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“I won’t tell,” Farley said. On his way out, he walked to Carol and kissed her cheek. “Don’t harass my girlfriend. Selene gets mean when someone mistreats her.”

Carol laid a finger beside her nose. “Witch’s honor—I promise to be on my best behavior with her.”

Farley turned to smile at me as if he had solved all my problems by getting The Baba Yaga to make that promise. Goddess, the man was so naïve about his so-called auntie. Not that I would ever try to convince him otherwise. We all needed our illusions, and Farley had lost enough of his when Hildy died.

11

Carol and I waited until the front door closed behind Farley before speaking again. The Baba Yaga went first—no surprise there. “What in the seven hells was that centaur shit about?”

I blew out a breath. “Since I’m dealing with both literal and metaphorical centaur shit every day lately, you’re going to have to be more specific about what you’re referring to.”

Carol blinked at my flat, belligerent tone. “I was talking about Farley’s change of clothes, Selene. What kind of magic changes a person’s clothes at will? He doesn’t possess that sort of magic. And whatever it is, better not to try to change mine. I have specific tastes and an image to uphold.”

I lifted both arms in the air and looked around. “It’s the magic of this place, Carol. Jezel likes to play dress-up with me and Farley, which she does every time the doorbell chimes or she gets a wild hair. Yet I have no idea why the inn changed Farly just now, simply because I asked him to see Peace and Robin. Maybe Jezel finds his boyishness charming, and she can’t resist him any better than I can.”

Carol ran a hand through her hair. “This is beyond what I can take in. Let’s say the inn works in mysterious ways. Now, what was up with your caution about not hurting Prince Robin for? Did Farley hurt him?”

“No, I would never have allowed that to happen. The curse on Robin turns him into an irresistible centaur and makes all males hate him. I had to stop Farley from mauling him that first day, but he’s gotten that reaction totally under control now. His father works miracles with those triplets of his.”

Carol found a seat at the counter and dropped into it. “This is too much. Can I please have some tea?”

I laughed at her exasperation. It was a rare occurrence for The Baba Yaga to admit to being exhausted with her life, but in reality, everybody had their coping limits. Even magicals could only take so much. Right? Maybe I wasn’t a weenie witch after all.

“Let me get a fresh pot to make you some tea.” I ducked into the pantry and grabbed an unused teapot from a shelf holding an assortment of them.

“You don’t have to treat me like a guest, Selene. You can serve me from your regular pot.”

I chuckled. “No, I can’t. I’ve been using it to brew a special kind for the fairy queen’s spy. The iron might not bother you, but let’s not take any chances. I want you to be at full power in case Lady Meagan shows up while you’re here.”

Carol chuckled as I loaded my iron-pot tea on a tray to take upstairs. She chuckled louder when I added an assortment of cookies and cheese to it. Gertruda the Barracuda liked her evening snack. Indulging her helped my cause, so I was happy to oblige.

“The iron is giving the spy a low-grade headache, but I see no reason to starve her.”

“Are you trying to prevent the spy from being around the royals?”

“Yes, I am doing it on purpose. She came here specifically to harass Peace, and I’m not going to let her. Peace and Robin are talking, flirting, and enjoying each other’s company for the first time in centuries. Whatever happens between them here at the inn is their business, not the fairy queen’s. Gertruda the Barracuda alluded to the fact that the queen has given up on seeing Robin as a proper suitor for her daughter.”

I waved a hand and sent the tray upstairs. I raised my wand and held a finger to my lips to keep Carol silent. I poured tea from the new pot into a cup in front of Carol. She gave me a thumbs up.

“Gertruda?” I called.

A muffled voice came through the walls. “Yes, Selene?”

I winked at Carol as I talked. “I’m in the middle of some innkeeper duties, so I magically delivered your evening tea. Will you need anything else for an hour or two?”

“No, I’m fine. Thank you for sending more of that wonderful cheese. It is quite delicious. Is it local?”

“Yes, there’s a store in Assjacket where they sell local produce and dairy. Would you like me to procure some for you to take home?”

“That would be delightful.”

“Consider it done, then. I will add the cost to your room charges. We can settle up later.”

“Thank you, Selene.”

“My pleasure,” I said, before shutting off communication.

Carol grinned at me over her teacup. “So, back to my yet-to-be answered question.”