Page 11 of Bewitched

“So, what kind of a witch are you?” Alaina was persistent with her question.

Medea decided the elemental must be able to sense the darkness within her, and she didn’t want the others to know about it. “W-what do you mean by that?”

“I mean, are you a witch of white or black magic?”

Damn. This one was too perceptive. Medea’s eyes snapped over to Rapunzel next, silently begging for her help. If these people knew some of the evil things she’d done or was capable of doing, they would shun her quickly, just like everyone else in her life. Medea had started to like the fact that no one here knew her or anything about her or her mother. She wanted to keep it that way. Mayhap she wasn’t in such a hurry to go home after all, she decided.

It might be fun and also beneficial to stay here and explore this new land with their customs and beliefs. It took her curiosity. Aye, this place was already exciting, and not boring like her life back home. Mayhap, if things worked out, she’d never have to go back to Tanglewood to deal with her shadows of her past.

“We need to find the dragon,” said Rapunzel, thankfully changing the subject so Medea didn’t have to answer the elemental’s question. “It is dangerous, and we wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt.”

“Or anyone to hurt it, either,” added Medea. “Marco would never forgive me if anything happened to his dragon.”

“I’ll scout the area and see what I can find out,” said Rhys. “Darium, is it all right if the women stay here for now?”

“What?” Darium’s mouth fell open. “Nay, they can’t. What part of ‘leave me alone, I’m on my honeymoon’ don’t you two understand?”

“I’m going back to Evandorm Castle. I’ll see what they’ve heard there.” Zann hurried past his mother, but she grabbed his arm to stop him.

“Son, you can’t keep ignoring me,” she said. “Please, forgive me.”

“I’ve got to go,” he said, shaking her hand off of him and hurrying out the door.

“I’ll be back in the morning,” announced Rhys, heading to the door as well.

“I’ll come with you.” Medea jumped up, but Rhys refused to take her.

“Nay. You’ll only slow me down or cause trouble. Stay here.”

“Rhys, you’re not really leaving them here, are you?” whined Darium, but Rhys didn’t listen to his brother’s complaint. He hurried out the door, closing it behind him.

“It’ll be dark soon,” said Talia. “Rapunzel and Medea, you are more than welcome to spend the night here with us.”

“Talia,” said Darium, with angst in his voice.

“It’ll be fine, honey. They are in a strange land and know no one. Plus, they are probably hungry. I’ll fix something for both of you to eat,” she told the women.

“I’ll help you,” said Rapunzel, hurrying after her to the kitchen.

Medea was left alone with Darium glaring at her, and his mother perusing her so hard that Medea was sure she would burn a hole right through her.

“I think I’ll just step outside for a breath of fresh air.” Medea couldn’t wait to get away. She hurried out the door, and closed it behind her. Once outside, she felt dizzy and as if her heart was beating too fast. She waved her hand and materialized an apple, thinking mayhap she just needed something to eat. Taking a bite, she chewed slowly, taking in her surroundings.

Looking over the treetops, she could see tall spires and flags in several directions from what looked like three different castles. Just through the forest from the cottage was the lake where they’d come through the portal. She couldn’t see anything else through the dense foliage. It was a pretty land, this place called Mura. She listened to the singing of the birds and the croaks of frogs as she finished off her apple.

Her thoughts shot back to the big man named Rhys with all the muscles. He was handsome. Even if he had been crushing her with his weight atop her, part of her liked the fact that his body had been pressed up against hers. If she hadn’t been so aggravated with him, mayhap she would have kissed him, just to see how it felt. She had never kissed a man before. Her cheeks felt hot just thinking about it. A smile came to her face and her tongue shot out to touch her top lip.

“Is something wrong?” came a voice from behind her.

She spun around to see Alaina watching her from the doorway.

“Nay. Of course not. What could be wrong?” She felt uncomfortable around this woman. It was almost as if she could see into Medea’s mind.

“You tell me. Your cheeks seem awfully flushed for some reason. Why is that?” asked Alaina.

“I’m not ill if that is what you mean.”

“Nay. I didn’t think you were. But tell me, Medea, were you just thinking about my son Rhys, by any chance?”