EXCOLO

I take comfort in Mab's hug for a moment. I won't cry now, maybe later. We'll laugh and cry together. "It's been a bitch of a week, that's for sure." I whisper to her, then give her up to Fiona.

I go back to my shelves to get the teas, and two thoughts occur to me at once. Firstly; there are a lot of red heads in this room. And secondly; the tension in this room skyrocketed without a single word.

For we all are caught in the middle,
of one long, treacherous riddle!
Can I trust you?
Should you trust me too?

The music dances through my head as I come back to our table with cups and set them in front of my guests. "I'll bring Rose down in a little bit," I say to Mab, she has not met her yet. "she's finishing up her nap. Dana, maybe you would like my strawberry cream tea?" I suggest getting Fiona her rose tea and refreshing mine. "And how have you been, Sweetling?" I ask Fiona, smiling. "I haven't seen you in a while, I've missed you." The urge to ask her to help me in the kitchen is strong, if only to get her from between the two... but everyone is being polite.

And my sword is just in the next room, just in case...