The Unkindest Tide (October Daye #13) - Seanan McGuire Page 0,60

“Sounds like you attacked.”

Dianda shook her head. “No. I’d remember punching my own Firstborn. Or, more likely, I wouldn’t, since I’d be dead.”

“Pete doesn’t mind when her descendants assault her, as long as they calm down after the shock passes,” said the Luidaeg. “She says it’s something in the blood, and she can’t hold it against you, when she’s the one who went and made you this way. She doesn’t leave the Duchy often. You should feel honored, even if she did feel the need to fog your memory after the fact, to keep her secrets safe. You may not even remember she’s here after you go home, although I suppose that’s up to her. She might decide you’re trustworthy.”

I wouldn’t, said her tone.

Dianda shook her head again, harder this time. “No. I’d remember.”

“Sorry, Mom, but yeah,” said Dean.

She looked at him, stricken, and said nothing. Patrick gave Poppy’s hands one final squeeze and let them go before moving to stand next to his wife.

“Well, this is fun.” The Luidaeg clapped her hands. “Can we possibly make this any more awkward, do you think, or should we all stand around staring at each other for a while? Really, the possibilities for discomfort are endless, if we all work together.”

“It’s nice that you can still be sarcastic,” I said. “I think if you couldn’t lie or be sarcastic, you might literally explode.”

“Titania’s cruel, but my father wouldn’t let her go that far,” said the Luidaeg.

Privately, I thought Oberon had allowed his wife to go more than far enough. I wasn’t going to say so. There were some family affairs that were well past my pay grade, and this was one of them.

“Where are Nolan and Cassandra?” I asked.

“Shopping,” said Quentin. “He wanted to see if some pie dealer he likes still had a stall here, and Cassie’s trying to keep him from getting kidnapped or thrown overboard or something stupid like that. Which means he’s looking for information about his old nursemaid, and she’s trying to stay out of the way. Her job is mostly babysitting.”

“Then you should have plenty to talk about, since you seem to think your job is similar,” I said.

He wrinkled his nose.

Dianda had taken the pause as an opportunity to recover her composure. She gestured toward a nearby seat. “Do you mind?” she asked. “Keeping myself on two legs for long periods of time is wearying, and I’d like to be able to walk when I need to.”

“Of course,” said the Luidaeg. “I’m not here to torment my sister’s children. Just my own.”

Dianda nodded as she sank gratefully into the seat, stretching her legs out in front of her and pressing her ankles together. The scent of water lilies and amber rose around her, and scales rippled across her skin, replacing her legs with a muscular tail that ended in jewel-toned flukes, which she splayed contentedly across the ground. She was lovely. It was easy to see why Patrick was so besotted with her, even after all this time.

“Oh, that’s better,” she said, bending forward and resting her forehead against the spot where her knees had been. After a moment, she raised her head, still bent double, and looked at me. “How did it go with the Selkies?”

“Shouldn’t you be asking the Luidaeg that?” I asked.

“Yes, probably, but I’m still a little freaked out by having her just standing around like a regular person, so for my own peace of mind, I’m taking a moment to pretend she isn’t here,” said Dianda. She glanced to the Luidaeg. “No offense intended, Lady. This is a lot to take in.”

“No offense taken,” said the Luidaeg, sounding almost amused. “Please, continue pretending I’m not here. I’ll make it easier by not being here. October, if any Selkies come looking, I’m sort of obligated to speak to them, but for anyone else, I’m in my room and don’t want to be disturbed.”

“Got it,” I said. I hesitated. “Isn’t this the sort of thing Poppy’s supposed to take care of? She’s your apprentice.”

“Yeah, but she’s also a bigger flake than you are, and she’s understandably distracted. Just do as I say, all right?”

“All right,” I said, and was rewarded with a quick smile before she stomped across the courtyard and into her apartment. She slammed the door so hard the whole frame shook, and I laughed. “Drama queen.”

“Should you be speaking of one of the Firstborn like that?” asked Patrick.

“Believe me, that’s kinder than most of what I have to say