The Steele Wolf (The Iron Butterfly) (25 page)

What had started as a joyous reunion turned solemn as I explained the long chain of events that have led me to Skyfell and to lie about being engaged to Joss. It took hours and the afternoon sun became twilight.

“Oh, Thalia, we didn’t know,” Avina sympathized.

“Not many do, but I think we are close to finding the Septori and what happened to Tenya. I don’t know how, but I feel it in my bones.”

A knock came at my door. Avina rushed to answer it and came back with a sour expression on her face.

“Who’s the girl with the dark hair and eyes, the pretty one?”

“Mona?”

“Yeah, what bit her in the butt?”

I laughed out loud, “What are you talking about?”

“She came to the door all high and mighty and demanded that you be ready for the dinner that starts in an hour.”

“Oh my goodness! I completely forgot to get ready.” Jumping off of my bed, I rushed to my closet and changed out of my dirty clothes and did the best I could with the pitcher of water to clean the dirt off of my face.

“Relax.” Berry chimed in. “We’re here to help you. Plus, I brought a surprise for you.”

Berry’s surprise turned out to be a pale blue short dress trimmed in silver. Avina worked wonders on my hair and I entered the main hall with confidence and grace. My entrance caused quite a few heads to turn to me in surprise and a few positive nods my way. The main room had been turned into a joyous reception hall filled with colorful silk streamers that danced across the ceiling and blew gracefully in the wind. Silver bells and chimes were attached to them and added a simple melody to the night air. All of the seating, pillows and chairs had been removed to create standing room only. Torches lit the wall and along the outside veranda creating a soft ambiance.

Many hands reached out to congratulate me, all of them strangers. I swallowed my nervousness at being touched and smiled politely at them, weaving my way through the room looking for a familiar face. Where was Joss? Kael? Nero? There must have been over fifty people on this level alone.

A cold hand grabbed my elbow and I turned in surprise to see Talbot, Mona and Xiven’s father. I breathed in sigh of relief at the sight of someone familiar.

“I don’t know if I congratulated you last week when Joss first made your announcement.”

“No, I don’t think you did.”

“Well, I would like to extend that now.”

“Thank you, that’s very kind.”

“By the way, have you seen my son?”

“Xiven?”

Talbot threw his head back and laughed. “Why of course, Xiven. Who else would I be speaking about? I have no other sons.”

Thinking quickly, I tried to tell him the truth without diverging everything I knew. I didn’t want to be the one to tell him his son had run away. “Umm, not since this morning?”

“Really?” He drawled out slowly. Talbot’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully and studied me closely. “And what was he doing this morning when you last saw him?”

“I was exercising with Hemi and Xiven challenged me to a sparring match. We both ended up pretty beat up in the end.” It was the truth, but I didn’t elaborate more.

Talbot’s firm mouth twitched. “Who won?”

“What?” I asked confused.

Talbot ran his thumb down his jawline thoughtfully, his dark eyes boring into mine. The gesture made me feel slightly sick to my stomach. “I asked you, who won?”

“Oh uh...” He had caught me off guard and all I was able to squeak out was, “Tie,” I turned my back on him and tried to disappear into the crowd of strangers. But Talbot’s arm snaked out and grabbed me again. Pressing painfully, he leaned into me and whispered in my ear.

“We both know that’s a lie.” With a shake he released my arm and walked away. Talbot left me with a feeling of unease and I tried to shake it off.

Mona was walking around with a tray of the chai and I reached for one to calm my nerves when Kael’s hand shot out and grabbed my wrist, stopping my hand midair. Mona’s tray rocked as my hand collided with it.
 
She desperately tried to settle her tray and was only at the last minute able to keep it from dropping to the floor.

The liquid in each of the cups sloshed over the rims and made little pools around each cup. Her eyes flashed a warning and she opened her mouth to say something to me but her eyes flicked over my shoulder and whatever she saw made her bite her tongue. I was almost positive that what was going to come out of her mouth was an insult.

