Page 83 of Bewitched

“Yes,” said Medea feeling confusion in her brain as she headed to the door. “I’m sure the King is going to be furious when he finds out I will not marry him after all.”

“What will you do if you have no choice and end up having to marry him?” asked Henriette. “Doesn’t that frighten you?”

Medea stopped in the doorway and turned to face her new friend, thinking this was an odd question. Still, she supposed Henriette was right. Medea wouldn’t put it past the greedy king to do whatever he had to in order to get what he wanted.

“That will never happen, Henriette. I am going to marry Rhys. Besides, I’m not afraid of the King. I have my magic to protect me. King Osric is the one who should be fearing me instead.”

“I hope you’re right,” mumbled the woman as they descended the stairs.

Twenty-One

“I’m here,” Rhys called out, hurrying into the cottage in the forest, eager to spend time with his new daughter. He stopped in the doorway when he saw the elf sitting at the table and Talia placing a large pazzleberry pie in front of him. Darium and Zann were standing there with their arms crossed over their chests, staring down at the little man.

Rhys’ mother and Rapunzel were sitting on the bed with Lily, who looked to be two years old now. The baby’s hair was much longer than yesterday, and she was even standing up, jumping on the bed. It surprised Rhys to see this. Now he understood why Medea was so adamant about coming to see the baby. Lily-Rae was growing up too fast and they were missing it all.

“Your raven seemed like it was trying to give me a message, Darium. What’s up?” asked Rhys.

“Dada,” said little Lily-Rae from the bed, looking up and smiling at him. She giggled and held out her arms. His heart jumped into his throat. She knew who he was. Somehow, she recognized him as her father and this choked him up with emotion.

“My little Lily-Rae, I am so happy to see you.” Forgetting all about the elf, Rhys rushed over to the bed, picking up the little girl. “She said Dada. Did you all hear that?” he asked excitedly, holding Lily-Rae up in the air.

“We heard it,” grumbled Zann. “Rhys, where were you all night?”

“I was with Medea,” he told them, not wanting to hide the truth. “She cannot wait to see Lily-Rae again. I couldn’t wait to see her either. Just look at her smile. She’s smiling!” he said, not able to hold back his excitement.

“Lily-Rae? Is that what you named her?” asked Rapunzel. “I like it.”

“I like it too,” said Alaina. “It sounds like a fae name to me.”

“Well, I liked the name Lily, and Medea wanted Rae, so we gave her two names,” explained Rhys. “After all, our little sweet pea is part fae.” He tickled the baby’s stomach and the little girl giggled, sounding just like a faerie.

“Rhys, I sent the raven because there are some things we need to discuss,” Darium interrupted.

“I am guessing Evandorm and Sethor are getting ready to attack Kasculbough?” asked Rhys, still smiling at his child.

“Yes, they are,” said Darium. “And there’s more.”

“What do you mean more?” Rhys put his mouth on the little girl’s arm and playfully blew air causing a vibration, making the child laugh even more. “Damn, she’s cute.”

“Rhys, pay attention,” said Zann, sounding as if he was losing his patience. “This is important.”

“Sorry,” said Rhys, handing the baby to Rapunzel, and walking back to the table. Elric picked up a spoon and slowly started to eat the pie. Rhys had never seen the elf move so slowly before. “What’s up with the elf and the pie?” he asked.

“Elric has information from the gods and we’re waiting to hear it,” said Darium, turning a chair backwards and straddling it, resting his arms on the back of the chair.

“He told us that in exchange for the message, he wanted an entire pazzleberry pie all to himself,” added Zann, pacing the room as usual.

“So, what’s the message, Elric?” asked Rhys.

The elf ignored him and kept eating the pie... one bite... then another... very slowly.

“Elric? Speak up,” said Rhys.

“Elric said he’d tell us, but not until after he was finished with the pie,” explained Talia.

“Zoroct’s eyes, why are you moving like a turtle?” Rhys asked the elf. “We’ve all seen you eat and drink so fast that it makes our heads spin. You do everything fast. Except for now. Why?”

“Be patient, you big oaf. I’ll get to the message soon. When I’m done eating,” said the elf with a smile, taking another bite, chewing so slowly that Rhys figured the man was falling asleep.