City of Air (Lost Cities Saga 1)

Leona woke late the next morning to a quiet house, the only sound the intermittent tap-tapping of raindrops at her bedroom window. The light through the curtains was grey-white, the sky overcast and Leona thought that she could feel the joy of the water elementals about the house. Then she heard Sebastian's voice outside her door, "...cides with current scholarship on the legend so far, but some of these records date back to the Caesars! Of course we must remember that when our Oriental friends spoke of a 'West City', it would have been west to them in what they knew of the world…but even this speaks of a West City and they were already west of the Khan's territories…well now, the city could not possibly be in our 'New World', of course not, but…"

She sat up, slightly puzzled at the sight of the throw from the master's study draped about her shoulders, and then heard him reply, "There was some scholarship when I followed this as a boy, before maturity won out and I outgrew such things, that the cities themselves existed in a place outside of our understanding of space and time. The West City was believed to be a place of perpetual autumn, a floating city in which the great spirit of the West resided with his people. It was also said that this was where most great inventors and artists originated and sought to return to or at least reproduce on earth. Nonsense, all of it."

"You still say that?"

"I do," said Master Opal. "Think about it, boy. If this place exists outside of 'space and time' how would we get to it? Do you think, according to the legend that they left us a map? I think not, certainly not if one was trying to escape persecution. Or that there is a key lying around for you to find?"

Leona threw off the covers and ran to the door. When she pulled it open it was to find the master and Sebastian in his office but the door had been left open and they were not speaking in low voices.

"There is a map. You left out a part of the legend. For those who were determined or deemed loyal or simply sought to dedicate their lives to the particular type of magic they were interested in studying, it is said that the Great Spirit would show them the way. I specialise in Earth magic so it would not be revealed to me but your family favours Air magic and so it is not unreasonable to suspect that there may be something here," said Sebastian.

The master scoffed and replied, "If there was a map I am sure that they would have discovered it a long time ago and just fled there instead of letting themselves be slaughtered."

"Perhaps," said Sebastian. "Or perhaps the others were just as stubborn as you and simply assumed it was a fairy tale."

"They have been carrying on like this for hours and the weather is terrible out, just our rotten luck," said someone at Leona's ear.

She started and turned to find Vincent standing beside her door peeling an apple. He offered her a piece with an apologetic smile, which she accepted and he said, "I should probably warn Father that Sebastian is a master orator. We went to the Parliament once and he defeated a Bill from the Visitor's Gallery!" Leona's eyes went wide and she snapped her head around to look at the young magician's back through the office door. Vincent laughed and added, "Of course they threw us out as vagabonds shortly after but he had presented so many valid points that the presenter simply could not recover. And to think, he was no older than you are now when he did it!"

Leona would die before admitting she was impressed, so she folded her arms across her chest and turned her nose to the air and said, "Master Opal is not afraid of some boy."

Vincent snorted at that and replied, "I never said that he was. But Sebastian, sorry His Lordship is no ordinary boy."

Leona turned to face Vincent again with narrowed eyes and said, "You sound like you've forgiven him."

Vincent shrugged and replied, "He may not be an ordinary boy but like you sometimes he just does not understand the implications of what he's doing, as with the incident in Parliament. I am still rather cross with him…but I understand that from his perspective it is alright for no one has been hurt."

"If I did that, Master Opal would have taken the cane to my behind," said Leona, eyes narrowed further.

"Not anymore he would not," said Vincent. "Too many skirts, you would never feel it!"

Leona made to swat him but he caught her by the hand and pushed her back into her room, before stepping back with a hand over his eyes. "Now, now, it's almost noon and you're still in your nightgown! Oh dear, Miss Ruby! For shame! To have me see you in such a state!"

Leona slammed the door in his face.

Half an hour later, washed and changed, Leona went to the dining room and was joined there by Vincent for a late breakfast. The master and Sebastian were still in his office though someone had closed the door. The sky had darkened too, to a steely grey that broke into a torrential downpour through which nothing could pass without being drenched to their bones. It was perfect weather to return to bed but Leona had work to do, as indicated by the note the master had Ma De Four deliver with breakfast. And then there was a knock at the door.

At first no one heard it. So loudly was the rain falling that the sound was swallowed into the tattoo being played out on the galvanised roofing. Then it came again, louder and Leona and Vincent started, looking at each other with mirrored wide-eyed gazes. A moment later it was repeated and Vincent was up and heading to the door, just as the study door opened wider and Sebastian peered out. Leona stopped at the dining room door, meeting the young magician's gaze for only a moment before looking past him to Vincent.

