Fragile Destiny (The Aether Chronicles) (7 page)

Steven sucked in a breath as he took in the sheer force of the magic the jewel possessed. “Bright Lady bless. What
is
that?”

“I’m not getting anything,” James hissed back. “What do you feel?”

Steven put his hand on the glass, trying to read it the best he could. His hand yanked back as if it burned. “This may not be what Noli thinks it is, but this is most definitely … you know.”

The stone was quite magic. It was surprising no one had stolen it yet … whatever it was.

They finished touring the gallery so that no one suspected anything. Finally, he and James left the museum and hoverboarded home in silence. They touched down in their backyard.

The door to Noli’s backyard opened. A moment later, Jeff climbed through the loose board in the fence between their houses. His arms crossed over his chest. “So?”

Steven raked his hand through his hair. “I don’t know what it is. But it’s
not
something that should be in mortal hands. As much as I hate to admit it, Noli’s right. We have to steal it.”

“Fine. But there has to be a better way than Noli doing it alone. She needs to let us help her.” Jeff’s arms stayed wrapped firmly across his chest.

Noli climbed through the fence, a wrapped parcel in her hand. “Could you see Thad in a tuxedo and top hat? V, do you have anything suitable to wear tomorrow?”

“Probably.” He’d just wear what he wore to the last affair he’d taken her to. It should still fit. Perhaps he should check on that.

Noli made a face at his reply.

Yes, he should check on that. Today.

“Noli, I’ve decided to help. Why do you insist on doing it by yourself?” Jeff huffed.

“
Fine.” Noli stood toe to toe with Jeff. “V and I will attend the ball. If I think I can take it without being caught, I will. If not, Thad and Asa can do it, but I can’t pay you.”

“Is this about
money
?” Jeff stepped back. “You’re my sister. We’ll steal something for you for free.”

Her face fell. Steven put an arm around her waist to comfort her. Jeff glared. Steven glared right back and pulled her closer.

“I need to do it.” Noli’s jaw clenched in determination.

Ah, yes. Therein lay the crux of it. Noli believed she was the protector of this artifact, a duty bestowed upon her by a mysterious voice she heard while in a tree. She therefore felt that she personally needed to steal it.

“I believe you,” Steven lied. “If she’s telling you to do this, we’ll do this together.”

“We will?” Noli’s entire face brightened, like the sun coming out from behind the clouds.

“Yes.” It was one thing not to believe her; it was another thing to not believe her when Jeff didn’t. Jeff made an annoyed noise. That made it all the better. “I’m not sure it’s part of the staff, but it’s not something we can leave in mortal hands. We’ll figure it out.” Steven toyed with her curls.

Jeff made another annoyed noise. “We’re not finished discussing this.”

Noli grit her teeth and took Steven’s hand. “Yes, we are. V, let’s see if your suit fits.”

Steven allowed her to drag him inside his house and up the stairs. They recoiled when he opened his bedroom door. Whoops. He’d forgotten about the stench. What had caused it? Not that it mattered right now.

“Why don’t you wait for me in Elise’s room? I’ll get it and change in James’ room.” He ran into his room, grabbed his suit out of the closet, and went into James’ room. Steven kicked things out of his way. How did James function in such a mess?

He pulled on his suit. It didn’t quite fit. Perhaps no one would notice.

Steven found Noli in Elise’s room, which was still a mess from when Elise had fled in haste. She was sitting on Elise’s bed reading a book, and looked up and frowned as he entered.

“That looks dreadful. Didn’t you just wear it not long ago?”

He looked down at it, then back up at her. “I guess.”

Setting the book on the bed, she came over to him and ran her fingers down his face. “I know you age differently. Did someone use magic to make you look, well, more like us?”

“Um, yes, when we came to live in this realm. I was disappointed that they made us so … young. That’s partially why everyone thought I was so smart. Father figured it would be better, that it would give us more allowances in adjusting. He used the magic in such a way so that James and I would be adults at about the same time here as we would in our realm. Why do you ask?” He stood inches from her. Steven liked being close to her without having to worry that Jeff or Vix would interrupt.

“You look … different today. Different than you did yesterday. You’re much taller, and you … ” A blush rose on her cheeks. “You look more … like a man. I’m not sure how and why, but you do. I guess with your father being … gone, the magic he used is wearing off.”

“Oh, that makes sense. Magic generally undoes itself when the user passes on.” He brought his face closer to hers, his dear, sweet Noli. “I really am almost an adult in my realm, so it won’t be too much of a difference when it wears off completely. James, neither. Elise … no, Quinn’s with her. She’ll be fine.”

“Elise is older than you pretend she is, isn’t she?” Noli’s voice held no judgment.

“The matter of Elise is … complicated.” Actually, she was younger.

