my mother’s behavior toward you.”

“She used to like me.” Eddi’s voice sounded small. “Or I thought she did.”

“You weren’t mistaken; she did like you.” On a sigh, he muttered, “Now, she sees you as a threat.”

“I can’t imagine why.” A question she lacked the nerve to ask hovered on her lips.Who is Toressa Warmane?Instead, she said, “Thank you for walking me up the hill. When do you plan to start our lessons?”

“I thought you and White might need a day to settle in. Will Monday work for you?”

“Perfectly.”

“So.” He hesitated. “Are we good now? Is the elephant banished from the room?”

She paused too, forming thoughts into words. “I think it’s safely back in the jungle.”

“You forgive me for never telling you I’m a dwarf?”

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