Secrets

Chapter Four: Discovering Talents

Maiya smiled at Adrian as he gave her one last twirl before the music stopped. He was such wonderful company, she mused. The whole time they had been dancing, he had kept up a steady conversation with her, asking all about what she liked and how she was getting along with her brother. He hadn't pried, just asked, and if she didn't answer, he would simply smile and chat with her about palace life. He told her about the world his mother came from, and how she had escaped from a bad marriage into Underland. "Thank you so much for the dance, and the talk."

Adrian smiled and kissed her knuckles. "It was my pleasure, Maiya. You are wonderful company. Shall we get something to drink?" Maiya nodded, and he led her over to a table covered in small bottles filled with cordials. "Hmm, I think perhaps a greenrose lime cordial for you, and a redberry lemon one for myself. They were made by Vicki, and to me they're the best."

Maiya took a sip of the cordial, eyes going wide. "This is delicious! It's both tart and sweet at the same time, and the bubbles tickle my nose." She sat down on a nearby chair. "I feel so worthless sometimes."

Adrian sat next to her. "How so?"

"Well, because everyone in Ilosovic's family is so talented. Alannah's got a wonderful voice, Katarina can paint-I saw the picture in the Throne Room of Mirana-Michael's a wonderful writer, and Vicki can make these cordials. Mother and Father never let me discover my talent."

Adrian frowned. "Well, what do you like?"

Maiya thought hard, her nose scrunched up, and Adrian smiled at how cute she looked. "I always liked music. Mother had a piano, and she would sometimes play it. But the one time I tried to play, she beat me and locked me in my room with no supper."

Adrian smiled and set his bottle on the table, then took her hand. "Follow me." He led her over to the musicians, stopping in front of the pianist. "Pardon me, Ma'am, but would you mind if this young lady banged away on your piano for a few moments?"

The pianist, a young woman of about twenty, laughed. "Not at all." She scooted aside on the bench to make room for Maiya, who looked nervous and unsure.

"Oh no, I couldn't, I just couldn't! I'll be horrible and everyone will laugh at me, I know they will!"

Adrian gave her a gentle hug. "Nobody will laugh at you, I promise. And if they do-well, I'll feed them to the Bandersnatch!" He grinned at Maiya and she laughed. "Now go on, have fun."

Maiya clambered up onto the bench, then took a deep breath before beginning to play the exact song that the pianist had been only moments before. Both the pianist and Adrian exchanged shocked glances, and Adrian turned his attention back to Maiya. It was clear that she couldn't read a note of music, and yet here she was playing the same piece even better than a professional musician. She finished with a flourish, and turned, noticing the looks of disbelief on everyone's faces. "Oh, I knew it! I was terrible, wasn't I? I'm so sorry, I'll leave, I…"

Adrian held up his hand and she stopped talking, tears brimming in her eyes. "Maiya, that was amazing! You're a genuine prodigy. Please play some more."

Maiya swiped her eyes. "You…you want to hear me play?" Adrian nodded, and she smiled, then turned back to the piano and played The Lobster Quadrille. As she played, more and more children began to gravitate to her, and by the end she had an enraptured crowd. When she finished, they applauded wildly and began yelling requests. Maiya shrank against the piano, overwhelmed, and Adrian turned to the crowd.

"One at a time! Maiya's only human, after all. Give her time to rest between playing."

Maiya grinned. "Oh, I don't mind. This is fun." She began to play again, and Adrian smiled at her before slipping out of the room, looking for Ilosovic. Maiya noticed that he had left, but she wasn't too worried. He'd be back, she hoped.

Alannah sighed in satisfaction, snuggling up to Ilosovic, and he ran his fingers up and down her spine, both of them nicely satiated from their lovemaking. "Do you think Maiya's enjoying herself?"

Ilosovic sighed. "I certainly hope so. This is a good chance for her to make friends. I just hope it doesn't turn out to be her last chance."

