#Chapter 225 – The Falls

“Come on,” Victor urges, giving my rear an encouraging little pat. I grimace, suddenly anxious. It was so nice in this little cottage for a moment. Couldn’t we stay here a little longer, just being together? But as if in answer, the last little magic mote floats out of the house. No, it calls to me. Time to go. I sigh, nodding, and stand up. Victor follows suit, putting his arm around me and pulling me close, letting me know he understands. “It’s okay, mama,” Ian says, smiling up at me. “We’ll stay here. We’ll be safe.” “Oh,” I say, looking up at Victor and then back down at the boys. “I don’t know – I think we should all go –“ But even as I say it, I know it’s wrong. The forest wants us. This is about Victor and me, after all. The ceremony that Victor and I started. We have to finish it, and apparently we have to do it alone. “It’s okay, mom!” Alvin says, nodding encouragingly at me. “Look, the cottage wants us to stay! It put out new food, just for Ian and me!” “No baby,” I