Page 67 of Changelings
“Yes, but you can always come to me. You know that, right? You can rely on me.”
“I know, Gen. I know that.” Reaching up, Neomi threw her arms around Imogen in a fierce hug. “I’m glad you’re my sister. I want to be a better one to you.”
Imogen squeezed her sister tight. “Have you thought about talking to Sofie Brádaigh? She’s an excellent healer and may have some ideas.”
Neomi groaned into Imogen’s shoulder. “I don’t think I could bear the embarrassment.”
“I’m sure she’s heard far worse. Besides, you can’t be the first couple to struggle with this.” Rubbing Neomi’s back, she added, “She might know someone even better in Dundúran. Just think on it?”
Neomi reluctantly nodded. “All right.”
With a gusty sigh, Neomi sat back on her heels. The look she gave Imogen was considering, and so she waited for Neomi to speak. What she did finally say shocked Imogen.
“I didn’t really mean it, you know. Your manticore is the lucky one to have foundyou, Gen.” Smiling wide, she leaned in to say, “Everyone in Granach and the other villages knows all about howmuchhe wanted to find his mate. There were so many women hoping it’d be them—but of course he’d only have you. At least I know he has taste.”
Imogen blushed furiously, and she would’ve tugged at her hair, but Neomi gripped her hands. Instead, she ducked her head, her fringe falling across her face.
Neomi made an unhappy sound. “No,” she muttered, reaching to push Imogen’s hair back to reveal her face. “You don’t need to hide, Gen. You’rebeautiful,inside and out. I see it. Your manticore sees it. I hope more people will see it, too. You especially.”
Imogen squirmed in her seat, not sure she could sit with the words.
Kept there by her weak body and Neomi’s hold on her, though, she had to. They sat uncomfortably inside her, somehow too big. She didn’t know what to do with them other than put them somewhere to look at later, when it was safe.
Perhaps sensing Imogen growing overwhelmed, Neomi nodded and stood. “Now, then. I think it’s time I officially meet all these manticores.”
Striding for the front door, Neomi threw it open wide. Imogen half expected to find some if not all of the brothers on the other side, scrambling away to not get caught listening. Instead, they were several paces away, all soaking in the sun puddle.
Neomi snorted with laughter. “They’re like big cats!”
“You have no idea,” Imogen sighed.
Waving at them, Neomi called for the brothers to come join them. The manticores came, Balar in their lead. Elbows were pushed into ribs, but Balar ignored their teasing.
When he stood before Neomi, he bowed his head. “It’s an honor to meet the kin of mykigara.”
Neomi blinked in surprise before a grin curled her lips. “Oh, you’re very polite. And charming. No wonder she likes you.” Holding out her hand, Neomi accepted a kiss and greeting from each of the brothers, exchanging names.
Imogen watched on with a little smile as her sister deftly managed five big, boisterous manticores for the rest of the day. Somehow, they all managed to fill her poor little cottage. Crowded around the tables, crammed on the sofa, the cottage was soon overwarm from all the bodies. While it might have overwhelmed Imogen a little, it took all her attention to keep pace with the conversation that bounced and sped between Neomi and the brothers.
Late in the afternoon, Balar moved her to the kitchen table. It gave her a little more breathing room, and she enjoyed watching how his strong hands kneaded the bread dough one last time before a final prove.
Balar managed to move through her cottage with ease, wings tucked tightly to his back. He kept up with the conversation even as he prepared a hearty stew and put the bread in the oven. There was almost a poetry to his ease of movement, and Imogen admired the quiet confidence he carried.
He looked…regal. Imogen didn’t think she’d ever considered anythingregalbefore, but the word suited him.
When he asked what she smiled about, Imogen just shook her head.
Balar made preparing and serving a meal for seven look easy, and soon, they were crowded in her small kitchen, enjoying his work.
Her sister, beautiful and beguiling as she was, kept the brothers riveted with her lively talk. That evening was all merriment and laughs, trading funny stories and cracking jokes. Their merrymaking lasted so long into the night that it was decided Neomi would stay over, taking Balar’s place on the sofa. Akila offered to fly her home in the morning, which—to Imogen’s surprise—Neomi accepted.
As the brothers helped Neomi make the sofa especially comfortable with every available cushion, pillow, and blanket, Balar leaned over to whisper, “You’ve been quiet this evening. Are you all right?”
Imogen looked at him in surprise. She didn’t think she’d been overly quiet, but then, it was hard to compete when Neomi was in her element, attention on her, soaking in admiration.
“Just a little tired. But I’m glad Neomi came.”
Balar nodded, observing the antics over by the fireplace. After a moment, he reached to take Imogen’s hand in his. Kissing the back, he told her, “Your sister may sparkle, but you shine far brighter,urisá.”