Alannah looked at him. "It won't. We'll both make sure of that." She smiled, her eyes roving up and down his face. "Have I told you lately that you are the most devastatingly handsome man I've ever seen?" He nodded, and she kissed him. "Well, it bears repeating. You are the most handsome man I've ever seen." Ilosovic smiled and deepened the kiss, threading his fingers in her hair, and Alannah felt her breasts grow hard as they brushed against his bare flesh.

The sound of a knock on the door startled them, and Ilosovic groaned. "Whoever that is, clear off! We're busy!"

Adrian spoke from behind the door. "You need to come to the Ball Room."

Ilosovic and Alannah exchanged glances, speaking at almost the same moment. "Maiya!" They quickly dressed, dashing out of the room and nearly bowling Adrian over in their rush. Ilosovic turned back and steadied him. "Sorry about that, lad. Now, what's all the commotion?"

Adrian grinned. "You'll see." Ilosovic rolled his eye and continued on to the ballroom, Alannah following behind.

The first thing they noticed was the crowd gathered around the piano. Whoever was playing, thought Alannah, they were immensely talented. The music flowed around the room. They made their way through the crowd, gaping at what they saw. Ilosovic found his voice first. "Maiya?"

She spun around, blushing crimson. "Ilosovic! Oh…please don't be mad at me! I'm having so much fun, please don't be mad!"

He smiled. "I'm not mad, little one. Your playing is remarkable. When did you take lessons?"

Maiya blushed deeper. "I never have. I just…"

Alannah smiled. "The music just comes to you, and you have to let it out. Right?" Maiya nodded excitedly, and she sat next to her. "I'm the same way with my songs. Maiya, do you think that if I hummed the beginning of a song, you could play it while I sang?"

Maiya nodded, fingers poised over the keys, and Alannah hummed a snatch of song. After a few moments of concentration, Maiya began to play, Alannah's deep, rich soprano voice accompanying her.

"Jesu, joy of man's desiring,

Holy wisdom, love most bright;

Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring

Soar to uncreated light.

Word of God, our flesh that fashioned,

With the fire of life impassioned,

Striving still to truth unknown,

Soaring, dying round Thy throne.

Through the way where hope is guiding,

Hark, what peaceful music rings;

Where the flock, in Thee confiding,

Drink of joy from deathless springs.

Theirs is beauty's fairest pleasure;

Theirs is wisdom's holiest treasure.

Thou dost ever lead Thine own

In the love of joys unknown."

Maiya beamed as they finished. "Can we do that again?" Alannah laughed and nodded, and Maiya began to play "You Are Old, Father William," much to the delight of the other children, who were more than happy to join in.

The last song was a lullaby. Alannah sang softly, smiling to herself at the sea of tired faces.

"Golden slumber kiss your eyes,
Smiles await you when you rise.
Sleep,
pretty baby,
Do not cry,
And I'll sing you a lullaby.

Care you know not,
Therefore sleep,
While I o'er you watch do keep.
Sleep,
pretty darling,
Do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby."

One by one, the children left for home, until only Ilosovic, Alannah, and Maiya were left. Before Adrian left for home, he had given her a kiss on the cheek, causing her to blush and her brother to bite back a grin. "So you've taken a fancy to Adrian?"

Maiya blushed harder. "I have not! He's just nice, that's all! There's nothing else going on!" She yawned, and Ilosovic smiled and scooped her up.

"Come on, little one. Bedtime."

Maiya snuggled up to him. "Ilosovic?"

"Yes, Maiya?"

"Can I stay with you forever?"

Ilosovic blinked back tears and kissed her head. "Yes, and I'm going to do my damndest to make sure."

Alannah spoke up. "We're going to do our damndest."

Maiya yawned. "Oh good. Ilosovic?"

"Hmm?"

Maiya kissed his cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too, Maiya."

Maiya sighed happily and fell asleep in her brother's arms. Ilosovic carried her home, his heart soaring, and more determined than ever to keep his sister safe from their parents.

And, Alannah thought, perhaps Maiya would enjoy the music books from Overland that were in the hall closet.