“I’m sorry. I was clumsy.” Mona lowered her eyes and offered me the tray to have my pick of a drink. Again I reached for one but Kael’s grip on my arm tightened in warning. Pulling my hand back, I nodded to Mona. “Maybe later.” Her eyes shot venom at Kael and she walked away. Turning around, I tried to see who or what she saw in the crowd but was unable to.

“Kael, what’s going on?” I pulled my wrist out of his and rubbed it to get the flow of blood back into it. My fingers had started to go numb.

“Don’t drink any chai. Not tonight,” he whispered into my ear.

“Why?”

“I’m not sure, but will you promise to not drink any?”

“Only if you come and tell me later what’s going on.”

Kael drew back from me with a nod and almost instantly faded into the background, something he was extremely talented at.

Nero came into the room and invited all of the guests to the observatory for dinner. Joss appeared at my side almost instantly and took my cold shaky hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“Where have you been?” I hissed out between clenched teeth, while trying to smile politely to another guest. “I’ve been left here to the wolves.”

“Sorry, I was taking care of some last minute details. But I’m here now and I promise to not leave your side the rest of the night.” He rubbed his thumb against my hand and tucked it in the crook of his arm.

Joss looked ravishing. He looked every inch the leader’s son. His jacket was dark blue with gold and he wore a gold vest and cream-colored pants. I felt drab in comparison but he must have seen my face because he leaned over and whispered.

“You look beautiful.”

My cheeks flushed. “Thanks.”

Joss led us to the observatory; a room that I hadn’t known existed before now. This was unquestionably the largest room in the house; the floor was white marble with a high-domed glass ceiling. Rows of tables had been laid out displaying a vast array of food. I saw that someone was already seated at the table that Joss was leading me to. She was pale with blonde hair—Gloria.

So this was Joss’ last minute business. He had gone to assist his mother in coming to the celebration dinner. I gave Gloria a small smile and she looked at me as if through a veil of nothingness, her eyes unfocused and blank. A moment later the veil lifted and she started as if seeing me for the first time. She paused in confusion before returning a hesitant smile. Her attempt at amity was miles above the obvious disdain she had previously displayed towards Joss and I as a couple.

The seating arrangement put Gloria on my right along with Mona who watched over Joss’ mom protectively. Joss and Nero were seated on my left and across from us sat Talbot, Darren and an empty seat, which weighed heavily upon my conscience, as it was obviously reserved for an absent Xiven.
 
Berry, Avina and Darren were seated farther down our table.

I craned my neck around the room looking for Hemi and Kael. Joss, sensing my distress, nodded to the pair who stood off in the shadows watching silently. Hemi, who was clearly trying to blend into the background, stood out awkwardly as if he was trying to hide his large bulking frame behind a small pillar. An uncontrollable chuckle escaped my lips and drew the direct gaze of Talbot whose eyes turned hard as he studied me under the candlelight. Dropping my eyes, I looked at my clasped hands in my lap until I felt his gaze move elsewhere.

Keeping my eyes downcast, I tried to search the same area that I spotted Hemi in for Kael. Kael blended easily and my eyes skimmed over him twice before noticing him leaning casually against a window. The look Kael was aiming at our table unsettled me; it was a mixture of resentment and suspicion. My mouth went dry with nervousness as I toyed with the possibilities of who he resented at our table. Was it me, because I refused to tell him where to find Fanny? Was it Joss? I tried to concentrate on reading Kael closer but he had gotten a tighter rein on his feelings and I couldn’t discern any darkness around him.

My nervousness made my stomach roll in protest at the smell of food in front of me and I desperately wished for the leaf that Kael carried to settle my stomach. When Nero made his celebration speech and everyone began eating, I made the motions of eating. By cutting my food and moving it around on my plate to make it look like I had eaten.

