Charmed Vengeance

They stopped in front of a test of strength. A doll with red curls and green eyes sat on a shelf watching her—she appeared to be laughing.

“Could you win this one?” Noli watched as a young man took a wooden mallet and struck a metal plate, trying to send a counterweight up to hit a bell. It didn’t ring and the carnie asked if he wished to try again. The young man shook his head and walked away.

Jeff studied the game, rubbing his chin. “I think so.” He paid the carnie, took the mallet and swung, ringing the bell on the first try. “What would you like?”

She pointed to the doll. “Her.” The carnie handed her the doll. Getting up on her tiptoes, she gave Jeff a peck on the cheek. “On to the ice cream parlor?”

He linked his arm through hers. “On to the ice cream parlor.”

At the ice cream parlor, which smelled of vanilla and sugar, they got a large sundae with extra whipped cream and two cherries, two spoons, and sat at a small table near the window where they could watch people stroll by as they ate. They parlor itself was noisy, packed with sticky children enjoying a treat.

“Now what’s this about being thrust upon society?” Jeff asked between bites.

Noli poked at the ice cream with her spoon. “Mama has it in her head that the only way to save us financially is for me to marry well. She thinks since we’re still a family of fine breeding, I can attract a suitor, even though we have no money. So, ever since I returned … from boarding school she dresses me up and foists me off on all the right people so I can meet a rich husband.”

Jeff made a face of disgust. “How is that working for you?”

“It’s not.” She helped herself to the cherry on top. “Not that I thought it would. I don’t think she did either, hence the whole conversation about Boston. Which is why I don’t want go, since they’ll try to marry me off.” Noli rolled her eyes. “Society boys are so boring.”

“What do you want?” Jeff took another bite of ice cream.

“I want to go to the university and become a botanist.” Sometimes being a sprite made it difficult to think, nevertheless, she was an earth court sprite. Inventing things could be difficult sometimes, but understanding plants had grown easier.

Jeff nodded, waving his spoon in the air. “You always did love growing things. I believe in women being educated.”

“There are universities only for women, good ones. I don’t know why Mama thinks it’s improper.” Noli shook her head, absently spooning ice cream into her mouth.

“Are there any suitors?” Jeff’s eyebrows rose in a way that made her recall his earlier comment about roughing someone up.

“Well, there’s one, and only one—V, Steven Darrow, from next door.” She suppressed a smile at the thought. “I’m quite happy with him. He believes in women being educated. We’ve even talked about going to the university together.”

Jeff cocked his head. “Is he still scrawny with his nose in a book? He’s too young for marriage.”

Why was she considered nearly too old, while he, who was older, thought far too young?

“He’s filling out, though he still often has his nose in a book.” Her smile grew. “He’s my best friend, Jeff. He’s stood by me through everything. V understands me like no one else does.” Sometimes even better than she understood herself. He kept her secrets, helped her fix things, and through this whole ordeal with the Otherworld and losing her humanity never lost hope.

Jeff’s rough and tanned hand covered hers. “I wish I would have known earlier that things were so difficult for you. I never sought to abandon you and Mama or cause your social status to plummet. I simply needed to find my own way—and I knew it wasn’t here in Los Angeles or among high society.”

She nodded, focusing on her dessert and getting the perfect blend of ice cream, nuts, and chocolate on her spoon. “I know. Do you like what you do?”

“You’d love my ship. She’s a beauty. Raven-class.” His eyes lit up like the sun. “I wish I was here longer, I’d show her to you.”

“Are you ever going to get married?” Noli’s mouth clamped shut, cheeks warming. It was difficult not being in full control of her own being. “I … I’m sorry.” Her shoulders drooped. Technically, Jeff was rather young for marriage as well. Well, as far as boys went.

“Actually, I’ve met someone. But I’m having trouble convincing her to marry me. Not because she doesn’t wish to be with me, but because she’s like you, wanting to be her own person.” He grinned. “Eventually, I’ll convince Vix that she can be my wife and still be herself.”

“I’d like to meet her.” She took another bite, then dabbed her mouth with a napkin. Any woman who could capture Jeff’s attention would have to be extraordinary. Vix. What a name.

“Noli, I’m worried about you.” He lowered his voice, and leaned in, putting his elbows on the table. “James told me about where they sent you. Since then, your letters have gotten odd. Sometimes it’s as if they aren’t even written by you.”

Of course she wasn’t all right. But it had nothing to do with Findlay House and their dreadful treatments. Not that she could tell Jeff about the Otherworld.

“I’m fine, Jeff.” She plastered on a large, fake smile.

“Tell me what they did to you. Please?” He took one of her hands in his.

Memories of the isolation box, water room, and private lessons cascaded down on her as fast and cold as the water that the horrible headmistress at Findlay House, Miss Gregory, poured on her face as punishment. Noli wrapped her arms around herself, trying to push it all away.

She couldn’t meet his eyes. “I … I’m fine.”

He straightened in his seat, shaking his head over so slightly. Reaching across the table, he laid a hand on her arm. “Come back with me. I’ll pick you up after my meeting tonight.”

Noli nearly dropped her spoon on the table. “What?”

“This could work.” His face grew animated in a way that reminded her of their father. “We need an engineer on the ship. You’d get a cut of everything, like everyone else. You could save some money and then go to the university.” He smiled their father’s smile. “No balls, no gloves, no one trying to marry you off. You could be your own woman, make your own choices. Fulfill your dreams.”

The offer made her fidget in her chair. The sprite grumbled at the words no balls. She shook her head as if shaking off the idea. “But Mama … ”

He held up a hand. “Let her go to Grandfather Montgomery. She loves Boston. I’m sure if, I mean, when, father comes back he’ll look there. It’s his home, too.” Jeff scraped the last of the ice cream out of the bowl. “Think about it, please?”

That would mean leaving V. She grabbed her doll and parasol. “We should probably go.”

They hoverboarded back to the house and he walked her to the back door.

“I had a wonderful time, Jeff. I’m so glad you took the time to see me.” She stretched up and kissed him on the cheek. “Keep writing, please? I love your letters.”

“I will—and please, consider coming with me.” He wrapped his arms around her.

“I … I don’t think I’m suited your airship. But I appreciate the offer.” She looked up at him. “Have a safe trip, I worry about you.”

“I wish you’d come. I worry, too.” He waved as his hoverboard rose into the sky.

Jeff wanted her to be an air pirate. What a notion. She opened the back door and went inside. As tempting as saving for the university was, she wasn’t about to leave V.

Two Ultimatums

Steven Darrow took a deep breath and crossed the threshold into Queen Tiana’s tea room, wishing Noli stood by his side. Nerves coursed through him and the green and brown velvet outfit suitable to visiting the high palace itched. Even though she’d given no reason for her summons, knew exactly what their meeting was about.