Page 139 of Enchanted Heir
An entirely too long week. “Yes.”
Owen thought about it for a moment. “We could look into it. I don’t know that being given just a drop of magic could change anything about your blood. Or if bonding ever does. For that matter, we still don’t even know if you can be given magic at all because of your Iron Will.”
Mother offered, “Maybe it’s time to start asking some questions and find some things out. To know what is and is not an option.”
I sniffed. “I’ve been afraid to even ask. I’ve hated the Enchanted for so long that becoming one seems traitorous.”
My mother took a sip of her tea as we all thought about that. She added, “But we are forgetting one small thing here.”
“What?” I asked, desperate for her every thought and opinion.
“If you are bonded to your prince, what happens if he is the heir to the throne? Will you want to rule beside him?” She smiled. “I distinctly remember your feelings about wearing crowns.”
I looked up at the ceiling. “At the moment, I am more worried about having magic than if we rule, because I know which will come first. I still think I would be an awful queen.. .” I thought back to the conversation Krew and I had after the Harvest Festival. “But at the end of the day, I don’t care if we live here or there, I just know I want to live my life alongside his.” I did not add,however long that may be, but I definitely thought it.
My mother smiled. “I see the way you two are. This is not something you should be beating yourself up with, Jorah. You have found a man you truly love. He just so happens to be a prince. Likewise, he just so happens to be Enchanted.”
“But there are different rules when considering a future with him not even because he is an heir to Wylan, but because he is Enchanted,” I argued.
She shook her head. “No. Don’t make it more complicated than it is. The bonding is to protect the pairing. It always has been. It’s just extremely rare these days for an Enchanted to bond to someone that is not also Enchanted. That’s all. The bonding ceremony at its core is to protect, just as a marriage ceremony is.”
My mouth fell open. “I really thought you’d have more problems with the idea of me having magic.”
She laughed. “My daughter, you were powerful long, long before you went to that castle.”
Owen nudged my elbow again. “If you want to be bonded to Krew, fine. If you don’t, fine. But if there’s one thing I know, it’s that you’re a stubborn ass through and through. Do you really think you’d let the magic, or the crown, change you?”
I gave him a smirk. “I suppose not.”
“But don’t do it for him,” Owen said, “Tohelphim.” He sent me a look that made sure I was thinking along the same lines as he was. “Do it for you. What doyouwant?”
I shrugged. “I just want him. And that’s probably the most selfish decision I’ve ever made. Wylan deserves better. He probably should bond with another Enchanted with power. But as for me? I’m just a fool from the lowest level of the kingdom who, despite all caution and an abundance of determination not to, has fallen in love with a prince.”
“So love him,” my mother urged, a lone tear trailing down her beautiful face. “Love him dangerously and recklessly. Because you never know when it will end. So love him now, without beating yourself up about it. Love him hard... while you can.”
Owen gave me a one-armed hug. “You know how I feel about tears.”
I wiped at my eyes as I looked to my mother. “They terrify him.”
She laughed and wiped at her own. “Sorry, Mr. Raikes. But also not.”
Our long conversation ate up most of the time because after only a short chat further filling Mother in on the blooms of the forest, Krew arrived to walk with us back to the carriage.
I hugged my mother hard at the door. “Will you be okay? With all the information I dumped on you today? Flora knows, by the way, if you need her.”
Her eyes went wide. “About...”
“About father,” I smiled, realizing that had really only been the first half of our conversation.
“I will be fine,” she said as she hugged me again. “More worried about you than anything, but I will be fine.”
I went to move toward Krew but she pulled me back. “Your father would be so proud of the woman you are today, Jorah. And above all, he would cherish your happiness. It’s okay to be happy. Even while missing him.”
“Thanks.”
She hugged both Owen and Krew, surprising them both, and we were out the door.
“Are you all right, love?” Krew asked with a hand on my back.
