Dreamwalker's Bride - Chapter 325

Chapter 325: Civilized discussion
“Pardon?” Seth’s question was directed at Mia, but his eyes were on Ford.

The younger man met his stare with one of his own, determined to not back down this time. If Mia was ready to confront her father, Ford would support that. He stacked his latest creation on the small pile, ignoring the blisters.

“I can’t sleep, Papa, at least, not well,” Mia insisted.

“Did you try counting sheep?” Daniel asked innocently. Ford blinked. He’d forgotten about the others present. This conversation might grow quickly awkward.

“Mia,” Seth’s voice held both a warning and pleading.

“Let the girl speak,” Grandpa said. “We need her to lead us out of this forest, if this forest has an ‘out’.”

“I’m tired. Exhausted, even. I can’t keep up this whole thing indefinitely the way things are going.” Mia complained.

“What can we do to help?” Anaisa asked gently. “We’ll do whatever you need.”

“No we won’t,” Seth snapped, shocking his sister in law.

“Seth! What in the world?” Anaisa chastised him. “Your daughter has worked tirelessly for this entire journey, doing far more than she should! Of course we’ll do everything in our power to help her. How could you even say…”

Her voice trailed off and her eyes narrowed. Ford knew the woman was exceedingly clever, and she seemed to be putting the pieces together about who Seth was glaring at as he made his seemingly outrageous declaration. Ford raised one eyebrow in challenge, bolstered by the redheaded woman’s interest in the matter.

“Clearly I missed something,” Anaisa pursed her lips. “Would anyone care to fill me in on the situation at hand while Daniel fetches more wood?”

“I’ll go with him,” Grandpa said. “I’ve heard it all, and said my piece to Seth.”

“Thank you,” The woman smiled at her father in law. “I appreciate it.”

“Why am I never allowed to hear anything interesting?” Daniel whined.

“Don’t worry, you won’t find this interesting for another few years yet,” Grandpa clapped the boy on the shoulder, and Ford turned his attention back to the circle of four adults.

He held his tongue, but was sure his eyes said most of his thoughts.

Mia stood and strode over to Ford, whose eyes widened. What was she doing?

“I’m sick of wondering,” She announced suddenly, and held out her hand to the young man.

He blinked at it for a moment. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Seth’s posture stiffen, but he didn’t even glance towards the man. Mia was the most important factor here, and taking care of her, but Ford had given his word that he wouldn’t touch her. Unless she touched him first.

“Please,” Mia’s voice was past exhaustion and nearly into desperation. “I need to know.”

Ford opened his mouth to ask what exactly she needed to know. Why holding his hand made things better? Would she be able to figure that out now?

Apparently she lost patience, because she knelt down to where he sat on the ground and grabbed hold of his hand.

Closing her eyes, Mia breathed deeply while Ford waited, frozen in place.

“I think I’ve missed a lot,” Anaisa whispered.

When Mia opened her eyes again, her gaze was clearer, the worry lines in her brow relaxed.

“Ah,” She murmured. “Interesting.”

“Mia,” Seth cut in.

“Papa,” She shot back.

“I’m more confused than I should be.” Anaisa cut in. “Seth, why don’t you fill me in on what exactly is going on?”

Ford eyed the woman, who had just effectively distracted Seth from whatever course of action he’d been about to take. It was masterfully done.

“Mia’s gift has been overused of late,” Seth told Anaisa slowly.

“Yes, I did know that,” She nodded. “Tell me about… this development, if you would.”

She gestured towards Ford and Mia’s joined hands, and Seth’s face darkened.

“At some point, these two figured out that… Ford holding Mia’s hand while she slept made her powers refresh more quickly. So he began turning invisible to get away with doing so under our noses, until I forbade it.”

“And your objection to the matter was… that you didn’t want Ford near Mia while she was asleep?” Anaisa guessed innocently. Ford inwardly squirmed under the awkwardness of the question and the scrutiny, but Mia had not let go of his hand, so he did not speak and risk drawing attention to it.

“That’s a concise way of putting it,” Seth’s eyes narrowed.

“And now Mia is utterly exhausted and done obeying that particular mandate.” Anaisa concluded.

“Yes.” Mia confirmed easily, to Ford’s mild surprise. He glanced at her, and she ducked her head.

“I can’t allow it,” Seth frowned. “It’s indecent.”

“I would absolutely agree, if we were home and everything were normal and we all slept in bedrooms like civilized people,” Anaisa tapped her fingers against her chin, “but in a magical forest where we’re all sleeping around a campfire together, and everyone is properly supervised and chaperoned at all times… I’m not quite as steadfast in my opinion.”

“If you had a daughter–” Seth began, but Anaisa held up a hand.

“Mia is the closest I have to a daughter. I’ve loved her since she was little. That’s not to say I’m on equal footing with you as her father, but she’s not a stranger to me,” Anaisa sighed. “She’s worn out, Seth. We must find a way to help her.”

“Not like that,” The man’s face was stormy.

“Well, then, we have to think logically through the problem. Mia, are you feeling refreshed now? Does it have to be in your sleep, or could you hold hands while awake for the same effect?”

Everyone looked at Anaisa, except for Ford, who watched Mia’s face. It was a deep shade of pink, though her expression remained relatively neutral.

“I’m so tired, I’m willing to try whatever Papa thinks is appropriate,” She finally answered, “but it has to be something.”

“And, of course, Ford has to be willing as well,” The redheaded woman turned clear eyes on Ford. “What are your thoughts on the matter?”