Page 19 of From the Edge

“Sure. It also helps me do laundry, but you have to make sure it is all dry or things get ugly fast.”

Ted chuckled. “Sound advice.”

They walked up the steps, and Rowan smiled when Mell saw the golden glow coming from her room, and she moved faster. “My room.”

Lucia gasped at the golden space. “Wow. This is lovely.”

Mell squealed and moved to her bed, where a line of clothing was waiting.

Rowan chuckled. “Clothes will fly in three, two, one.”

Mell was out of the cloak and naked before Rowan finished the count. She chuckled as the silkiest dress slithered around her form. “Oh, that feels better.”

Rowan didn’t mention that the pregnancy had already advanced.

Heavy footsteps approached, and she whirled, crimson flames around each hand. She saw Norecayet coming through the door and brought her hands up to aim. “Stop where you are, mage.”

Everyone in the room froze, including him.

Mell whispered, “Rowan, what are you doing?”

“He charged into a mage’s home without announcement or waiting to be asked to enter? He is either an idiot, or he is a shadow mage. He has five seconds to prove which one he is.”

Norecayet fell to his knees and bent until his head was touching the ground. “I am an idiot.”

The healer paused in the doorway. “Rowan, may I enter?”

“You may. What was he thinking?”

“That his mate and child were in the house. How are you holding that power?”

“This is my home. This is where my power began. It holds itself for me until I need it. I can fight off an army here, and I have.”

Norecayet whipped his head up and actually saw her. “Oh, lady. I am sorry for my previous disrespect.”

Mell whispered, “Rowan, I just grew again.”

Rowan lowered her hands and gestured to the hybrid. “Make yourself useful. She needs her belly massaged and a power transfer. Do it!”

Norecayet bowed again and scrambled to his feet, wrapping his arms around Mell and holding the woman who was staring at her friend with shock. “Rowan. You’ve changed.”

Rowan looked at her and started laughing. She patted Mell’s cheek. “Enjoy your boy toy. Call me when you need me.”

Mell whimpered. “You are going?”

“I can’t be in a room with him yet, Mell. Look deep and find some fucking empathy for me. Remember that every blow has echoed in my body until my bones are nearly dissolved. Muscle torn, tendons snapped, and he did it all, left me on the ground bleeding and then went to cuddle you. That is what I see when I look at his face. I want to turn him into red mist, and that isn’t what you or your baby needs, so I am going to make some more tea. Doctor, your patient is the one in the maroon dress.”

Rowan nodded to the ladies and walked out of the room, her high heels clacking on the stone. She needed another cup of tea.

Chapter Four

When there was a knock on the door, Rowan moved to answer it, waving her hand to see through it, and there was a grouping of women on the porch, all glowing with different facets of power. Rowan opened the door.

“Ladies. Welcome. Ted and Lucia are upstairs checking out the guestroom themes. I am Rowan. Would you care for tea?”

A cheerful woman grinned. “I am Mik. This is Arwell, Win, Regis, and Ira, who has a half day today.”

Rowan smiled. “Hello all. Tea? I can make some more muffins. Lucia is cradling the others like a baby. I am guessing she has a thing for sweets.”