As Felicity spoke, she let out another sigh. “It’s a pity, really. As long as Leo keeps Altair living with the Vaughn family, you’ll never be the only golden grandchild in their eyes.”
Her words jogged Dames’s memory–his grandfather and great–grandfather really did seem to pay far more attention to Altair than to him.
His grandmother never allowed Daph to join his private lessons. But for some reason, she always said yes when Altair wanted to attend.
Having to share his classes with that little mute was an insult that made Dames’s blood boil. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. His small fists clenched tight. “I hate Altair!”
After lunch, the teacher handed out a new assignment.
The dads would stay behind to set up tents, while the moms took the kids into the woods to search for all kinds of mushrooms and hidden golden tokens.
Of course, those so–called “mushrooms” had actually been planted in the grass and bushes by park staff ahead of time.
At the starting line, the children gathered around a whiteboard, memorizing the shapes and names of different mushrooms from cards. The more varieties they could spot out in the woods, the higher their score.
Along the way, they could also find the golden tokens the teachers had hidden earlier. Those could be turned in for points–and exchanged for prizes.
Daph stood at the whiteboard with the other kids, all of them chattering and calling out the names and shapes of mushrooms.
“Chanterelle, porcini, morel…”
Daph closed her eyes, trying to remember. “What was that one? Oh, chicken and mushroom stew is so delicious!”
She got so distracted by the thought of that savory stew, she completely forgot which mushrooms she’d just memorized.
“Little Star, how many mushroom names did you remember?” she asked.
Altair held up both hands, flashing a number with his fingers. Daph gasped.
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“Sixty–four? You remembered all of them?!”
Altair nodded.
Daph turned to Selene. “Mommy, you should go mushroom hunting with Little Star. I’ll stay here and help Uncle set up the tents.”
Daph much preferred doing something physical to memorizing a bunch of mushroom names.
Selene didn’t really mind how many mushrooms the children could recall, but since Daph had clearly thought it through, she decided to respect her choice.
Selene reached out her hand. “Little Star, would you like to go on an adventure with
me?”
Altair bit his lower lip and nodded shyly, like a little bunny. He slipped his tiny hand into Selene’s palm.
She squeezed his hand, and warmth flooded through him.
Meanwhile, Felicity was already leading Dames toward the woods.
Harrison watched Selene and Altair head off together, baskets in hand, and a wave of unease crashed over him. Seeing them side by side made something twist uncomfortably in his chest.
Altair had a sharp eye. He quickly found several mushrooms and golden tokens hidden in the grass.
Dames, holding a bright yellow chanterelle, turned to Altair and said, “I found this over there. It’s Daph’s favorite. If you pick more of these for her, she’ll probably be really happy.”
Altair obediently started walking toward the spot Dames pointed out.
Dames stayed where he was, watching Altair’s retreating figure, his eyes dark and cold.
Altair found the slope Dames had described, where clusters of chanterelles dotted the ground. He wobbled as he made his way down.
“Little Star!” Selene called, hurrying after him. “That’s too dangerous–come back up here!”
Altair was just about to crouch down and pick a mushroom when he suddenly lost
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his balance.
Selene dashed forward and caught him, steadying herself on the tangled grass. Just as she found her footing, someone shoved her sharply from behind.
As Selene fell, she twisted around and caught a glimpse of Felicity’s cold, triumphant smile.
That smile seemed to say, “Good riddance!”
Desperately, Selene reached out and grabbed onto the scarf around Felicity’s neck.
