Page 282 of Kingdoms of Night

Enid opened her mouth to say no, but then realized she’d never tried and probably could. “What is your name, child?”

“Matilda.”

“Hello, Matilda. My name is Enid.”

Matilda stood and bobbed a pretty curtsy. “Hello, Lady Enid.”

Enid inclined her head as Matilda sat back down. “Why did you tell me to watch out?”

“There was a bee.” Matilda pointed to a yellow jacket that had landed on one of the open flower buds. “My mama had the birds and bees talk with me. She said that bees pollinate flowers, and that’s how babies are born.”

Enid was no expert on all of the Goddess’ creatures, but she felt certain that that was not how human children came to be.

“You’re a flower,” the little girl continued. “So if the bee pollinated you, you would get a baby inside you. Then in nine months, the stork bird would deliver it on your doorstep.”

This had to be one of the humans’ fairytales. Enid had read a few when she was younger. But the actions in those ludicrous tales had nothing to do with her kind. And even when they directly mentioned fairies at all, they always got it wrong.

“Isn’t that how you make a baby?”

“No,” Enid said truthfully. “That is not how fairies make babies.”

Matilda’s eyes widened, as though she were waiting for the answer to the question. Enid didn’t think it was her place to correct the child on the ways of human conception. But she saw no reason she couldn’t correct her knowledge of fae reproduction.

“When a girl fairy chooses a male fairy that she would like to make a baby with, she gives him her flower and—”

“Annnnd that’s enough story time with Lady Enid.”

Enid looked up to find the dark-haired Lady Morgan rushing to them. The witch made a come-hither motion to Matilda, who rose reluctantly. But not before bending toward Enid and placing a kiss on her cheek. Charmed, Enid grew a flower in her palm and handed it to the little girl.

“Flower Girl,” sighed Matilda.

“That would be Flower Woman,” Morgan corrected. “Now off you go.”

Enid watched the little girl skip off and around the castle. When she was out of sight, Enid turned back to see Morgan eyeing her curiously.

"Haven't seen you in a bit,” said the witch.

“I’ve been on my honeymoon," Enid said.

“Yeah.” Morgan grinned as she took Matilda’s spot on the ground. “I’m pretty much still on mine. Most days Arthur doesn’t let me out of the bed until he’s had me for breakfast, if you know what I mean.”

Enid found her cheeks heating because she did know what Morgan meant.

"Are you communing with the plants? I heard about fae being able to do this. Tell me, is it through telepathy? Or some other form of communication?”

“Yes, the plants and I were conversing,” Enid admitted, feeling oddly comfortable divesting the information. “I planted a few seeds from my garden. I hope that is all right.”

“Of course it is. As long as none are Audrey Two.” Morgan snorted.

“They haven’t told me their names yet. Most plants don’t have pronounceable names.”

“Is that your flower?” asked Morgan, pointing to her seed which vibrated happily in the ground. “Geraint gave you back your pelt?”

“My flower, and yes, he did.”

“Are there going to be any little flower girls running around the grounds?”

Enid caught the joke but couldn’t bring herself to laugh.

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