Page 157 of Mistaken Magic

"Mylast name isn't leFae,"Imumbled.

"Itis now," she told me. "MorganleFae,JoanleFae, and nowRainleFae.Itis your title, no different thanKingorQueen."AndthenMs.Rhodesbowed her head to me respectfully. "Andit's my great honor to see anotherMorriganin my lifetime.Youdon't realize it yet, but you might just be the hero the fae have been waiting for.Ahuman warrior, chosen by wildlings, to stand before the strongest fae magic.You,Rain, are the balance of fae society."

"Youbelong here,"Liamsaid. "Iknew you did.Aspenfelt it too.That'swhy she demanded you..."Hisvoice trailed off as he quickly looked atMs.Rhodes. "Ivy,I'mgoing to adopt her.Ifshe's mine, then not even the state can take her from us."

"Idon't have the power to alter state records," she told him. "I'msorry,Liam.Isimply can't conjure that much, that far away."

"No, but someone can," he told her. "Someonewho owes me a debt, butIwon't ask without your permission.Iknow this puts us into a very grey area..."

"Doesshe know?"Ms.Rhodesasked.

"Shedoesn't,"Liamsaid. "BrackenandIalready discussed this, and we were going to wait for summer to see if she'd be interested in us as parents, but this?Ithink we need to protectRainso she can protect us."

"Fromwhat?"Iasked. "Don'tget me wrong,Ilike the idea, but..."Ijust gestured before me in confusion. "What'sgoing on?"

Liammoved closer to squat beside me. "Youwant to be here, right?"

"Morethan you can imagine,"Itold him.

"BrackenandIwant to be dads.We'vediscussed it a few times over the last month, but when you came over onSaturday, he told me he was sure.Ihave been for a while."Hepaused and swallowed. "Rain, we want to be your dads.Wewant to give you the home you deserve, and that means you'll be a part of fae society.Oneof those many adopted human kids who belongs here.This?Itjust proves how right we are.Ifyou agree,Ican make it happen.Itwon't be fast, but..."Hiseyes searched mine. "Iwant a family.Youwant a family.Brackenwants a family.Nowthat you're theMorrigan, this will let us help you.Toprotect you!Sayyes?"

Iwas already nodding. "Yes!"Igasped, throwing my arms around him. "Areyou sure,Liam?"

"Morethan you can imagine,Rain," he promised. "Nomore bouncing.Nomore getting lost.Nomore being alone.Thisis where you belong."

"Butdon't change my name toSparks!"Ibegged.

"LeFae," he told me. "LorraineleFae.Ithas a damned good ring to it."

Epilogue

KEIR

Ididn't get to talk toRainagain after the incident, soIsent her a text.Ittook a while, but she eventually let me know she wasn't getting expelled.Whichmade me relax, because if they kicked her out for that, screw this place.Screwmy plans to follow inBracken'sfootsteps.Screwallof this bullshit.

Thenext morning, an entire line of cars showed up to pick up students.Someof them were clearly going home for the winter holidays.Thosekids had a suitcase at most.Thenthere were the ones with trunks and boxes full of their things.IsawHarperdown there, along with two guys my age, one older girl, and a girlIthought had just started here this year.

Standingin the study hall,Iwasn't the only one watching - or talking about it.Theother guys were shocked that so many people had been expelled.Questionswere asked - many mimicked my own thoughts - but there just weren't any answers.Ihad a feelingIknew where to find those, though.

Anhour later,Iwas heading across the grass and into the gym.Thesteady clacking of a practice stick on wood provedI'dbeen right.Likeme,Brackenalways thought best when his body was in motion.WhenIturned the corner and found himstanding before the training dummyRainusually used,Iwasn't surprised at all.

"Sameidea?"Iasked, moving to get a pair of my own sticks.

"I'mgoing to be a dad," he said, pausing his routine to look back with a smile.

Thatmade me stop in my tracks. "Uh...DoIwant to know?"

Brackenlaughed and waved me down. "Yes, you actually do.LiamandIhave talked for a while about adopting.Wenever wanted a baby.Ourlives just wouldn't make that possible.Notwith our work here.Hewanted an older child from the foster system, and - "

"Rain,"Irealized.

Brackennodded. "Yeah.Ijust thought you should know."

"So,IsupposeIshouldn't tell you about kissing her?"Iteased, grabbing my sticks before heading around to the spot beside him.

"Shealready told me," he promised. "AndaboutAspen.Well, she toldLiam, butIwas there."Theman looked down at the floor and smiled. "I'mgoing to be a dad."

"Ihave a feeling it'll be a while before she calls you that,"Ipointed out. "ButI'mdying to know how much trouble she's in."

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