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“Fionna is a witch, as you’ve probably already guessed.”
“Even worse,” she muttered. “Our people won’t like it.”
“If they find out.”
“She’s from the marshes, of course they’ll find out. I’m sure it won’t be long before they realize what she is, and then what? How long before they accuse you of being weak?”
“Asking for aid is not weakness.”
“It is when it’s from a charlatan.” His mother sniffed.
“She can do magic. I’ve seen it.”
“Tricks.”
“That’s what I thought too. But the thing inside Lomar is scared of her.”
“Oh?” His mother actually paused. “Why would it be scared of that slip of a girl?”
“I don’t know, but it wants her dead. That alone tells me inviting her was the right move. Not to mention, she has accessto resources in Acca who will look into the possible source of Lomar’s affliction.”
“I thought you already knew it was that cave.”
“I do, but I don’t know what it is.”
“Who cares? Block it off. Problem solved.” His mother waved a hand as if it were that easy.
“And if it’s not that simple? If there is trouble brewing, then I should handle it now before it becomes an even bigger issue down the road.”
“How long is the witch staying?”
“As long as it takes.”
“Not good enough. The longer she’s here, the more people will make assumptions, especially with the two of you spending so much time together already.”
“What time?” He snorted. “We ate our morning meal and visited the dungeon.”
“You spent time with a woman outside your bedchamber. Think of how it looks.”
“I’m aware that the gossip mill will be running wild with this. I’m sure by dinner tomorrow, we’ll not only be lovers, but she’ll be carrying my baby.” He said it sarcastically, but his mother looked appalled.
“The very thought. As if I’d let you beget a bastard on a foreigner.”
“She’s actually half Sraythian.”
“Did she tell you that lie?”
“No, their queen did when she replied with who she’d be sending.”
“I still think it’s a lie,” his mother insisted.
“She has the coloring.”
“And magic, according to you, which is not a Sraythian trait.”
“Is it not? Or is it because so many were executed, those with power hid?” He couldn’t have said why he felt a need tobe contrary. His mother only raised some of the same points he’d argued with himself, hence why he’d suggested subterfuge to cover Fionna’s visit. However, Fionna preferred honesty and directness. Not something he could fault.
“Witches aren’t real. Magic isn’t real. And even if it were, we don’t want that here.”
