Page 20 of The Demon's Discovery
“Mm.” Magnus’s mouth pinched into a straight line. “Have they treated you well?”
I hesitated, weighing my words, but that seemed to be enough for both of them to come to a less-than-favorable conclusion. Which, honestly, wasn’t at all wrong.
“They took me in as a child. I don’t remember arriving, or much at all from the earliest years, though. They’ve kept me fed and housed, employed as staff. There are few luxuries in my life, but I’m provided for well enough.”
Magnus sneered. “If you’re a servant to them and not a beloved daughter, it isnotenough.” He pounded a frustrated fist on the table, apologizing when he saw me flinch. “Apologies. I’m not angry with you, please don’t misunderstand. I can’t believe you’ve been here all this time. You should have been cherished and taught so many things, not simply…tolerateduntil you could be employed.”
“It’s alright.” A warm sense of potential belonging flowed through me, made my worries fade into the background of all the noise in my mind.
“It’s an incredibly difficult task to pull off, you being hidden in plain sight all this time,” Vassago said, brows pulled together. “How has that been accomplished?”
I cleared my throat, glancing between them. “Since I was a child, one of Henrik’s rules was that I remain unseen. I am not allowed in the city or around guests who don’t already know of my existence.” I slid a glance at Vassago, feeling the heat of a blush on my cheeks. “There’s only been one time I failed with that one.”
“Perhaps I should take back my apology for running into you that night,” he teased.
“Henrik always said it was for my own safety. I’m not sure why, but perhaps if someone took or harmed my mother, they might very well be looking for me, too.”
“Wewere looking for you, Greta. For her. I was. My sons and daughters, soldiers. Other stone kin. We’ve never stopped. I can’t help but wonder what she was mixed up in. I’ve never once heard her name uttered alongside Henrik Belette’s, either, so how you ended up with them is a mystery. For you to have been right here… It breaks my heart that none of us knew.” His large hand covered mine on the tabletop. He radiated sincerity. I’d never felt half as comfortable at the Belette house as I did inside d’Arcan’s walls. The realization was profound, compressing my chest with emotion. “Though I will say, being unseen is somewhat of a common thing all stone kin are used to trying to be. Will you come back to d’Arcan soon?”
I glanced at Vassago, who grinned in a way that made me blush.
“She’s welcome back as soon and as often as she’d like.”
“Wonderful. I hope you come very, very soon.” He heaved a sigh. “I regret leaving you, but I have an appointment I cannot miss. I am endlessly glad to have been here to see you today, niece.”
His use of that word made my heart thump. “Me too.”
Magnus stood, opening his arms. I rose and gratefully allowed myself to be folded into them. Magnus smelled like the air right before a rainstorm. I couldn’t put words to why, but I suspected my mother had smelled much the same based on my body’s inclination to relax in his grasp.
Once he finally let me go, Grace lovingly shooed us all out of the dining room. “Mr. Feland, why don’t you take her somewhere with a cushioned seat for a while? Or maybe for a walk around the grounds? Clem will take her back whenever she’s ready.”
I appreciated her kind delivery, but the reminder that I had to leave soon saddened me. I didn’t want to leave this welcoming place or the people. Especially not now that I knew I had actual family here. I’d spent nearly thirty years alone, just an orphan the Belettes had taken in who later became one of their maids. I wanted somethingrealfar more than I could express, especially now that I’d had the briefest taste of such a thing.
“Which do you prefer, Greta?” Vassago asked, offering me a hand to get up from my dining chair. The brief contact sent a rush of heat through my body, a strange mixture of apprehension and lust. No matter where we were, he was attentive of my needs. It was the exact opposite of what I was used to and an incredible temptation.
“I could use some air,” I admitted, my chest heavy. “But I’d hate to leave without having seen the observatory again.”
“The observatory it is,” he agreed, leading the way. “There’s usually a breeze up there, and it’s cool even when the sun is at its hottest because of the stone.”
Despite the fact that we’d just finished eating, Grace reappeared with a basket that was as big as her torso. She handed it off to Vassago and, with a laugh, said, “You go on with this. Walking all those stairs is probably good for me, but I don’t care for it. Enjoy your visit.” She winked at me again before leaving.
“Shall we?” Vassago inclined his head, and I followed him down the hall and then up the stairs. And up and up.
His pace was sedate, and he kept up a conversation the whole time about the history of the building. As we crested the landing, my heart pounded for a reason other than the exertion of climbing all those steps.
“Oh my.” I took in the large open space with awe, the marble pillars evenly spaced around the dome were perfectly glossy in the sunlight. Half of the roof was closed, providing shade, andthe breeze he’d mentioned was indeed cool despite it being midday in the middle of summer.
“My brother’s pride and joy,” he smirked, setting the basket on one of the tables that ringed the room.
“I can understand why. These telescopes! They’re magnificent. The stargazing must be unmatched.”
“It is. Perhaps you’ll be able to remain after dark and see for yourself. And once you perfect how to make those fireworks, this will be the best place to view them in the whole city.” I glowed with the compliment he’d so kindly layered in. “Have a seat.” He gestured to the collection of plush cushions piled up on the floor.
Once I’d gotten comfortable, he handed me a plate with an assortment of finger foods for us to share. I was stuffed, but it gave me something to do with my hands.
“Are those charts?” I asked, gesturing to the mass of parchment not only hanging on the walls but also piled up to the point of nearly spilling off a nearby table.
“Yes, Rylan has habitually tracked the sky for as long as I can recall.”
