Page 57 of Wateredge

“She is meddling where she doesn’t belong. And I’ll apologize in a minute,” was all Seren dared to say as she emptied her flute in one swig.

Ceridwen snagged another from the passing server but did not hand it to her. Seren had to stop the man and get one for herself. Either her sister was mad at her, or she was unconcerned about Seren’s comfort at the moment as the conversation was more important.

“Sisters tend to do that. Meddle,” Ceridwen said and did not raise the glass to her painted crimson mouth. So it would be the conversation, then. Seren braced herself. Why was her family always⁠—

“Because we all love you, Rennie. And we love Lark. But we don’t know everything about her. Or even much at all. More importantly, since, honestly, her affairs are none of our business, we don’t know if you know. Do you?”

“Yes,” Seren replied quickly. Too quickly.

“Everything?”

Ceridwen held the flute so loosely, Seren wondered if she’d drop it. Then she wondered why she cared. The answer to that question, dressed in a navy cocktail dress, looking beautiful and businesslike, was currently with Sam, chaperoning several donors as they were signing their checks in the far corner of the room.

“Why is everyone suddenly on her case? I thought you liked her. You just said so, and you employ her, for crying out loud.”

Seren felt her ire rise again, her breathing growing labored. Ceridwen remained unreadable, but her eyes lost the late-winter frost.

“I adore her. I also can’t find a single speck of information about her, and she takes my money in an envelope.”

Seren turned to face Ceridwen fully.

“So?” She knew her sister was merely telling her facts. She knew she would be better served by listening, but was it really such a surprise? She had suspected that Lark was hiding parts of herself from everyone. She didn’t care about those parts. Seren saw the beauty, the vulnerability, the joy, and trusted those.

“So nothing,” Ceridwen said and gave Seren a kiss on the cheek. “I just wanted to know if any of that mattered to you.”

“No, none of that matters to me.” Seren stuffed her hands in her pockets, her voice lowering to a resolute whisper. “Lark is amazing. She is generous and steadfast. Her eyes crinkle when she smiles, and she lights up not just the room, but the entire island. Lark sings when she cooks. Did you know that? Just little out of tune songs that I can’t figure out, and yet I keep hearing them even when she is no longer near. I keep hearing her voice when I make tea at home. My kitchen smells like her, like the damn citrus, even though she has been there only a handful of times. My damn cat can’t stop meowing if she doesn’t stop by. She is funny and fun. She is smart as a whip and has a collection of the most useless and ridiculous yet intriguing trivia in her head. She is unbelievably brave, and she is... everything, Ceri. Everything.”

“Well, then.” Ceridwen finally lifted the champagne to her lips. Seren watched the gesture, somewhat deflated.

“So that’s it? Your whole argument?”

“I wasn’t arguing, Rennie. I just needed to know if I should expect to get the family guns, to open the circle, or to bail you from jail in the near future.”

Seren gawked.

“And which is it?”

“All of the above, I think. No matter what any of us thinks, feels, or suspects, your sisters and your aunt will be there for you and your heart, Seren. And by the looks of it, Lark is it. Also, you should know that we will all go to really extensive lengths for her. You’ll be the one getting the third degree from all of us if you so much as step one foot wrong and hurt that baby.” Ceridwen’s smile was soft.

“So you were testing me?” Seren asked.

Ceridwen gave a little head shake, looking into the crowd.

“Maybe. But I do apologize for it. I can see it’s unwarranted, and I do love Lark very much. I’m very happy she’s here. Some time ago, I told Deryn that once you fall, it would be all over and it wouldn’t matter who the woman was. Or words to that effect. Essentially, I said that you would have no difficulty falling. I said it because I know how big and honest and loyal your heart is, Rennie. I’m very happy for you. And while I was ready to accept any woman you’d chosen, I’m also very happy that it’s Lark, who’s absolutely perfect.”

Ceridwen laid her palm on Seren’s cheek, making her eyes burn. A second later, Rhiannon poked her in the ribs, breaking the tenuous, oxygen-depriving Saran Wrap covering the moment.

“Are you here to warn me off Lark as well?” Seren glared at her middle sister.

Rhiannon, a plate full of crudités and hummus, bit into a bell pepper and shook her head.

“Nope, I already warned her. I figured Ceri would handle you. I’m very proud Deryn pitched in too, though.” She extended a plate in offering, and Ceridwen took a stalk of celery.

“How come I’m always stuck with the stringy water?” Ceridwen made a face.

“Should get your own plate and not complain. Plus, you know I love carrots, and being the best big sister, you leave them for me.” Rhiannon polished off the bell pepper and grabbed the aforementioned carrot.

Seren watched them with stunned eyes, still stuck on the earlier conversation.