Chapter 31
Chapter
Thirty-One
Mom was in my living room. Sitting on my couch. Drinking from one of my teacups.
The sky had fallen.
She’d even kicked off her boots and curled her feet under her. I’d lit the fireplace, turning my living room into a cozy, quiet space.
“So…” Mom stirred cream into her tea. “We have much to talk about.”
We did, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it right now. There were more pressing questions I needed to ask before we dove into our sordid family history. “Mom?”
“Yes?”
“Do you know someone named Thalia?”
Mom didn’t hesitate. No flicker of recognition on her face. “No. Why?”
Dead end there. “No reason. She’s become something of a puzzle, and I can’t find the right pieces.”
“Does she live here?”
“She’s new to town. Thalia is a powerful seer but seems pretty normal.”
Mom tilted her head in that peculiar way she had. “Then why are you so interested in her?”
I squirmed in my seat. Trusting my mother was much harder than I expected.
When I hesitated, Mom sighed. “I understand you do not trust me. I would not trust me, either. Not after everything that has transpired between us. Even if you never trust me again, even if we can’t repair what’s happened through the years, I want you to know every step I took.
I did it in the hopes you would get one more day, one more week, one more year without being thrust into danger. ”
She took a sip of her tea and sighed. “Excellent and fresh. Thank you.”
I always kept a fresh tin of her favorite tea. Even when I hated her. “You’re welcome.”
“This woman. Is she a friend?”
“No. I don’t like her all that much.”
Mom’s lips twitched. “Okay. An acquaintance, then?”
“Yes. She says she’s trapped here and not allowed to leave without an escort.”
Mom frowned. “Who is holding her here?”
“I don’t know, but Caelan is the one overseeing her protection.”
“You’re curious as to why?”
“Yes,” I admitted, “but there’s something familiar about her. It’s bugging me to death. I know I’ve never met her before now.”
Mom frowned. “Is it possible Caelan is keeping her for…other reasons?”
I snorted, not even offended. The fae were a bunch of dirty birds, and many of them banged anything that moved. “No. He seems to tolerate her. That’s all.”
“You think he’s keeping her for someone else?”
I nodded. “Thalia claims she has an overprotective father, but I’ve never seen him.
Her power prevents her from driving or holding down a normal job, but she also can’t do normal things like shopping or going to get a coffee by herself.
She claims not to remember her birthday but doesn’t know if it’s because her powers are stealing her memory or if something else is going on. ”
“A spell.”
At my nod, a thoughtful look appeared on her face. “You have a theory. Tell me.”
“I think Cernunnos stashed her here.”
Mom blinked. “A young girl?”
“Not a girl, although she acts like one sometimes. She’s in her mid-twenties, I think. But why would he stash her here and keep it a secret from me? We’re in a small town. He knew I’d find out eventually.”
“You’re right. Has Caelan said anything about her?”
“No. He’s been silent since he’s had her and claims he’s doing someone a favor.”
“The Shifter Lord does not take on favors of that magnitude without a great boon in return, or it’s not a favor at all, and he owes someone something. Has your father done something for Caelan?”
I thought back and came up with nothing. “Not that I know of.”
“Something else is bothering you.”
I swallowed hard. “I think he’s lying about something concerning her, but I can’t put my finger on what.”
Mom set her cup down. “And you have built your life with him on trust because so many people have betrayed you.” Her eyes softened. “I am sorry for my role in that.” She dropped her eyes. “More than you could ever know.”
Tears pricked the backs of my eyes. The seeds of a reconciliation and new relationship were there, but they would take years and years to grow. “Thank you.”
Mom let out a soft breath. “You believe Cernunnos and your Caelan are…conspiring on something concerning this Thalia woman. But you don’t believe there is a sexual relationship between any of them.”
I nodded. “Right. No funny business in that regard, I don’t think.”
“Could it be as simple as power? You said she was a powerful seer. Maybe either one of them is using her for her sight?”
Her nose wrinkled. “That doesn’t sound right, either. Cernunnos has access to the most powerful seers in creation.”
“I wouldn’t think Caelan would do that either, even without access to the same.”
Mom took a sip of her tea. “Right. Have you thought of asking your father what’s going on?”
“I’m not sure he would tell me.”
“Has he ever lied to you?”
“No, but he does avoid questions.”
Mom smiled, but this time there was no artifice in the gesture. She looked genuinely amused. “True. Your father has quite the talent for avoidance.”
The oddness of hearing her speak fondly of my father would unsettle me for a while.
“I would start there, Evangeline. Ask your father first before your thoughts spin out of control and you take implausible leaps.”
“And Caelan?”
Her look held an uncomfortable amount of sympathy. “I would not advise you on how to approach him. You know him best. But be sure before you throw out accusations.”
Soon after, we finished our tea, and the silence grew awkward rather than comfortable. Mom stood and carried her teacup and saucer to the sink, rinsing both off before placing them on the drying rack.
“Thank you for allowing me inside. You have a beautiful home.”
“Thank you for coming.”
I walked her to the door, but before she left, she reached out and brushed my cheek with the back of her knuckles. “I hope to visit again.”
I nodded, my breath catching. Cliona rarely touched me, and when she had before, it was only to direct or correct. Her magic reminded me a little of Tess’s and a little of mine.
“Goodbye, Evangeline.”
“Bye, Mom.”
She stepped outside and disappeared in a shimmer of light. I thought about altering the wards to allow her to come and go at will, but I wasn’t there yet. We weren’t there yet.
But today was a good start in the right direction.