Twice her father had thwarted her suggestion to retrieve more books from the library by insisting on accompanying her, saying that he knew all the best books and it would take her much too long to locate them. Another time he had caught her on her bluff about having a headache, insisting instead on her taking an aspirin and sitting down to rest beside him while he continued to work.
It was becoming increasingly obvious that it was going to take a miracle for her to be able to break free from him.
It surprised her that he would react this way about her and Rian, even though she had never told him about her feelings for him. She had been under the impression that he liked Rian and respected him, based upon how she had seen him act around the Furies before. But, maybe his distrust over the situation was simply a father being protective of his only daughter, and wanting her all to himself. It made sense, really, that he wouldn’t want her to spend time with another male when he had barely had her for himself yet. They had been apart from each other for fifteen years, after all, and any father in that situation would probably be defensive over letting his daughter date anyone.
But it worried her that maybe it was more than that. Maybe the prejudice that Liam and Blythe had against the Furies was something that her father believed as well. How all of them could think the Furies to be so cold and merciless was beyond her. She supposed she could see how Balgaire and Brogan could be taken that way, but Rian? He was intelligent, brave, considerate and selfless. He made her feel safe, protected, and secure, something she had never realized she so desperately wanted.
Thea had not mentioned anything about Roarke in weeks, not to the Council or to Capri. Instead, she pretended that nothing out of the ordinary was happening, and that all was well. It was only when Capri saw the worried crease between Thea’s eyebrows every once in awhile at dinner that she knew Mother Earth was lost in thought about the subject. It troubled her that it hadn’t been solved yet, but she had promised Thea that she wouldn’t worry herself over it, and so she tried to push it to the back of her mind.
Roarke’s body had been cremated, his ashes spread over the cliffs edge and out to sea. But by the time Capri had found out about it, Thea, Rian, and Alastor had already quietly completed the task. It bothered her that her father had failed to mention it to her, claiming it had simply slipped his mind. This, perhaps more than anything else, caused a rift between their normally amiable and loving relationship.
She had never been very good at confronting others or speaking her mind when something bothered her, so instead she resorted to showing her irritation through silence. She barely spoke to him, and when she did, it was passive and curt. She knew he could tell something was wrong, but she refused to explain when he would ask her about it. In her mind, he should know exactly why she was upset with him, and should not need her to explain anything.
And so, after another long work day with her dutifully giving him the silent treatment, she slipped down to dinner, exhausted and miserable, and tried, as always, to look better than she felt.
Of course, she was no actress, nor was she good at hiding her emotions, and so it took mere seconds for Blythe to comment.
“You look awful.”
Capri couldn’t help the annoyed look that crossed her face, cocking one eyebrow and pursing her lips as she turned to stare at her friend.
When Blythe started laughing, Capri felt even more irritated.
“Shut up.” She spat, turning back to her food, her rarely used temper flashing like lightning bolts around her. Blythe’s laughter immediately died, and her own temper, much too readily used, flared up.
“Sheesh, what’s your problem?” She countered, turning in her seat to face Capri. “You’ve been acting this way for weeks, what the hell is going on with you?”
“It’s nothing.” Capri began to cut viciously into the chicken breast on her plate, her hands shaking. “Absolutely nothing.”
Liam, who was sitting across the table from her, watched her knowingly. “I think the problem is that you’re overworked.”
“Tip of the iceberg.” Capri muttered, feeling her visage of indifference come crashing down all around her. Tears welled in her eyes and she cursed herself for being a downright emotional wreck. “I’m not even hungry.”
She pushed her plate away from her and began to stand up, only to have Blythe pull her back into her seat.
“I have never seen you act like this.” Blythe’s temper cooled as concern deftly replaced it. “Maybe you need a break, honey.”
Capri pouted, feeling resigned. “I need more than a break, I need a therapist.”
Blythe’s face flashed with a grin as she patted Capri on the back. “I’ve got something better.” She leaned over the table towards Liam, covertly glancing around to make sure none of the adults were listening. “Liam, go down to the wine cellar and get us a couple of bottles. Meet me and Capri outside in the courtyard in twenty minutes.”
