Chương 30: Where Logic Meets Magic

Rowan went into the bedroom, befuddled and annoyed. What in Gaia's name is going on? Who is that baby? Why do I have fairies in my living room? The questions ran through his head, like horses in a race, and the thunderous throbbing was their hooves. He sat on the bed and put his head in his hands, rubbing his temples, like, somehow that would help. He looked over at the cradle that held his small daughter's remains. Tears began to fall down his cheeks uncontrollably.

It was bad enough that the baby didn't make it, but now my wife has lost her ever-loving mind! I must be having a nightmare… That's it!... A nightmare and none of this is real! The pain emanating from his head was a not-so-gentle reminder that, no, it was real and it wasn't over yet. He wiped his eyes hastily and pulled himself together. He needed to get to the bottom of this and the sooner he got dressed and back to the living room, the sooner he would have answers.

He rifled through the drawer and pulled out a shirt. In his haste to get the shirt on, he put his arm through the hole only to realize it was the neck of the shirt. He ripped the shirt off and threw it on the floor in frustration.

"Can't anything be easy?" he muttered, pulling another shirt out of the drawer, glaring at the offending garment on the floor as if the shirt had been the problem. This time he carefully put it on. He took a deep breath, trying to regain composure, and headed for the door. He slowly walked down the hall, doing his best to maintain a level head.

"Hello, Seraphina, nice to see you again," he said, entering the living room. He headed directly toward her, then placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Rowan Willowsong. And you are?" he asked, turning toward Celestia and extending a hand. Before Celestia could open her mouth to respond, Seraphina chimed in.

"That's Celestia, she works for me. I'm sure you have a ton of questions, Rowan. Please take a seat here beside me, and I will do my best to explain," she said, patting the couch. She looked up at Sheera, who was hovering over her mother's shoulder while she held the now sleeping Thai.

"Damn right, I do," he said curtly, refusing to sit.

"First of all, whose child is that?" Seraphina took a deep breath.

"As far as the world knows, she is your daughter," she began.

"My daughter is…" Rowan interrupted. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Yes, Rowan, I know and please know that my heart is broken for you and Sheera by your devastating loss," she said, reaching out and putting her hand on his. Rowan pulled his hand back as if he had been burned by her touch.

"Please let me finish before rushing to judgment," she said calmly, looking him straight in the eye. She patted the seat next to her again motioning for him to sit. He rolled his eyes before plopping on the sofa next to her.

"Fine, say what you have to say, Seraphina. I will keep my mouth shut and do my best to listen with an open mind," he said, folding his arms.

"This little girl is quite special, and the circumstances are quite unique," Seraphina said.

"She not only needs a family to love and care for her, but she also needs to be with people I can trust to keep her secret. Can I count on you, Rowan?" she asked, looking over at Sheera.

"Seraphina, I understand that every child is special, but that does not explain much, and I cannot give you a blanket assurance until I know exactly what is going on," Rowan said, trying to keep his frustration with all the cryptic explanations in check. Sheera took Thai from her mother and sat down beside her husband.

"Rowan, it's her, she is the child from the ancient prophecy. She is not your typical child; she is so much more," she said, as Thai opened her eyes.

"I have an inexplicable bond with her. She is meant to be with us… we are meant to raise her as our child." Rowan stood up and walked away from his wife, furious.

"Seraphina, I don't know what nonsense you are filling my wife's head with, but this goes beyond cruel!" he said, shooting daggers at the fairy with his eyes.

"Rowan," Sheera said, standing up and moving toward her husband.

"She hasn't filled my head with anything," she said, placing the baby in his arms, not giving him a choice in the matter.

"Look at her, I mean really look at her." Rowan did as she said. She is cute, I'll give her that but she … his thoughts were abruptly cut off. Thai's eyes shimmered brightly. Words Rowan knew were not his own pierced his mind like a hot knife through butter.' Hello, Rowan, very nice to meet you. I know you are having a hard time with this now, but I know this is where I belong.' Startled, he quickly handed the baby back to his wife and moved away. He looked at Thai with horror.

That did not just happen, he told himself, feeling isolated and violated.

"She talked to you, didn't she?" Sheera asked the visibly shaken Rowan. Rowan looked at his wife, dumbfounded.

"It was like someone else's thoughts were in my head." He looked around the room at the other women.

"I don't know what kind of parlor trick you fairies are doing… but it needs to stop," he said, running his hand nervously through his hair. Seraphina and Celestia looked at each other.

"Rowan, we didn't do anything. What did she say to you, that has you so unnerved?" Seraphina asked, her eyebrows knitting together.

"Stop, just stop, all of you! This has gone too far!" he said, as he stormed out of the living room toward the bedroom.

"Take that… take that… thing, with you on your way out, and Seraphina, please don't come back! Ever."