Page 79 of Truthfinder’s Promise

“Now,” Rebekah was saying, “I need a few minutes with the two of you in private, and then we can get back around to rescuing my granddaughter and discussing alliance terms. Shall we move to the porch? I must see this silencing spell I’ve heard so much about.”

Precisely when had she had time to hear about silencing spells? She’d been here all of, what, half an hour?

Meredith smiled agreeably and led the way.

“Delightful,” Rebekah said when Meredith built the silencing spell, complete with witchlight glow for visibility. “You’re quite certain no one can hear us?”

“Quite certain.”

“Perfect.” Her friendly smile didn’t drop but it turned sharper, more calculating. She reminded Meredith of Aunt Ella. “Now, Jensen has informed me of the circumstances of your marriage and your intention to reverse it. I’m afraid that simply will not do.”

Meredith matched Rebekah’s easy, pleasant tone. “Oh? In what way?”

“I understand you weren’t planning on a marriage, but the fact is that you’re now in one. Shifters take commitments like this very seriously, you know, and it won’t look good come negotiating time if Aspecters appear so fickle they can’t even honor their matrimonial promises for more than a few days.”

“Grams,” Jensen started, but Rebekah shot him a look that could freeze lava and his mouth snapped shut with an audible click.

“You seem like a smart, capable woman,” Rebekah continued, “so I’ll be blunt. Our chances of getting the enclave protectors to sign a peace agreement are rocky. The first step will be successfully finding the Shifters who have been abducted. I won’t contact the other protectors until we’ve done that much. The second step will be convincing them that Aspect Society is worth aligning with.

“A marriage between two young, vibrant individuals such as yourselves is the perfect story to bring us all together. But no one wants a story that doesn’t end in happily-ever-after.”

“I appreciate the thought you’ve put into this, Ms. King—”

“Oh, please, call me Rebekah.”

“Very well, Rebekah. As I was saying, I appreciate the thought you’ve given the situation. I appreciate your bluntness, so allow me to be blunt in return. Jensen and I will be divorcing.”

Rebekah sighed. “Ah, the stubbornness of youth. I do recall it. If you must, then you must, but the question is when? Think of the symbol you could present in these negotiations. Young, in love, married. Risking everything to rescue those who have been taken from us.

“All I need from you is to present that picture at negotiations. Is that so much to ask? A few weeks, at the most, then do as you will.”

“Grams,” Jensen said slowly, “why are you so interested in this agreement going through?”

Why indeed?

She waved off the question. “I’ve long thought this cloak-and-dagger routine between Shifters and Aspecters was outdated. All of this hiding in the shadows has gone on too long. It’s time for the Shifters to be respected in the magical communities again.”

“It’s easy to think something,” Meredith said, “but people don’t generally act on those passing thoughts, and certainly not with your enthusiasm. Why is this alliance so important to you?”

“Can’t I simply be interested in my grandson’s future? He obviously cares for you. Whatever will happen to the two of you if this alliance doesn’t go through?”

“I’m standing right here,” Jensen muttered.

“You’re saying you want this alliance because Shifters have been in hiding too long, and because you want my and Jensen’s relationship to succeed?”

“Yes, dear.”

“You, Rebekah King, are a liar.”

Rebekah sighed. “Truthfinding is such a bothersome talent. I’d hoped you weren’t all that good at it.”

“Oh, I’m exceptionally good at it. So maybe you could save us both the trouble and come out with the truth.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that. But I can promise you that my reasons are not nefarious. They are simply personal.”

True.

“Do you swear that your reasons—and my not knowing them—will cause no harm to either of our peoples?”