Trying to control her excitement, Avaline returned to her room. The first letter she wrote was to Lady Poppy. As a married woman, Lady Poppy was ideal for being Avaline's chaperone. Lady Poppy also had a younger sibling, Juniper. Perhaps all four children could get along.
The second letter was to Lord Nightingale. Not only would she be delighted to attend, but she also asked whether her chaperone could bring their own sibling along. Surely, he wouldn't object to the situation.
Lastly, Avaline wrote to Lady Yolanda. It occurred to Avaline that she hadn't spoken to her in a while, and she needed her help. If Avaline wanted to make a better impression, she needed Lady Yolanda's help.
All three letters were sent out thanks to Lottie. Avaline stayed with the twins now that Vivian was in bed. As Lady Margot finished their lesson, Avaline and the twins walked her to the door.
The twins ate their late breakfast quietly. Avaline sat at the table with them.
"Is that all you're eating?" she asked Brian.
He shrugged. "I'm not very hungry."
Lottie had also said he hadn't had a big supper either. Anna placed a few more dried fruits from her plate on his. Brian didn't mutter a thanks, and so Anna returned to her meal.
"Delilah wants to see you two again," Avaline said.
The twins turned to her. Their faces were scrunched up with confusion.
"Why?" Brian asked.
"Did she say that?" Anna asked at the same time.
Avaline leaned closer. "She wants to invite you to the Luna Festival. It's like the Sol festival over the summer, but it happens earlier."
Brian looked down at his bowl. "We don't need to go."
Anna nodded solemnly. "People need money to buy things. So that means we can't go to the festival."
Avaline's face burned. Shame crawled down her neck and settled in her belly. If only the Hellios hadn't claimed the mountain. If only ... She shook her head. No, she shouldn't focus on that.
"Who says we don't?" she asked. She cleared her throat.
The twins looked at each other, then at her.
"You don't have to lie to us," Anna said. "We know the truth."
"Anna is also grounded," Brian added. "Charles won't let us go anywhere now."
Avaline patted Brian's head. "That's what you think."
Their eyes widened.
"Charles let us go?" Anna asked.
Avaline smiled. "That's right." She hesitated. "He might also have told me that you two needed extra lessons on Goddess Luna."
The twins made a face.
"It's the only way we can go," Avaline said. "How about it?"
"Okay," Brian said.
***
With a pot of tea and her embroidery kit in her lap, Avaline sat the twins around her and began their lesson.
"Long ago, when only humans walked the land, the goddess Sol received prayers from everyone. Love and offerings showered her daily. Her sister, Luna, wasn't very lucky. Everyone feared her and never gave her love."
Avaline's fingers moved quickly and expertly as she continued making the poppy flower at the edge of the handkerchief.
"One night, when it was Luna's time to shine, her once shining light turned red. At first, no one could believe their eyes. They asked Sol for help, but only one sister could shine at a time and was helpless."
Brian leaned back against the couch. His eyes were fluttering open and closed.
"As the people lived under such a red moon, they started to change. It wasn't noticeable at first, but then it got worse. Children and animals started to disappear. One night, the people got together and came to a conclusion. Someone was behind these attacks, and it was because of the red moon."
"Then what happened?" Annie asked.
"If you stop talking, she can finish," said Brian with a yawn.
They wrinkled their noses at each other before settling down.
Avaline smiled. "Are you sure you want me to continue?"
They nodded.
"Well," she said, "where was I? Oh yes. The people had a meeting, trying to decide what they were going to do. This went on for days."
"How do you know all this?" Anna asked. "We don't have Luna books at home."
Avaline gave her a look. "Delilah read it to me," she said. "Now, can I continue?"
She nodded.
"The meeting went on for days," Ava repeated. "But no one could decide what to do. As their meeting continued, the people affected by the red moon gathered together. They journeyed to the highest meet and spoke to the goddess, Luna. After much praying, the Goddess spoke to them.
'What do you seek?' they asked her.'
'And the moon spoke. 'I am lonely. I want company.'
'Then we will be your company,' they told her. 'We will walk only when you appear and worship you. Please stop your red color.
The goddess, Luna, thought about it and agreed. The following night, the moon returned to her original color. The people across the land rejoiced. They waited for the affected to join them, but they didn't. That's when they knew what had happened.
That's how blood-borns walk the night, and humans walk during the day."
Anna frowned. "But blood-borns walk during the day, too."
Brian rolled his eyes. "They got better at things they couldn't do."
Avaline glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner.
"It's time for lunch," she said. "Go see what Marco made."
As the twins hurried off, Avaline put her work down. If she was going to teach the twins more about Luna, she was going to need more help.
***
That night, Avaline paced around her room, waiting for Belle. Though she had sent her letters through the day's postage, surely Lord Nightingale wouldn't make her wait till the morrow.
Charles's words echoed through her head. What about Adam?
Sighing, Avaline sat on her bed. Lord Ross was a good marriage candidate. He had money, and that's what her family needed. Avaline wanted Charles to stop worrying about how to provide for them. She wanted him and Elaine to spend more time together. The twins deserved so much more, and their mother would get the proper care she needed. Vivian could go back to her high society, and she - she would become Lady Ross and manage his household without worrying about money. Everyone would be happy.
Avaline stood and walked to her wardrobe. She took Lord Nightingale's coat out and held it against her chest. Breathing in his scent, she closed her eyes.
Lord Nightingale was practically a stranger. Not to mention her employer. He had admitted to suspecting her of ulterior motives. Now that she had proven she didn't have any other reason than wanting a job, Avaline couldn't go back on her word.
"I can't have any feelings for him," she muttered.
And yet, hadn't he searched for her so late at night? He'd given her his coat and his handkerchief. Lord Nightingale had allowed her to sit at his side in public. He had defended her.
"Doesn't that mean...he might - toward me?"
Feeling her legs shake, Avaline sat on the bed. Her face warmed. A slow smile spread across her face. It widened until she couldn't hide it anymore. Giggling, Avaline pressed her face into the lord's coat. She kicked her feet. If she what she thought was true, how great would that be?