Noli rolled her eyes as she adjusted his suit. “Like she thinks her mother is dead, and I’m not supposed to notice that she has the same sort of magic as you-know-who?”

Steven froze; he hadn’t realized she’d figured out the similarities between Elise and their mother. “You can’t tell a soul.”

“I won’t. She’s naïve even for a little girl. It would be so easy … ” Noli shook her head.

He knew exactly what she was thinking.

“Quinn will protect her with his dying breath, but finding her is very important. With Father gone, the family is my responsibility.” He was failing at this right now, and it galled him.

She wrapped her arms around him. “Yes, it is. Now, does James own a suit? You simply
can’t
wear this tomorrow.”

“Noli, why are you stuck on this? Missy Sassafras is
nothing
compared to you.” He ran his hand through her unbound hair. “She’s not very smart. She probably has never read Aristotle or Shakespeare. She wouldn’t know a Dutch Golden Age painting from a Baroque one. She can’t fix an engine and probably grows lousy roses.”

“But she makes superior scones.” Noli glowered.

Steven leaned in until his lips brushed her ear. “I don’t actually like scones. Now, what if I tell you what I’ve found regarding the staff?”

“It’s bad?” She frowned.

“It can be terrible, depending on who wields it, but yes—according to what Quinn found, the circumstances leading up to the Bright Lady breaking it were quite dire.”

“I see. So we absolutely need to protect the pieces.” Noli looked solemn. “Even with all these things we need to do, I think we should still apply to universities for next fall. I don’t care where we go … I … I just want to go. Jeff says he’ll help me pay for it if I don’t get a scholarship. Which I probably won’t.”

That was a bit of a disconnect. She was behaving so strangely. How much of it was her being a girl, and how much of it was everything that had happened to her?

“Of course we can,” he reassured her. She looked as if she might cry, and Noli wasn’t as weepy as most girls. “Some of the applications I sent for have arrived.”

Actually, applying to universities would give him something to look forward to. Steal a jewel. Duel his uncle. Find his sister. Attend university. Protect a world-altering artifact. Take back the kingdom. Marry the girl he loved. Just a day in the life of an exiled prince.

She gave him a smile as large as the sky. “Good. But we’re still going to the ball.”

Six

The Museum Ball

Noli clipped a feather fascinator to her hair as she got ready for the ball.

Pretty
, the sprite crowed as she caught sight of their reflection in the mirror.

“No. You can’t go out like that, I’m sorry.” Jeff blocked the door to her room with his body, a hand on each side of the door frame.

“You’re not the boss of me, Jeff,” she snapped, fluffing her carefully created curls to ensure they covered her pointed ears. “I’m tired of everyone treating me like I’m a little girl. Don’t make me throw my knife at you.”

His face fell as he entered her room. “I was making a joke. You … you look beautiful.” A sigh escaped his lips. “The older brother in me doesn’t want to acknowledge that you’re not a little girl anymore. You’re a woman grown, ready to make her own choices.”

“Oh.” She smoothed her voluminous skirts, then looked up at him in earnest. “I’m seventeen. I’m
not
a little girl anymore.”

“No, you’re not.” Jeff shook his head, sadness in his eyes, as he sat on her desk chair. “Also, you’re pretty good at throwing knifes. I saw you in the yard with James.”

Earlier she and James had been having another sword lesson, which had ended with knife throwing, her favorite. “I like learning how to use a sword.”

Noli pulled on net gloves, which she’d bleached then tinted with tea, trying to match the cream underskirt of the dress, and threaded gold ribbons through them.

“Are you really applying to all those universities?” Jeff rearranged the things on her desk. “I saw the applications on the kitchen table.”

“Yes,” she replied. V had brought over the applications and she’d started filling them out.

“Impressive.” Jeff gave a nod of approval. “Your marks must be better than mine.”

“Not really, but V seems to think I can do it.” If he believed in her, then she had to try. She tucked a lace fan in her handbag. “Do I look all right?” Noli twirled in front of the looking glass, trying to glimpse the dress from different angles. She’d taken the rosettes off.

“You look amazing. Did Mother make the dress?”

“I did. Will you tie me up in the back? Please?” Not knowing what else to do, she’d slit the back and laced it up like a corset.

Jeff stood and laced her up. “Well, that’s different.”

“
That’s the point.” She took her new cream under-bust corset and put it over the dress. It was decorated with gold lace flowers. “Lace this up too, please?”

“What is
with
the corsets over the dresses? Aren’t you supposed to wear them
under
your clothes?” Jeff’s nose scrunched in confusion. “The corset tool belt you have makes sense, but this is just odd.”

“It’s a fae convention, but apparently it’s making its way into this realm. I happen to like it.” She’d discovered that at the corset maker’s when she’d gotten the corset by trading fabric and things from her mother’s shop.

He shook his head as he laced her up. “I’ll never understand ladies’ fashion.”

