The first two gems came easily. Because of the ceaseless detentions, Tahlia was able to fetch the ruby from the Lady of the Trees, the painting of a green woman who was friendly and smiled widely. The snobby fairy queen had handed over the yellow without much of a fight as well.
When Tahlia had attempted the green, however, she said that the trees pointedly refused to give her the green.
"Why didn't you hex them?" Delphi asked as if that solution should've been obvious.
"Because I don't know as many spells as you do," Tahlia groaned. "And I don't want to get in trouble for fighting a painting."
"I'll deal with it after winter break," Delphi decided. "Then detention is over."
"Where are you going for winter break?" Tahlia asked as they lay on Tahlia's bed, staring at the ceiling fan.
"I think I'll be staying here," Delphi said. She hadn't actually given it much thought. She knew she didn't want to go back to the Rowles, and she didn't want to intrude on Goldstein's hospitality-although it did seem he was staying for the holidays.
"I'd invite you with me, but my parents got skiing tickets and they were really expensive-not usually something my family can afford," Tahlia explained apologetically.
"It's alright," Delphi said with a casual swat of the hand. "I understand. You've already done more than enough for me."
"It's not a competition," Tahlia said. "I never want it to be a competition-you and I."
"I think I can agree to that."
They laughed.
"Hey, I wonder if Rowan would have you over?" Tahlia asked.
"I'll ask him tomorrow," Delphi said, pleased with this idea.
"Oh, uh, let me write to them, but I think they'll say yes," Rowan said brightly. He walked away from the breakfast table looking as happy as he had back when Gwillan and Alexa were still friends with them.
"You're actually pretty good for him, you know," Guinevere said in a tone that seemed leak a little. . . Jealousy?
"Um, thanks?" Delphi said, not sure how to respond to something like that.
"No problem," she said. "I don't know why he likes hanging around you of all people, but he does seem better off for it."
With that, she got up and walked away, leaving Delphi severely confused and needing to write a letter to the Rowles and pray it worked.
"I got permission!" Rowan cried that evening in the common room. "You?"
"Still haven't gotten my letter yet," Delphi admitted. At that moment, an augury landed on the windowsill, crying a waterfall because of the snow.
"Well, that would be it," Delphi said. Her heart thumped in her chest as her shaking hands detached the letter from the augury's foot. She ripped open the letter and her eyes scanned over it carefully.
I, Euphemia Rowle, give permission for Delphini Lestrange to go to Astras Residence during winter break.
Delphi let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding as a smile spread across her face.
"I get to go!" she squealed. "I get to go!"
She slapped Rowan's open palm and the two shared a grin.
"Thank you!" she cried, hugging him in her excitement. She then hopped up to go pack her things to leave for the Astras Residence the next day. She'd cut it close, but she was still delighted to go.
While Tahlia was in the bathroom, Delphi checked the notice she'd gotten on the gifts she had mail-ordered to Tahlia, Rowan, and Goldstein. She'd wondered if she'd overstepped boundaries on that last one, but she knew Goldstein was a person, too.
Surely he won't mind.
With that, she curled up into a tiny ball in her bed, only hoping that she hadn't been dreaming and all this wouldn't go away when she woke.
The next morning, she dressed in the only fancy clothes she owned. The pine green velvet was a bit hot, and the tights were riding, but she really wanted to impress Rowan's aunt-wanted her to like her. She adjusted the high collar as best as she could, she slipped on her school shoes-the best shoes she owned-buttoned up her coat, and walked out.
"Why the dress?" Rowan asked.
"I look nice in it, don't I?" Delphi asked imperiously.
"I don't see what that has to do with anything," Rowan grumbled. "Come on, let's go."
Delphi followed Rowan out to the large purple buses. They filed in, showed their permission slips to the driver, and took a seat together in the middle. The day dragged on as those in the muggle settings were dropped off at their houses. Delphi and Rowan chattered about the possibilities of all they could do at Astras.
As the sun began to sink, turning the clouds into a stairway to heaven and casting a pink and red glow over everything, the bus pulled into Sky City alongside the others. Rowan and Delphi got off and pulled out their trunks. They were approached by a stately woman with Rowan's serious gray eyes and golden-blond waves settling around her shoulders.
"Rowan, I could've sworn that you've grown!" the woman cried, hugging Rowan, who stiffened slightly although he was grinning.
"Not here, Aunt Candice," he muttered.
"Oh fine, be like that," Candice said in mock displeasure. She planted her hands on her hips and smiled at Delphi. "Is this Delphini?"
"Delphi, yes," Delphi said, offering her hand to the tall woman. To her surprise, the woman hugged her.
"Rowan's told me so much about you, you poor dear," Candice said. "You can call me Candice. Thank you for coming to stay with us."
"Thanks for letting me come," Delphi said, relieved to be accepted by Candice.
"Let me help you load those up in the trunk," Candice said, and she waved her wand. The trunks followed her like obedient dogs to what appeared to be a red sports car. To Delphi's surprise, the trunk held more than it appeared. Candice unlocked the car and revealed a hidden backseat that looked like it would be at home in a limousine.
Delphi and Rowan sat down, and Candice began to drive down the street. The radio blasted the Christmas album of Celestina Warbeck and Candice sang along, her voice a pretty soprano.
It was a short trip, and soon they had driven into an estate with starry symbols everywhere. Delphi and Rowan climbed out, and followed Candice as a house-elf got their things.
"Welcome home," Candice announced.
Delphi marveled at the home that was full of light and air, the exact opposite of the gothic manor the Rowles lived in. Colored lights winded around the ceilings and staircases, and she could faintly hear remixes of Christmas carols in the background.
"Your home is beautiful!" Delphi marveled aloud.
"Thank you," Candice said with bell-like laughter. "You're so sweet. Let me show you to your guest room. Rowan, if you could go see your cousins-I don't think they'll be able to wait much longer before they spring."
"Alright, Aunt Candice," he said with a grin, and he disappeared into the next room. When Delphi's eyes were back on Candice, she was already halfway up the stairs. Delphi sprinted up the stairs to catch up with the spry woman.
"I hope you enjoy it here," Candice said confidentially. "I heard about what happened in the school on Halloween-Rowan's had such a difficult time with school since then, so it's nice that he has at least one friend."
"Well, it's my fault it happened," Delphi admitted in a low voice as she followed Candice up another flight of stairs.
"It's no one's fault, sweetie," Candice assured her. "Only the staff and Rowan knew that artifact existed. If it's anyone's, it's the school's for not warning you."
"So you're not angry that I released your sister's voice?" Delphi asked in disbelief.
"No," Candice said with a sigh. "I knew it would happen, sooner or later. Look, this is your room!"
Delphi smiled, seeing the pale green walls and the medium-sized bed in a colorful patchwork quilt.
"Why don't you get settled in, then come downstairs-I'm going to finish up supper," Candice said warmly. Delphi smiled back and gently shut the door behind her. She hung up her coat and looked to see that her trunk had arrived.
She then headed downstairs.
