“Why not?”
“I didn't recognize her.”
“But the first time you met, you were both under Pan's spell. Maybe you did recognize her, but you were too distracted.”
“True, but what about after? Shouldn't I have felt something?”
“I don't know. I hold Love, but it's still mysterious to me. I haven't learned all of its secrets. Love can act strangely and fate shifts. I know that better than most. The man I gave that glimpse of love to is gone. You're someone new now. Perhaps the woman you were destined for has changed too. Or maybe there is no one woman for you, and Love simply gave you a possibility to look forward to. I didn't direct the magic to do that, so I can't be certain of what you were shown.”
“She felt like the one; that much I remember. And if I'm truly destined for someone, that shouldn't change, no matter how much I change.”
I shrugged. “Should you cast aside love because another may be coming?”
“Yes. I don't want to waste my time.”
“Thor, love is never a waste of time. And although a lover might not be meant to stay with you forever, they could still be meant to stay for a little while. And that little while could change you in ways that are necessary for you to love the one you will end up with.”
Thor frowned. “Perhaps. But this isn't real, Vervain. I didn't fall in love with Raedra. Brevyn enchanted us.”
I sighed. “I can't imagine him doing that.”
“It has to be him. I didn't feel this way mere days ago. Look, Vervain, if I fell in love with Rae naturally, then I'd be more inclined to give this a chance, despite how badly things could go. But I'm certain that I haven't. This isn't real.”
“All right. Stay here. I'm going to fetch Brevyn, and we'll get to the bottom of this.”
Thor clasped my hand. “I don't want to make him feel bad. It will ruin our first visit.”
“Thor, there's a good chance that he already knows.”
“What do you mean?”
“His premonitions. Brev probably saw this coming. It may be why he did what he did. He may know more than either of us who you are destined for.”
Thor let go of my hand.
“I'll be right back.” I smiled reassuringly and headed out the door.
As soon as I was in the corridor, my smile turned into a grimace. I was going to beat my son's butt red if he was testing his Love magic on Thor.
Chapter Eighteen
I didn't take Brevyn directly back to Thor. It's harder to admit something in the presence of your victim. Instead, I took him into the bedroom where Salem's trunk was stowed.
“Did you use your Love magic on Uncle Thor and Aunty Raedra?” I asked him.
“Yes,” Brevyn said.
Even knowing how honest Brevyn was, I was a little thrown by his instant, unashamed confirmation. “Why?”
“Because he will never find his true love if he doesn't get over you.”
“I healed him of that, Brev. He's past it.”
“No, you didn't, and no, he isn't.”
“Excuse me?”
“I felt it in him, Mom. He still loves you and that love is holding him back from finding the woman who will make him happy. Aunty Rae can get him past it.”
