Page 110 of Power Shift
He poked at the pasta. “What is this?”
“Carbonara. It’s a simple dish. Comfort food for me.”
He tilted his head and studied me. “Are you in need of comfort?”
He was so human sometimes and sootherin moments like this—a king born to rule the natural world and so far removed from humanity, it burned being in his presence. “I’m preparing myself for what you might tell me.”
“Ah. Let’s break bread together first. As father and daughter.”
I brought my plate over and sat down to eat.
For a while, everything was normal. Ish. As normal as things could be when your father was the king of the fae, and you were a magical mutt. We talked about inane things and got to know each other a little more.
Cernunnos hadn’t spent much time on Earth until he figured out who I was.
As far as the reason Mom didn’t realize he was my father, Cernunnos had a hand in that and had basically whammied Cliona. When she got curious about my powers, a clever spell turned her attention to other things.
Cernunnos had known since I was eighteen months that I belonged to him. My heart broke at the reveal, but he said he couldn’t risk Cliona realizing who I was.
By staying away, Cernunnos had saved my life.
“Why did you come to me if that was a possibility?”
He smiled. “Because you are a survivor and would have figured out a way to survive.”
“Like swallowing the world tree?” I asked dryly.
Cernunnos set his plate down.
Here we go…
“Evie, I’m here because I want to make sure you aren’t blindsided by this.”
“That’s a first.”
At his dark look, I waved my fork. “Fine. Sorry. What bomb are you about to drop on me?”
My father drained his wine, set his glass down, and leaned forward, crossing his fingers together. A crown of oak leaves appeared on his head, and moss dripped from his hair.
“You are my only progeny, Evangeline.”
A horrible feeling burned in my stomach, a sense that a train was barreling right toward me and I was too slow to dodge.
“You are a princess of the fae, the second in command of all our people.”
I snorted. “They’ve never been my people.”
“For your own safety,” he agreed. “But things have changed. You hold my power in your veins and that of the world seed.” A grim smile. “Your power now exceeds mine.”
A shocked laugh escaped me. “Impossible.”
But Cernunnos’ eyes were serious, his handsome face grave. “I know you feel it burning through your body. You’re eating more, burning more magic, restless under your skin, aren’t you? Food and sex stave it off for a little while, but you crave more, don’t you, Evangeline?”
I stared at him, sick to my stomach.
“What are you trying to tell me?” I whispered.
A faint smile tugged at his mouth. “I’m tired, daughter.”
