Threatened [W&W Book 2]

Chapter 19

Jim was looking out at the crowd. Anya saw a frown cross his face.

"What's wrong?" she asked. He did not know, did he?

Jim shook his head. "Will you excuse me, please, Anya?" he said, as he stood up. His attention was across the room.

"What's the matter?" Anya asked again, standing up.

She desperately hoped he had not noticed there was something wrong with Lord Wildwood. She also hoped that he had noticed and could somehow stop what was about to happen.

"Probably nothing," he said briskly as he strode across the room.

Anya followed and she could feel her legs shaking with each step. Jim walked straight towards Lord Wildwood and Lady Theresa. Lord Wildwood looked a bit pale, but there were no other signs of what Anya had done.

Lady Theresa looked at Jim with a big smile as he approached. Her face was flushed. "Jim. Anya. Are you enjoying yourself tonight?" Up close, Anya noticed that Lord Wildwood's hands were shaking almost as much as her legs were.

"We are, my lady. It is a beautiful celebration," Jim said politely. "I was wondering if I might borrow your husband for but a minute?"

Lady Theresa grinned. She looked heartbreakingly happy. "I suppose that I can do without him for a few moments."

Jim glanced at Anya. "Stay with Lady Theresa, please Anya."

Anya nodded and Jim led Lord Wildwood across the room and into the crowd.

Lady Theresa smiled again. "Jim is so serious," she said, and lifted her goblet to her lips. "You know, he's the one who sent me to my husband. I have an odd sort of sisterly affection for him."

"Yes, my lady," Anya agreed, her eyes searching the crowd for the two men.

"So, what is bothering him now?" Lady Theresa asked in a surprisingly unconcerned tone.

"He did not tell me," Anya answered honestly, although she had a good suspicion what it was. Her heart felt lighter even as it sunk like a stone.

Lady Theresa took another long drink from her goblet and looked at Anya slyly. "So, you and Jim seem to be getting along well."

"I suppose," Anya said noncommittally. She wondered how much wine Lady Theresa had consumed throughout the evening.

"Are you... interested in him?" Lady Theresa asked with a smile.

Anya grimaced. Lady Theresa acted a bit like the lady's own sister when she had excess wine in her system.

"Oh, I am sorry," Lady Theresa said. "I'm just so happy and I want to see Jim happy, too. I think he might be intrigued by you, and I... I think I'm going to be sick," she announced.

"Perhaps you should get some fresh air," Anya suggested, still searching the crowd.

"That might be just the thing," Lady Theresa agreed.

As Anya led Lady Theresa outside, she saw Lord Wildwood and Jim emerge from the other side of the crowd and head towards Sir Thomas. The three men conversed and she saw Lord Wildwood give a short nod of his head. She saw Sir Thomas close his eyes. There was a hum of magic in the air, and then another burst of his magic came forth.

Anya saw a couple people in the crowd stir slightly at the disturbance, but most of the guests continued their revelry completely ignorant of the magical works in progress. Ildri was speaking excitedly with a handsome young man, completely oblivious.