Accidental Surrogate

Chapter 391: Conversations with the Goddess

Cora

My heart is pounding as I follow my mother into the chamber beyond, as Roger

shuts the door behind us. My mother crosses the room with ease almost

seeming to float. And then I blink in surprise as I realize that…she probably is

floating. I mean, she’s here – she’s corporeal – but it’s all a show, isn’t it? She

doesn’t need to walk on her feet if she doesn’t want to.

And something about that idea makes me laugh a little, easing my tension. My

mother turns when she hears the sound of my laugher and smiles at me, at both

of us, before sitting down before a tiny table with a tray of tea on it.

Roger and I cross the short room together, sitting down across from her.

Thoughtfully, Roger pours two cups of tea, which is hot and smells minty and

fresh. Then, hesitating at the sight of the third cup, he raises an eyebrow at

my mother. She laughs a little too, and I’m shocked to hear that her laugh

sounds just like my own – the same rhythm, the same cadence. Something

about that makes me smile.

“Yes, Roger,” she says, nodding towards it. “I can’t drink the tea – but it is nice to

have an offering of it.”

Nodding, Roger pours the cup of tea for the Goddess and slides it across the

table towards her. Then he places a sugar cube in my teacup – knowing I’ll want

it and sits back in his chair, folding his hands in his lap.

“You’ve had a long journey, Cora,” my mother says, looking at me warmly. “In

more ways than one.”

“Yes,” I reply, smiling at the understatement in her words. And then I look down

at my stomach and place my hands on it, shaking my head. “A journey that has

raised…a lot of questions for us.’

“I understand,” she says. “It will bring me a great deal of joy to help you answer

those questions, if I can.”

looking back up at her, wondering if

to tell her that I’m pregnant?

at us. “Your lives are…open to

hearts. I’m very pleased that you have found each other,

grin to hear her use

it before. Then she turns to smile at Roger, “though I’d have preferred

happen sooner. I believe it would

pain.”

to his credit, blushes and looks down. “Cora’s the smart one,”

at me. “You should have sent her

had other things to worry about,” the

everything to your mate.”

deepens, but he looks up at both of us

face, and we both know that

to me then. “You wish

child?”

I breathe, leaning forward, eager. “Do you

child is perfectly healthy, Cora,” my mother says,

“I can hear the heartbeat now. Your

relief. I mean

a wide smile at me and reaches out to

slide my hand into his, palm to

baby a wolf?” I ask, turning back to my mother,

is like you,” my mother says, turning

me, curious.

I bite my lip, glancing at Roger, who is unable to

in my disappointment I realize

a wolf. Not that I

him, for the child’s place in

mother laughs again, snapping

daughter,” she says, smiling and shaking her

here is that…hmm,” she looks

put into words…I do not use them

again as she sorts

word that you would use for it,”

hybrid? Your baby is…both human

looks between us both, confused. “Really?”

in my

me…”

eyes back down again and focuses on my

Cora,” she says, a smile spreading across her face, “your

a human and a wolf, but it is not the

mouth drops open suddenly as I stare at her, trying…trying to

makes her laugh – not in a cruel

delighted way of a mother who watches her child discover a great new

about the world.

what do you mean?” I ask, my voice hardly louder than a whisper in

shock.

human, Cora,” my mother says,

“Your body is human – your father was a