“When I opened the first portal. That Halloween spell five years ago.” I kept my voice low so Killian wouldn’t hear. He was focused on making his ears appear and disappear, entertaining himself. “Maybe something happened then? Maybe traveling between worlds affects genetics? Magic? Maybe I somehow scrambled his DNA by going through portals while I was pregnant?”
“It is possible.”
“Great. Wonderful. I’ve potentially c-u-r-s-e-d my own child with interdimensional magic because I couldn’t resist a spooky spell on Halloween.” I rubbed my temples. “Mother of the year award, right here. Should I add that to the W-H-O-R-E accusations or is that a separate category?”
“You did not c-u-r-s-e him.” He said. Killian was still too emotional, so being careful of what we talked about around him was the least we could do.
“But being born to someone who travels through portals, that might change things in ways we don’t understand. Maybe I’m basically a walking magical contamination zone and everyone I love gets weird powers as a side effect.”
“All possibilities we should explore. I sent someone to the library before dawn to research.”
“Research what exactly?”
“Hybrids. Unusual powers. Any documented cases of wolves with abilities beyond shifting.”
“So we’re hoping some medieval scholar wrote a helpful pamphlet called ‘So Your Kid Opens Portals: A Parent’s Guide’?”
“Something like that.”
“I’m afraid of what we’ll find out,” I admitted in a whisper. “What if it’s something…? What if there’s no way to help him?”
“So am I,” Mal said quietly. “But we will face it together. Whatever it is.”
Before we could say more, I noticed a guard approaching across the garden. Not Torin. Torin was visible in the distance near the east gate, watching over us like he always did. This was a different guard, walking quickly.
“Your Majesties,” he said, bowing. “The scholar urgently requests audience. He says it’s important. About the prince’s abilities.”
Mal and I exchanged looks. That was fast.
“Tell him we will come at once,” Mal said.
The guard bowed and retreated. Mal stood, movements careful, and offered me his hand. I took it, feeling his worry pulse through our bond. He was as confused and frightened as I was.
Together, we pulled Killian up between us, each of us taking one of his hands.
“Are we going somewhere?” he asked.
“Just to talk to someone who might help us understand what happened last night.”
“Okay.” He accepted this easily, trusting us completely.
We started walking toward the castle, Killian between us, holding both our hands and swinging them slightly like he always did.
“Are we in trouble?” Killian asked suddenly, his voice going uncertain again.
“No, sweetheart,” I said immediately, squeezing his hand.
“Never,” Mal added, squeezing his other hand.
Killian seemed to accept this, going back to swinging our hands. But I could feel the tension in Mal’s grip, could sense his apprehension.
Whatever the scholar had found, it was going to change everything. I could feel it. I just hoped it wouldn’t make things worse. Though given how last night had gone, I wasn’t sure how much worse things could actually get.
Famous last words, probably.
6
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