Page 91 of Oz
“He’smy family and I would do a lot more for him.”
There’s a short silence and her voice when she speaks is cold and my heart aches for him. “As you wish, Silas. You’ve made your bed. Don’t come whining to me when things go wrong.”
“Why would I do that, Mother? I’ve never been able to do it before.”
There’s a sharp intake of breath and then the sound of her heels clicking away. I hear a low sigh and then a soft curse before Silas’s footsteps stride away.
Henry straightens up as if he’s going to open the door, but I put my hand out to stop him.
“Don’t. I wasn’t meant to hear that.”
“But you did. Don’t you want to acknowledge what he said?”
I shake my head. “He’ll tell me anyway,” I say serenely with the sudden surety that’s come to me.
Ivo looks at me and nods. “It’s good that you heard that, Oz.”
“Why?”
He smiles. “Because I think you needed to know that he would stick up for you.”
“Not at the cost of his mother.”
Henry snorts and Ivo makes a moue of distaste. “She’s not worth being sorry over and Silas knows it. She can’t see how you fit and balance each other and she probably never will.”
“Do we fit?”
He nods calmly. “It’s like you’re on a seesaw. It’s been somewhat battered by previous users, but you both balance it perfectly. If one of you got off it would make the other fall. He needed someone who would put him first. He hasn’t ever had that in a partner or a parent. And you needed someone who would accept you for who you really are. Accept you and love you.” He gives a very Gallic shrug. “Perfect balance.”
“Sometimes I forget how clever you are about people,” Henry says.
“Would that sometimes be when I’m disagreeing with you?” Ivo asks wryly, and Henry gives him an impish smirk.
“Probably.”
“Okay.” I straighten my jacket and run a hand through my hair.
“Where are you going?” Henry asks with a thread of nervousness running through his voice.
“To the kitchen to shut Chewwy in again and then out to the marquee. Dinner’s being served,” I say calmly. “And Silas will be looking for me.”
I go to open the door and he stays me with a hand on my arm. “Welcome to the family,” he whispers. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
I squeeze his hand. “Thank you.”
The sound of talking in the marquee is like a wall of noise after the quietness of the cupboard. I look around, quickly noting the servers moving with dexterity and the happy faces. Satisfied, I move over to the central table. Olivia is there with a face like thunder sitting next to Martin who is drinking wine as if they’re going to outlaw it at any second. Silas is looking around with a worried expression on his face that eases slightly as he sees me. He stands up hurriedly and strides over.
“Are you alright?” he asks in a rushed voice. “I know my mother spoke to you.”
I grab his arm and rub it gently, watching his eyes close slightly in relief. “I’m so sorry I ran away. I’m okay now,” I whisper. “Don’t worry. Everything’s fine.”
“Where have you been?” he whispers. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
I shrug and smile at him. “I went looking for my courage and common sense.”
“Sounds likeThe Wizard of Oz,” he says gently. “Did you find them?”
I lower my hand and take his. Then I raise it to my lips and kiss it gently and deliberately. His eyes flare at the simple gesture because he knows what this means.
