A Week or Two Later

?Okay, who died??

The suspicion in the red-haired woman?s voice gave Amthy pause. Her lips parted and then pressed together into a line. ?No?un died.?

?Are you firing someone? Is that why you?re here??

?No,? Amthy sputtered as she sat up straighter in her chair. Scarlett had a way of making her feel small. ?I jus? wanted to see how things were going and--.?

?And?? Scarlett interrupted as she leaned into Amthy?s space.

?I jus? need some?un to write a letter for me,? she explained. Amthy splayed her hands palm up and wide. The length of her gradient green-hued hair shifted on her shoulders as she shrugged. ?Besides, I can come here any time I wan?.? Amthy tipped her chin up at a defiant angle.

Scarlett eyed her employer shrewdly evaluating the woman. ?Fine,? she said easily as she leaned back into her seat. The leather creaked as she pulled a sheet of vellum from a desk drawer. The drawer slammed as she pushed it closed. A well of ink and a quill, along with a vial of sand and the paper, were set on the desk top. She brushed a tuft of crimson from her brow as she slid open the well?s top and dipped the nub. ?What am I writing??

?My dearest Miles,? Amthy dictated, folding her hands in her lap.

?Wait?is this a personal letter??

?O?course,? Amthy answered with a note of confusion in her airy voice. All she had were personal correspondence. She left the business elements to people better qualified than her. People like Scarlett.

Scarlett?s lips twisted in annoyance. ?I?m not your secretary.?

?I know,? Amthy replied with a guilty shift in her seat.

The red-haired color Fae wrinkled her nose and put the quill in its stand. ?Frankly, I don?t have time for this. But it?s off season. Why don?t you see if any of the girls want to do it?? She made a vague gesture with her hand. ?Try Pine or Blanche, maybe?? She paused. ?No, not Pine. She needs to practice for the spring. Try Blanche first, and just work your way backwards through the rainbow.?

It took a moment, but Amthy realized that she had been dismissed. Awkwardly, she stood and reached for the paper. ?If tha?s wha? you think is best,? she said simply. ?Can I take this with me??

?Of course,? Scarlett answered as she closed the ink well and pulled a fresh quill from the top drawer of her desk. ?You?ll want these as well,? she added with a small smile.

?Thanking you, Scarlett.? Amthy took the offered stationary goods and left the room.

?Cayt?? Amthy drew out her heart sister?s name in an imploring twist of breath. Her fingers twined around a lock of murky olivine green and her head canted disarmingly to one side.

A pale silvery-blonde brow lifted. ?Yes, Amthy?? Cayt folded the top of the newspaper she was reading down so she could see the approaching nymph. She had moved her hands behind her back and Cayt wasn?t sure if she should label the former pixie?s expression as coy or pouty. She finally decided that it was a combination of both.

Amthy stopped a few feet away and stood with her feet braced apart. Gently, she swung her hips to make the skirt of her dress swish and sway against her legs. ?Would you write a letter for me??

?To whom??

?Miles,? Amthy answered easily and with a smile. ?I have news for him, an? I wouldn? trust it t?any?un else but you.?

Cayt folded the paper completely and put it down in her lap. Lightly, she scratched her scalp and ruffled her pale blonde hair. It wasn?t often that Cayt left it loose. She didn?t know what to do with it when it was. ?It sounds important.?

Amthy gasped and clapped her hands together. Her airy, lilting voice rose in octave as her excitement grew. ??Tis!? Her fingers tangled together and she took a few dancing steps toward Cayt. Happily, she threw herself down to kneel beside her sister?s legs. ?Our dear Bijou is with child,? she explained as she circled her arms around Cayt?s knees and pressed her cheek to the bend of them. ?Miles would want to know. He does love her so.?

Cayt looked down at Amthy and pet the spill of her green hair. ?That is exciting news,? she said.

??Twas strange at first t?hear,? Amthy said after a moment. The scent of strawberries and rain hung in the air around her. ??m delighted. I love Bijou an? wan? only joy for her.?

?But??

A deep emerald stain settled on the apples of Amthy?s cheeks. Her lashes veiled her eyes and she kept her gaze focused off to the side. Absently, she plucked at the bits of fabric that had begun to pile on the well-worn curves of Cayt?s knees. The things she could not, and would not, voice played along the mental link that connected them, instead.

