Page 48 of By Mistake
To get out of their way, he stepped out onto the patio and looked down over the west side of the palace, which comprised gardens, walking paths, and scattered small buildings there, probably various kinds of outbuildings for the groundskeepers.The snow had eased up at some point, but it looked as though more would be coming before the end of the day.
"Lord Bothwell."
He turned, looked at a maid standing a few paces away."Yes?"
"Your guest, Lord Whyte, has arrived.He is awaiting you in the Gray Room."
"Thank you.Shimari, I don't suppose you know where the Gray Room is?"
"Of course.This way, your lordship."
They walked together down the stairs to the more public portions of the palace, where the second floor was for residents only, and the third floor could be accessed by certain staff and royal family only.
In the Gray Room, Coret stood looking at a painting of a ship crashing into rocky cliffs.He turned as he heard them enter."Andrus!Good mor—" He froze, eyes going wide."Y-you're the demon he's bound to.A zero class, just like I suspected.I can't believe it, I wasn't entirely sure but it was all that made sense, and yet…"
Even Shimari looked astonished as he stared at Coret."How did you know that?"
"What do you mean?"Coret asked."I mean, it's true I've never seen your particular glow, but it's merely a matter of logic."
"Glow," Shimari said flatly."You're an aura reader."
"Is that what it's called?I've looked and looked, but not a single book I can find ever described what I can do."
"Mercy of the gods, this is not at all what I was expecting when I asked you to visit me."Before Andrus could say anything further, the door opened again to a servant bearing a large, heavy tea tray.Shimari took it from her and ushered her politely out, then deposited the tray on the table before striding back to the door and locking it.
He prowled over to Coret."You see a glow around people, sometimes objects, and it varies in color or color combination depending on what they are, what magic they possess, and more."
"Yes.It's taken years to learn all the colors and combinations, and new ones still show up."He cast Andrus the same amused look he'd had in the garden, and suddenly it all made sense."I know all the different demons pretty well by this point.You'd be surprised how many brownies and minor demons are just waltzing about town."He gave a shaky laugh."At that, you probably wouldn't be surprised at all.I'm sorry, I didn't mean to alarm you.Either of you."He looked at Andrus."I was simply taken by surprise.I could tell Andrus was bound to a powerful demon, but I didn't think I'd actually see you."
Andrus sat to pour tea."Lord Coret Whyte, I make you known to Shimari of the Harvest."He looked at Coret in amusement."You knew the whole time, from the moment you saw me, and were trying to tell me, weren't you?That whole conversation takes on a whole new shape now."
Coret laughed sheepishly."I was, but not very hard, as I had no idea how to explain my ability.I'm sorry for knowing things I shouldn't.Believe me, I wish there was a way to turn the ability off.It can be exhausting."
"There's nothing to apologize for, please.I invited you here today to tell you many things, because I trusted you and thought your input would be of great use.If it came to that point, I would have told you all about Shimari.Sit, please.I'll tell you everything about what a twitIam."
Coret sat, and Andrus told his tale, and by the time he'd finished, with not a single helpful interjection from Shimari's smart mouth, Coret was smiling."In a hundred years of trying, I doubt anyone could ever recreate what you did.Astounding.You must have truly impressive reserves."
"He does, and you can see auras.Combined with our intrepid investigator prince and our little half-dryad, we are quite the group."
"Half-dryad?"Coret asked."Who—"
The door flew open, though when Shimari had unlocked it Andrus had no idea, and Oresti blew into the room in his usual fashion, followed more sedately by Greivs.The wind and the mountain, those two.
"Oh, my," Coret murmured.
Before Andrus could ask what that was about, Oresti swept him up and kissed him quick and sharp on the mouth."Good day, my sweet."
"Unhand me and stop making a spectacle in front of company," Andrus hissed.
Setting him back on his feet with an unrepentant grin, Oresti asked, "How has your day been?"
"Most intriguing," Shimari said."The newest little human can see auras."
"Lies," Oresti replied."That's impossible, a myth, a fairy tale."
"I'm not a liar," Coret snapped, then smacked his forehead."Beg pardon, Your Highness."
Andrus snorted."No, no, you had it right the first time.He doesn't deserve manners."
