I crept through the dense woods and stopped far enough away for her not to sense me, but close enough to overhear their conversation.
“She has you fooled,” my mother said. “My daughter has long been able to convince people she’s as sweet as pie.”
Ethan laughed. “If you knew anything about Moira, you’d know she’s anything but sweet.”
I covered my mouth to hide my smile.
“Oh?” she said. “Then why does she seem to have you wrapped around her little finger?”
“Minka, I’m not sure why you’re here, but I have every right to cut you down where you stand for trespassing on Keep land. Get to the point and leave.”
“I want you to return my daughter to me.”
Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “Your daughter is an adult and a powerful magic user in her own right. In what world do you think I can force her to do anything?”
“She loves you.”
Ethan snorted. “Again, if you knew anything about Moira, you’d realize that fact matters very little right now.”
Mom was growing visibly frustrated. “Are you trying to be obtuse on purpose?” she snapped.
Ethan merely stared at her. “If you would like to speak to Moira, give her a call. If she chooses not to answer, that’s her answer.”
“Of course she won’t answer,” Mom snarled. “Why do you think I’m speaking to you?”
The Lord sighed. “Look, Minka, maybe if you hadn’t treated Moira like a stray dog, she’d be more inclined to have a chat with you. The only reason I haven’t slit your throat is because Moira should have the honor.” Ethan flicked his fingers. “Now, go away and leave me be.”
He sounded like such an annoyed old man. I waited to see what she would do. Mom never gave up willingly, but Ethan was being far more reasonable than he had to be.
Just as I was beginning to hope Mom would see reason, magic began to rise in the air.
Well. Shit.
I let out a silent sigh and walked into the clearing.
Ethan’s eyes widened when he spotted me. He shook his head just as Mom turned and spotted me.
“Hello, my darling.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “What do you want?”
“To have a reasonable conversation,” Mom said. Hilariously enough, she sounded reasonable, which told me she was extremely pissed off. She always became friendly and logical when she wasn’t getting her way right before she did something unforgivable.
“Ethan, I wouldn’t stand so close to her.”
Mom struck like a viper and closed her fingers over Ethan’s bicep. “Nonsense. I may one day be his mother-in-law. Isn’t it time we got to know each other?”
I laughed. “Ethan wants to marry me about as much as I want to be standing in this clearing speaking to you.”
The Lord’s jaw tightened, but he stayed silent. He really was allowing me to control this one, which said a lot for him. Caelan wanted to fix Evie, and that hadn’t ended so well for him.
Ethan was content to let me try to fix my own problems.
Mom’s eyes narrowed. She glanced up at Ethan. “Well then, if you don’t want to marry my daughter, perhaps you and I could have a little bit of fun.” One slim, pale finger slid up his chest and tapped his heart. She leaned in and whispered. “Oh. I see. Hmm. You want something very different, don’t you?”
Instant rage boiled my blood, but I kept my tone even. “If Ethan wants to tangle with a poisonous monster, he’s more than welcome. If not, he and I are walking out of this forest without you.”
Mom stroked her fingers over his forearm. She moved closer, pressing her body against his side. The witch was beautiful; there was no denying it. I looked like her in many ways, but her eyes were a bright vivid green, a clue about her heritage. Mine used to be like that, before all the magic forced into my body with the vampire curse and the other things Mom had done to restart my aging process, at least temporarily.
