Chapter 15: Shady Practices"Oz, are you all right?" Luther asked her, offering her a hand to help her up.
She took it gladly and moved to her feet. "She's tough," Oswin muttered, rubbing her backside where she had landed on the hardwood floor.
"You did pretty well," he said with a grin. "Except for the whole winding up on your back part. But, you know."
"Shush," she said and then suddenly gasped. "Come see my son!" The arrival of Luther's mother had turned everything on its head.
She rushed into the nursery and scooped up her son. "He's beautiful, Luther. I haven't even named him yet!"
"Thinking of anything?"
"I don't know. Darrien sounds nice."
"That's a peasant's name if I've ever heard one," Solanine's cool voice said from the doorway. She walked over and observed the child. "He's special. Don't you want a special name for him?"
"Of course I do," Oswin said, frowning.
"Then you'll listen to me. My old friend Peregrine had a name for a special child."
"What name is that?"
"Oblique," she said, touching the child's face.
"I don't know if...--"
"Oblique is perfect," Solanine said. "Don't you think so, Darling?" Her eyes met Oswin's, her gaze sharp and unquestionable.
"Oh. Well. I do like it."
"Good. I'm sure he'll grow into it."
Oswin was spared from answering by the second chiming of the doorbell that day. She held her son in her arms and walked to answer the door. It was a paparazzo, calling on Oswin for an interview.
"It's truly you, then?" The woman gasped, clapping her hands together. "Oswin Daye! Sweet girl, you must tell me your story! All of Aurora Skies should know that their Empress is back!"
"It would be an honor, Miss," Oswin said with a kind smile. "Come and sit with me and we'll talk."
Within the next few days, Oswin became a low-key celebrity. Not everyone knew about her return, but many did and word was spreading quickly. She would need to become a household name in Aurora Skies before she could move onto the next city-state. But her status wasn't the only thing growing during that time. Both Leo and Delilah celebrated milestone birthdays.
Leo became a child and was embracing his potential rise to the throne due to his lineage.
And Delilah was turning heads as she entered into her teenage years.
She was a stunning, sharp-witted girl who was constantly turning away suitors at the door. When she decided so, she would have anyone she wanted. And that was certainly a fact.
"Oblique," Oswin said, rocking her son gently. "You're getting so handsome."
She brushed his hair back and smiled as his eyes closed.
But Oswin wasn't the only one with a fondness for her second son.
Solanine had taken an immediate liking to the boy and spent a good deal of her time with him, much to Oswin's surprise and discomfort. What could she want with her son?
"What is that awful witch doing with our son?" Chin asked Oswin, his hackles raised.
"I don't know," she said, not even bothering to scold him about being rude. "I suppose it's not terribly strange. She's fond of Delilah too."
"I don't like it. I'm going to give her a piece of my mind."
"Chin. Don't be rash," she warned him as he stalked out of the room.
"Stay away from my son," Chin growled as he approached Solanine.
She sniffed the air briefly before she turned around. "Hmm. Do I smell wet dog?" She asked him.
"Stay away from my son," he said again.
"I think you're overreacting. If anyone should stay away from children, I think, sweet Jaw, that it's you."
"What are you talking about?" He asked her, frowning deeply.
"I mean that episode with my granddaughter where you chased her out into the street in a violent rage. I don't think you're suited to be anywhere near children. And I plan to ensure my darlings are safe from beasts such as you."
"Is that a threat?"
"You can set your watch by it," she purred before walking past him and out the door.
"Mr. Prado," Luther said charmingly. "Is your wife at home? I hear you two have a lovely new baby girl. Congratulations."
"Why thank you, Luther. Come in," he said, inviting the man inside.
The man nodded to Luther and then headed upstairs to get some work done. Luther bent and picked up the blonde child, feeling not an ounce of connection to her.
"Luther, what are you...?" Kassidy asked him, meeting him in the doorway.
"Meeting my daughter," he said, handing the girl back to her mother.
"Shhh," she hissed. "My husband does not know that."
"That's all right. He doesn't need to. I require no claim on her, and as payment for my keeping my mouth closed, I will not be mailing you any child support checks. Are we clear?"
"But, Luther..."
"You ask me for one cent, and I will blow open this thing so wide, it'll suck in the whole town," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. He left, Kassidy staring agape at his back.