Noli checked her appearance again in the mirror. “Perfect.”

“Darrow better realize he’s lucky to have someone like you,” Jeff muttered.

“I do, Jeff. I do.” V stood in the doorway. He twisted self-consciously. “Noli, do I look all right? James said I look like Father. I’m not sure if he meant it as a compliment.”

Noli sucked in breath at the handsome sight in front of her. “You look like a gentleman.”

She walked over and straightened the vest and cravat, which had been his father’s party best. He did resemble Mr. Darrow a little, but not in a bad way.

“I never thought to use magic to make it fit.” V tugged at the cravat. “Will I pass? I feel odd wearing his suit. Like I’m wearing a costume.”

She took him in from toes to top hat. He was a very cute man indeed. Noli adjusted his cravat, again. “You’re perfect.”

Jeff cleared his throat, still sitting at her desk.

V’s eyes widened as he took her in. “You look
amazing.
”

“I’m so glad you like it.” Part of her preened, proud of the off-the-shoulder dress—and the entire effect the sprite had created. Even if the dress was
poufy
.

Poufy is pretty!
The sprite told her.
And we look so very pretty.

That we do, you did a good job,
she assured the sprite.

V looks pretty too.

Noli gazed openly at V.
Yes, V looks really nice.

If only Jeff and Vix weren’t here …

“Will your skirt fit in my father’s auto?” V frowned as his head flopped from side to side, top hat nearly falling off in the process.

Oops.
She’d forgotten about that. “We’ll figure it out.”

Jeff sighed and shook his head slowly in resignation. “Have fun—and please don’t forget to follow the plan.” He eyed her handbag. “Do you have everything?”

Noli patted her handbag, which was a little large for the affair, but she needed the space in order to conceal everything. “I do. I even remember the plan.”

They’d only been over it a hundred times. At least she’d gotten them to agree to doing things her way.

“Good.” Jeff eyed V and patted the pistol at his hip. “Darrow, I’m watching you.”

V straightened and gave a decisive nod. “Likewise.”

“Ugh, you two. I’ll be waiting downstairs.” Grabbing her skirts, she left the room and marched down to the kitchen, frustrated by their silly boy games.

Vix sat at the kitchen table, cleaning her pistol. She looked up. “What a pretty dress. Not my style, but pretty.”

“I appreciate the compliment.” Noli untangled the train.

We will be prettiest,
the sprite told her, as she fixed the skirts.
Missy will be angry. Perhaps she’ll turn purple.

She heard footsteps down the back stairs.

“I’m sorry, Noli.” V joined her and offered his arm. “Shall we? The auto’s out front. I’ve enlisted James as our chauffeur.”

Noli took his offered arm. “Apology accepted. I just tire of you two sniping at each other. Now, let’s steal ourselves a faery jewel.”

“And here we are.” James stopped the auto in front of the museum. The red and gold enameled steam-powered auto was a few years old but top of the line. He opened the car door for her.

Noli carefully extracted her skirts and train from the car and straightened them, as V got out and adjusted his top hat. A flying car, a giant purple Dragon model, soared overhead.

“I miss the Big Bad Pixymobile,” she muttered. The unrepairable remains of her beloved flying car were in the shed behind the house, if Grandfather hadn’t already carted them to the scrap heap.

“She was a good car.” V put a gloved hand on her bare shoulder. “James, are you certain you don’t wish to join us?”

James made a face as he climbed back into the car. “I’d rather eat ogre dung.” He pulled out his pocket watch, which was on the chain she’d woven out of Charlotte’s hair. James tucked it away and gave them a nod. “Enjoy.”

After watching James race off, V straightened his top hat and offered Noli his arm. “Shall we, Miss Braddock?”

Grinning, she took his arm. “Why certainly, Mr. Darrow.”

They walked up the museum steps slowly so she wouldn’t trip on her skirts. V took the invitation out of his jacket pocket and handed it to the doorman.

The doorman looked at the invitation, then at them. Noli’s belly knotted. He gave them a nod of approval. “Welcome.”

They entered the museum lobby, checked in their wraps and his hat, and joined the line of couples to be announced into the ball. The strains of a waltz met her ears. Her belly didn’t unknot as she remembered why she hated these sorts of affairs.

“Mr. Steven Darrow and Miss Magnolia Braddock,” the man announced to the room.

Noli took a deep breath, well, as deep as she could with so much corsetry, and smiled as she and V entered the room. The main gallery had been cleared so there was room to dance, though fine paintings still lined the walls.

Couples, young and old, waltzed across the floor. Most women were festooned in ribbons and lace to the point where they resembled cakes in the bakery. A few older women sat along one wall. Chaperones. Several young women chatted in small groups, waiting to be asked to dance. All of Los Angeles society seemed to be in attendance. A few women craned their necks as she and V entered. Great. She could practically hear the whispers.

