Page 43 of Bewitched

“Damn,” spat Zann. “I just remembered something. I don’t suppose any of the faeries eat meat, do they?”

“Sorry, Zann,” said their mother with a smile, causing Zann to groan because of his love of meat.

“What about us?” asked Rapunzel. “Will Medea and I be welcomed in the Whispering Dale too? We’re not fae or elementals, but witches. I’m not sure if they’ll accept us.”

“You are witches and have magical powers,” said Alaina. “You will be welcomed as guests, although you won’t be allowed to stay for more than a night or two at the most.”

“Let’s go,” said Darium. “Zann and I will get the horses.”

“The Whispering Dale is just up ahead. We can go on foot. It’s not far,” said Alaina.

“Rhys?” Medea held on to his arm.

Rhys looked down to see such a frightened look in Medea’s eyes that all he wanted to do was comfort her. “What is it?” he asked, slipping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer.

“I’m sorry for causing so much trouble. I didn’t mean to.”

Everyone saw darkness in Medea, but Rhys didn’t see it that way. What he saw was a form of innocence within her that was being controlled by a darker side. Medea seemed curious and wanted to learn about everything and anything, and he liked that. Her mind was like the palette of a painter, just waiting for the first brush stroke.

She didn’t seem to like to stay put in one place long, and got bored easily. He could understand that, since at times he was the same way. She liked to stay active and so did he. Medea seemed to have a strong curiosity and a sharp mind. Learning new things and seeing new places is what seemed to make her tick.

Rhys was sure Medea didn’t do the wrong things with a premeditated evil intent. Nay, it wasn’t that way at all. The way he saw it, it was more like a struggle within her that she was still trying to control. Didn’t everyone have that? She was not different than anyone else in his opinion.

“I know you didn’t mean to cause trouble,” he told her. “Mura is a new land to you, and you just need to learn how things work here. Don’t worry about it. Everything turned out all right in the end and that is all that matters.”

“You’re not angry with me, then?” she asked, as they walked, his arm around her shoulders and hers around his waist.

“Nay. I’m just glad that you weren’t hurt, Medea.”

“I felt so helpless when my powers didn’t work. I have never felt that way before. I’m not sure I liked it. It really frightened me, and being scared is a feeling that I have never really experienced until now,” she admitted.

He stopped in his tracks. “Do your powers work now?” he asked, wondering if this had something to do with Zoroct’s warning that Medea would be punished.

“I don’t know. Let me try them and see.” She held out her hand and materialized a peach. “Yes, that seemed to work. Let me try something else.” She looked over at him, next. With a nod of her head, she repaired his clothes that had been torn by the sea serpent, and dried both of their clothes as well. “Hmmm. I think I’m fine. My powers are working again.” She patted herself to check things out, the scared look leaving her and a sense of relief replacing it instead.

“Good,” said Rhys, still feeling uncomfortable about what happened. “Medea, I can’t be sure, but I believe you were being punished by Zoroct for taking back my ring that I used as an offering.”

“These gods seem petty to me,” she said, with a shake of her head. “I’m just glad it’s over.”

“I’m not sure it is.”

“What do you mean?”

Rhys didn’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but Medea needed to be aware of the consequences of her actions and what might still transpire. “We were told that an offering had to be given to the gods before we entered the pyramids.”

“And you did,” she said.

“Aye, but you didn’t.”

“Oh. Do you think that’s going to be a problem?” she asked.

“I can only hope not, but I have a feeling that the gods won’t let it go. Don’t be surprised if this isn’t over yet, Medea.”

“Well, I’ve got my powers back and I’m not going to worry about it. By the way, thank you for saving me from the wrath of the gods today.” She reached up and kissed him on the mouth. “Later, I plan on thanking you even more.” She winked, making him realize exactly how she intended to show her gratitude. Not that he minded it in the least, but he still had a nagging feeling deep in his gut that Medea was not yet done being punished by the gods, and that whatever they had in store for her was going to be even worse than what she’d been through today.

Eleven

Medea sat next to Rhys later that day, eating a meal with the fae folk. She was so taken with the Whispering Dale and these friendly faeries that she felt as if she never wanted to leave.