“I know,” Quin replied. “And they’re not in our auras. They appeared with our bonded lights. We can see them.”
“Really?” Caitrin asked, moving in for a closer look.
“Yes,” Quin answered. “We hoped one of you could explain them.”
Caitrin looked at Serafin, who shrugged and shook his head, so the subject was brushed aside as Caitrin continued pacing. “What are your thoughts, Serafin?”
Serafin ran a hand down his face then mumbled into his palm. “I don't know, Caitrin. This is… this is so many things. I don't know where to begin.” He pulled his hand away from his mouth, but only to move it back to his forehead. “I don't understand how this happened. It should be impossible. Of all the unbelievable things that occur in the magical world, this is something no one ever thought they’d see.” He dropped his hand and looked over, watching the back of Layla’s head with glistening emerald eyes. “Sweet Layla, we must beg your forgiveness. We're so happy for you. I know we're not properly expressing it, but we're… overwhelmed.”
Layla pulled her face from Quin’s neck and found her grandpa’s stare. “I understand the feeling.”
Caitrin's gaze snapped to Quin. “Did you perform an anti-fertility ritual?”
A collective gasp echoed through the room. Then everyone held their breath as they watched Quin. Everyone save for Morrigan that is, who held her breath, but kept her face buried in Layla's hair.
“Yes,” Quin answered, and when they didn't exhale, he expounded. “I swear, there's absolutely no way she's pregnant.”
Layla returned her scarlet face to his neck and quietly giggled, and everyone breathed.
Quin laughed at them then touched his lips to Layla's cheek. “You just saved everyone from suffocation, my love. What was that giggle about?”
She stayed hidden as she answered. “That was the second time you've had to swear I’m not pregnant, and I think you used the same words and everything. It's not really funny, though. I don't know why I laughed. It just felt like a moment that needed a laugh.”
He smiled and played with the tips of her hair. “You're very intuitive, angel, because the moment did need a laugh.” He dropped her curl and looked up. “We understand the situation is fragile, and we're well aware of the difficulties we face, but there's no point in standing around uptight about it. That's not going to help anyone. So get yourselves something to drink and find comfortable seats. Then we’ll figure out what to do next. Layla and I are worried, but we're happy, and we’d prefer it if our union didn't have rainclouds constantly hanging over it.”
“You're right,” Cordelia agreed. “This is a blessed union .”
“Yes,” Kemble added, giving Quin’s shoulder another squeeze. “Now we must keep you safe so you can enjoy it.”
“It's my number one priority,” Quin assured.
Kemble cleared his throat and pulled his hand away. “Of course it is.”
Layla left Quin’s neck and looked at Daleen. Then she tried to look at Morrigan, but everywhere her head went, Morrigan went. Layla finally tilted her head all the way back, forcing Morrigan to leave it. Then she flipped her gaze between her grandmas, the only two in the room who hadn't spoken. “Are you two okay?”
Daleen reached out with a shaky hand and touched Layla's cheek. “We're so happy for you and Quin, darling, but we're also worried. I'm sorry we aren't able to express how happy we are, but you must know we understand how beautiful and special this is.”
Morrigan ran a hand down Layla's hair as her lips quivered. “We can see how happy you are. Now we just need make sure you stay that way.” She was obviously fighting an emotional breakdown – tears sparkling in her peach eyes like morning dew.
Layla watched her for several seconds then reached out with both hands, taking one of Morrigan’s and one of Daleen’s. “I understand why this is hard for you, but the situation is different. I'm different.” She paused and looked down, staring at their delicate fingers as she swallowed a lump. “Please don't look at me and picture my ill mother. It makes me sad to think that's what you see when you look at me.”
Every heart in the room constricted under the weight of her blunt honesty, and Morrigan's mouth dropped open. “It's not like that, sweetie. Of course we see you.”
“I know you do,” Layla assured, “but you also see her. I can tell by your faces, your auras and your touch. I'm sure if I were looking at me through your eyes, I’d see the same thing, but I'm asking you to try to stop, because it's not doing anyone any good. It just makes things harder, and it makes everyone sad. She wouldn't let you get away with it if she were here.”