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Fao shrugged. "Beats me. Some people think it's the decent thing to do, I guess."




Keagan raised an eyebrow. "Got some sort of infestation?" He stood up, stubbing out his cigar in an ashtray on the table. "Dochter, I know you want to believe Fao's a good man--and for the most part, he is--but I know the lad and I know he knows his way around a bed. I'd come more to believin' that he has a child more'n somethin' that don't even exist anymore. Had more'n a few scares with almost bein' a grandpa." He shrugged. "Elle, he's probably got at least one kid out there, you know. This boy livin' with you ain't it, then trust me, there'll be some lass showin' up on your door step with some kid anywhere between one and fifteen. Sad, but true."

Faolan grinned, stroking the little Essentic's head. "Yes . . . to both questions." He couldn't help wondering where Elle was now.




Keagan ushered her out of his home, shutting the door behind them as they stepped down. "I don't mean to upset you, girl, but you gotta know who you married. I believe him when he says it's true and that you're soulmates, but that don't change his past. I just want you prepared if it happens. Which, I guess you are a little, since Fao's got that boy there now." He followed her across the grounds. "I don't for a moment believe that kid is what you or Fao say he is, though. I get why you're sayin' it, but I won't hurt Fao just 'cause he was stupid enough to have a few illegitimate kids."

Faolan shrugged, lifting his hands in surrender. Had she really expected anything less of him on the clothes issue? He sat up when he saw Keagan, though. "Da?"

Keagan started at the giant bug, stone-faced as usual, then looked at Ellandra. "You know you have a giant moth in your vardo?"

Keagan pursed his lips, listening to the creature, then moved it aside calmly to look at his son. "Fao, you have a talking bug in your home. A really big talking bug."

"I can explain that, Da," Faolan said, standing up. "Well, maybe not, but this is Rhian and she belongs to Ellandra. The person that gave Zia to me gave Elle this one to help her out."

Keagan just stood there, one eyebrow raised, then looked at Elle and Rhian. "Alright then." He walked out and headed off across the grounds.

Fao sat back down in his chair and looked at Ellandra. "Why did you bring him here?"

Faolan chuckled a bit, completely amused. "It ain't that he don't believe you, wife. He's just . . . I don't think he was quite prepared for the shock of it." He got up and came to where Elle was, hugging her. "There, love. You're not stupid. Rhian's a bit of a surprise for people that aren't used to her." A pause. "He thinks Zia's my kid? What the hell for?"

Faolan shook his head. "Well, it's not like it's impossible to have a kid Zia's apparent age, but . . ." He sighed. "Maybe it's just easier on the old man. I'm sorry, Elle. I really am." He looked down, ears drooping. "It's not like I ever meant to be like that before I met you, but I didn't know all that time I was just lookin' for you."

Now he felt like crap because Ellandra seemed to think he was some kind of a*****e out there spawning random children, like it was possible a whole hoard of babies would show up on their doorstep at any moment. His hug became a little more stiff before he finally let go and went to sit back down, shooing Rhian gently off his arm to let her deal with Ellandra. He still had the earnings to take care of.

Faolan was quiet a long moment, then got up, extracting himself from the two females. He gave them a look. "There ain't gonna be any kids dropped off. I promise you, Elle, the wean you're carryin' is the only one I have. Da . . . made sure there wouldn't be others. If there are any out there, their mothers will never tell me or anyone else." He headed to the bedroom and shut the door.



Zia hopped up the steps of the vardo and came in with some cotton candy. "Where are you, little bug. I brought you a treat." He took in the scene and frowned. "What did I miss?"