Page 13 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part One

“I know. So, you’ll have a whole table of people to protect you from the dragon master.”

“You had me at ‘it will be fun’. I don’t believe that, but it’s something you say when a thing is important to you.”

“You know me so well.”

“I do. Like a mother.”

She giggled and kissed me on the cheek.

“You’re the best. Let’s get back to our early drinker,” I said.

When we arrived in the kitchen and saw Gizella, I turned back to Evie with classic Rita second thoughts. “Maybe you could stay for just one question?”

Evie grinned. “Sure.” She sat down at the table, looked at Gizella, and said, “Bring it on.”

Gizella nodded while trying to hurriedly chew the last bite of Olivia’s incredible biscuits. “Yes, Your Majesty.” Her eyes flicked to Olivia. “Someone,” she called, meaning Olivia, “Fetch me some honey to pair with these biscuits. I like the kind that comes from the Maldives.”

Before I knew what was happening, Evie had stood and moved to Gizella’s side where she removed the half-biscuit in Gizella’s hand, dropped it on the plate and physically pulled my interviewer to her feet.

“Out,” she said. “You’re done.”

Gizella gasped. “But I haven’t asked a single question!”

Evie gave her a mean smile. “Yes. You have. Instead of graciously accepting the hospitality offered, you put demands on the magistrate for your favorite treats. Next time you visit a not-fae household, bring your own if you plan to be so precious.”

“But…”

Evie shoved the portfolio into Gizella’s chest and hurriedly walked her to the front door. I don’t know what the scene of the actual ousting looked like because I’d remained silent, unmoving in my kitchen chair.

I had mixed feelings about that. On the one hand, I loved that my daughter was devoted to me and protective of me. On the other, it didn’t feel good to have my decisions made for me. Had I invited that or was it because Evie had already become used to being the last word? Everywhere. All the time.

When she returned to the kitchen, she said, “Olivia, could you please find Lochlan and ask him to come over?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Olivia said dropping both her eyes and her knees into a curtsy. Some habits just never die.

As she hurried away, drying her hands on her apron, Evie sat down and pulled a teacup forward from the serving tray Liv had set out. “Wow. What a find!” she quipped as she poured.

I didn’t want to start a fight, but I did think it might be necessary to take a moment and draw a boundary. “Um, sweetheart.”

“Yeah?” Her beautiful eyes looked my way as she tasted her first sip of tea.

“You sort of, um, highjacked my interview.”

“What?”

“Well…”

“Didn’t you ask me to stay?”

“I did. But I didn’t ask you to give her the bum’s rush.”

Evie set her cup in its saucer and gazed out the window for a moment before saying, “I did take that decision away from you, didn’t I?”

Flooded with relief at hearing her understanding and agreement, I grabbed her hand. “I love that you protect me so… aggressively.”

“But…”She laughed softly at my characterization. “It wasn’t my choice to make.” I nodded. “Got it. That really was overstepping.” She took another sip of tea. “Maybe I’m getting used to calling all the shots.”

“Everywhere. All the time.”

---