Leelo didn’t meet her mother’s eyes. She was too afraid there would be suspicion there. “What would I do with freedom?” she asked.

“I don’t know. There must be someone you like. I’ve never heard you talk about anyone in particular.”

For some reason, her mind automatically went to Jaren, even though that clearly wasn’t what her mother meant. She meant an Endlan, a future partner. “How do you know if you like someone that way? Or if they like you?”

Fiona smiled, her eyes lighting up in the way they did when she sang to Tate as a baby. “Well, generally they take a special interest in you, and you take one in them. It’s an attraction, but not one based solely on appearance. Perhaps it’s the way they sing or laugh. Maybe they go out of their way to be kind to others. And of course, there’s something more...intangible about the person. Something that makes you think about them all the time, that makes your heart race when your eyes meet or you know you’ll be seeing them.”

Leelo had never seen her mother blush before. She was staring out the window above the sink, her eyes clearly seeing something besides the Forest. “You felt all of that when you met Father?”

Her mother blinked and glanced at Leelo. “Um, yes, of course. Well, we’d always known each other. But one day it was just...different.”

Fiona’s tone had changed entirely. She went back to the dishes, the light gone from her eyes. What had Leelo said? Had the reminder of Father upset her?

“I think Sage likes Hollis Harding,” she said, hoping to recover the conversation.

“Oh?”

“She got all dressed up when we went to dinner that night.”

Fiona nodded. “I think that might have been Ketty’s idea, truth be told. She thinks the Hardings would be a good connection for our family. Hollis and his father are strong, hard workers.”

“Is that all Aunt Ketty cares about?”

Fiona sighed. “I know it might seem that way. But she cares deeply about the safety and well-being of everyone in this family.”

Leelo bit her tongue to keep from saying, “Except for Tate.” She finished drying the last dish and wiped her hands on a towel. “Have you thought of a husband for me?”

Mama turned to her and took her hands, smiling. “I haven’t met anyone yet who I think is worthy of you, Leelo. When I was your age, all the boys seemed so young and immature. Hardly ready to be husbands. You’re such an intelligent girl. I can’t see you with any of the boys your age.”