Enchanter's Echo by Anise Rae Page B

“is for your own good. You’re inclined to trouble when left on your own.” He reached out and stroked a finger along her temple and down the side of her face. “You’re not alone anymore.” His gaze focused over her shoulder, and he gathered her to his side with a firm hand, a sheltering move. She went with his touch, almost instinctive, belonging there with such ease she had to close her eyes against it. Just for a moment. She opened them to meet Lady Helen Rallis’s bold stare.
    “Mother.” Edmund’s greeting was awarded with a pat on the cheek from the lady of the land.
    “I pondered wearing black. It’s not often I meet someone so daring.” Lady Rallis examined Aurora head to foot. She smiled, her shiny red lips gleaming.
    Cowering wasn’t an option. This woman was one of the suns that seared, who’d never comprehend that a gentle touch allowed all to bask instead of quail. Even her son had been forced to tuck his darkness away from her ray. Aurora held her gaze.
    Lady Rallis smile grew. “You’re lovely, my dear.” She turned her gaze to her son. “It’s almost time for the announcements. You go on. I’ll keep your little rebel out of trouble while you’re gone.”
    From the sudden wrinkle in his forehead, Aurora was sure he, too, was mentally replaying their conversation. What had his mother heard? A whisper of nerves brushed against Aurora’s vibes.
    “I thought to take her with me.” He delivered his quick answer with his game face restored.
    “On stage?” Lady Rallis tipped her head. “What? Are we announcing the acquisition of the enchantress? Excellent.”
    Aurora sucked in a breath. “I don’t have to vow loyalty.” But they both ignored her.
    Edmund shook his head. “Ah, Mother. Such beauty can never be acquired, only provided a secure place to alight.” His version of a safe perch was likely a tower at Rallis Hall, one with a lock. He flicked his mother’s shoulder where a spray of white feathers topped her sleek dress. “You look like you just ate the little bird that perched next to you. I’ll leave her with Vin.”
    “Edmund.” Lady Rallis’s voice wavered, sounding hurt as she pressed a hand over her heart. “You can trust me to keep all her feathers intact.”
    He gave his mother a hard stare and then looked down at Aurora. “If she tries anything, coat her in glitter. I’ll come rescue you, and we’ll escape to the Wild West never to be heard from again.”
    Lady Rallis gave a gasping laugh. A senator’s heir would never abandon the Republic of Mage Territories, which stretched from the Atlantic to the Mississippi. To the west was unclaimed land, populated with renegade mages, Nons, natives, fairies, and criminals…not privileged, powerful founders.
    He bowed and pivoted on his heel leaving her with his mother. Her nerves stretched farther. Goddess, the last thing she needed was to puff glitter now.
    Lady Rallis blinked at her. “Well, he was telling the truth. He’d leave this all behind. For you.” Her mouth dropped, then her eyes softened. Maternal sentiment set in but only for a second. With a quick shake of her head, the expected cunning sharpness returned. “We’re so pleased you were free to attend tonight. Edmund has told us all about you.”
    Free? What did she mean by free? Versus jailed on death row?
    “May I call you Aurora? You must call me Helen. What do you think of the ball?”
    Aurora searched her mind for some other truth that she could offer other than the fact that this party was the most dangerous place she’d ever stepped foot in. This room was filled with people who would destroy her and her makeshift family if they found out her secret. “It’s very white.”
    Helen tipped her head in salute. “A nice summation. And it’s all the more white thanks to you. Your branches are lovely.” She nodded at a woman across the room. “That’s the decorating committee chair. She’s probably up in wands that you bested her decorations.