Vincent hesitated only a moment before wrenching open the front door and stepping back. Their caller was a woman, but no, not a woman, not really, but an undine. She had only the most basic shape of a woman, with pale, clear skin, long, wavy white-blond hair and purest black eyes. She was also drenched to the skin and wearing only a loosely draped white shift. Vincent took another step back but she did not enter, just held out her hand and the envelope in it towards him.

"What is it? What are you doing standing there?" asked the master, coming out of the study to stand behind Sebastian. He stopped, looked around at the trio and then to the open the door. His mouth fell open and his eyes widened but he quickly recovered, shutting it again to ask, "What is this?"

Vincent lifted his hand to the undine's and took the proffered envelope. She bowed her head slightly and then immediately dissolved into a waterspout, sprinkling droplets into the house before collapsing down the steps into a cascade that washed out into the street and away into the drain. The quartet stared in the spot where she had been standing but moments before, then Vincent shook his head, shut the door and turned to his father and said, "For you."

Master Opal took the envelope without a word and tore it open. A quick scan of the contents later, he announced, "We have been invited to a dinner party at the Governor's estate. It appears that we have caught the interest of a guest of the governor, one James Tolliver, Lord Aries."

Sebastian's mouth became a thin line. The master continued, heading back into the study, "You too, Miss Ruby. Though I suppose I shall have to get you a new dress."

Sebastian snapped around to look at him and said before Leona could, "She should not attend."

"Hey!" protested Leona, glaring at his back.

He ignored her, continuing after the master, "Miss Ruby has a rare gift and she is a child. James Tolliver is tolerant of neither. His invitation is suspicious. She should not attend."

The master turned to look at him. Sebastian snapped his mouth shut, straightened and stared back. Then the master flicked his gaze over to Leona and said, "Tell Ma De Four to contact the seamstress, tell her you need a dress appropriate for dinner at the Governor's mansion. I think something in bright yellow would look lovely."

Leona flashed him her brightest grin but Sebastian scowled and said, "You are taking a serious risk."

The master turned to him with a raised eyebrow and said, "I have already taken a risk letting you into my house, boy. Besides, I have not met this James Tolliver and as far as I can tell from Vincent's account he merely introduced you to his hosts. I fail to see how that was dangerous behaviour. So we will attend the governor's dinner party—this will be especially good for you, Miss Ruby—and I will judge for myself the man's character."

Sebastian stared at him for a moment, swallowed a breath and then said, "Do not let her out of your sight. I would hate to have to chase her halfway around the Empire."

The master scoffed, turning to look out the window, "Goodness no, you of all people should know that Miss Ruby is not one to be underestimated."

The dinner party was in four days, which gave the seamstress barely any time to work with but she, once contacted later that day when the rains stopped, agreed to do her best. Leona was left the choice of style and after consulting with (rather pestering) Vincent on the latest fashions in Londoninum, was told, "Ruffles, I think. A lot of the ladies have ruffles. To their throats. And long sleeves, to their wrists."

It sound suspicious, but the seamstress assured her that she would come up with something suitable and left. Sebastian did not leave the master's study at all.

Early the next morning, only slightly overcast this time, the post arrived with an invitation addressed to "His Grace, Sebastian, Lord Tyne."

He scowled at it and said, "Of course, of course he would not tell them who I was."

Leona looked up from her porridge and said, "It's not his responsibility to introduce you. You can't blame them. And besides, you are 'His Grace, Sebastian, Lord Tyne'."

He ignored her and she smiled into her porridge.

After breakfast, Leona was summoned to the master's office first and informed that while the master was not as concerned about Lord Aries as Sebastian was, they still had to keep her secret to themselves. Leona expected as much, and nodded, but then the master said, "Now, as this relates to your ability…the Governor's estate is a former plantation and the main house was a Great House…I know that the ghosts trouble you—"

"I was born on a plantation," said Leona, cutting him off with a raised eyebrow.

"Indeed, that you were," said Master Opal, meeting her gaze. "And you survived five years there before I found you. But the Miller plantation is relatively new and made up of two smaller estates. The Governor's estate is not. I need you to understand this because whatever happens you must not react. I have withheld little from your education on world history. You know there are horrors. Whatever happens, whatever they do, you must not react."

Leona held his gaze and replied, "I will not react."

Master Opal stared at her for a beat and nodded. Then he said, "You will stand with Vincent at all times. Do not allow yourself to get separated from him or myself."

