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

—

“(

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 us.

Honestly, it never occurred to

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

start to say that words that the priestess taught us as part

silver pool. “We bring to you, tonight, this

light, and in doing so, let you see him and bring him into the spirit of your grace,” Roger continues, his own resonant voice sending shivers down my spine.

upwards through the trees and am treated by the sight of the full moon itself, beaming brilliantly down on

the emotion of the moment. Because she is here, now, with us – ready to meet her grandchild. I can

know that he can’t really see anything – his vision hasn’t developed well enough yet – but he’s certainly curious. I put my hands out for him and this time Roger does hand him to me, letting me take the baby

onto the baby, growing brighter as the moments pass. My heart fills to see Rafe looking up into the sky, to see the light surrounding him as it falls from the moon above and reflects

says softly, reverent. “His parents, Ella and Dominic, have asked us to bring him here to dedicate him to you. We

beautiful moment, introducing the child to the world and to all the magic within it. I open my mouth to say something, to tell Roger that I’m sorry, and that I’m glad I’m here

a quick hand to my

light of the moon, likewise trying to

a little, and watch

it’s not like watching a movie projected into smoke in the air. Instead, it’s…felt as much as it is seen, communicated to our

every line of his

–

he has a crown on his head, and another in his hands, which he slowly lifts to place on the girl’s head as well. She

–

a light–haired boy I don’t

–