Alarm bells resonated in Becka’s head, sinking into the pit of her stomach. But she shook it off, assuming her heightened state of alert was to blame. This man had been her twin’s fiancé. He’d obviously been smitten with Tesse. No doubt there was nothing to be concerned about.
“May I have a word?” Alain asked, approaching with all the due caution a team of four wolf-shifters will inspire. He looked to Quinn, his expression oddly aggressive.
“Of course, Alain.” At her words, the shifters gave them a little space and Quinn fell back, walking along with the two at her rear, and allowed Alain’s approach. “What did you wish to discuss?”
“I wanted to wish you congratulations on your newfound ability and subsequent change in status. I am sure Duchess Maura and her consort, Duke Vott, are pleased to welcome you back into their household.”
Her alarm bells let out another chime. “Thank you for your well wishes. Duchess Maura has been nothing but gracious and welcoming. She even presented me with these heirloom gloves, which are both beautiful and practical.”
He smiled and his smile was so contagious she smiled reflexively in return.
“I am so very glad to hear it. And how do you feel about assuming your role within House Rowan?”
Another faint chime. “I’m a bit uneasy, to be honest. I need a bit more time to process and understand the expectations and responsibilities. No doubt things will become clearer to me in time.”
“It is assured.” He paused, as if waiting for her to say something else.
Just then Duchess Maura rounded the end of the hall and approached. She raised a brow as she looked over Becka’s clothing.
“Lady Becka, Lord Alain,” she said to each of them in turn. “Are you quite ready?” she asked Becka.
“Duchess Maura,” Becka replied, inclining her head. “I think I am.”
“Then let us proceed.” Maura turned and walked toward the Great Hall, and Becka fell in beside her. When she glanced back Alain and Quinn were walking side by side down the hall behind them. Along with the shifters, they were a proper procession.
“You have been absent from these halls for many years,” Maura said.
Becka met her gaze and nodded.
“I do not get the impression you are aware of how things will change for you after today.”
“What do you mean?”
“This ceremony will designate you a full, guilded member of House Rowan.”
“Sure, I understand that much. I’ll be a full Rowan again.”
Maura paused and turned to face her. “You will again be my eldest progeny.”
Becka rocked back on her heels. She’d been so busy dealing with Woden and Tesse’s loss she hadn’t quite put two and two together yet. “Wait, you’re saying I’m the heir again?”
Maura’s expression made Becka wonder just how much blood she’d lost yesterday. “Indeed. The guilded heir apparent of House Rowan, with all of the responsibilities and duties that entails.”
Becka’s gut reaction kicked in, which was to metaphorically dig in her heels. “Look, I understand that’s the custom, but I’m sure you can agree that I'm not the best candidate.”
Maura’s wry smile vexed her. “I cannot set you aside when you are neither inept nor addled.”
Becka held up her hands. “Sure, but you can’t just expect me to give up my freedoms and roll over?”
Maura shrugged. “It is curious to me that a position that others crave is one you feel a burden. There are customs and expectations, but you gain great power, and I am not simply referring to your gift. One day you will stand in my shoes as Duchess of Rowan.”
“I don’t mean to disrespect you or Rowan,” Becka replied, hands on her hips. “But I’m not the moldable child you sent away. I have a life I’m not ready to walk away from. I’m going to require a level of autonomy in order to agree to this.”
Maura frowned, but her eyes glinted with amusement. “I was warned about this.”
“What, that I’d become an independent and headstrong adult?”
“I was warned you had taken after me more than your father. I suppose I should be impressed, but to be honest, it is a bit infuriating. And I can not discount the difficulty these past many years away from your family have been. You have done well to flourish, and I will not fault you for it.” Maura tapped her foot. “Now, state your conditions.”
Becka blinked, impressed her gambit had worked. “I want to finish my doctorate. And I have an internship which starts next week. I plan to change our world, fae, human, and shifter alike, for the better.”
Maura gave her a nod. “Human law requires you finalize your training before leaving fae territory, so the internship is beyond my control. They also might be unwilling to have a guilded fae attend college, but I will not stop you from pursuing it. Additionally, if you agree to train with Astrid I will approve of any civic service you are able to acquire once she discharges you, as long as you understand House Rowan will also have assignments suitable to your powers.”
Becka’s heart filled with joy. She’d never imagined Maura would agree to let her follow her dreams. Becka would do her darnedest to convince the intrepid professor to take a chance with her, yet again.
“I will train with Astrid, and I’ll reach out to Dr. Traut and see if the Institute will allow me to delay my internship and studies.”
Saying the words out loud cemented her resolution. There would be no returning to her home in the city with Aunt Lydia anytime soon. The internship with Dr. Traut’s Interspecies Studies department at the Institute of World Politics would be delayed, at best. And there would be an apprenticeship with Aunt Astrid to learn what she could of her gift.
After this ceremony she would be heir apparent to House Rowan. Becka had managed to go back in while holding her ground with her mother, and that alone was a huge win. It might not be
