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Aradia was thrilled to take on the role of planner in the interim, the enchantress bubbling over with ideas for themes for the baby’s announcement. She was the only other being in the palace who was aware of our news, only because I wanted her to scout for pre-natal healers—after we had released the announcement.
“Why don’t you let me take a peek and see if it’s a prince or princess?” Aradia complained. “The decorations could be more accommodating if I knew.”
“We don’t want to know until the child is born,” Zephy and I answered in unison, our gazes meeting as we said it.
We had agreed on the matter without hesitation. All that we cared about was having a healthy child. Male or female was irrelevant, nor did it matter to us.
“Well, I did the best I could, given the information available to me,” Aradia complained, staring at us as we finished readying ourselves for the party below.
“I’m sure it’s lovely, Aradia,” Zephy told her. “Thanks for taking the lead on it.”
“I had help,” Aradia told us slyly, wriggling an eyebrow at Zephy. “Shay has proven herself quite resourceful.”
Zephy gasped and whirled around from the mirror, gawking at the enchantress. “Shay? My Shay?” she demanded. “From Anderlane?”
“Is there another Shay?” Aradia asked sweetly.
“She’s still here?” Zephy demanded. “I thought she had returned to Anderlane weeks ago.”
“She did… but I managed to coax her back,” Aradia replied coyly, steepling her hands wickedly. “Her mentor couldn’t offer the same perks as me.”
I stared at them uncomprehendingly. “What’s going on?”
Zephy continued to gape at the enchantress in disbelief. “You stole Shay from another enchantress?” she sputtered. “Is that legal?”
Aradia grunted, and I groaned. “Aradia!”
“Shay is fully grown and completely capable of making her own decisions. It’s not my fault if I offered her a better package as my protégé, is it?”
“What about her boarding house?” Zephy demanded.
“She was happy to sell it to one of the boarders when I made her the offer. Trust me, she is very pleased to be here.”
“And why didn’t she tell me?”
“You’ve been busy, Queen Zephyrine. I’m sure she intended to come and see you… once she was fully ingratiated into the craft.”
“Oh, Aradia,” I grumbled. “Why are you always stirring up drama everywhere you go?”
“I didn’t go anywhere,” Aradia corrected me. “She came to me. And you should be glad I brought her here. I’m not going to live forever, you know, despite how it looks. You’re going to need a fully capable replacement. Queen Zephyrine trusts her. She’s a good fit.”
I glanced at Zephy, who rolled her eyes, smoothing the front of her crimson dress. Perhaps because I was looking for it, I could see the start of a bump at the base of her stomach, my eyes lingering there now.
“Never mind that now,” Zephy sighed. “Let’s get downstairs and greet all of Mystara that you invited for this birth announcement…”
She paused and eyed Aradia. “Did you tell Shay about the baby?” she asked worriedly.
Aradia shook her head. “No. I would never disclose your secrets to anyone. Not even my protégé. That is part of my oath as enchantress.”
She grinned evilly, and Zephy snorted, reaching for my suited arm as I shook my head reprovingly at the enchantress.
“Are you upset with her about Shay?” I murmured as we entered the corridor, our guards falling into steps behind us.
“No… I’m just surprised that Shay hasn’t shown herself since she’s been here. It feels… odd.”
I cast her a sidelong look. “Are you worried about it?”
Zephy shook her head, but it was short and unconvincing, as if she wasn’t sure what worried her anymore. I curled her hand tightly around my bicep, her fingers wrapping over the sleeve of my jacket.
