Page 47 of The Mirror and the Curse

His reactions to her at the dance: the warmth of his husky voice in her ear, the hitch in his breathing, the way his fingers clung to hers . . . She must have imagined it all.

After a hot shower she headed down to breakfast. To her surprise, Fidelio loitered in the hallway outside the dining hall. His face lit up, and he hurried to greet her. “I began to wonder if you had a lesson today,” he said.

Eddi inwardly flinched. “No more lessons. I’ve graduated.” She forced a cheery note.

“Really? Cool!” His smile nearly blinded her. “I hoped you might join me for breakfast, and then . . . What do you say to a canoe ride? Just you and me. I thought we could paddle around for a while, then have a picnic lunch. I’ll order sack lunches from the kitchen.”

His expression held hope, anticipation, and a good deal of trepidation. Was he asking her on a date?

“Sounds like fun,” Eddi said, managing to smile. She wore shorts and a tank top, nothing special, and had braided her hair into its usual queue. “I’m dressed for it. Must have had a premonition.”

As he held her chair at a table for two beside the picture windows facing the lake, Fidelio gave her a closer look, his brows drawing together. “Is anything wrong, Eduardi?”

“I’m all right. I didn’t sleep well.”

He chattered about various abnormalities of the human brain while they ate, still managing to consume a prodigious amount of food. It must take a lot to fill that lanky frame of his. Eddi picked at her omelet and studied his face as she listened, reminding herself of the reasons she had fallen for him a year ago. His genuinely sweet nature, the security of his title and position, that charming smile, and his deep voice. He had many wonderful qualities. Her parents would approve of a match between them, and his . . . well, they should adjust to the idea eventually.

And once they were together, she could very politely, with regal refinement, rub Raquel’s nose in her defeat.

It was well past midnight when Eddi pulled Kai’s car into a turnoff and drew out her cell phone. “Bea? I know it’s super late, but . . .”

“Super late? Uggh. It’s almost two in the morning, girl! This had better be important . . .” Beatrice yawned noisily. “Sorry about that—right in your ear—but you did ask for it. How did . . .? Wait—did you borrow Kai’s car again?”

“Yes.” Eddi’s voice quivered. “I have to return the keys when I get back. He starts work before dawn.”

“Wait. You took his car without asking? You’re sitting in a turnoff on the mountainside in the middle of the night, aren’t you? Edurne Zuri, what are you thinking? Get back up to the resort and call me in daylight hours!”

“Bea, I’ve got to talk to you now! Kai said I could borrow the car anytime.”

“I’m dead certain he didn’t mean in the middle of the night!” Beatrice seldom got angry, but when she did . . .

“Wait, I just . . .” Eddi had to stop and swallow. “I just called to tell you that things are good now. I mean, really good. I’ve got my head on straight again.”

“Is that so?” Beatrice spoke quietly. “Pardon me for doubting when your actions declare otherwise.”

“Stop it, Bea!” To her disgust, Eddi broke down.

“Eddi? Eddi, are you still there? Are you crying? Girl, why are you crying? I’m guessing you never cleared things up with Kai after the ball.”

“Not for . . . lack of trying. He made it clear he’s . . . not interested in me. In romance, I mean. But . . . ohhhhh! Why can’t you just l-listen?”

“All right. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry about Kai. I was really hoping things would work for you two. Eddi? I’m sorry! Please don’t cry so hard . . . You’re breaking my heart! Eddi, honey, I’ll listen now.”

“Right. Pardon me for d-doubting!”

“Touché. I deserved that. I’ll shut up. What’s going on?”

“I wanted to tell you that F-Fidelio and I are together.” A spasming diaphragm made communication difficult. “I mean h-he’s my boyfriend. My very f-first boyfriend. He loves me, and he w-wants to marry me someday.”

“All right. How did that come about?”

Beatrice sounded kindly supportive, which was somehow worse than sarcasm.

“I . . . Oh! I hatehih-hih-hiccupping while I try to talk!”

“Just breathe quietly for a minute or two and relax. I’ll wait. I love you, Eddi. You know that. I worry about you, and I want the best for you. I’m sorry if I sound judgmental, but truly it stems from concern.”

“I kn-know.”

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