Page 32 of Hoarded By the Dragon

“Kalos didn’t say anything to you?”

“No.” The sensation of being ambushed makes me want to inch away.

The woman rolls her eyes. “Ah, well, he did seem in a bad mood when he got back. I’m Maggie, and I used to be a healer before coming to work here.”

Something starts to boil over in the kitchen, and Maggie whisks to it. I blink as I absorb her pointed ears.

“You’re fae!” I say, forgetting my manners. People don’t usually go around proclaiming what they are. “I’m so sorry!”

Maggie’s laugh is warm. “No problem. You probably haven’t met many of my kind. I am fae, though on this side of the gates that doesn’t mean as much.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, hoping that she’ll answer my questions.

Very few people are open about their origins in our world. Nemo barely spoke about it, and even then, it was pieced out as prizes given after completing a job I’d been leery of. I was willing to get into all sorts of trouble for one of those prizes.

I’d like to think I’m not so eager now… but I’m still the same person, if a little more wise and less shiny.

Maggie’s smile is warm. “When we’re separated from the fae realm, we stop being fueled by it. We age, though slowly, and we’re limited to what fae magic we can do. Those born in this realm are different.”

“But you can still heal?”

“My ability to heal came from a witch in my line, not on my fae side.”

“Oh.” I didn’t know that witches ever went to the fae realm. I know very little about what realms there are. What I do know is limited to anything I could pick up from conversation. Most smugglers and fences know about the fae gates, but my awareness ends there.

“Kalos asked if I wouldn’t mind being the healer to check on you and the baby’s development.” Maggie tilts her head. “Dragons normally don’t gestate like witches do, so I’m surprised he thought to ask me, but I’m happy to use my gift to keep an eye on things.”

“Thank you,” I breathe. “I have no idea on what’s going on in there, so having someone who knows what is normal would be a relief.”

“Of course, dearie.” She wipes her hands on a rag. “Now, let’s try this again.”

She holds her hands out, and I place mine in them. The tingle of power isn’t a surprise this time. Maggie closes her eyes for a moment in concentration before opening them again and squeezing my hands in comfort. “Everything looks good!”

What tension that didn’t ease after Kalos said the baby was healthy loosens now. “Really?”

“Yes, we’ll keep track of how they are growing, but everything that’s needed is there.”

“That’s good,” I say lamely, even as my eyes well.

Maggie squeezes my shoulder in comfort. “You’ve had a busy week. I’ll prepare you a snack so you can settle that growling stomach of yours and take a minute. It won’t be a big snack since dinner is almost ready.”

I open my mouth to say I can make it myself, but she beats me to it.

“Please, let me. It’s been so long since I’ve been able to take care of someone. Kalos and Ben are so self-sufficient. If they didn’t need me to cook for them, they’d be unstoppable.”

I huff a laugh. “If you insist.”

Maggie’s movements are efficient as she prepares the food, and soon I have a platter of salami and cheese in front of me with some grapes on the side.

I furrow my brow.

Maggie answers my unspoken question. “Kalos said that you’ve been nauseous with colder foods, but that with the heat needs of the child being satisfied, that shouldn’t be a concern. I’d like for you to test that if you don’t mind? I want to make sure there isn’t anything he missed.”

My stomach growls again, making my cheeks burn. “I’m hungry enough to try anything. It would be nice to know I can eat ice cream without ending up vomiting.”

I start slowly with nibbling the cured meat before my nerves settle, and I eat it.

Maggie keeps an eye on me as she continues cooking dinner.

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