Page 71 of Bargains with Benefits
I swallowed. That was honest, and I could respect the line he’d drawn. “I witnessed a memory when I opened the door with my magic last night. It was Mom’s.” I paused. “That same night, when you found me in the water. I was asleep in the room after, but you two argued. She had blood magic prepared already to use after you left. I don’t know how she knew you’d offer to give me the inn, but she thought you couldn’t give it to me if it didn’t have customers.”
There was no hint of surprise on his face. “I’d told her in a letter when we agreed on the date for your annual trip that I had a big surprise for you. Something I wanted to discuss giving you. She would have had plenty of time to prepare.”
“Well, I cleansed it.” I gestured toward the staircase. “And I have customers to prove it worked.”
“It was moonlight, then?” he asked.
I blinked rapidly at his question, trying to determine if I heard him correctly.
He continued, “I always suspected, especially since that night when I found you in the sea. It was like the moon’s glow fell directly on the safe space you’d created for yourself.”
“Yes, and in the spirit of transparency, I think it’s important to tell you I always thought it was you who saved me that day and then…disappeared as if saving me was a burden.” I didn’t know why it was so important to me to tell him. It felt like the more I could share about the picture of him I’d built in my mind, the more he’d understand as that picture changed. I didn’t want to hurt him, but I thought it might help us wherever we went from here.
He coughed into his fist, and his eyes rimmed with water when he looked at me again. “I’m sorry, Luna. I’m so sorry for every time my actions made you feel unimportant or uncared for. You were never far from my thoughts.” He swallowed. “I did what I thought was right, but I can see how bad it looked.”
“There is nothing to be done about the past,” I said, and I meant it. “I do hope we can move forward with more open communication.”
“Of course. I would like that.” He glanced out the window at the sea, watching the waves crash against the cliff side. “I guess, then, in the spirit of sharing, we should talk.” He took a sip of the tea and met my gaze. “Do you have anything else you want to tell me about what you and Vincent were looking into at the house?”
I pursed my lips; Vincent had told him everything about the tip and the stairwell. Thinking of him brought a flush as memories from last night cascaded in. I coughed, shaking my head to clear it. “I don’t think I have anything else to add.”
His brow furrowed. “Luna.” He set his mug down again and rested his hands on his knees. I knew whatever he would say, I really wouldn’t like it. “The story is running.” He held my gaze.
“The story is running,” I repeated, unsure I understood. “That you are bribing the governor?”
His lips pressed into a thin line, and he nodded.
“It can’t. Vincent said—” The look of pity in his gaze made sense to me now. He thought Vincent had gone ahead with the story anyway. He had accused Vincent of some terrible things last night. It didn’t entirely surprise me that he would think this.
“Why do you dislike him so much?” I asked.
He shook his head in confusion. “I’m sorry, Luna. That family is bad news. Everything you were worried about me being—well, they are that.” He tapped his fingers on the end table. “They’ve always appreciated the elevation of fae in society. They have no love for the changes at Compass Lake. And I think they’ll do anything necessary to ensure things stay as they are.”
“You think his parents are the ones bribing the governor?” I asked, realizing what he was saying. Still, he looked at me with concern. “You think Vincent is in on it with them?” My voice raised at the end.
“Luna, I know you care for him, but it doesn’t make sense that he would act without them. He’s an Andiveron.”
I wondered how Darius could be so progressive in some areas and so…outdated in others. Of course, he didn’t know what I did about Vincent’s split from his family. It must be the best-kept secret in Sandrin.
“Parents and children can have differing views,” I pointed out.
He pursed his lips. “Improbable.”
“You don’t know him.”
“You’re right. I don’t, but I’ve knownthemfor a long time. They wouldn’t let their chosen heir out of their grasp.”
I laughed, but Vincent’s secret wasn’t mine to share.
He pressed, unwilling to let me hold onto my view of Vincent Andiveron. “The paper is running the article. Someone came by this morning to ask if I had a comment. Vincent’s parents don’t work at the paper, Luna.”
I tightened my grip around the mug. He did have me there, but I was sure there was a reasonable explanation, and I said as much.
“Luna—”
“Father,” I said, and he stopped whatever he was about tosay, “we will work on our relationship no matter what you say here, but I must tell you. Just because you failed to protect Mom from the fae and it…imploded so badly across our lives doesn’t mean that Vincent is the same. I can’t expect you to understand how I know this about Vincent, but I do. And I need you to respect my decision. I will talk to him to see what can be done about the article, but I assure you he isn’t the one running it.”
Darius scratched his temple. “The article doesn’t matter, Luna. I’ve been in communication with the Norden Point. She doesn’t believe I’m working against her in such a fashion. I don’t care about my reputation. All I care about is protecting you. I think Vincent Andiveron is bad news, but as you say, you’re an adult, and I’ll trust your judgment.”
