“I’ll text you.”
I watched Mom and Moira with trepidation. “Are you two hanging out without me?”
Moira laid a hand over her chest. “Evie! I would never.”
Mom grinned. “You’ve been a little busy, darling, trying to save the world and whatnot.”
“I can’t believe it. Mom and my bestie going on girl’s nights without me.” But I wasn’t mad. How could I be upset with either of them? Everything I thought I knew about Mom had been wrong, and Moira deserved all the friends she could make. She’dspent so long taking care of all of us and working at the shop that her social life had suffered, big time. If she and Mom wanted to hang out, who was I to begrudge them? For years, Moira was terrified of her. If she liked Mom and enjoyed hanging out with her, I’d never get upset by any time they spent together.
Moira leaned over and put her head on my shoulder for a moment. “Cliona is helping me with the extra magic from that night.”
My stomach lurched with guilt. The extra magic happened at Caelan’s Keep when Rhona, another female Chimera, tried to kill me. Magic had been flying everywhere, and Moira had been exposed more than anyone else. The power had manifested in curious and sometimes disturbing ways, the latest when she pulled a god from the fae lands into ours, though now we suspected Lugh had taken advantage and helped that along some.
As messed up as that time was, Moira’s magic snafu had resulted in me finding out exactly what kind of person Caelan was and spearheaded our subsequent move here. One night had a serious butterfly effect on all of our lives, though my spirit was more settled than it had been in months.
“How’s it going? Can you get rid of the excess?”
Mom and Moira exchanged a glance. “No,” Mom said slowly. “Things aren’t quite that simple.”
When were they ever?
“Much like you, Moira possesses unique DNA.” Mom looked like she wanted to say more but held her tongue. “Exposure to our magic manifested within her body in curious ways. Since she can’t rid herself of the power, she has to learn how to handle it to the best of her abilities. And she’s doing well.”
“No more pulling gods from the aether,” Moira said with a wince.
Mom snorted. “Yes, well, Lugh had a lot to do with that one. Most of us aren’t looking for opportunities to screw up some lives.”
“I’d like to meet those people,” I muttered.
Moira poured me another drink. “Me too, sister.”
Mom shook her glass at Moira. Once we were all refilled, she kicked off her shoes and studied me. Mom and I looked a lot alike, so it was almost like staring into a mirror. “Tell me, darling, what is going on with the delectable Lord I scent all over your home?”
Moira choked on her drink.
Mom grinned. “The bond between you is brighter. Have you decided to accept?”
I tipped up the drink and downed it in one go. Moira’s eyebrows rose, but she was a great friend because she refilled me without a word.
“No,” I said slowly. “I haven’t decided one way or another. But I like him. A lot.”
Moira got it. “But you liked Caelan too, and look what happened.”
I nodded. “They’re not the same. Not even close. But Rowan is a Lord. I’m hesitant to take that step because this one is far more serious. Caelan and I weren’t mates. Now I know we were never going to be. This feels much more serious.”
Mom nodded. “You’re right. But haven’t you considered what a mate is?”
I stared at her. “Um. Someone you’re tied to for eternity?”
Mom gave me a look and downed her drink. Moira let out a soft laugh and poured her another, then got up to make another pitcher full. My head was already feeling a little buzzy. Mom had brought the good stuff.
“Bring the extra tacos over!” Mom called. “We’re going to need them.”
“Ooh! There’s a tin of brownies by the coffee pot!” I added.
“Hell yeah,” Moira said.
While she was in the kitchen, Mom leaned forward. “Your definition of a mate is simplistic. While you are ‘tied to them’,” she made insulting finger quotes, “it’s not a punishment. You want to be with them. A mate is not a boyfriend or a fiancé, or even a husband. A mate is the piece you’ve been missing your entire life. The universe, if you will, has elected to give you a special gift in living form. This gift is meant to complement you in all the best ways, support you in your endeavors, love you without conditions, and, to steal a phrase from the humans, rock your world in the best ways.”
