“Can we go anywhere?”
“As long as it is with me, of course.”
“Then take me to a portal. If you’re going to date a human, we should practice in my realm,” I conclude.
“You are persistent but exhausted. Rest, then I will take you wherever you desire,” he says, and my heart leaps.
“I think you’re wrong about Gil, by the way. He was charming.” I hate to admit it, but Magnus is right. Even though I just woke up, I feel like I could sleep for a week. “I hope things work out with him and Marina.”
“Love between a creature and a human—do you really think it would work?” His voice is far away now.
“Of course I do.” I smile as I twist the engagement ring on my finger. “I’m in love with Mothman.”
16.
Moth
Ipace and pace and pace until I fear a hole will bore into the floor. My mother-in-law gazes at me with an expression that hinges on anger and sympathy.
It is just the two of us now—three counting my trusted hound who appears to have taken the shape of a throw pillow, fitting as this is a moment for rest.
Our party has regrouped, traded information, and now for the moment rest our heads in the worlds we have chosen. Rosie and Clara have gone home for the night—it is up to them whether they want to join us for this madness in the morning. It is no secret the exhaustion of our failing quest is taking a toll, and I am glad to have a moment free from the memories the castle holds.
Holly has returned to relieve Pepper of their position and give them much needed time with their family. An ordeal like this does make a person—or faerie—want to hold their loved ones close, and Ruby and Pepper have so many to tuck into bed and tell bedtime stories to. Mother and Holly will have things handled in the castle in the meantime. For now, a portal remains open in the living room, and I wish Heather would be the next to step through it.
For now, our task is to rest before morning, and I am glad my friends can return to their quiet lives. But it seems like the wayMarsha’s eyes are fixed on mine, I still have some chaos I must contend with.
“Why didn’t she tell me?” she finally asks, falling onto the old loveseat next to Sprout, who wastes no time snuggling his head onto her lap.
“She wanted to,” I admit. “It has not been an easy task to figure out the timing.”
“Did she think I wouldn’t accept her? I bought her a rainbow flag when she was twelve for God’s sake…”
“And shared it online for everyone to see.” I can understand my flame’s hesitation to share any personal details of her life and identity with her mother. The things we have experienced are fantastical in the mortal realm, and their relationship, though healing, still has moments of strain. Marsha has done well to accept the changes Heather has made since coming to these woods, but it has not come without effort.
It is hard to share secrets when you are still closing wounds from the past.
“That’s—okay, yes. That was pretty bad—reallybad.” She frowns, sinking into herself. “There are so many things I wish I could do over.”
“What I’m trying to say is… all of this, I accept it,” Marsha says with not a flicker of doubt in her eyes. “Just tell me what your crest and colors are, and I’ll be the first to cross-stitch them onto a set of linens for your eyes only. I just want her back.”
“As do I.” I nod. “I can answer any of your basic questions but, as you may have gathered, I do not recall much of my life before coming to the mortal realm.”
“Really?” she says, leaning back as the pieces click into place. “I figured you dodging all my questions meant you were in the witness protection program or just didn’t like me…”
“The truth is unfortunately more complicated.”
“Mothman, huh?” Marsha appraises me.
“Your daughter gave me my name—Moth—unrelated to that title.”
“I just thought it was short for something…”
“What could it possibly be short for?” I ask, momentarily ceasing my pacing to pivot toward her.
“Timothy?”
“Ti-moth-y?” Unexpected laughter quakes from my chest. Sleep will not come easily tonight, but it is needed. Especially if I am to continue to converse with my mother-in-law—as entertaining as this exchange might be.
