Her boot splashed in a muddy puddle and she realized she was walking towards the Cider Orchard. A good place to hide in a rainstorm. To hide beneath the boughs, to think about what she suspected and reason it out so she knew what to do and how to react if he asked her. Rain gushed around her, making her shiver, but not with cold. Her emotions could not be controlled.

She remembered holding Colvin’s hands in the tunnel. He had not pulled away, had not rejected her as he usually did. She bit her lip, unable to rein in her thoughts. What else could it be? Sowe and Brynn had their account from Edmon, his close friend – close as a brother. There were no words to describe how she felt, how her heart tumbled inside her, bringing quivering feelings of heat and chills at the same time.

The Cider Orchard loomed in front of her and she slipped inside, moving through the rain and mist to hide herself and calm her emotions. She was soaked and muddy. She did not care. She just needed a moment alone, a moment before she would have to face him. If only her heart would not burst open at the thought. Was there anyone else she cared about more than him? Their shared secrets had forged something wonderful between them.

She found a sturdy apple tree and fell against its trunk, heaving with the effort of walking so fast. She leaned her head back against the firm wood, pulling off her hood to listen to the rain. Think, Lia. Just think. A wretched could marry into Family. It had happened before, had it not? The Medium was strong enough.

With her hood down, she realized that someone was calling her name. At first she dreaded it was Duerden, but her heart shuddered in recognition of the voice. It was too soon. How could she face Colvin without crying? Without fainting? It was happening too fast. It was too soon. She was not ready.

“Lia!” his voiced called again and she heard him trudge through the mud.

She hurried to her feet and had taken only a few steps when he discovered her. Rain ran down his face, his hair a wet mass, dripping from the ends. His breathing was hard, he had obviously labored to catch up with her.

“You walk…so quickly…I was calling after you…”

She shook her head a moment, trying to make her tongue work. “I did not hear you. The rain. I turned around when I did.”

“I am glad you stopped. Why are you out here?”

“The Aldermaston…well, he said…well, it does not really matter. Did you stop at the kitchen first?”

“No, I saw you crossing the grounds.”

“It is warmer in the kitchen.” She felt like an idiot. Her mind was not working.

“Of course it is warmer in the kitchen. Why are you out here in the rain? Is something wrong?”

“No. It does not matter. I can do my errand later. Did you…is there something you needed me for? You usually do not go hunting after me like this.” She looked around, seeing how alone they were and her heart burned so much she thought she would never be able to swallow. She noticed his hand and hungrily wanted to grasp it.

“Lia, I wanted to tell you something. I have tried, but so much has interfered. I wanted to share something with you from my tome, which I left in my chamber. I had to tell you before we must leave Muirwood.” He looked down at the mashed grass. “I wanted to tell you since I came, but I could not. Not until now.”

“Tell me what?” she asked, trembling. She could not stop herself from shaking.

“You are cold.”

“I am all right.”

“I should take you back.”

“Just tell me, Colvin.” She looked at him pleadingly.

“Here, away from the rain.” He moved beneath the canopy of trees, bringing her with him. “I spoke to my sister. She is the one who suggested it, actually, after I told her about you.”

Lia nearly fainted. She swallowed, her thoughts blazing. She could not speak. She could only lean back against the trunk of the apple tree and gaze at his face, watching his mouth as he spoke. Her fingertips bit into the bark as she waited breathlessly for him to say it.

Colvin gazed down, then into her eyes. Rainwater trickled down his cheek. “There is a power that the Aldermastons have – a power only they can use. Through the Medium, they can adopt you into a Family. As if you were born into that Family. They do not agree to do this very often. But it does happen.” He swallowed, steadying himself. “Lia, my sister and I…we would like you to be part of our Family. To be a Price. To share our Family name.”

For a moment, Lia did not understand. Then her thoughts came crashing down around her like stones. “You want…you want me to be your…your sister?” she whispered in disbelief.