?Amthy,? Cayt murmured, ?that was a long time ago.?

?I know,? she replied. ??m happy for her. I was jus? surprised tha? such an ol? thing could still sting. ?s no? like?t was Bijou?s fault.?

?It wasn?t,? Cayt agreed. ?When is she due?do you know??

?I do think she mentioned next winter. Tell Miles he has a year to find the perfect present.?

?Anything else you?d like to add??

?Give me a moment an?m sure I?ll think o? sommat,? Amthy laughed as she pinched behind Cayt?s knee. ??s a place to start or a place to end. Really, it does depend on how the conversation goes.?

?Just try to keep it suitable for everyone?s ears.?

The scent of cherries lingered in the air. ?I always do.?

?Oh, Cayt,? Amthy sighed, clutching a bouquet of wildflowers to her chest. Around her the grass had grown tall and gone to seed. The verdant sea was dotted with the bright splashes of yellow dandelions. Their stalks and blades bent beneath a cooling breeze. Her Wind Sib?s fingers combed through the loose length of her gradient olivine-hued hair, and fanned it to the side of her face.

?Hrm?? Cayt rumbled from behind her. The shifter was curled comfortably on a blanket of blooming clover safe in the shade a small collection of scattered trees could provide. A bucolic scene birthed by a lazy afternoon spent picnicking in the meadow between Ardane and Rising Star Stables.

?Will you write a letter for me when we return to Ardane?? Amthy asked as she plucked another dandelion. She gripped the stem close to the earth to preserve as much of the stem as she could. The soft snap of the fibers mingled with the rustling leaves above them.

?What about?? Cayt asked in reply. A bit of curiosity teased the link she and Amthy shared as she added another stalk to the crown of daisies she wove.

The nymph laughed with a tickle of embarrassment. ?T?tell?im I miss?im, again.? Her lips twisted to one side as she straightened and retraced the path to Cayt. The breeze danced along her skirt and rolled the bright grape fabric against her legs. Amthy flopped down among the sweet grasses and clover. She leaned toward her heart sister and tossed her bouquet onto her lap.

?Thanks,? Cayt snorted.

?You look pretty in flowers,? Amthy said with a grin. ?You should find some?un t?bathe you in them.?

?No, thank you,? the blonde answered primly. She sat up marginally straighter and wove another flower into the chain. The scent of cherries and wildflowers were briefly overpowered by orange blossom and nutmeg. To Cayt?s sensitive nose, she could detect the bare hints of anise and rain as well. And while her sister?s cues weren?t always easy to follow, she?luckily?had the link to fall back on to give order to the chaos. ?Something happen??

?It doesn? seem fair tha? seein? some?un else in the raptures of adoration should make the heart hurt so with longing,? she lamented with a drawn out sigh to Cayt. ?Chryrie has a new beau,? she answered Cayt before her sister had a chance to ask. ?An? they make such eyes at one another. ?s gloriously sweet.? Amthy reached to drag a daisy cluster from the spill on Cayt?s lap.

?And that is bad?? Cayt asked, amused. She settled the partially formed woven crown on her head. Dissatisfied with the size she added another stem.

?Oh, no? atall!? Amthy gasped and waved the daisy at the shifter, brushing the petals against the woman?s arm. ??s fantastical.?

?Then, why are you sad?? She asked, puzzled.

?I dunno ?bout you, but when I see love it makes me wanna wrap mineself up with the?uns I adore.? Amthy pulled a petal from its center. ?An? neither o? the?uns I fancy is within easy reach.? She tore the petal in half and rolled the pieces between her fingers. ?So Miles needs a letter.?

?Of course, I will write it for you,? Cayt replied. She settled the crown of dandelions on Amthy?s head. The yellow paired nicely with the green of her hair. ?There, now you look like a princess?the princess of the meadow.? She turned away from the nymph and dug in what remained of their lunch. She shined an apple on her sleeve. Happily, she took a crunching bite and watched the wind play across the meadow, and the butterflies dance from blossom to blossom.

?You should start with ?Dear Chou?,? she said as she scooped a bite of berry pie onto the tines of her fork. Deep, dark syrup dripped thick and inviting on the bone-hued plate beneath. It was, Amthy decided, a pretty plate. There were bands of blue at the edges, and she could see a partial spray of flowers peeking out from beneath the collapsed wedge of pastry. She thought the pink one might be a rose.