Reluctantly my eyes found themselves drawn to the empty chair where Xiven should be sitting. If I had only been able to refuse sparring with him earlier. Guilt weighed heavily upon me as I replayed the day in my mind and desperately wished I had found another outlet for my temper. If I had though, neither of us would have been injured.
 
Then he wouldn’t have felt the need to run away. But I also would never have met Fanny, who could possibly lead me to the man who had ordered the Iron Butterfly. Could this man be the leader of the Septori? Could he be the Raven? The questions ate away at me.

Gloria noticed my odd behavior. “Is there something wrong with the food? I find the beef to be quite delicious.” She took a small petite bite and chewed slowly as if savoring every bite.

My stomach cramped uncomfortably and started to burn. I bit my bottom lip until the pain made it disappear and licked my lips nervously before answering her back. “No, everything’s delicious; it’s just my nerves are getting the better of me.” I took a bite of the beef, chewed, and smiled, giving her my best attempt at looking like I enjoyed what I was eating.

She nodded encouragingly at me. “Yes, see, it is good, isn’t it? You know, you are quite pretty; I think you would make a good match for Joss. Give us fine looking grandkids. Yes, yes, you would.” Her voice drifted off dreamily.

Taking advantage of the moment, I turned away and did my best to make myself swallow the meat. A slight pressure began to build in my side and I identified the poke of a hand. Recognizing the presence immediately and without drawing attention or turning around, I slipped my right hand nonchalantly under my left elbow as strong fingers pushed a few dried leaves into it. I waited a few heartbeats before opening my hand to recognize the same leaf Kael had given me while on the road. Slowly I lifted each leaf to my mouth and chewed them until the pain in my stomach went away.

I stared at the window, which was now empty and waited until I saw his form take up his spot again. Kael had taken care of me; he was still watching over me as he promised my father and had noticed that I was in distress. This small act of kindness proved that he wasn’t angry with me. When I felt sure he was looking in my direction I slowly mouthed the words “Thank you.” Kael nodded his head once in answer. I felt heat rush to my cheeks.

The conversation at our table traveled from weather, to dorabill racing, to crops. Gloria spoke very little and seemed to forget I was at the table. But when she did speak to me it seemed as if she had forgotten her animosity towards me. It wasn’t until a tray of chai drinks was brought to our table that I once again remembered Kael’s warning. Mona filled Gloria’s cup to the brim and the pale haired beauty drank it down greedily as if it was the essence of heaven in a cup.

Mona’s hands rested lightly on Gloria’s arm as if giving her a reassuring pat. A cup was placed enticingly in front of my plate and I slowly pushed it out of reach. Gloria watched me; her back stiffened and she turned on me, eyes blazing.

“Do you think you are too good to drink with us? This was specially made for your party tonight. The least you could do is to honor our guests with a toast.”

What had I done? Why the sudden change in tone and demeanor within a few minutes? I thought fast. “Oh yes, a drink sounds lovely but my hands are shaking so badly with nerves that I’m scared to even take a sip for fear of spilling on myself and embarrassing you or your family in public.” The words came rushing out in an awkward attempt to appease Gloria. It seemed to do the trick as I saw her eyes take on a glazed look and she seemed to calm down again.

“Yes, that is smart.
 
You mustn’t embarrass us. No, never.” Gloria looked off into the crowd and seemed to get lost in thought.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I looked over at Joss to see if he had seen any of that last exchange with his mother, but he was leaning towards his father and was in a deep conversation.

“Oh, no!” I thought to myself. I had forgotten to tell Joss not to drink anything either. Grabbing his cup, I lifted it to feel that it was already emptied. Whatever had gotten Kael on edge, he obviously wasn’t concerned enough to share his suspicions with Joss.

Mona had gotten up and brushed past Gloria to stand behind Joss and personally refill his cup. Her hand brushed his arm as she placed the drink very carefully on the table. Mona’s eyes met mine over Joss’ head in a challenge and then she left the room. Joss had barely given Mona a glance during this whole silent scene but no sooner had she left than he started to reach for his cup again. I had no choice.