Exton

Mera fusses a little as Keon changes her into a nightgown. The embroidery was beautiful. It takes him a moment to remember where he had seen it before. Alise had gifted Pandora with similar things for Chloe. He wonders if it was something Pandora had given, or something Alise had made especially for Mera. He had been so lost in his own grief, he never noticed what the women had gathered for his child.

Mya keeps up a stream of chattered instructions. Mera watches her intently, eyes shifting back to Keon as if to make sure he was still there. He smiles down at his daughter, half amused that Mya seems to have lost her awe of Lord Blackthorn. When he begins to sing, Mya finds a perch and stills her coaching.

The song is an old lullaby of the Irish hills, something he had heard the country women sing to their own wee ones. The Gaelic rolls from his tongue, lilting softly. There is a sound at the open door and he looks up. Star is laying a handkerchief over Mya's sleeping form. Mera's own eyes are closed, her fist again wrapped in his long hair. He lays her in her cradle, making sure to remove any stray strands of his hair. She is beautiful, sleeping peacefully. He shakes his head, bringing himself back from the deeper recesses of his mind.

He motions to Star and they head back into the main room.

"Would ye have a mirror? I would ask Fea about things Mera would need, an it be best if ye are there when I ask. I promise to cancel the spell as soon as we are done, so Fea can nae open the connection from her side."

A hand mirror is found and Keon props it up on the kitchen table. His hand passes over the surface and he mutters beneath his breath. An image appears in the mirror, colorful fish swimming slowly through brilliant waters. Moments later Mer Cronigh's voice can be heard.

"I hae heard the Abjurred is erased from the Realms. If this be the news ye be bringing, I hae no need o' it!"

"Nae Mer Cronigh. I ken ye wouldst know that ere I could bring news. I needs must ask thine aid." Keon waits patiently as the fish are suddenly replaced by the Sea Crone's image.

"Ach, now why did ye nae say it were ye! Dealg Drubh, ye are ever a call I would answer. Mine aid again? If ye be askin to reverse the spell on yer blood, tis no need lad. Yer blood is yer own, just immune to the toxin's that abound in the water nymph's."

"Ye anticipate me, *Seanmháthair. Twas one of my questions. More hae to do wi' mine bairn."

A smile stretches across the Fae's features. Sharp teeth are bared in a grin. "Ah.... Mera Cassandra Thorn." She nods slowly. "For her, I will answer yer queries for naught. So, ye hae decided yer path?"

Keon sighs. Fea's network is far reaching, she knew things often before they happened. "Actually, I have asked Lady Star and her husband to care for her in fostering." If anything, the Fae seems to smile broader. " Fea, we need to know, is Mera's blood like mine, or Cassie's?"

The Fae settles back as if in a soft chair. "The child is only part nymph so she shares blood more like yer own. Tis nae toxic like her mother's, nor will it be blue. Tis red as her human heritage." A look of concern crosses her face. "Lad, has she been in water? She needs to be in fresh water at least once a day for twenty minutes or so. An make sure her gills are submerged when ye lay her back. They are delicate, an still developing. When she gets a wee bit older, she will want to swim. Let her."

She stares past Keon, looking towards Star, even though the Dark Lord fills her sight.

"An Lady Star need help or information, she needs only fill a bowl with water an drop a pebble in it. I will be on her doorstep before the ripples stop. Hae ye anymore questions?"