Her nose wrinkled. “That doesn’t sound right, either. Cernunnos has access to the most powerful seers in creation.”
“I wouldn’t think Caelan would do that either, even without access to the same.”
Mom took a sip of her tea. “Right. Have you thought of asking your father what’s going on?”
“I’m not sure he would tell me.”
“Has he ever lied to you?”
“No, but he does avoid questions.”
Mom smiled, but this time there was no artifice in the gesture. She looked genuinely amused. “True. Your father has quite the talent for avoidance.”
The oddness of hearing her speak fondly of my father would unsettle me for a while.
“I would start there, Evangeline. Ask your father first before your thoughts spin out of control and you take implausible leaps.”
“And Caelan?”
Her look held an uncomfortable amount of sympathy. “I would not advise you on how to approach him. You know him best. But be sure before you throw out accusations.”
Soon after, we finished our tea, and the silence grew awkward rather than comfortable. Mom stood and carried her teacup and saucer to the sink, rinsing both off before placing them on the drying rack.
“Thank you for allowing me inside. You have a beautiful home.”
“Thank you for coming.”
I walked her to the door, but before she left, she reached out and brushed my cheek with the back of her knuckles. “I hope to visit again.”
I nodded, my breath catching. Cliona rarely touched me, and when she had before, it was only to direct or correct. Her magic reminded me a little of Tess’s and a little of mine.
“Goodbye, Evangeline.”
“Bye, Mom.”
She stepped outside and disappeared in a shimmer of light. I thought about altering the wards to allow her to come and go at will, but I wasn’t there yet. We weren’t there yet.
But today was a good start in the right direction.
Chapter
Thirty-Two
Cernunnos sat on my back porch, rocking in one of the old wooden chairs. I walked outside when I sensed his presence, carrying two blankets, one of which I handed to him.
He situated it over his lap, even though we both knew he didn’t need it.
Silence stretched between us until he finally broke the stalemate. “You have questions.”
“Who is Thalia?” I blurted.
“I’m not ready to answer the question.”
I let out an impatient huff. “Why is Caelan taking care of her?”
“Your Lord and I came to an agreement.”
Which wasn’t really an answer, but I was glad I was right. “For how long?”
