“This is a thoughtful and generous gift, Maura. I’m honored to accept this family heirloom from you, Vott.”
He inclined his head. “It seemed fitting in light of today’s events.”
The act of kindness brought a stray tear to her eye. Young Becka had received no such kindness.
“Before our conversation drifts rightfully to memories of Tesse,” Maura began, “I want you to know, Becka, that I am arranging for your recognition ceremony to be held in two days’ time.”
Becka’s heart skipped a beat. Surely this couldn’t be happening? Lagan had promised to talk to Maura about taking things slowly, but no doubt he hadn’t yet had the opportunity.
“Two days?” She tried to wrap her thoughts around the idea and failed.
“Yes. Tesse’s memorial pyre is tomorrow, so the day after will be the soonest as would be proper. I will not have it delayed any longer than necessary.”
Becka downed the rest of her glass of wine in one long gulp. Both Alain and Quinn frowned in unison at her.
An icy chill ran down her back and Becka suddenly lost her appetite. The irony of the situation wasn’t lost on her. If this had happened eight years ago, she would have been elated. Now, when she’d come to revel in her freedom, being welcomed back into the fold was the last thing she wanted.
“You’re saying I’m to be recognized as a guilded member of House Rowan?”
“Of course,” Maura frowned. “I had thought that eventuality would have been clear to you after the testing results. By custom and law, all guilded fae live within the Territories.”
“And all gifted fae are guilded?”
Vott’s irritable expression belied the patience in his voice. “Again, by custom and law, yes. What had you expected would be the consequence of being found gifted?”
“To be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure. I mean, I’m certified ungifted, but now I have a gift? My situation is without precedent, so I didn’t know what the next steps might be. I mean, can you even change that status, once it’s set?” Becka said, aware she was babbling, and yet still reaching for another glass of pinot from a passing server.
Maura gave her the sweetest, most heartfelt smile. “You have missed out on your heritage and birthright for too long. The least House Rowan can do is to make things right.”
“You can invite anyone you would like. If they are not already in attendance, we can send word,” Vott said, his tone indulgent, as if he were doing her a favor.
As if she still had friends within the Territories. The assumption was laughable.
“But, are you sure, after all of this time, that declaring me guilded is the right thing to do? Perhaps it would be better to leave things as they are?”
Conversation stalled around them, and Maura’s eyebrow twitched. “By law, you must now be declared guilded. By custom, we will hold a recognition ceremony for you. This is what House Rowan does.”
Becka looked to Maura and Vott, and a level of understanding dawned on her, lighting up her mind like fireworks. They were so dictated by customs and the law, nothing else played into these decisions. Becka had been sent away after three failed testings. No more, no less. Now, she was being brought back into the fold, she suspected forcibly if necessary, to meet those same customs. Becka had the impression that they both knew this would be a bumpy ride for all involved, but it was a road they were resolved to travel.
“You seem unhappy with this turn of events?” Calder asked, his clipped tone betraying his efforts to remain cordial. “The Duchess does you great honor.”
Calder had read her well, and Becka had no doubt everyone else around the table had intuited the same.
“I am,” Becka replied, pausing as she sought a suitable reply, “very tired from today’s, and this week’s events. Living without the auspices of a guild is something none of you have had to manage. There are things I’m not yet willing to give up.”
Calder snorted. “I would think it an easy transition. You must have yearned for this for years. And now you have everything you could ever want.”
‘I moved on, Calder, and I forged a new space for myself in the city. A new life. Adjusting is going to take some time.” If ever, she didn’t say out loud.
Calder started to speak, but then Maura cleared her throat, and he leaned back in his chair.
“Although I would have hoped to see you more enthusiastic,” Maura replied, “I also understand this turn of events is a monumental change in your life, the second such upheaval at the behest of House Rowan. What happened here today is unprecedented. None of us could have anticipated your testing results, you, no doubt, least of all.”
“This entire week has been a series of unexpected events,” Becka replied. In that moment, she wished more than anything that she could call up Tesse and share all that had happened. But that would never happen again.
Maura inclined her head. “Although I insist on holding the recognition ceremony in two days, we can discuss the natural course of what follows after as we navigate into these new waters together.”
Becka nodded. “Thank you, Duchess Maura.”
Becoming a guilded member of House Rowan wasn’t something she wanted anymore, but at least Maura sounded flexible on the ‘what next’ portion. She also understood that no of them, herself included, could defy human laws without untenable consequences.
It would have to do, for now. How much of her life would she have to sacrifice because of her null gift?
“Certainly, my dear. Oh, Enforcer Quinn?” Maura said.
“Yes, Duchess?” he replied, his gaze wary.
“I have reached out to Chief Elowen and informed her your services are no longer needed and that you’ll be returning tomorrow. The house guards and the wolf