?Couldn?t this wait?? Cayt asked. Her tone implored the green-haired nymph to show compassion. Though, mostly, it asked for patience. The silvery-blonde haired shifter worked her fingers into the soil in the bed along the front of Ardane Manor. She had started with gloves, but abandoned the thick, clumsy things. There was something more satisfying about getting her hands dirty.

?But you said you would,? Amthy answered as she swallowed the mouthful of flakey butter pastry and sour cherries. She brushed the crust flecks from her mouth and the front of her dress. They rained down onto her lap where they stayed.

?I?ll do it,? Gina interjected as she pushed her pie plate away. ?Where?s the paper?? The jockey sat up from her sunken slouch and sniffed loudly. She rubbed the side of her finger against her nose.

Amthy squealed happily and with flare moved the sheet of parchment from beside Cayt?s plate to where Gina?s had recently occupied. Once the page was nice and neatly situated, she produced the quill and well with equal flourish. Grinning happily, she pressed her hands together palm to palm. As anxious in her excitement as a bird poised to fly, she perched on the very edge of her seat.

?You sure you know--,? Cayt began with a low laugh.
?Shuuush,? Amthy interrupted and waved her hands as if the motion would overwhelm Cayt?s voice. ?Dunn mind her,? Amthy said in a rush, ?just start it ?Dear Chou?,? Amthy instructed.
??doing,? Cayt finished, her tone amused and a smirk settling on the curve of her lips.
?I think I got it,? Gina replied to Cayt. It couldn?t be that hard. She always wanted to know why ?Rora avoided the task whenever possible. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to find out.
?If you say so,? Cayt laughed as she pushed the spade into the ground. She left it there and started to remove flowers from their little plastic trays.

??ve been keepin? company with a lovely girl, we call her Saffy. I do think you would like her. She has the most beautiful b--.?
?Amthy don?t!? Cayt called out, sitting up on her heels. She pointed an accusing finger at her heart sister.
?Rre--,?Amthy continued.
?Amthy!?
?Eyes,? she said finally. Amthy picked up her fork and stuck it cheerfully into her pie.

?What were you going to say?? Gina asked. She looked between her princess and her sister. Brown brows rose in question.

?Breasts,? Amthy chirped with a purely pixish expression molding the lines of her face. She said it quickly, and not at all quietly, before Cayt could stop her. She heard?and felt?Cayt sigh. A cackle scraped against the sides of her throat, and Amthy found she could not hold it. The air sweetened with cherries to match the massacred pie slice on her plate.
?She has beautiful breasts?? Gina asked slowly.
Amthy?s eyes widened. ?Oh, they?re jus? wondrous. He?d love her boobies.? Amthy made wide, sketchy gestures; cupping in front of her own chest as she pantomimed having Saffron?s considerable charms. ?But she prolly wouldn? cotton t?him too much,? she rambled on to Gina. ?At least no? romantically.? Amthy shoveled more pie into her mouth.

Gina glanced over the porch at Cayt. The Shifter just gave her a half smile and nodded. She then gestured for Gina to continue?which was good because Amthy didn?t really stop talking. ?Er, do you want me to write that??

?Oh, jus? write it all,? she gushed to Gina. ??cause then it?s more like a conversation an? he?s no? all lonely in Lavinor with all his fine ladies.? The fork was dropped to her plate where it clanged against the ceramic. There wasn?t enough pie left on the dish to bother with it. Instead, she dragged her finger through the syrup to gather to the sweet stuff on the tip. ??ve also been stayin? at Helston House, again. While?m in town, anyhow.?

?That?s where you?ve been?? Cayt asked from the background.
Amthy nodded. ?I did think a bit more privacy was in order. Kitty did say I could use mine old room again, so I am.?
?How are things going with Trae?? Cayt asked with a touch of concern. Dirt-caked hands patted loose soil around her newly planted flowers.

