CHAPTER 122

"I guess I'm trying to say that if anybody asked, I would explain that I felt like you would be far better at this job than I ever was. I think you would be better at most things, actually. So when I see this strong, fierce person come down on themselves, I honestly don't know what I'm supposed to say to help them feel better. We all make mistakes. I'm certain I'm destined to make several more. And it's lame to say this, but I kind of figured that you didn't need my help. We might live together, and even be friends, but I just felt like you were so much closer to some of the others that they would do a far better job at it then I would."

Beth was quiet, her eyes alternating between him and the paper. When she broke the silence, there was a slight hitch in her voice. "I felt like I let you down. I used to be so good at my job, and things started falling apart for me. Some of your stuff got auctioned off, I almost got you killed a couple of times, and the ordeal with the faerie queen was so disheartening. I sometimes dream that we're back there, and she tells me to do horrible and embarrassing things, and I happily do them because I'm under her thrall again."

"I've been the reason for your abduction, near death, possession—for so many things. I try to live with these mistakes as best I can in the hopes that I don't make them again. But it's definitely hard when I feel like so many people are out to get me." He forced a grin. "It isn't paranoia if they really are out to get you."

Beth let out a laugh. "That's the truth."

"If you ever want to talk about the faerie queen, I'll do my best to listen." He put his elbows on the desk and rested his chin on his hands. "I've been through enough therapy that I can at least sound like I know what I'm doing."

"That won't be necessary. The therapy part, anyway. Just talking is nice, though. Especially now that we aren't in the middle of a life-or-death situation."

"Yeah, it's something new I'm trying."

Beth pretended to scratch her eyebrow, but he saw her wipe a tear out of her eye with her thumb.

"And Dana?"

"Dana was never declared legally dead, so still has all her rights. Ratu thinks that she can fix her, and I think she would make a fine Caretaker as well. She's probably the only one Lily would listen to, really. Also, feeding her might become a problem, but I know you would be up to the task of finding a solution. I think of her mainly as a backup plan. If something happens to me and you, then she will be ready to keep the ball rolling. No more mysterious inheritances, no more memory wipes. So...do you have everything you need?"

Beth nodded and held up the paper. "Yeah. I can start working on it tonight."

"Good." He smiled. "We've got time, and I'll try to keep Quetzalli out of your hair. Oh, and is Sullivan still in the backyard, or is he back out front?"

Beth shrugged. "I imagine he's back out front, tending the roses. The centaurs let him do that, and he really enjoys it."

"I bet." He stood. "I need to ask him something. Need anything else from me before I'm off?"

She shook her head. "No."

"Tell me if that changes." He walked around the desk and was at the door when he heard her speak again.

"Mike?"

"Yeah?" He turned to look at her.

"Thank you. For still believing in me."

He nodded and left her behind.

When he stepped onto the front porch, he looked over at the empty swing and sighed.

"Soon," he said, then looked across the yard. It didn't take long for him to make out the pale features of Sulyvahn kneeling behind one of the bushes. When he walked up to the dullahan, the man stood and gave him a small bow.

"M'lord," he offered as a greeting. "And to what do I be owing this pleasure?"

"I've been thinking recently," Mike replied. "About a lot of things. This house, the people in it, my place in the universe. You know, the small things."

"Aye." Sulyvahn snipped a stray twig off of the bush. "And have ye found yer place, m'Lord?"

"That's still a detail I'm working on. However, I've also been thinking about where you fit in."

Sulyvahn said nothing, his attention on the bush.

"I was wondering if you would like to come inside and talk about it?"

The dullahan looked up, his dark eyes unreadable. A small grin formed, then turned into a crooked smile. Though the dullahan's eyes were the darkest black he had ever seen, for just a moment, he thought he felt a trace of Cecilia in them.

"That be a fair offer, but the weather is nice and it's a few more roses I be having to tend yet. Could we be having our talk out here, instead?"

Mike looked up at the clouds above. The sun was shining, and a pleasant breeze had scattered the scent of flowers across the yard. It really was a beautiful day, and maybe it would be a good time to stop and smell the roses.

"We sure can," he said, then picked up the dullahan's bucket and held it out so that Sulyvahn could toss in a trimming. After all, he may as well help out a little.

Cecilia had been staring at the sky for most of the morning, watching the pixies weave in and out amongst each other as they delivered messages to the visiting delegates. The scenery never changed, which meant there wasn't much to watch most days. Boredom was a new feeling for her, but she knew better than to show it.

The queen was holding court, and was currently scolding a group of dwarves for digging into a hillside and pissing off a slumbering wyrm. The dwarves were upset because the wyrm ate a few of them and were now demanding the queen's involvement.