figures, but clearly he was a little more relaxed around Charity’s father. “That sounds like something Charity would say.”
“Yes.” Her dad gave her a fond look. “They have similar mannerisms. Sometimes I am transported to the past.” Sadness took over his expression. “I wonder how different things might have been had I stayed just one more month. I regret leaving, now more than ever.”
“It sounds like you couldn’t have known,” Charity said, shrugging it away. This talk of the past made her unbearably uncomfortable. She wanted a fresh start.
“Yes, of course,” her father said, thankfully reading between the lines. Or he merely read her body language, which was probably broadcasting her feelings. “As I was saying, I am exceptionally impressed with the Wolf Shifters’ synchronicity. They move together with a sort of…flowing grace. Halvor agrees, though he is reluctant to admit we could learn something from another magical species.” The Second laughed as though that were a great joke. “They are as we strive to be, and I am not too arrogant to admit it. It has given us something to think about.”
He nodded slightly to Devon, who rubbed his thumb along Charity’s finger, his version of elated. Charity stopped herself from beaming in pride—she’d ruin Devon’s confident nonchalance.
“Now. Charity. There is something I must speak with you about.” The Second—her dad! When would she start thinking of him as her father?—paused for a moment, and Andy leaned forward to get up. Devon looked over at her.
Ah, apparently her father was asking to speak with her alone. She barely stopped herself from groaning. That meant more lessons in business, or etiquette, or some other thing she didn’t feel like learning. When did the workday end around here?
“Andy, why don’t you get us some tea?” the Second said. “Devon, would you mind popping outside and asking Halvor to arrange snacks for two more?”
Andy rose without a customary “yup!” Devon squeezed Charity’s hand before stepping outside.
Chapter Thirty-One
“Despite the fact that it’s against custom,” the Second said once they were alone, “I am willing to allow your friends to stay, provided you won’t be embarrassed…”
He was communicating without words again. She rubbed her temple. “You probably need them here just to translate half of your silences.”
He laughed. “Use your words,” he murmured. “Quite right, yes.”
Andy stuck his head from around the corner too soon for him to have finished his task.
“What kind of tea are we thinking?” Andy asked in a small voice unlike him. “There are…like, eight hundred kinds.”
“Oh, something floral, I should think,” the Second said loftily. “A day like today calls for it.”
“Is today somehow different from other days?” Charity asked.
“Of course. You’ll see the changes, in time. It’s a lovely early summer day. The most fragrant of flowers bloom at this time of year. I am in high demand.”
“Right. I remember, because you’re the village gardener.”
“The gardening architect, we call it. I design and implement the natural places within the village, a skill set I am most proficient at, as I said. The actual planting and day-to-day management of the gardens are left to those with lesser, though still incredibly useful, skill sets.” He paused as Devon returned and reclaimed his seat. “I was blessed to have a skill in such high demand. I mean…everyone needs gardens! What would we do without a place to sit and reflect?”
Charity nodded politely as Andy returned with a porcelain tea set, elegant blue flowers crawling up the sides of the cups. He set it on the coffee table, then stared at it helplessly.
“Maybe you would be more comfortable asking Kairi or Hallen to come in and pour?” the Second suggested.
“I’ll ask Kairi,” Andy said, heading for the door.
The Second—her dad—refocused on Charity. “And that is what I wished to speak with you of.” He paused again.
“He’s wondering if you’re comfortable sharing confidences with me and Andy,” Devon murmured.
“Oh. Yes, it’s fine,” she said as Andy re-entered, followed by a delighted Kairi.
“Now, to gain your title of Third Arcana of the Flush,” the Second began, “you must prove your rightful place. As we discussed earlier today, it is widely agreed that your quest has already been established.”
A tingle of fear worked up Charity’s spine. She hadn’t known what had shocked her more, that the hallucination she’d had in the dingy hotel suite was related to her “quest,” and apparently a glimpse at her future, or that the crazy woman with red hair had seen the same thing and told everyone about it before