Page 116 of Confounding Oaths
“He was a gift from the Lady,” Miss Caesar explained, looking appropriately sheepish. “I don’t know why he hasn’t gone.”
“Then you can’t trust him,” warned Lady Mary. “Surely if there is one thing we have learned it is that nothing good comes from that place.”
Mr. Caesar looked doubtful. “I fear it may be more complex than that, Mama. We received assistance in the Other Court, although why it was given I still do not know.”
Gazing wistfully down at me, Miss Caesar sighed. “Oh, Ferdinand, Ferdinand, Ferdinand, I do so wish you could help us.”
The words and the name snagged at my spirit like hooks, although any fisherman will tell you that a hook can bind both ways if you are not careful. I yapped once, capered to the centre of the floor, ran around chasing my tail for a moment, and then, aided by a wholly unnecessary swirl of crimson mist, I took on the shape of a fresh-faced youth in the attire of a page boy.
“My lady,” I said with a smile, “I thought you would never ask.”
Chapter Twenty-four
I am accustomed to mortal amazement,for I am quite exceptionally amazing, but even by my high standards the astonishment I engendered by my appearance was gratifying. It was even more gratifying that Sal and Jackson both drew pistols on me.
“Give me one reason I shouldn’t shoot you,” Jackson demanded in a tone that would have chilled me to my bones if I had bones, or could feel chill, or had been in any danger whatsoever.
“Because we both know it wouldn’t stick,” I told him. “Now”—I turned back to Miss Caesar—“you have two more wishes. And I do suggest you word themcarefully.You don’t want a repeat of your recent travails now, do you?”
“And what would you know about that?” asked Captain James. Like Jackson he had adopted a threatening tone, and unlike Jackson I wasn’t totally convinced he couldn’t hurt me. Certain mortals are gifted in these areas. It’s the gods’ way of regulating us and, I suppose, each other.
“Fairies gossip. Now, what about your second wish?”
Miss Caesar looked at me with an admirable wariness. “What about my first wish?”
“You wished that I could help you.”
“But you didn’t.”
I tutted. “Dear me, child, did nobody ever teach you the difference betweencanandwill?”
“That seems needlessly pettifogging,” observed Lady Mary.
“Welcome to wishcraft. Your daughter may ask me for two more things, and when she does I am bound to give herexactlywhat she asks for.”
“Justdon’t,” the younger Mr. Caesar told her. “It isn’t worth it.”
Miss Anne, recovered from Jackson’s interrogation, spoke up. “But if it helps us find William …” Tears were beginning to form in her eyes. “Whatever they plan to do to him they once planned to do to me.”
“It’s your choice, Mary,” said the elder Mr. Caesar. “I would like to assist these people, but I will not ask you to put yourself in danger.”
I sincerely hoped that the mortals weren’t going to start being sensible. “A little word to the wise,” I offered, “unless this delightful child can be certain she will never say the wordsI wishcarelessly ever again for the rest of her life, Ihighlyrecommend she find some way to be useful now.”
“And why should we believe you?” asked the younger Mr. Caesar.
“You shouldn’t. Especially not when I’m telling the truth.”
Miss Caesar turned—quite impertinently, I thought—away from me and towards her family. “Suppose I were to ask for him to take us to—”
“Notus,” her father interrupted. “You aren’t coming.”
“What if we need another wish?” asked Miss Caesar, which from my perspective was an excellent point.
Jackson nodded. “She’s right. No sense leaving the magic behind.”
“We are leaving her,” the elder Mr. Caesar insisted, “and that is final.”
“Thought it was her choice,” Sal pointed out.
