“Henry’s really taken with you,” Irina said softly. “He’s not the best sleeper, but he looks perfectly content in your arms. Have you ever thought of having one of your own?”
“A baby? I guess before, in my other life...” I wasn’t sure how much of my mainlander life I should share on the island. It felt like it was an experience from another world. “I was almost married once before. I figured we would eventually have children, but it’s a very good thing we didn’t. He wasn’t a nice man.”
“Silas is nice.” Irina winked at me from her perch in the chair. “I mean, he’s nice to you.”
“Is he?” I grinned back. “He’s a lot of things, but I don’t know if I’d start with the word nice.”
Irina gave a tinkling laugh. “Touché. But he’s a good man.”
“No argument there. But for now, both he and I are taking things one day at a time. Thanks, by the way, for trusting me with Henry. I know with my magic out of control… I wouldn’t have blamed you for keeping me away from him.”
“Honey.” Irina reached over, put a hand on my shoulder. “You and your powers could never hurt this babe. Your powers are good.”
“But I can’t control them.”
“Maybe on occasion they elude you, but your powers seem to flare up when you’re stressed or cornered or being attacked. Sitting here right now, as calm as a cucumber? You’re not even glowing a little.”
I laughed, grateful that someone could see a bit of levity in the situation. “Maybe I’m making progress.”
“Speaking of progress,” Irina mused, “you’ll be training with Seer Goddard?”
“That was as much news to you as it was to me. Do you know him?”
“Of him,” Irina said. “He’s ancient. He doesn’t live on The Isle. If he’s here, it’s because he was summoned here for you.”
“Yikes.”
“He’s not known for his friendliness. Just so you’re forewarned.”
“What is he known for?”
“His effectiveness.”
“Well, I could use some of that,” I said. “Should I be worried?”
“I trust Silas,” Irina said. “If he thinks this is the right path, I’d tend to agree with him. Honestly, I’m not sure there is anyone qualified to teach a Fae Queen how to wield her powers. I think you’re going to have to make the best of an impossible situation.”
“Any advice for tomorrow? I told Silas to schedule court hours at the castle. Even if I’m not going to be acting as queen, I want to learn as much about the islanders as I possibly can.”
Irina rocked in her chair, looked out at the sunny afternoon as it stretched toward evening. “Be honest. Be yourself. It’s all you can do.”
“I expected something more magical, to be honest.”
“Sometimes the best answer isn’t magic, even on an enchanted island. Here, let me grab Henry. You’ve done so much for me, and I’m sure you need to rest before your day of holding court and training with Seer Goddard.”
I handed Henry back to his mother, placing a tiny peck on the very top of his head. He transferred without waking.
As I walked down the front path of Irina’s cottage, I glanced back and saw mother and baby resting together, sparkles of sunlight hitting their skin in a way that made them look like a mirage.
Maybe Irina is right, I thought. Maybe this new, enchanted world isn’t so different from my old world. Sometimes, the most magical moments have nothing to do with spells.