Liam nodded with a grin. “Aye, aye, captain.” He stood up and excused himself, winking at Capri and Blythe as he left the dining hall.
Capri turned to Blythe, her eyes wide. “We’re stealing wine?”
“It’s not really stealing…I mean, it’s there for everyone to drink, so what’s the big deal if we take a few bottles?”
“I suppose…” Capri bit her lip, worried what would happen if they were caught. Then she realized that this was exactly the kind of rebellion she needed to feel free again. “Alright, what are we waiting for?”
“Absolutely nothing.” Blythe grinned wickedly as she rose from her chair, politely excusing herself. She practically skipped out of the dining hall, her fiery hair bouncing as she walked.
Capri turned to her father and, with the most innocent looking expression she could muster, explained that she was going outside with Blythe and Liam. He beamed at her, clearly excited that she had spoken more than two words to him and that she seemed happier than before. He waved her off, obviously content that Rian would not be welcome if Liam was involved. She stood up and was about to leave the dining hall when she spotted Rhiannon pretending not to watch her as she added salt to the potatoes on her plate.
Feeling impulsive, Capri leaned down next to Rhiannon to whisper in her ear.
“Liam, Blythe and I are having a little party out in the courtyard, will you come with us?”
Rhiannon looked up at her, startled, and for a moment seemed to consider all angles of the request before answering. “I’ll think about it.”
Capri tried to hide her disappointment, but she knew she should have expected hesitation from Rhiannon. After all, it was no secret that Blythe and Rhiannon did not get along. Capri just felt that maybe it was time that she tried to bring them back together again, to see if there was any way to bridge the gap between them.
She nodded and smiled as she pulled away and left the dining hall, closing the door behind her with a quiet click. The corridor was dimly lit by lanterns on the walls, and was eerily silent. Feeling energized and devious, she made her way towards the Atrium, where Blythe was waiting for her.
“Come on!” Blythe whispered, her amber eyes glittering with excitement in the firelight.
The two of them headed out into the courtyard, Blythe leading the way down the cobblestone path. They walked all the way to the far left corner, where, up against the stone wall, a small square of grass roughly eight feet across was hidden from view by tall, leafy plants. Blythe pushed aside a large branch so Capri could enter, and immediately she proceeded to create what looked like a fire pit.
“I didn’t even know this place was over here.” Capri glanced around as Blythe knelt down in front of the pit she had just created and cupped her hands, forming a ball of fire which she then released into the pit. It hovered just above the dirt, the flames licking at the night air.
“Actually, you used to know this place was here.” Blythe told her as she plopped down on the grass, grinning. “All four of us used to come here when we were really little. It used to freak the parents out as they had no idea where we were, but we got a kick out of it.”
“Yet another thing that I wish I could remember.” Capri mused, nestling down in the grass beside Blythe. She turned to her friend and reached out for her hand, holding it in her own. “I’m sorry I snapped at you earlier.”
Blythe laughed, the husky sound of it echoing off the stone wall. “Are you kidding? I’ve been waiting for you to crack ever since you got here. You’re always so nice; you’re entitled to a moment of bitchiness now and then.”
“Oh, well.” Capri snorted, her lips curving. “I suppose I am, aren’t I?”
“Damn straight.”
Just then, Liam appeared through the plants, a couple of bags in his arms. A grin flashed over his face as he spotted the two of them.
“Ladies….” He set the bags down and sat across from them, reaching in to dig out the contents. “As your humble servant, I bring alcohol, smores, and cheese!”
“Really, Liam? Cheese?” Blythe snickered, reaching for the wine bottle he handed to her.
“What is wine without cheese?” He winked at Capri, passing her a wine glass.
Capri held the glass as Blythe uncorked a bottle of pinot noir and poured generously for her. She eyed the wine before taking a tentative sip, the velvet tartness of it smooth on her tongue.
“Here’s to breaking the rules, and having fun while we do it!” Blythe held her now full glass up in a toast, her face glowing from the fire, her face split in a mischievous grin.
Capri and Liam held their glasses up, clinking them against Blythe’s before they all took a deep sip.