At this Leona lifted an eyebrow and asked, "Do you really think that Lord Aries is going to hurt me?"

The master shook his head slightly and then said, "As I told Mr Tyne I would prefer to ascertain the danger of this Lord Aries myself. His predecessor, from what I can recall of the man for the brief moment I met him was a mean, angry old man. Lord Virgo was younger, but already going blind and needed help walking. They were also supposedly the best of friends. For your sake, keep close to Vincent. Also, they will not be the most dangerous people there."

Leona decided she would just have to figure it out for herself when she got to the party and said, "Yes, sir."

The next two days were peaceful and routine. Leona woke as usual, had breakfast, followed Master Opal's review plan, went out with him to check with students, came home in time for dinner, played a game with Vincent and went to bed. Sebastian had barricaded himself in the master's study and only emerged for meals and to bathe or when Vincent dragged him off to bed. It was rather a fascinating sight for Leona, who had never seen such a thing which became even more fascinating after Vincent explained that this was how most university students spent their days while working on final projects. She simply refused to believe it.

The morning of the dinner party dawned sunny and Leona was awakened by Ma De Four so that she could have breakfast before the seamstress came to fit her into the dress. Sebastian, as usual, was absent from the table but Vincent was there, looking utterly unconcerned about how he would look later that day. The master was also absent, but supposedly this was because he was already out seeing to the state of the car. George would take them all to the estate and it was imperative that they, by which he meant Leona, made a good impression.

The seamstress arrived at nine, took Leona to her bedroom and unveiled the gown. It was, per Master Opal's request, bright yellow, with white lace ruffles along the trim and at the elbow-length sleeves. The neckline was close to her neck but dipped to her bosom in a sharp "V". The bodice would require a corset and the skirt gathered into an elaborate bustle decorated with a large bow. She squealed in delight at the sight of it, even though the skirt still did not touch her ankles, and then jumped for joy when she saw the matching dancing shoes.

Ma De Four, smiled at her and said, "You look very good, girl."

The seamstress grunted her agreement and Leona could not stop the silly grin on her face. This was the prettiest dress she had ever had. Then she thought about it a little longer and her expression fell, eyes downcast, lips turned down at the corners and said, "They're not going to notice the dress."

Ma De Four stopped smiling and said, "So, what? You not going there to show off no pretty dress. You know that, you not no fool. But since you going there you will look like a proper lady. You know they probably only ask for you because they want to know why Mr Opal take you in, as if it that wasn't donkey years now. They want to see you put on a show. Well you will give them one and you will look pretty doing it."

It took hours but eventually the fittings were done, just in time for tea and then Leona had to dress and change to go to the party. The seamstress waited to help with her hair and makeup and when Leona looked at herself in the mirror she could not believe she was looking at the same person. Her hair had been rolled and pinned into place behind her head with silk ribbons and flowers. She wore loaned lace gloves and jewellery, provided by the seamstress and Mr Opal respectively and her dress…she turned left and right to look at herself and could not believe that she was so lovely. Then she gave the seamstress and Ma De Four two tight hugs and rushed out to find Vincent, so of course she crashed sidelong into Sebastian instead.

He grasped her about the arms to steady her and once she was, said, "Good evening, Miss Ruby."

She pulled out of his arms and stepped back to reply with a curtsy, "Good evening, Your Lordship."

Sebastian was once again dressed in a suit of that material she considered so ill-suited to the weather, in navy blue, with his sapphire cufflinks and symbolic tie-pin. But now he wore ordinary dress shoes instead of boots and in one hand held what looked like a theatre mask. When he caught her looking he replied, "A symbol of my office. All governing members of the Zodiac Society wear these at official events."

He lifted it to his face and Leona was surprised to see that it was a half-mask formed in the shape of a young woman's face, with almond-shaped eyes, narrow nose and the beginnings of wavy hair drawn back from her forehead. But then of course it was, for Virgo, the virgin.

"You will look like you made a wrong turn on the way to a masque," said Leona.

"I will not," said Sebastian.

Vincent appeared behind him, dressed in his finest black dinner suit with top hat under one hand and a pair of white gloves in the other. He went wide-eyed a little at the sight of Leona and exclaimed, "Why, Miss Ruby! Aren't you the loveliest lady magician I have ever laid eyes on! Don't you agree, Sebastian?"

