Page 82 of Bewitched

“Yes. Rhys and I are going to marry and raise our daughter, Lily-Rae, together.” The thought made her so happy that Medea couldn’t help but smile.

“Lily-Rae?” asked Henriette.

“Aye. That is what we decided to name her.”

“Your daughter is named after a flower just like mine was. Well, I hope you two will be happy together.”

Medea’s felt so sorry for Henriette and only wanted to wear the dress so the woman could see it on someone. Rose meant the world to her, and now she was gone. Henriette said Medea reminded her of Rose, but Medea knew this couldn’t be true. She was sure the woman’s daughter was good and filled with light. Medea could never live up to that. Still, she wanted to do what she could to help ease Henriette’s pain and loss.

“Will you allow me to wear the gown anyway?” she asked.

“If you’d like to, I’d still be honored,” said Henriette. “Medea, I don’t know why, but I have started to think of you as my daughter, even though we have just met.”

Medea was truly touched by the woman’s words and knew that right now, Henriette needed someone to fill the void of Rose. If Medea could do that for her, mayhap it would help one person not feel as lonely as she had through the years. She let Henriette help her don the gown, noticing the smile return to the woman’s face. It was truly one of the prettiest dresses she’d ever seen.

“This gown is gorgeous,” she told Henriette, admiring the woman’s handiwork. I’ve never seen such fine stitching. You did an excellent job.”

“My work has been said to be fine enough for the goddesses of The Haven,” the woman said with a proud smile. “However, I know that it isn’t true, and I would never claim it to be. After all, I would never want to anger a god or goddess.”

“I have to agree with that,” said Medea, knowing firsthand that it isn’t a good idea to anger them. “Well, I am not all that familiar with your gods and goddesses, but I’m sure your handiwork is at least fit for a queen.”

“Excuse me, my lady.” A guard stuck his head into the room. “The King summons you to the courtyard anon.”

“Thank you, I’ll be there momentarily,” Medea answered, looking back up at Henriette. “You have been so kind to me. I’m not used to that.”

“I think of you as the daughter I lost, and can only hope you will consider us friends, Medea.” Henriette picked up the wet gown and walked behind the dressing screen to hang it up to dry.

“Of course, I do,” Medea answered, fixing her hair.

“I value my friends,” the woman told her. “I would do anything at all for the people I care about if it helps them,” she said, still behind the screen. There was a moment of silence, and the Henriette stepped back out into the room. “Would you, too?”

“Would I what?” asked Medea, putting her hair into a braid.

“Would you do anything at all for your family or friends to help them, even if you had to make great sacrifices to do it?”

“Well, I never really thought about it before, because no one ever meant much to me until now.”

“It is really important to me to know. Would you?” The woman seemed to be acting odd all of a sudden, but Medea figured it was because she was still thinking about the death of her daughter.

“Yes, I suppose I would,” Medea told her.

“I hope you mean that, and that you’re not just saying what you think I want to hear.”

Medea suddenly felt incredibly responsible for her words, and the value put upon them. In the past, she might have said things just to suffice people, because she didn’t care. However, now that she had a baby, and was going to marry Rhys, things inside her were changing. She saw things and people in a different light.

Medea knew what love felt like now. It was something that had been creating quite a void inside her for a long time. Now, she felt the light pushing through that darkness that she’d been born with, and it felt good. It felt right. Knowing someone like Henriette and hearing her story, helped to bring those feelings to the surface. Medea truly wanted to change, and to start over. A new life in a new land was exactly what she needed and wanted. There was no doubt in her mind.

It felt good having people care about her. She wanted to do the same in return for them. Friends were important, and she realized that now. And just like Henriette valued them, so would she.

“I do mean it, Henriette,” she said, being sincere. “If there is ever anything at all I can do to help you, just ask. I promise, I won’t let you down.”

“I am so glad to hear you say that.”

You don’t owe her anything. She can’t be trusted. Don’t give her promises. Don’t do it. Do not trust her, Medea. The dark voice was back in her head again, making Medea feel odd. She didn’t want to listen to the voice of her mother anymore. It was time Medea started making her own decisions.

Medea took a deep breath and released it, pushing the voice away. It almost made her panic, but she didn’t know why.

“My lady, I think you should get down to the courtyard now,” Henriette continued. “The King is waiting for you.”