Just then, there was a rustling sound coming from the plants, and seconds later Rhiannon appeared, gently pushing aside the branches and entering their secret hideout.
Capri saw the surprise flash over Liam’s face, and the irritation over Blythe’s, and took the split second moment to not only lay a warning hand over Blythe’s arm, but to also smile warmly at Rhiannon.
“I’m glad you came. Please, sit down.” Capri turned to Liam and Blythe, trying to keep the situation light. “I invited Rhiannon; I thought it would be nice for all of the Dryads to be together tonight.”
“Good idea.” Liam smiled as Rhiannon sat beside him, tucking the skirt of her sapphire blue dress beneath her. She eyed him warily before turning to Capri, her lips curving in a tiny smile.
“I wasn’t going to come, but I knew it would make you happy if I did.”
Capri felt Blythe bristle beside her, but she kept her hand firm on the other girl’s arm.
“It makes me very happy.” She also saw that Liam looked noticeably perked up as well, which only made her more sure that she had been right in inviting Rhiannon. Turning to Blythe, Capri put on her best peacemakers smile. “I was hoping we could all put aside our differences for the evening, and be together, just this once. You’re my family…my sisters, my brother…I want to be here with all of you, to remember what it felt like…before.”
Blythe pursed her lips, but nodded, and Capri could tell she understood. She let go of her arm, and reached for her glass.
“Liam, do we have an extra glass?” She asked, and Liam reached into the bag to pull out another one.
“I’m always prepared for the unexpected.” He said as he passed the glass to Rhiannon, his smile kind. Rhiannon took the glass, and watched with a carefully blank expression as he filled it.
“Thank you.” She murmured, lifting the glass to her lips to sample the wine.
It bothered Capri how awkward the atmosphere had suddenly become, so she took another healthy swig of wine and turned to Liam.
“So, what did we use this little hideout for when we were little?”
“Well, we used to pretend that we were fugitives on the run from our evil parents who wanted to imprison us and force us to eat vegetables and study, and this was our lair.” He smirked at the memory, and how silly it sounded now that he was an adult.
“It’s still kind of like that, isn’t it?” Capri glanced around at the three of them, blushing at the confused looks they gave her. “I mean, I feel the need to hide from my dad right now…he’s been driving me crazy.”
“He has been working you pretty hard lately, hasn’t he?” Blythe asked, sipping her wine. “I’m lucky; I don’t have anyone to boss me around.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I love him, but he’s been piling on more and more work and studying, on top of watching me like a hawk everywhere I go. It’s been like that ever since…” She stopped herself, her eyes flicking instantly to Liam as she realized she had said too much. He paused midway to sipping his wine as his eyes narrowed.
“Since what?” Blythe asked curiously. Capri cursed herself for setting herself up for this dangerous trap.
“Um…since he decided I needed to brush up on more of the basics.” She lied, knowing full well that she probably looked like she was hiding something.
“Maybe it’s a good thing he’s keeping you busy. He doesn’t want you making any…mistakes.” Liam told her seriously.
“Nah, I think he’s working her too hard.” Blythe pursed her lips as she noticed the hard look on his face. “Capri deserves time off, and as for mistakes, she hasn’t made any yet.”
He chuckled darkly, shaking his head. Rhiannon was looking at him with wide eyes, obviously unsure why he was acting so strangely. Even Blythe had one eyebrow cocked in confusion as she watched him.
“What’s the deal, Liam?” Blythe shifted closer to Capri in a protective move that made Capri feel incredibly guilty. If Blythe knew the reason Liam was acting the way he was, then she would surely be on his side, not hers.
“It’s not for me to say.” Liam said simply, reaching for a slice of cheese from a plate he’d unearthed from one of the bags. He bit into it, smiling. “So, who wants to hear a scary story?”
♦ ♦ ♦
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
And just like that, the subject was dropped. Capri was at least grateful to Liam that he didn’t feel the need to divulge the information to the others. Despite how he may feel on the subject, he was still considerate enough to keep it to himself.
About an hour and three exceptionally frightening ghost stories later, Capri felt incredibly cheerful and a little light headed. Blythe opened a third bottle of wine, and the happy popping sound of the cork was drowned out by the laughter.