Perhaps this wasn’t a good idea after all. No, that was what they wanted. Jeff, Vix, V … even Thad and Asa. No one thought she could steal the gem. But she could.

As for surviving the ball …

“Oh. You came.” Missy sailed over, looking like a small steamboat in her navy and cream gown. All she needed was a hat with a whistle on it. Several girls trailed behind her, dance cards dangling from their wrists. Two whispered behind gloved hands and giggled.

No. She wasn’t going to let them irritate her. Too much was at stake tonight.

“Missy, ladies.” Noli had never bothered to learn all their names.

“Mr. Darrow, don’t you look dashing? I’m glad you’ve returned from your travels. I can’t wait to hear all about them.” Missy took out her fan, fluttered it, and flashed him a look that was probably meant to be flirtatious, but instead made her look like a beaver.

“Miss Sassafras, ladies.” V gave a little bow. “You all look well this evening.” He sounded bored and uninterested, which Missy failed to notice, flapping her fan and leaning in as if he were telling exciting stories.

Missy looked down her pointed nose at Noli. “My, Noli, what an
interesting
dress.”

Noli’s cheeks burned with ire.
Interesting?
In society-speak, “interesting” was a code word for “ugly” and could be applied to everything from gowns to girls. The dress was different, but
not
interesting.

“I think she looks beautiful,” V retorted. “Miss Braddock, may I have the honor of a dance?”

Before she could answer, V had her gliding across the floor to the
one-two-three, one-two-three
of the small orchestra. They twirled and whirled with the other couples to the rhythm of the music, not missing a step.

“Did I do that correctly?” V held her tightly to him. “You turned as red as your dress. I figured
interesting
is girl code for something.”

“It is, and you did. I appreciate that.” She had to move quickly and lightly to maneuver the skirt around the room; the train had a wrist-loop to help keep it from being stepped on. Several women gave her odd looks as they made their way around the floor. The bottom fell out of her stomach. “My dress really is ugly, isn’t it? Everyone’s staring.”

V’s cheek touched hers as they danced. “All eyes are on you because you outshine everyone else.”

I told you we’re pretty. The other girl is just jealous.
She looks like someone tied a ribbon around a lump of fabric,
the sprite assured her.

As amusing and accurate as that image was, Noli re-mained unconvinced.

The waltz became a polka. People changed partners. V held on to her tightly and she was grateful for it. She was in no mood to make nice while some old man danced with her out of pity so she wouldn’t be drapery on the ballroom walls, sitting with the chaperones and undesirables.

“Polka, Miss Braddock?” He changed his hold on her.

“Why certainly, Mr. Darrow.” Doing the polka in this dress was even more difficult than waltzing. She couldn’t help laughing as she tried to keep her skirts from barreling into people.

V laughed. “That’s a very large dress.”

When the polka ended, he bowed and she curtseyed. They made their way off the floor. Noli prayed no one asked her to dance; if they did, the rules of society dictated that she had to accept.

“Would you like some refreshment?” he asked. V was always so good at playing the gentleman at affairs like these.

“Why, that sounds lovely.” Finding the refreshment room would get them out of the ballroom so they could look for the jewel. Hopefully it wasn’t in the same place as the food.

Missy shot her a nasty look as she took a place on the floor for the quadrille. Having danced with her partner on occasion, Noli almost felt sorry for Missy; well, Missy’s toes.

Let’s not dance with boys who are bad at dancing tonight,
the sprite told her. The sprite loved dancing, but had little patience for inept partners.

Sounds good to me.
Noli didn’t like dancing with anyone but V.

In the refreshment room, no sooner had V brought her some cake when several women came up to her inquiring about her mother—and their dresses. Noli found herself promising to be at the shop the next day. V stood in a
corner speaking with a group of young men, most of which she didn’t fancy.

“Why are you standing in the corner eating cake and denying others the pleasure of your company?” Mrs. Sassafras gently chided. Now she looked like a lump of brown silk tied with a giant cream ribbon and trimmed in lace. The feathers of her fascinator were also cream, making her resemble an apple dumpling topped with ice cream.

“I like cake, Mrs. Sassafras.” There wasn’t much else to say.

I wish it were chocolate,
the sprite told her.

Mrs. Sassafras looked around, frowning. “I’ll escort you back to the ballroom. It’s not proper for you to be hiding in here alone.”

Noli took another bite of cake. Blasted societal rules.

“I dare say, I do like this decorative corsetry trend,” she added. “Now, come along, dear. Your Steven will find you for the final waltz. I’m sure there are young men just waiting to dance with you.”

Sure.
Noli cast V a glance as she set her plate on a tray and Mrs. Sassafras herded her back into the ballroom and planted her in a chair. Not only was she apart from V, but she needed to find that jewel. Something she couldn’t do from a chair in the ballroom.