Evelina only knew one human, really.
“I know one. He’s been coming to the palace more recently. We’re…friends.”
“And the human you’ve been spending time with,” Annora said slowly. “He’ll just…agree to this?”
She would be asking the impossible from him. How could she expect Lawrence to go along with it? How could she even think to ask it?
But if it was her only chance at saving her child, she would do anything. Half-fae were not unheard of in the realm.
Evelina took a deep breath. “I don’t know, but I have to try.”
That night, Evelina went to the refugee camp outside of Astern. She donned her healer garb and secured a hood over her head. She walked through the camp, searching for the small green cottage.
She found him rocking in a wooden chair on the porch. His head was tilted back as he gazed up at the stars. Her heart pounded harder against her chest the closer she got.
He looked down, his eyes landing on her. She felt a twinge of guilt when he smiled and waved.
“And what have I done to deserve a visit so late?” he asked gently. He gestured to the rocking chair beside him, motioning for her to sit down.
She rocked, listening to the creak of the wood beneath her and the creatures of the wood singing.
“Lawrence.” She hesitated and closed her eyes.
The sound of his chair rocking paused.
She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. He was watching her closely, fear in his eyes.
“What’s happened?” he whispered.
She didn’t know how to say it. They had become friends, but this…it went beyond friendship.
“Something happened that I didn’t think was possible,” she began. “I need your help.”
His brows drew together. “What do you need?”
“I’m pregnant,” she whispered. He drew in a sharp breath. “And no one can know who the father is. He—” She cleared her throat. “The child wouldn’t be accepted.”
Lawrence stared at her with his mouth open. He blinked a few times, processing what she had just said. “You’re pregnant,” he said slowly. “And you think I can help?”
She swallowed. “There’s a ceremony a queen is subjected to when a new heir is born,” she explained. “The child is born at the temple and the council gathers to watch the blessing of the child’s Essence. The parents’ magic will be returned to them after the birth, presenting in whatever form of magic the parent has.”
Evelina’s would present as light, just as it had with Leda. But this time, shadows would appear too, right before the connection severed, unable to find Daimon in the Shadow Realm.
She would need to find a way to hide the shadows, but if she could, then it would look as if there was simply no Essence going to the father at all.
“A piece of my magic will leave the child and return to me, but the father’s…won’t.”
Lawrence pressed his mouth into a thin line. “So you need a human without magic to cover it up,” he said slowly.
She nodded her head, her chest tightening. “I wouldn’t ask it if there was any other option. You have every right to say no and I would never fault you for that. This is an impossible ask?—”
“I’ll do it,” he said quickly. “I’ll say I’m the father.”
She blinked. “You will?”
“Of course I will.” His voice was confident. Strong. “You’re one of the only people to show me kindness in this world. Not only that, but you’re my friend. I’m glad you asked me.”
She still couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She had been fully prepared for him to say no. He had no reason to sayyes.