?Oh! I haven? tol? you,? Amthy squawked. ?Chryrie kicked her out.? She leaned toward Gina and thudded her fingertip rapidly on the table beside the letter. ?You need t?tell?em tha?. An? tha? the guy she shaked up with is totally ancient.? Tsavorite-hued eyes widened expressively.
?Ancient?? Cayt asked, skeptical.
Amthy looked quickly back to her sister, olivine hair lashing across her shoulders. ?Yeah. He could be her dad, like a couple times over.? Math was NOT Amthy?s strength, so she didn?t try to quantify it past that.
?Chryrie?s holding up??
?As well as can be expected,? Amthy responded vaguely. She made a rolling gesture with her hand as she reclined back in her seat. ?You can tell Miles tha?, too,? She said to Gina, who kept on writing. ?An? tha? I love him an? the realm falls apart without him.?
?The realm is doing just fine,? Cayt laughed and mopped her hand against her brow.

?It?s falling into the ocean!? Amthy announced dramatically. ?An?s a good thing he has a ship. An? tell him tha? mah apple tree misses him.?
?Your apple tree??? Gina looked up from the page as she wrote.
?Oh, yes. An? tell?im tha? I know it?s spring, but to take it easy with the married women,? Amthy sucked at her finger. ?An? I want to throw a party at the Manor. Jus? cause he should know.?

?Er, okay, then,? Gina said cheerfully as she continued to scribble.

?What kind of party?? Cayt asked.
?A fundraiser,? Amthy chirped. ?You should tell him, too. He?ll be glad to know I?m still doin? community work.? Bright, unblinking eyes rolled up to take inspiration from the underside of the porch overhang. ?I do thinking tha? is everythin?. Tell him I love him. Even if I said it already?make it a post post script. An? draw a heart.? Amthy leaned over to touch the page. ?Right there.?

And, naturally, Gina obliged.

Amthy wanted to write a letter. Such an undertaking was ordinary business for most, but for her it was something of a trial. There were letters to draw and 't's to cross and hiatches to be in full possession of. In short, it was something close to tedious but just barely on this side of fun.

As such, it wasn't likely to get done.

With lids pressed firmly down, the fan of her evergreen lashes spread across her cheeks. Her complexion was paler than usual. The autumn had waned and winter was nibbling cold and cruel at the edge of her; wilting her tender greens and sapping the color from the gradient spill of her olivine hair.

"I d'think I would look charming with freckles."

"Freckles?" Cayt answered, peering at her sibling over the folded back edge of her evening paper. Releasing one side, she strummed her fingers in the air as if sprinkling imaginary somethings from her fingertips. "Would they be all over your face?"

"Well, no, no' all over. Jus' a gamine lil sprinkle on mine cheeks."

"What color would they be?" Cayt inquired as she turned her attention back to a half page ad for wererat removal.

"Ah," Amthy exhaled. "I hadn' given it much thought," she admitted. "But I think they would look charming all the same."

"Maybe," the silvery-haired Shifter answered with a shrug.

"I do bet Miles would think they were charming."

Cayt laughed and turned a page. She struggled with it a moment to get the long sheet to fold correctly. "If it was on you, he might find even warts appealing."

"Ew! No, he wouldn'. I wouldn' even find it so," Amthy said in protest. "Unless, o' course, I was a witch. Then it would be all right."

"A witch?" Cayt smiled and set her paper aside. "What sort of witch? I don't really think you've got it in you."

"Oh, I could be th'very best sort o'witch," Amthy gushed. "I'd live in a house made of candy an' cookies."

"And eat little children?"

"Not all the time," Amthy said as she crossed her eyes and puffed her cheeks. "They'd make mah hips big." Cayt snorted and sorted through the sections of the paper. "Sissy-mine, "Amthy said, "wha' do witches put on their bagels?"

"Probably newt eyes and frog tongues."

"Scream-cheese!" Amthy squealed and laughed. Gaily clapping she leaned toward Cayt. "What d'witches put on their hair?" Amthy didn't give her sister a moment. She watched her sputter briefly (probably quietly asking her Goddess why she was being punished) as she launched into the answer. "Scare-spray!"

Cayt groaned. "Who has been telling you jokes?"

"'m a very good joke teller."

"But they aren't good jokes," Cayt pointed out.

Amthy rolled her hand dismissively. She wasn't going to quibble over such minor details. "Miles would laugh at mah jokes."

"Have you asked him?"

"Get a quill an' I will," Amthy grinned. Maybe, just maybe, the letter was going to get written after all.