Leona narrowed her eyes at him. Though she was being praised and did it ever make her heart flutter, there was also the ring of something to Vincent's tone that sounded practiced. This was an act they did many times before. Sebastian confirmed it a moment later when he replied, "Why yes, Vincent. She is the second loveliest lady magician I have ever seen."

At this Vincent pulled away from him with a hand over his heart and a gasp. "The second? Did you just say that she is the second loveliest lady magician you have ever seen? Who is the first?"

Leona folded her arms and glared. But neither were intimidated. Instead, Sebastian merely stepped aside and said, "Dear Vincent, why, me!" Then they both burst out laughing and Leona rolled her eyes and walked away to find Master Opal.

He emerged from the study as she neared it, still straightening his jacket. She halted, he looked her over, then past her to Vincent and Sebastian and said, "Wonderful. We should leave now before we are late. Miss Ruby."

There would be no comments and Leona expected none. He extended his hand to her. Leona hesitated only a moment before taking it, he nodded at her and they quietly walked out of the house.

Leona had only ever seen the Governor's House, a two-story colonial mansion, neo-Gothic in most recent renovation, in passing. There were always guards posted outside, even when the governor was not in residence, half of who were freemen magicians. There were also, occasionally, ghosts of inhabitants past running or working or dying somewhere within sight. If she really wanted to she could ignore them. Some of them were just shades (or duppies as she knew them in childhood) anyway, repeating ancient patterns or moments of extreme emotion. In the night, clear and cool and moon- and jackalantan-lit, they flashed pale yellow and silvery-white. She stared at them for as long as she could without flinching, willing them to leave her be and for herself to ignore them and then she took Vincent's proffered hand and climbed out of the steam car.

Having never been to a dinner party before, only witnessed them in passing Leona had no idea if they were always this, well, crowded, but this one certainly was. Steam cars and carriages lined the block and then some. Then there were the servants, hundreds of them she was sure, human and constructs alike, helping their masters get as close to the entrance as possible, rearranging hair, straightening clothing, clearing a path for their progress. The magicians were the easiest to spot, in various shades of white, black, blue and red, the occasional familiar or construct on an arm or shoulder or trailing just behind, rings and cufflinks and necklaces glittering in the light. Leona was mistaken when she thought them well-dressed that day at the races, no, that was nothing compared to this.

Even Sebastian murmured at the sight of them, "Are we going to Court? Is the Empress here?"

Master Opal replied, "No, my boy. This is simply how we do it in the Caribbees."

Leona noticed then something rather curious. While she was not the only young lady dressed in yellow, she was the only magician dressed so. She glanced up at Master Opal, who was decidedly unimpressed with current fashion and was dressed rather plainly in a black suit. He turned his gaze down to her for a beat, then back to the entrance they were approaching and said, "Hmm, perhaps we should have gotten you a brooch, my dear. All the ladies are wearing one."

"Those ladies have passed their Exhibition," said Sebastian, before Leona could reply. "It hardly matters anyway, you are all with me."

At the gate stood two freemen butlers, dressed in fine livery of another era and climate, complete with powdered wigs that contrasted oddly with their coal-dark skin. The first held a scroll on which he checked off names while the second held a chest in which the guests deposited their invitations. Beyond them, a cobblestoned, lantern-lit path lead to the great double Frankish doors that was the entrance to the governor's house. She could just hear the strains of music from within, some classical number the master had once tried and failed to have her learn to play. Even so she could recall the notes in her head if she wanted to. So this was a dinner party. Leona tried not to stare but she could not help it.

There was a swiftly flowing line from the gate to the house, where a small party stood: a portly, aging man in medals, the latest governor, Sir Walter Howard; an equally round and brightly-attired woman, Mrs Agnes Howard, sparkling with each movement; another young man, possibly their son; Lord Aries she could recognise from the distance, wearing a white, horned half-mask much like the one Sebastian carried, though once again in dark red with his Mohamedan companion behind, and two others she did not. They greeted each guest with a handshake, though the magicians, whether freeman or not, took care to give a little display to Lord Aries as they approached.

One, a water magician, carried a jug of water. He stopped at the bottom of the steps, bowed and poured out the water. As it fell it took the shape of an undine, though this one was red-haired and swathed in black silk and, once formed, also bowed. Leona noted the summoning pentagram etched into the side of the jug. What a useful idea! Lord Aries nodded, the governor and his wife applauded, and the magician carried on into the house. And so the procession went.

Leona wondered then if she too was expected to make a presentation. She was born under Scorpio, a water sign, so Master Opal said her affinity was primarily to water elementals. Of course she had not thought to bring along a glass of water…perhaps there was a fountain nearby?

