Page 103 of Search for the Lost

Sure enough, it said Incoming Call.

He touched the screen with a trembling finger. “Hello?”

His mother’s face appeared onscreen. “Hello, Crispin.” She was her old self again, regal, young, and beautiful. But something was different.

She looked happy. That was it.

Crispin’s breath hitched in his chest. “You’re alive?”

She smiled at him with warmth. “In a manner of speaking. Obie and I are together. It’s… let’s just say it was time to transcend this life. Time for you to be in charge of all the Fae.”

Leo was grinning. “You look great, Cerie! Who did your nails?”

Crispin braced for her anger, but once again she confounded him, her smile growing even broader. “Obie did them for me. Thank you for noticing.”

Crispin stared at her. “What happened to you?”

Cerillia shrugged. “I’m free of the responsibilities of being Queen of the Fae. As you’ll find, being in charge weighs on you. I am happy you’ll have Leopold here to share the burden. The Estate is yours now, my son. I only ask that you let Aspin stay until he finds his way.”

“That won’t be a problem.” Leo crowded in next to him, grinning.

Crispin’s mother frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, you were asleep, Crispy. You didn’t hear.” Leo’s grin widened. “Aspin and Cypher and Dorothy are kind of a thing. They’re going to try to make a go of it in the organic agrarian B and B business!”

Crispin exploded into laughter. It was the most absurd thing he had ever heard. His brother—one of the Red Dukes—was going to run an agritourism business in Kansas with his ex-assistant faun and a woman from one of Leo’s favorite childhood stories? And yet… I hope they’re happy.

“Wait, how long was I out?” Crispin was trying to get his bearings.

“Better part of a week.” Leo kissed Crispin’s forehead. “I’ll leave the two of you alone.” He gave Cerie a little wave before backing away and leaving the room.

“Like mother, like son. You have a good one there, Crispin Eladrin Moss’caladin.” This time, when she said his whole name, he could tell it was because she was proud of him.

Crispin blinked. “Will I see you again?” He felt better, having seen her now. His body was not as sore as it had been, and his headache was almost gone.

His mother nodded. “I’ll be here when you need me. But you won’t need me. Not much. This is your time, Crispin.” She blew him a kiss. “I am so proud of you.”

Crispin’s heart swelled. “I love you, Momma.” For just a second, he was four years old again.

“I love you too.” Then Thea’s screen went dark.

“Nice job, boss.”

“Thanks, Thea.” His stomach rumbled.

“Go find acorns for Mink?” Minkis’s nose twitched imploringly.

“Yeah, I’m hungry too. Leo!”

A few thumps later, the door opened. “All done?”

Crispin nodded. “Any more of those sandwiches?” He looked up hopefully.

“No, but I have something even better.” Leo helped him up and gave him a big kiss on the cheek. “More of that later,” he whispered, “when we have the place to ourselves.”

Crispin blushed. He wasn’t quite ready for that, but he hoped he would be soon. For now he needed to distract himself lest Leo’s promise arouse things better left sleeping, at least while friends were present and his body was an achy mess. “Better than sandwiches?”

Leo nodded. “Mrs. Turtlerump made a special batch of coffee-cake crumpets when she heard we were back.”