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“I have a problem,” I sighed, sinking onto one of the couches that created an intimate circle around a bunch of bookcases in my mom’s room.
“What?” Mom asked. “Is everything okay?”
“More than okay,” I answered. “I think I’m falling for Erol.”
I’d felt unsure about admitting to it before, but after my mom had encouraged going with what I felt and trusting my heart, I felt more confident about confiding in her and Zita about it.
“Really?” Zita asked with a frown.
I nodded and relayed that he wanted me to dine with him. Alone. I didn’t share the kiss. That was my little secret for now. My stomach still erupted in butterflies when I thought about it, and my cheeks burned brightly.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Mom said. “Get to know him a little better, see if what you feel is only physical attraction or if there’s more.”
“Do you think it could only be physical?” I asked, trying to think back to when we were together. I did feel attracted to him—I wanted to give myself to him, body and soul. When I thought about our magic and how it had twisted together to create something new, I shook my head. It wasn’t just physical; it was so much more.
“I don’t know if this is a good idea,” Zita said, standing from the bed. She walked to the window and looked up at the sky.
“Why not?” I asked.
“Because he’s your captor,” she said simply.
“Not anymore,” I pointed out.
“That doesn’t change the facts. He’s also a Conjurite, and very high up in the food chain. He’s powerful, and I don’t know if you want to tie yourself to that.”
“He won’t be a Conjurite forever,” I argued.
“What if he is, though?” Zita replied. “What if he never decides to turn away from the darkness?”
I bristled. I knew Zita was only trying to look out for me and my mom, but I didn’t like the words that came out of her mouth.
“I don’t think it will be a problem,” I said. “He still has good in him; he still has a spark of light. It’s all he needs to find his way back.”
Zita clenched her jaw. Clearly, she didn’t agree with me.
“Zita has a point, Hazel,” Mom said.
I stared at her, mouth open. She was supposed to have my back.
“Erol did a lot of bad things. We also know that he’s not in control of himself, and you aren’t an ordinary Fae.”
Zita snapped her head to my mom, but she didn’t counter her. They were locked in a staring competition for a moment, but then Mom looked at me again.
“Keep following your heart. It will lead you down the right path. When I met Chilton, I knew it wasn’t what everyone thought was right. He was a human, and I was Fae. Ellie came from that match, and everything turned out exactly how the prophecy had foretold. It was so much bigger than love across species. Your connection with Erol might not be across species, but it’s across magic, and you can figure it out. If it’s meant to be, it will be. Just…be careful, okay? The darkness isn’t a joke, and if it sucks you in…”
I nodded. “I’ll be careful, I promise.”
“You’re still very young, and your first love is as magical as it can be blinding. I trust that you will do the right thing, but you should listen to your heart and your gut.”
Zita seemed happy that my mom had added that and relaxed a little.
Her words made me feel at ease. She was right, and I would trust what I felt. If it had been purely physical, I might have wondered about what Zita had said and taking it as truth, but it wasn’t just about that. It was about our magic and how drawn we were to each other.
I’d burst into the room, excited and gushing about what had happened between me and Erol, and I hadn’t noticed the atmosphere in the room. Now, after I’d gotten it out, I became aware of the intensity.
Mom and Zita had been in deep discussion about something, and I’d interrupted it. I’d noticed, lately, how they exchanged glances, how they touched each other, and how concerned they were for each other’s well-being. I hadn’t thought anything of it before, but now, I started to realize there was more to it than just the bond between Fae and their warriors and guardians.
Something was brewing between Zita and my mom.
