Page 51 of The Music Demon

Shy exhaled a breathy laugh. “’Tis no’ witchcraft. ‘Tis just a small part of what we can do now that we’re… different.”

“You mean demons. Say it. We’re demons.”

“I’m no’ averse to the word. I’m just no’ so sure ‘tis entirely accurate. Since I’ve gotten to know one of the natural-borns better.”

“Lyric,” Sheridan gritted between clenched teeth.

Shivaun ignored her sister’s theatrical display of disdain. “Aye. ‘Tis fine company he gives.”

“And he taught you how to do this.”

“And much more.”

“I’ll bet he did.”

Shivaun broke a scone in two and created a mouthwatering masterpiece by adding clotted cream and a strawberry cut in two. “Tea?”

“As parlor amusements go, ‘tis right there with the best. But somethin’ about it is no’ feelin’ right.”

“Would that somethin’ be that I learned it first?”

“’Tis a rude thing to say, Shivaun O’Malley. What has come over ye?” Sher huffed. “Ne’er mind. I know the answer to that question.”

“I do no’ understand how ye can be jealous. Ye have a mate. Such as he is.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“’Tis supposed to mean that I’m sure you could’ve done better.”

“Better than a Black Swan knight? Are you completely daft?”

“Are you livin’ under a rock? When Finngarick was human, he had the reputation of bein’ perhaps the worst knight ever in the history of ever and everybody knows it.”

“He’s high spirited,” Sher said defensively. Shivaun snorted. “And I would no’ trade him for a hundred who think they’re his better.”

Shy sighed and smiled. “I’m glad to see you happy.”

Sher smiled in return. “Do no’ be thinkin’ this means I approve of that devil.”

“Then we’ll agree to think little of the other’s choice in males.”

“So be it.”

Sher took hold of the china pot, poured, and inhaled deeply. “’Tis my favorite.” She glanced at Shivaun. “Can I be sure ‘tis safe?”

“Have you done something that would provoke me to want to harm you?” Sher hesitated. “Careful. I can tell if you lie.”

“No’ in the last few years.” She took a sip of tea and closed her eyes. “’Tis… wonderful.”

“Extra bergamot. Just the way you like it.”

“Just the waywelike it.” After a salient pause, Sher said, “Strange is it no’? We’re so alike, but have very different ideas about romance.”

“Just as well if you ask me. Perhaps ‘tis nature’s way of makin’ sure we do no’ kill each other goin’ after the same male.”

Sheridan chuckled. “Now that I think on it, I see ‘tis a blessin’ to be certain.” After sharing the kind of laugh that only twins are privy to, Sher said, “’Tis a handy trick to be sure. Creatin’ high tea, and a pretty one at that, from nothin’ but a table top.”

“Hmmm.”

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