As I mentioned in Monday’s blog, I won the Thursday Threads challenge last week. And for once, I know where the snippet belongs–or I will once I find the scene I want to attach it to. Anyway, things are slowly coalescing into an almost cohesive whole. The prompt is: *“I hope I’m wrong.”* For some reason, the Luther Ingram song “(If Loving You is Wrong) I Don’t Want to be Right” is my current earworm. Anyway. There are some hints here about Sade’s past–not a spoiler for anyone familiar with the series and there is some speculation about what may or may not be a plot bunny. 😉

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“Your time at the Summer Court, how much do you remember?”

Tilting her head, Sade stared at Ariel before her brows knit in concentration. “Not sure where you’re going with this.”

“The rumor was that Oberon was your sire.”

Sade snorted. “Like Fae and Humans can procreate.” She blinked when Ariel didn’t immediately respond. “Wait. They actually can?”

“What do you know of changelings?”

“They’re myth. That whole spiel about Magicks stealing a human child and leaving a creature that looks human in their place is just a story. People used that excuse when a child was…different.” She was not thrilled by his expression. “So…we got that wrong too?”

Ariel nodded slowly. “I will admit that we fostered that idea.”

“What else will you admit to? Are you saying that there are half Fae kids running around?”

“Not exactly.”

“Then what exactly.”

Ariel stared into his coffee cup as if trying to read the creamy swirls there. “It’s rare. The magical cost is incredible. But…” He sighed. “It has happened, though not as you described.”

“Explain.” Sade’s voice held the terse edge of an order.

“Changelings are created with magic then the infants are placed into the human world.”

“For what purpose?”

“To open a gate.”

“Why? All of you can use portals.”

“There’s a difference. Gates are direct paths between realms. The royals fear Mab is involved and there is a changeling here.”

Sade gulped. “Are you serious?”

“I hope I’m wrong.”

“If you aren’t, we’re screwed.”
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Hope you enjoyed this peek at things in Rochester. Writers, hope the prompt inspires you to some new words. Readers, do you remember the song refeenced above? If so, you’re welcome for the earworm. If you aren’t, you should go listen to it on YouTube.