At the gate, Sebastian went first, saying nothing as he held out his card in one gloved hand, gaze trained ahead as if the two men did not stand there. They took it without comment, his name was crossed off and he proceeded through the entrance to the house. For a moment, Leona wondered if he would continue so quietly, and then as soon as he stepped past the threshold, he took a coin from his pocket, flipped it once, twice, three times and let it fly into the dirt. For a moment there was nothing and then came the sound of rumbling.

All activity ceased. Leona looked up at the doors to see that Lord Aries had stepped away from his guests, the woman with him, gaze trained on Sebastian approaching. Sebastian returned the stare and put on his mask just as the source of the rumbling revealed itself to be a fast-rolling mudflow. There was a pause from the assembled guests and then horrified shrieks as the mudflow swept around the skirts of a few women who were too slow to get out of the way, and excited shouts from the alarmed guards reaching for their weapons. But then Lord Aries held up his hand and they stopped.

The mudflow continued until it got to the edge of the path where the coin had fallen-no doubt its faces were the pentagram-then began to spiral upwards into a column of mud, clay and stone. All eyes turned to it, transfixed, but Sebastian did not, continuing slowly up the path as if nothing were happening beside him. But this was his doing, Leona was sure, for the energy rolling around the form coalescing before their eyes was all his. It forced the earth into the shape of a woman, tall and muscled like the sculptures of Greek goddesses in the books in the library, an Amazon complete with metal breast-plate, gleaming iron in the light, and draped diaphanous gown, palest blue to match the sky colour of her eyes. Leona blinked, stunned, and then the woman stepped onto the path behind Sebastian and followed him to the steps. He stopped at the bottom, nodded first to the governor and his wife, then looking Lord Aries directly in the eyes, said, "Good evening, Governor Howard, Madame Howard…First."

Lord Aries stared down at him, then back at the woman who was now bowed on one knee at Sebastian's back and said, "Sixth."

Then the governor's wife exchanged a wide-eyed look with her husband and then stepped forward, saying, "Another member of the Twelve? Here? Oh, we did not know!"

Sebastian shifted his gaze back to the woman and said, "I apologise, Madame. It was I who arrived in secret for I was visiting with a friend and did not wish to cause a stir. I thank you nevertheless for the invitation. It pre-empted my plans to call on you both, but it is never too late I think."

"No, no!" said the woman, smiling. "We are honoured to have you both here."

He nodded to her and the governor again, then looked down at his golem and said, "Persephone, to me."

She stood and walked to stand just behind them. Then he turned to Leona and the others at the gate.

They went together, the master first, handing over his card and leading the way up the path to Sebastian. Halfway there, he began whispering the words of an incantation and the air around them began to swirl, though barely ruffling their clothes, and a moment later, George stood behind them in a suit of armour of a bygone era. He looked like something out of a fairy tale, though he ruined it immediately by lifting his visor and turning back to wink at Leona.

When they stood with Sebastian, he looked them over and said, "My companions, Master John Opal, his son and my friend, Vincent Opal, and Master Opal's ward, Miss Leona Ruby."

They bowed as was proper, Leona dipping into a curtsy, and then Sebastian made to lead them into the house. And then Lord Aries said, "Hold on a minute, the girl has not made her presentation."

Sebastian stopped and looked back at Master Opal. Master Opal looked up at Lord Aries and said, "I'm afraid that that will not be possible, Miss Ruby has not yet done her Exhibition."

Lord Aries smiled at him, though with just his lips pulled back it looked like a sneer, and said, "How old is she?"

"Fifteen," said Master Opal. "Her Exhibition is not for another year."

"She is old enough. At twelve our young Lord Virgo here had summoned a leviathan to help him and his friends win a boat race. A magician nearly at her Exhibition can surely manage a water sprite," said Lord Aries.

Leona could feel all eyes on her but hers were trained on Lord Aries. Then she curtsied again and walked back into the path.

She only needed to summon a small water elemental, not an undine but maybe a water sprite as Lord Aries had suggested. She looked up at Master Opal and George, at Sebastian and his Persephone and Lord Aries and his silent Mohamedan woman. He was not smirking, as she imagined he might have been, but staring down at her with a pensive look, his eyes tracking her slightest movement. In her head she could hear Master Opal's warning about not letting anyone find out anything more than they needed them to know. She also remembered what Ma De Four said about them wanting her to put on a show. She could do that, easy. She was a magician, for goodness sake, she knew how to do spectacle. She just had to keep it down a little because too much power in a freewoman made people nervous.

