Page 90 of Midwinter Wiles & Valerian Dreams
Lark gives me a crooked grin, his arms full of props and picnic baskets. All our nerves are jangled. This plan is probably crazy, and almost certainly won’t work, and yet nothing could stop me from following his lead into this folly.
He tilts his head toward the door. “Alright, little beasties. It’s that time! Props, cloaks, courage, go.”
“I’m coming!” Aili hollers, but she’s still sitting cross-legged on the floor, frowning at her sash. “It’s thewrong purple.”
“It’s the only purple,” I say gently.
“I look like cabbage.”
Lark pretends to faint against the doorframe. “The tragedy. The betrayal. The produce comparison.”
“You all go ahead,” I say over Aili’s whine. “We’ll catch up.”
The others shuffle out, but Lark leans close to murmur in my ear. “Don’t let her talk you into a whole new costume.”
“No promises. Have you seen that pout? It’s epic.” But I smile reassuringly.
He brushes my fingers, curling his pinky around mine. “Meet you backstage?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
He holds my gaze for a beat too long, then ducks out with the chaotic troupe. The door clicks shut behind them.
Aili is back to attacking the sash, which she has managed to tie in an impressive knot. Her little tongue sticks out in concentration. Lumi emerges from her moonstone to hover over us, her glow faint but steady.
“You’re nervous, small one,” Lumi says.
Is that what this is? Trust Lumi to know it’s not just a random fit of grumpiness.
“Are you worried, Aili?” I ask.
“No.”
Of course, that’s her answer. “Here, let me help.” I reach out to untangle the knotted sash.
“I can do it.”
“Of course you can do it. But it’s okay to ask for help, too. I need help lots of times.”
“You do?” Those aqua-blue eyes look up at me.
“All the time. Haven’t you seen Lark helping me?”
“I guess. But I thought you were just…”
I raise my eyebrows. I can’t wait to hear what Grumpy-pants thinks of me, but a knock interrupts us.
“Oh, lucky you. Saved by the door.”
Lumi zooms back to her pendant, and I hurry over to see what last-moment task Daria has for me. But when I catch sight of the blue collar through the cottage door’s new window, I abruptly duck behind the wall.
“Aili, remember the gremlin?” I whisper hoarsely. “Get in the same cupboard. Now. Hide! And don’t come out until I tell you it’s safe.”
I wait until she obeys, her eyes wide.
Another knock makes me jump.
Pulse pounding, I round the entryway wall and open the door, fighting to keep my face neutral. I haven’t had enough acting practice for this. “Y-yes?”
