Lords of Trillium by Hilary Wagner Page B

children,” he said in a serene voice. He looked at Ajax. “In truth, this is the best I’ve felt in some time. Meeting Billycan, another rat imprisoned in that lab, made me realize something.”
    â€œWhat?” asked Ajax.
    â€œThat I need to do more.”
    â€œI’m so glad you came to see me. I don’t get many visitors.”
    Duncan’s eyes followed the steam from the teapot, which swirled in front of Mol’s cage, causing the blue moth to jump excitedly. “It smells good,” he said.
    Elvi held out her paw, revealing dried pink petals. “I’ll let you in on a little secret. This flower, it’s what makes my tea taste so good. When I was in Tosca, I used it many times. My tea seems to soothe others.”
    Duncan stared at the flowers. “You brought them all the way from Tosca?”
    â€œWhen I left Tosca, I could bring very few things.” Shenodded around her chamber. “A few silk tapestries, some silver teacups. Everything else I had to leave behind. But these flowers, I knew they had to come with me.” She smiled. “My tea brings joy, does it not?”
    â€œOh yes, everyone says it’s the best tea in Nightshade City.” Duncan made a sour face. “Much better than Clover’s. Her tea is terrible.”
    â€œWe can’t be too critical, dear. We all have different gifts. Mine is making people happy with my tea.” Her eyes narrowed as she filled Duncan’s cup. “It brings me great joy. And soon, when you visit your brother, it will make me happier than you could ever imagine . . . the happiest of all.”
    Bostwick Hall was full of life. It had been a long time since Nightshade City had had an official party, and even though the timing was not the best given the unknown fate of the missing Hunters, the Council decided they would continue with the Naming Celebration, now an annual event celebrating their freedom and the night Nightshade City came to be.
    Fall had swept in quickly, and dampened spirits needed to be lifted. Restless rats always felt the need to explore, and since Juniper had not yet put a ban on the citizens’ comings and goings Topside, the well-timed celebration might quell their anxiety just enough to keep everyone underground, at least for a little while.
    Vincent sat silently, watching. Rats rolled barrels of Carro ale past him. Cole’s wife, Lali, had planned the menu. Plates of fine cheese and salted meats sat on every table. Steaming platters of smoked sausage and baskets piled high with Lali’s famous bitonberry biscuits whizzed by him. It took him back to the first party Nightshade City ever had, the Naming Celebration. He remembered how different things were just fouryears ago. Though he’d tried to be brave for Victor’s sake, he was scared stiff back then. Escaping the Catacombs, facing down Killdeer . . .
    He looked proudly at Juniper. What could he say about him? Juniper had taken Vincent and Victor in, given them a place to live, and championed their father’s memory. He gave them love, pure and simple. He’d been a father to them in every sense.
    Vincent thought of his mother and father. He prayed that they would have approved of what he had done in his life—and what he was about to do.
    He looked across the room at Clover. She was laughing and dancing, twirling in a chaotic circle with Texi and Oleander, as Carn, Suttor, and Victor danced around them. She looked stunning, with her fawn-colored fur and marigold eyes, and of course that beaming smile.
    â€œWhy don’t you join us?” called Victor. “What are you doing over here all by your lonesome?” Catching his breath, he sat down next to his brother.
    â€œWhere’s Petra?” asked Vincent.
    â€œShe’ll be here soon. Her parents
still
won’t let her see me unescorted, so she’s coming with them. It’s so unfair.”
    Vincent laughed.