She took a deep breath and looked for a water source. To her left and right were two-tier water fountains. It would take nothing to draw a water sprite out of one of the two but, ever mindful of warnings, Leona looked around for someone with a piece of chalk. The master stepped forward with a piece, holding Leona's gaze as he did so. Another warning.

Leona took it without a word, then biting her lip, gathered her skirt with one hand and sank into a stoop to draw the pentagram with the other. There were a few titters, some murmuring as everyone gathered to watch what the little girl would do. The tittering from the other freemen was the only ones that bothered her. (What did they have to laugh at? Did they forget that they were once like her?) And of course there was Lord Aries' gaze.

She worked quickly but carefully, remembering to put all the runes where they belonged and making sure that the edges met on the uneven cobblestone so that she would not have to use force to restrain the elemental. Only when she was satisfied did she write in what she wanted to summon, the Lesser Water Elemental water sprite. Then she stood up and away from the circle, walked to the fountain and scooped up a handful of water. A careful walk back to the circle, she poured it carefully in the centre, taking care to avoid splashing and washing away the borders, reciting the summoning incantation all the way.

Before she was finished she knew that something had gone wrong. The water in the centre of the circle had been just enough but still she felt the pull in the aether as the elemental drew the water droplets from her dress and hands, then followed the trail she had made to the circle back to the fountain. She stopped the incantation and tried to will the elemental to be small, but it pulled greedily at the aether she pushed at it and so she just stepped away and watched it work. The water swirled like the others had before her and then she felt a pulse of something that told her why she lost control.

The Carib warrior gave her his name before he wrapped himself in the guise of an undine and formed before her as a small, bronze-skinned man with long, wavy black hair and dark, black eyes. He wore an animal-skin loincloth, bone, coral and stone necklace and arm bands, hummingbird feathers in his hair and red and white paint on his face, chest, arms and legs. There were shocked gasps all around, but Leona held his gaze as he bowed and then looked past his bent head to Lord Aries. He was staring not at her but her warrior spirit-undine, expression unchanged. She flicked her gaze then to the master next to find him shaking his head at her, even as Vincent and Sebastian gave her wide-eyed stares. She had failed and succeeded at the same time. She exhaled heavily, then looked back to her warrior and said, "Tamosi, to me."

He stood, meeting her gaze again and then silently took his place beside her so that she could return to the steps. When she stood at the base of them, Lord Aries turned to Master Opal and said, "Good, good. I expect that we shall be seeing her in London soon then. Excellent work." Then to Sebastian, "I dare say you have been upstaged."

Leona dropped her gaze to her feet, her cheeks warm, but then the master put his hand on her shoulder and whispered, "What did you write in the circle?"

"A water sprite," said Leona, looking up at him.

He looked over Tamosi and said, "I will consult with His Lordship on the issue of your attracting spirits. For now, maintain calm, if he will adapt the form of your sprite then he is bound by your circle."

Leona nodded and then said to Lord Aries, "May we proceed?"

Lord Aries looked to the governor and his wife, who had gone pale and was still staring at Leona with slightly widened eyes, though the governor's gaze sported a broad grin, and said, "Oh I must have a word with this girl! That was quite a display!"

Then the governor turned to Lord Aries and nodded. Sebastian led the way up the steps into the house. Leona walked ahead of the master to stand with Vincent who leaned over to her a little and whispered, "Are you alright?"

"Yes," she replied, trying not to think of the warrior trailing beside her.

They shook the greeting party's hands one at a time, the governor and his wife first, who both smiled at Leona though, she noted, were quick to withdraw their hands, then the young men, who turned out to be their sons, and then finally, Lord Aries. He and Sebastian merely exchanged nods, though he took Vincent's hand and gave him a warm smile and Master Opal too. Then finally it was Leona's turn. She took his hand when he extended it, but instead of shaking her hand, he turned it over and brought it to his mouth to kiss her knuckles. Her cheeks warmed and she fought the blush even as it spread across her face. Then he pulled, forcing her forward, bent low over her ear and whispered, "I know what you did."

Leona blinked and stepped back immediately, but there was suddenly another person for him to greet and the Mohamedan woman was staring down at her with those dark eyes. Leona blinked again, looking back at Lord Aries' face. He ignored her completely, and then the master called, "You're dawdling, Miss Ruby. We do not have all night."

She turned at once and hurried after him.