Page 34 of Lady Tamsyn and the Pixie's Curse
Chapter8
The castle corridors were empty.Everyone had gathered for the reading of the will. Tamsyn lingered behind, waiting until her mother’s attention had shifted, then she slipped away and snuck out into thegardens.
It was a glorious, sunny day and Gryff waited for her by the rose garden. They took the long way around the castle again, talking and laughing, hearts beating in anticipation as they aimed for thecliffs.
Just before they started to climb, Tuft stepped out ofnowhere.
“Oh!” She stopped. “Good day, Tuft.” She hadn’t seen him since they’d collected her poor, dazed father and come home to Keyvnor. She’d wondered, in fact, if she’d ever see himagain.
The old pixie inclined his head. “Good day. I’d hoped foraword.”
“Of course.” Gryff indicated a nearby pile of rough granite and they all perched, settlingcomfortably.
“You did well,” Tuft told her, and Tamsynflushed.
“We all did well, Ithink.”
“I was beginning to fear we’d never get the best of that wicked boy,” the pixie sighed. “But I suppose we were waitingforyou.”
“I . . . Well, I’m glad Icouldhelp.”
“Now, we owe you, and I can tell you, it’s like an itch I can’t scratch, to be owing a human. So I thought perhaps we could settlethedebt.”
She’d actually given this somethought.
“I was wondering if you’d like me to call back my gift, and leave you in peace, without the Sight todisturbyou.”
“Actually, I had a different idea,” she said with a raised brow. “I wonder if you would hearmeout?”
He crossed his arms. “Goahead.”
She explained and he gave her a warm look of approval. “Agreed,” he said simply. He stood. “Paul,” hecalled.
The ghostly boy appeared before them. “That’s a surprise,” he said, nodding to them all. “You don’t usually leave the wildplaces,Tuft.”
“The girl has no further need of her gift. She’s passing ittoyou.”
“To me? But Idon’tneed—”
“She’s asked that I make it so that your poor mother will see you—and be comforted by your presence. So you can spend some quiet time together of an evening, and her tortured mind will resteasier.”
“Oh,” hebreathed.
“Will you acceptthisgift?”
“Yes.” He turned to Tamsyn. “Thankyou!”
“Then soitis.”
And just like that, both of themweregone.
“Well.” Gryff said. “That set me down a pegortwo.”
She stood up and whirled about, stopping before him. “What? Why? What doyoumean?”
“I had a surprise planned for you, but I’m not sure I can measure up to what justhappened.”
She threw herself in his arms. “Oh, I’m sure you can. And if not, we could have quite a bit of funtrying.”
