Page 5 of The Swan Syndicate
“Why didn’t you tell me you were going back?”
AJ’s question was said loud enough for Stella to hear from the closet, where she was reviewing last-minute options. Stella’s shoulders tensed as she considered the question. After that dinner a couple of days before, everything seemed back to normal between her and her best friend.
They’d gone shopping twice, searching for the best pants and shirt for her to wear through the fog. She still had the set she’d worn when traveling home from Waverly, but AJ thought something that fit Stella’s curves would be more comfortable. After realizing she’d lost the battle on Stella going back, AJ seemed eager to ensure she was well-equipped.
Not once during the thrift stores, lunches, and coffee breaks had AJ’s question come up. Not once was there any weird vibe coming from her that she was unsettled by Stella’s unwillingness to share her plans with her. Now that they were a day away from travel, she popped the question.
After one last review of her closet, she ran her fingers over the moss robe she’d brought with her from Waverly. She refused to take it with her—it was Beckworth’s favorite. She smiled at all the times he’d taken it off her. With a last sigh and not seeing anything else to pack, she straightened her shoulders and strode into the bedroom. Her first stop was the table by the armchair, where an almost empty bottle of wine and two glasses sat. She refilled the glasses and handed one to AJ.
She sat cross-legged on the bed without spilling a drop and patted the bed. “Come sit.”
AJ smirked and joined her, preferring to lean against the headboard as she rested the glass on her belly.
“Back when I’d been kidnapped and dragged through the fog, you’d been terrified for my safety.” Stella stared into her wine, searching for the best words. “Your worry grew as you and Finn searched for me, even when you knew Beckworth was protecting me. I get it. I worried about you every time you stepped through the fog.
“The thing is, we each had a right to be worried. But it had nothing to do with the time travel. It had everything to do with the bad guys who wanted control of the stones and the chronicles. The bad guys have been vanquished. The stones are safe.The Book of Stonesis safe. We’re safe.”
“All true.” AJ sipped wine. “That doesn’t explain why you didn’t tell me you wanted to go back to Waverly.”
“In a way, it does. When I followed you and Finn home to this century and left Beckworth behind, you were worried I’d go back. Hell, I even had the powers of attorney set up for that verypossibility. I wanted to be with Beckworth, but that’s not the same thing as wanting to be at Waverly.”
Stella sighed and scooted back, leaning against the headboard so she was next to AJ. She took her friend’s hand. “We’re only going to visit. Beckworth still has a strong attachment to what he built and the people he left behind. But he’s committed to this future. He likes it here now that he’s had time to see it from the perspective of friends. We’re coming back. Think of it as a trip to see family.”
AJ snorted. “It’s not exactly a flight to the East Coast.”
Stella laughed. “Exactly. Sure, the first couple minutes are uncomfortable, but it’s not like I’ll have some kid behind me, kicking my seat all the way there and back.”
“Well, that’s one way to look at it.” AJ took another sip. “I wish there was a way to stay in contact while you’re in a different century. And god, doesn’t that sound strange.” She sighed while she picked at her chipped nail polish. “I don’t understand why you didn’t just blurt it out days ago. I would have been upset, but I would have preferred hearing it from you. I guess it’s my turn to sit home and wait. Once I spoke with Sebastian and Maire, I was partially appeased. When Beckworth found out I knew, I have to admit, I was surprised by his solution.”
“He knew you knew?” Stella sprang up, wine jostling but not breaching the rim.
AJ laughed and couldn’t seem to stop. Stella took her glass before she sloshed wine over the bedspread. She couldn’t believe Beckworth hadn’t told her. He’d been more manipulative that she’d guessed. She set the glasses on the nightstand and leaned against the headboard while AJ controlled her giggles.
Could she blame him? He’d asked several times if she’d talked to AJ. Had suggested Stella take her to lunch, drive down the coast to their favorite tourist trap, or discuss it over a fancy dinner with AJ and Finn. When she ignored all his suggestions,then discovered AJ already knew about the trip, most likely through Finn, he’d come up with his own solution—break the news in a large group with the support of friends. The anger that had been building at being duped melted away.
“Promise me you’ll stay out of trouble.” AJ gripped Stella’s hand.
“It’s a weekend hunting party. I’ll be eating cake and strolling through Waverly gardens helping Mary plan her spring garden parties and gossiping over which balls she’ll attend in London. What trouble could I get in?”
“Just a weekend?”
“Probably more like a week or two, but you know that’s only a day or two in this timeline. We never spoke about how long we’d be gone, but let’s say, from your perspective, no more than a week.”
“You know that’s like two or three months in the past.”
Stella squeezed AJ’s hand and stood. “I know he only mentioned Waverly, but I’m wondering if he might also want to see his friends in London. It’s possible—” she held up a hand at the protest AJ was beginning to raise. “I’m just saying, he might consider continuing to London with Hensley and Mary for a few days and then returning to Waverly for a few more before coming home.”
AJ considered it. “I have to admit, the London parties were fun, though I didn’t get to experience many. If you made the jump, it makes sense to get the most out of it before coming home. And you’re right, with the trouble with the stones behind us, there shouldn’t be anything to worry about.” She jumped off the bed. “So, let’s get you packed before Beckworth comes home. I think Finn wanted to go out to dinner for your send-off.”
“And then some god-forsaken early morning jump. I don’t know what he was thinking.”
“I think the key is that it’s before breakfast. You’ll thank him once the fog spits you out.”
They were both laughing as they continued packing.
“Do you have the first aid kit?” AJ asked.
“You’ve asked me that twice already.”
