Page 120 of House of Roots and Ruin
The wall shut with a dull click and they were gone.
Moments later, the door to the study opened and Alex wheeled in, in a different chair, looking flustered.
“Oh, Verity, you’re here,” he said in a rush. “What a day! I had another bad spell last night and overslept and then couldn’t find my chair, of all things. Oh,” he said, spotting the wicker chair in the middle of the room. “It’s here.”
Hidden in the depths of my skirts, I balled my hands into fists, preparing the first lie I’d ever told him. “I…borrowed it. I’m so sorry. I heard you weren’t feeling well last night so I thought it best to let you rest. I was going to work on the chair details today…I didn’t think how disconcerting it would be to wake and find it gone.”
He waved off my false words with a generosity I did not deserve. “I’m the one who ought to be apologizing. I feel terrible you were here working without me.” His hand wrapped around mine, squeezing it with a gentle affection. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be silly. You weren’t well.” I studied him, taking in the dark circles beneath his eyes, the weariness that clung to him like a tailored suit. “How are you feeling now?”
Alex shook his head. “I’ll be better. There’s just been so many late nights, too many celebrations. They’re taking a toll on me. On you,” he said, reaching out to touch the shadows under my own eyes.
The moment reminded me uncomfortably of Viktor’s own words. It seemed impossible they could be brothers and yet…so undeniably right. I wondered where the boys were now—if they’d escaped into a deeper region of the house or if they were lingering behind the hidden door, listening. Was Viktor watching my hand wrapped up in his brother’s?
I pushed the thought away. It didn’t matter if he was.
“You look as tired as I feel. Tell me the peacocks were quiet at least. I spoke to Erikson about having them roost farther from the house.”
I opened my mouth, feeling the words about to fall free.
The babies, Constance and her murder, my visions. I wanted to tell him everything.
But if I started with one thread of the story, the whole tale would unravel until everything came out.
His long-lost brothers. Their abilities. Their very existence.
And I’d given my word I’d keep their secret.
For one day.
I could feel Viktor with us, somehow, somewhere. His eyes were at the back of my neck, keenly watching on from a hidden distance, making sure I kept my oath, assuring himself that he and Julien were safe.
“Verity?” Alex prompted, looking worried by my silence.
I offered out a weak smile, my stomach roiling with the lie. “No. No, nothing like that. I slept like the dead.”
“How do you find the fish this evening?” Dauphine asked, far down along the opposite end of the formal dining room. I could barely see her around the staggeringly tall vases of flowers.
Earlier today—while I’d been learning the existence of Alexander’s brothers—an army of wedding designers had gone through Chauntilalie with their ideas for the best table settings and arrangements. We were meant to be trying everything out this evening, each sitting in front of a completely different set of dishes and cutlery, decorations and goblets.
I was inclined to choose my seat’s arrangement. Giant puffs of petal pink pampas grass sprung from vases on either side of my plate, allowing me a false sense of safety. I could hide away in their frothy depths, keeping a careful watch on both Dauphine and Gerard.
“Verity?” Dauphine prompted. I could see from the twitch at the corner of her lips that she wasn’t pleased to have had to ask twice.
I glanced down at the untouched salmon on my plate. A thick crust of yellow flowers had been seared to its side.
My stomach was a mess of anxious knots and I’d spent most of dinner pushing courses from one side of the plate to the other. It was exhausting to pretend that this was a normal night, that I’d not found out my future mother-in-law was a murderer, that my father-in-law-to-be was a mad scientist, experimenting on girls and babies as if they were no more than plants in his greenhouse. As if I hadn’t learned he might have the same nefarious plan for me. As if I’d not met two brothers Alex never knew existed.
Now I jumped at every unexpected movement from the periphery of my eyes, certain Gerard was coming at me with a pair of manacles and an arsenal of potions and drafts. Looking at Dauphine made my sternum ache. I could almost understand the jealous rage she must have felt when discovering Constance, but how could a mother bear to cast away her own children? I did not honestly believe the gods meted out punishments or blessings based upon behavior but in the deepest, darkest part of my heart, I was glad she’d never had any other babies.
“I was thinking it might be a nice selection for the wedding reception,” Dauphine continued. “It’s certainly different, but is it right?”
“We don’t serve fish at weddings,” Marguerite spoke up, indignant.
Her setting was full of ivory and silver, patterned in sharp angles. I’d never seen a more menacing arrangement of vases and cutlery. I studied the sour old woman, wondering what she knew of Julien and Viktor. Had she lived at Chauntilalie then? Was she aware of her two missing grandsons? I couldn’t believe it possible. If Gerard had truly sent them away because of their abilities, I’dguess he’d tell as few people as possible. He’d want his sins kept secret.
“Cold-blooded and unfeeling beasts? To celebrate a life of love?” Marguerite carried on and the ruby droplets hanging from her ears bobbled back and forth with surprising force. “We will feast on swan, as we always have.” She took a sip of her wine as if the matter was settled.
