His determination to reassure her didn’t just come from the knowledge that she was in an entirely new environment and might need support, though. It was that he desperately wanted her to like his world. Now that—against all expectation—he actually had her here, he was almost overwhelmed by the intensity of his desire. He wanted her to stay.
It was no surprise to find his parents and brother waiting for him in his father’s study. He’d known that the answers he’d given during the introductions would not be adequate for his family. He could only be grateful they’d waited for privacy to interrogate him.
“Who are they, Heath?” The duke wasted no time on pleasantries.
“They’re friends,” Heath told him. “Like I said.”
All three family members fixed him with expectant stares.
With a sigh, Heath dropped into a chair. “Like I said, I met Merletta when Reka took me on an exploratory flight, a couple years ago. August is a more recent acquaintance, but I trust him completely.”
“Is this related to King Matlock’s accusation that you’ve been hiding some threat from him?”
For a moment Heath was silent, unsettled. He hadn’t known his father was aware of that accusation.
“I don’t know for certain,” he said uncomfortably. “But I suspect so. He’s mistaken, though,” he added quickly. “There’s no threat to Valoria involved.” His eyes passed to his mother, their expression pleading. “I would explain their story in more detail if it was mine to tell. But I promised to respect their privacy, and I’m not sure I can tell everything without endangering Merletta.” His jaw set in uncompromising lines. “Which I won’t do, no matter what anyone asks of me.”
His parents exchanged a look, and a quick prod at his magic revealed a general sense of surprise, with an intention for private speech regarding—
He cut off his explorations as his father cast him a sharp look. Tucking his magic back inside, he showed them his most earnest expression.
“Surely you won’t turn them away.”
“Of course not,” the duchess said quickly. “Friends of yours are always welcome in our home. But are you sure it’s a good idea to take them to Bryford for the Winter Solstice Festival?”
“Of course,” Heath said enthusiastically. “It will be such an interesting cultural experience for them.”
His parents exchanged another glance, but dismissed him without further comment. Percival sent them a look of disgust—clearly he’d been hoping to see his usually biddable brother chastised more strongly for his secrecy—and left the room in Heath’s wake.
“A girl, Heath,” he said, apparently not troubled by the curiosity of a passing servant. “You’ve been holding out on me, little brother.”
Heath just grunted, in no mood to be baited by Percival.
“She’s very pretty,” Percival mused. “Maybe I should see if she prefers an older, stronger man.”
Heath looked up sharply, hot words on his lips. But his brother was laughing at him. As he looked into Heath’s eyes, Percival’s humor slid away, his face becoming more earnest than usual.
“You know I’d never do that to you, don’t you?” he asked quietly. The briefest flash of pain registered on his face at Heath’s silence. “We are still brothers, aren’t we?”
“Of course we are,” Heath said, moved in spite of himself. “Much as I want to tip you out that window,” he couldn’t help adding.
Percival’s laughter was back. “If only you could, little brother,” he said, already sauntering away. “Well, well, Heath with a girl. What will Laura say about this? Merletta, hey?”
He was around the corner as he spoke, and there was nothing for Heath to do but walk the other way, rolling his eyes. It was a relief that Percival wasn’t planning mischief where Merletta was concerned, at least. Griffin and Andre and whatever other mermen might be chasing her were quite enough to contend with.
Heath barely slept that night, his thoughts too full of Merletta’s nearness, and the unpredictable but suddenly much more exciting future. He kept chuckling to himself at the memory of her fascination with the food at dinner, and her determination to try every single dish. It had gained her some strange looks from the servants, but he’d heard them whispering that she was from the South Lands, and probably unused to their food. It was a rumor he intended to encourage wherever possible, as the simplest explanation for Merletta and August’s undeniably foreign ways.
After breakfast the following morning—during which Merletta caused a bit of a sensation by trying to bite into a boiled egg with the shell still intact—Heath lost no time in dragging Merletta outside with him, away from prying eyes and listening ears.
“Your home is amazing,” she told him, with a hint of wistfulness. Her voice dropped to a mutter. “It would make an excellent mind palace.”
“What?” Heath asked, bemused.
“Never mind,” Merletta said quickly. She gave him a rueful smile. “Vazula must feel so primitive to you.”
“Vazula,” Heath said simply, “is my favorite place in the world.” He stepped closer. “Mainly because it’s where you are.”
“Ah, there you are.” August strode out into the training yard, his eyes appraising the equipment with professional interest. “Is this where your guards train?”