Page 35 of Bewitched

“Where is Medea?” he asked, looking around, but not seeing her anywhere. Nightfall had set in. The area was lit by occasional torches placed around the lake that held the three pyramids.

“I guess she left, for now,” answered Rapunzel.

“Oh, you mean she needed to use a bush?”

“Nay. We had a little squabble and she transported off somewhere. Don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll return. Eventually.”

“I see,” said Rhys, getting the feeling that he knew what this was all about. “Would this by any chance have anything to do with the kiss?” he asked her.

When Rapunzel looked up at him but didn’t answer, he could tell he was right.

“She’s just being Medea,” said Rapunzel. “She has quite a temper sometimes and also a lot of crazy ideas running through her head.”

“Did I do something to upset her? Because if so, I didn’t mean to.”

“Nay, not at all. You’re fine, Rhys. Now, I can’t wait to explore these pyramids. They sound so intriguing.” She left Rhys standing there, wondering what was going on. His mother came up behind him.

“She’s no good, Rhys. You’d better stay away from her.”

“Huh?” He turned to face his mother. He could see the concern in her eyes. “Rapunzel seems harmless. Why would you say that?”

“Not her. Medea.”

“What do you mean, Mother?”

“Rhys, being a fae and also an elemental, I can pick up things that others cannot.”

“You mean, you’ve been reading minds again.” Rhys shook his head. “That is so invasive, Mother. Everyone is entitled to some privacy, so please stop doing it.”

“That is not what I am talking about, although I couldn’t help reading the girl’s mind about the way she feels about you. There is something about the girl that is dark and dangerous. Rhys, she cannot be trusted.”

“You don’t know what you’re saying.” Rhys didn’t want to hear anything bad about Medea, and felt the need to protect her, even against nasty words. “Medea is a strong, beautiful, yet mysterious woman. At first, I had the wrong impression of her, but not anymore. She just comes across that way until you get to know her. Besides, sometimes, we don’t even trust ourselves.” He was still thinking about the deal he had almost taken concerning the King.

“Just be careful around her, Son. Don’t get too close to her. I feel that if you do, it could mean the death of you.”

Rhys let out a sigh. “Mother, thank you for your concern, but I don’t think my love life is any of your business.”

“Love life? Please don’t tell me you have feelings for the girl.”

“Medea is a young, innocent girl who has some powers, that’s all. I assure you, there is nothing dark about her.”

“Nay, it’s more than that,” his mother insisted. “There’s a darkness about her, Rhys, believe me. I can feel it when she is near.”

“The only darkness about Medea is that she feels lonely and unloved. However, I have a feeling she might feel differently now that I kissed her.”

“Nay! Please tell me you didn’t.” The look of horror on his mother’s face was almost laughable.

“Mother, enough! I am a grown man and Medea is a woman, not a child. What happens between us is none of your concern. Now, tell me, how do we get this crystal key out of the pyramids?”

“That’s what I want to know.” Zann walked over with Darium at his side. “I’ve heard that no one has ever entered the Pyramids of the Gods to take something, and returned alive to tell about it. I, for one, am not willing to risk my life for two silly girls and a dragon.”

“I’m not sure I want to go into the pyramids either,” said Darium, looking over to inspect the three pyramids that were surrounded by water. “Being a Sin Eater, and with my past doings in the Land of the Dead, I don’t think the gods of The Haven are going to welcome me into their abode with open arms.”

“Nay, you’re right. It’s probably best that neither of you try to retrieve the key,” agreed their mother. “I’ll do it, instead.”

“Nay. I am going to be the only one to enter the pyramids,” said Rhys. “Now, tell me—what does this crystal key look like, and which of the three pyramids is it in?”

“I don’t know,” admitted their mother.