Chapter 6

I'd expected to feel something.

She was the woman my fetus lived inside for nine months. There ought to be some sort of connection, something biological that transcends logic and thinking. Some invisible, intangible thread tying me to this woman, and her to me. There wasn't.

I felt nothing but bitter disappointment. I knew who she was, which made my feelings unstable. But she should have felt it. Should have known... Despite the glamour disguising my appearance, she should have known exactly who I was, and why I’d come.

When I’d first met her, weeks ago, I didn't feel anything either. And if I had, it would have been masked by the only thing I had felt at the time…rage. Precious little could have come between me and my thirst for revenge.

Emotions tangled in the pit of my stomach. Dipping my head, I picked at my fingernails. This is a mistake. I should never have come here.

We watched Angie Blake slip back into her car and drive away before Vivienne invited me to come inside.

“You’re soaking wet,” she said, surveying me with a distracted gaze. “I’ll get you a towel.” But her feet didn’t move from where they stood. Her eyes tightened as she studied me more closely. Perhaps there was a glimmer of recognition?

“Angie mentioned you told her we’re related?” Her brows lifted. “I don't see how that can be possible. I don’t have any siblings…”

“According to what I've heard, I think it’s a very distant relation. Through Camilla's side,” I said.

She seemed a little bothered by that.

Yes, that’s brilliant, Venus. Throw in the dead aunt. I was making such a mess of this. My story wasn’t working, and Vivienne was shaking her head, her brows tightened in a frown. Obviously, our family tree wasn’t as vast as it could have been.

“Camilla had no children. And our family line has become a lot smaller lately.”

I squashed a twisted impulse to declare that it had just gotten a little bigger. Don't be a fool. What are you going to do next? Announce with open arms, “Surprise, I'm the long-lost daughter you abandoned in the Faery realm for the past eighteen years of your life. While I spent the equivalent to hundreds of those years on the other side of the veil, living a lie.”

No, there wasn’t any rational reason for such an announcement, because what she would do or say afterward couldn’t possibly match my absurd fantasy of her pulling me into her arms and embracing me as her own.

She would see me as the monster I was, and my chance to learn the truth would be lost. So I clamped my lips together and offered a shrug. “It’s just what I’ve been told. Sorry, I shouldn’t have come unannounced. It’s just there’s this project... and Angie Blake mentioned it might be okay if I came early—perhaps I should leave.” I backed up a few steps, toward the door, but she stopped me.

“No, no, it’s fine. Early is fine. And it doesn't really matter whether we can trace the connection or not. For all I know, Camilla could have had some kids no one knew about.” She shrugged. “I mean, there are all sorts of secrets families keep for all kinds of reasons, am I right?” She laughed a nervous little laugh.

I nodded, noticing the way her hands trembled when she spoke. She was as uncomfortable as I was. That helped.

“My agent got me into the school exchange music project. You must be pretty good to have been chosen.”

I swallowed and nodded my head, going along with it.

“Well then Isobel.” She cleared her throat. Her cool blue eyes scanned me again from head to toe. “How long are you in town for? I’ll have to get you tickets to my next performance if you’re still here.”

Inside, I frowned. She should have turned me out. I was a stranger from a strange land with a strange story. Any sensible human would not have trusted me for a moment. But Vivienne wasn’t a human. Was she accustomed to inviting strangers to stay in her home... or had she perhaps sensed something? Something telling her that we were more than distant relations.

I smiled. “I’m here for two weeks, and I would like that, Mrs. Alundra.”

“It's Miss, and please, call me Vivienne. Those formalities just make me feel old.”

She was anything but old. Long, flowing chestnut hair, just like Lorelei’s. I refused to be bothered by the fact that I resembled neither of my real parents. She had a stunning figure, flawless skin, and a genuine smile. No wonder Oberon had wanted her for his own, despite the rules of our land.

“I'll show you to your room. In fact...” She paused. “You can stay in Lorelei’s room. We don’t usually live here at the cottage. It was my mother’s home. But the house is being remodeled, and with Lorelei gone for a while, I'm sure she wouldn't mind.”

I froze. Stay in her room. Was that crossing a line? Or was it an opportunity? She had spent the past eighteen years of her life living the life I was supposed to live. Perhaps now I would have the chance to see what I’d been missing. I’d come here to meet Vivienne, but there was so much more that I wanted. I wanted what I’d lost, what I’d missed out on. I wanted to be her, just for a while. This was the best way to absorb her life.

I followed Vivienne down a long hall and up a small stairwell.

“Where is your daughter?” I finally asked.

“She's away. Traveling,” she answered quickly. “But she won't mind.”

I heard the strain in her voice at the mention of Lorelei’s whereabouts. Did she know where her daughter really was? If she did, she probably didn't know she was in danger. Although she should. Because that was the only absolute in my world. Danger.

Vivienne opened a door and stepped aside. “Here it is.” She gestured. “Brigit, our housekeeper, only comes by periodically, so it’ll be nice to have some company since my daughter’s away. It’s a bit small—hope you can make do. Won’t be for long. We’re slowly starting to move things back into our house today, since the reno is nearly done.”

I liked the way she spoke. It was musical, lilting. I paused outside Lorelei’s room, taking in the soft palette of colors and comfortable homey décor, and breathed in the life that should have belonged to me.

“I like it very much, Vivienne.” I smiled. “Your daughter won’t even know I was here. In fact, it will be like she never left.”