“Look, we have to work with what we have,” Tabitha said curtly. “Complaining about it doesn’t help.”
Tristan shrugged.
“My apologies,” Dorian said gently. “We must learn to accommodate the traditions of our new realm.”
Tabitha wondered again how it was that Dorian was so convinced he and Sara were the King and Queen of Darkness. Things just didn’t work that way here.
But his quiet confidence was contagious.
She smiled at her friend’s boyfriend and looked to Sara.
“So after dinner we’ll go see Helen?”
“It seems like as good a time as any,” she replied.
“I’ll pop outside and give her a call then,” Tabitha said.
When she rose and turned to step outside, she noticed the rest of the diners.
Donna Lee from the Barrel Grocery was sitting with her husband, James. James was normally a bit of a grump, but he was smiling tenderly at his wife and tucking a bit of hair behind her ear.
The siblings at the table behind them were politely sharing a game on a single cell phone, arms around each other like they were old war buddies.
The moms were still giggling and passing around a big plate of French fries. Even the babies lolled calmly in their arms, letting them chat.
Everyone seemed so happy.
Say what you would about his manners, the King of Light was certainly casting a spell on this little town.
Tabitha wondered how long she could resist it herself.
5
Tristan
Tristan looked around the sweeping entry hall of the women’s friend, Helen Thayer, approvingly. He admired the wainscoting and the family portraits.
Perhaps this realm’s odd form of self-governing was a success after all, if the result was a home like this for a woman who wasn’t even a royal.
“Welcome,” Helen said in a deep, lovely voice.
Helen herself was as handsome as her home. Like the house, she was older, but well-maintained and nicely decorated.
“The pleasure is ours, madam,” Tristan told her sincerely. “Your home is most hospitable.”
“Thank you,” Helen replied. “It has been in my family for generations.”
She turned to lead them deeper into the house.
Tabitha looked over and winked as if she were pleased with him.
He wasn’t sure what he had done, but he found himself deeply gratified that she was happy.
And that made him angry.
She’s not my queen. I’m a fae king. My heart will be twined with that of an equal. Not some mortal.
Helen brought them into a shadowy study with a big desk. Shelves around the room held various figures and artifacts. There was a small section devoted to primitive weaponry, with stone axes and arrowheads, and a flintlock pistol with a carved ivory handle. Another section housed various musical instruments. There was a drum covered in animal hide, a wooden flute, and a violin bow that appeared to be carved out of some type of bone.
“Please, take a seat,” she said, gesturing to the chairs on the other side of the desk.
He watched Dorian pull out a chair for Sara.
Against his better instincts, he pulled one out for Tabitha. He couldn’t let this mortal person think he didn’t have any manners.
But he hoped Tabitha didn’t get the wrong idea.
“Has something changed since the last time we talked?” Helen asked.
“We’ve lost access to the property,” Sara said. “But we do have video footage.”
“That should be enough,” Helen allowed. “As long as it’s of good quality.”
“It’s very good,” Sara said.
Helen nodded in approval.
“So your next task is to get people talking about your cause,” she explained. “You need a lot of people, not just you, not just Ann.”
“Who is Ann?” Tristan demanded. These mortals were everywhere. It was difficult to keep track of them all.
“That’s the head of the borough,” Tabitha told him. “Tristan’s new to the fight,” she explained to Helen.
“Very nice, dear,” Helen said. “And that’s just what you should be doing, winning over new friends to the cause.”
“How would you suggest we go about it?” Sara asked. “An email campaign? Flyers?”
“Oh, no,” Helen said. “That’s what everyone does. When was the last time you supported a cause because of a mailer? We need to speak to them at their level.”
“What’s their level?” Sara asked.
“A party, of course,” Helen laughed. “But not just any party. You’ll need VIPs to be there.”
Tristan wondered what the letters stood for.
“Very important people,” Tabitha said quickly as if she had heard his question. “Good thinking. You mean like local celebrities?”
“Well, sure, if you’d like,” Helen said. “But I really mean influencers, the connected and political people right here in Tarker’s Hollow and Rosethorn Valley. People who would impress Ann Perel and who might roll their sleeves up and help you.”
Tristan turned to Tabitha, wondering if she actually knew anyone like that.
But she seemed to have lost interest in the conversation. Instead, her attention had turned to a small box on Helen’s large desk.
The box was made of aged metal, which had been carved into curlicues.
“Is this a music box?” Tabitha asked.
“Why, yes, dear,” Helen said, sounding pleased.
“It’s beautiful,” Tabitha breathed. “Early nineteenth century?”
“Yes,” Helen told her. “It’s been in my family for a long time. Of course it doesn’t work anymore. I’ve even had it looked at professionally. But it’s still very beautiful.”
“May I?” Tabitha asked.
“Of course, pick it up, look at it,” Helen said warmly. “Old things should be admired. And this one is sturdy enough to be held.”
6
Tabitha
Tabitha lifted the delicate metalwork box and cradled it in her palms.
On closer inspection, she could see animals in the curlicued framework. Wolves and bears peered out from between the tree trunks that decorated the sides of the box. In the middle of the leaf-work top, two tree branches formed a slight dome. At the center of the dome, a barn owl spread its wings as if flying between the branches.
“The animals are exquisite,” Tabitha said.
“Yes, the workmanship is truly impressive,” Helen agreed.
Tabitha turned the little box in her hands. It appeared to be in perfect condition. She wondered why it didn’t work.
She lifted the latch and the interior was empty.
“The music came from the dome,” Helen said. “Or at least so I’m told. There’s a button on the side that would have released it.”
Tabitha closed the box again and fastened the lid down.
Sure enough, there was a cleverly hidden button on the side of the box, hidden between two wolf silhouettes.
The box was fairly clean, but it could do with a bit of polishing.
“Do you have a cloth I can use on it?” she asked Helen.