Accidental Surrogate

Cora

I’m a little out of breath when I finally catch up with Roger and Rafe, having had to work hard to keep up with his long wolf stride.

“Rude,” I say when I finally come to a stop next to them. “You couldn’t have waited for me?”

“I’m being rude?” Roger says, raising his eyebrows at me in disbelief. “Cora, you’ve been nothing but unpleasant since the moment we stepped into the forest –”

–

I open my mouth with a little squeak of protest but Roger just rolls his eyes and ignores me, going on anyway. “This is supposed to be a sacred experience for Rafe and for us and you’ve done nothing but moan and complain. So yeah, forgive me if I wanted to get away for a moment and concentrate on the magic of this place

“Oh whatever,” I mumble, reaching out my arms so that he can hand me the baby.

“No

from you

way,” Roger retorts, holding the baby closer to his chest and turning a little away from me. “You don’t get to hold the baby now that we’re at the pool

“Yes I do!” I cry, “the priestess gave him to me!”

“I’m his godparent just as much as you are

—

“(

the pool, and Roger and I turn to it, surprised, both of our mouths falling open. I don’t know how I know it but…well, somehow, I get the sense that the pool – or whatever magic is in it – is irritated with

Honestly, it never occurred to me that my behavior with Roger right now was

murmurs his own apology, coming closer to the edge. We look at each other, then, united anew at being…well, a little freaked out, suddenly. We’re both very aware that there’s magic in the world, but sometimes when you’re confronted

to him, and start to say that words that

silver pool. “We bring

your light, and in doing so, let you see him and bring him into the spirit of your grace,” Roger continues, his own

am treated by the sight of the full moon itself, beaming brilliantly down on us

increasing and my stomach twisting with the emotion of the moment. Because she is

time Roger does hand him to me, letting me

Rafe looking up into the sky, to see the light surrounding him as it falls from the moon above and reflects upwards from the mirrored

parents, Ella and Dominic, have asked us to bring him here to dedicate

the baby, and at Roger, and at the moonlight. It’s a beautiful moment, introducing the child to the world and to all the magic within it. I open my mouth to

afraid, but Roger brings a quick hand to my waist,

of the moon, likewise trying to make it out. “If you do, we won’t be able to

the baby out, my arms trembling a little, and watch the story form in the air.

totally visual. Like, it’s not like watching a movie projected into smoke in the air. Instead, it’s…felt as much as it is

in every line of his limbs as he pushes himself to do what is right. We’re passed that quite quickly, though, and I

–

the girl’s head as well. She smiles up at him with such love in her eyes and then the door to the room bursts open, his

–

more of their children – and a light–haired boy I don’t know, just about Rafe’s age-

–