Page 25

"Some kids have reactions to the plants we use for the potions," Robin explained.

"That's what the colors are: plant extracts.

Some are fruits, or leaves, or even roots.

We do have multiple options for most of these treatments, but I'll need to do a skin test. It takes about half an hour, and I don't mind staying after class. "

"I'll pass it along," Liam said.

Robin nodded, then pulled a plastic package from her tray, opening it to reveal a completely mundane baby-wipe. With that, she removed the stains from my arms, then tilted it so she could check the skin closely. Finding nothing, she turned back to her cabinets.

"The pink one is to cure any STIs," she said, passing me a small shot-glass sized bottle. "Since you don't seem to have any sensitivities, I'd prefer to give you purple for the birth control. It's longer lasting and has fewer side effects for those who are not sensitive to it."

"What kind of side effects?" I asked. "And will this even work on me?"

"They are fae plants," Robin explained. "Just like aspirin comes from an earth plant, these potions contain chemicals which cause a medicinal effect.

The side effects of the pink - because I'm sure the fae words for these potions won't help you any - are belching, possible vertigo - but that's rare - and you will need to pee a lot tonight. It should be done in about four hours."

"Oh." Ok, that didn't sound so bad.

"The purple can give loose stools, and in some cases cause nausea. If you experience either, drink milk. That will help, and since you can, you won't need me to offer another high-calcium option."

"Got it," I said. "So, I take this now?"

"Now is good," she said.

Popping the top off the pink one, I sniffed it first, smelling something sweet but herbal.

It was like a fruity tea, sorta. Not the same, but that was the closest I could get.

But since it smelled fine, I sucked it back, surprised to find it tasted more like celery and rosemary than anything else I could come up with. Different, but in an ok way.

She passed me the purple, which was a little larger, and took the empty bottle.

While she tossed that out, I smelled the next potion.

This one was weird. It reminded me of cantaloupe and roses, with an underlying scent which was completely out of this world.

Rich, though, like velvet - but also not.

Yet when I tipped the bottle up to drink, it was good. Fruit punch almost, but only if there was liquid silk inside it. Smooth, thick, and rather sweet. I liked it, and Kool-Aid should really make a drink in this flavor.

"Ok," Robin said as she took the bottle from my hand. "You're good to go. Those take about an hour to kick in, and if you have any problems, Liam can always get in touch with me. Milk if your intestines get upset, drink lots of water, and that's it."

"Wait, so no waiting seven days for the medicine to kick in? Like, in an hour I will have working birth control?"

"Yep," she said, grinning at me. "Fae chemistry is an impressive thing, hm? And yes, you are now free to go."

"Nice," I said, hopping down from the table. "Ok, this is much better than the human version."

"Good to know," Liam said, dropping his arm over my shoulders and turning me for the door. "You're good at this, Robin." Jack chattered something towards her as well.

"I'm glad it was easy," she said, cleaning up her supplies .

I walked out feeling this need to laugh. I'd expected a normal gyno exam, and those sucked. This? Oh yeah. I was a fan.

"I definitely like the fae way," I told my dad.

He grinned. "Same. But, since I have you alone, I wanted to remind you about the math tutoring. You're struggling in that class, but with everything else, I didn't want to overwhelm you. Do you think you're ready to start getting some private lessons?"

I wrinkled up my nose. "Dad..." I dragged out the word.

He chuckled. "Rain, you need to keep your grades up. As the Morrigan, you will likely have problems math will help with."

"Ugh," I groaned. "Fine. And yes, I'm as ready as I'll ever get, but I hate math."

"Ok," Liam said as we reached the glass door. Pausing to open it for me, he waited until we were in the hall and heading back towards the atrium. "I'll tell Hawke to set up a time that works for you."

"Hawke?" I asked, looking between Dad and Jack - as if my bird should've known this was coming. "Why didn't you say so! I was thinking it'd be some stuffy teacher who was no fun!"

The look Liam gave me was scathing. "And yet Hawke taught you enough for you to get a C last semester. I think he knows what he's doing, I think you actually learn from him, and he may have mentioned he needs the extra credits himself. This, Rain, is how Silver Oaks works."

I paused at the corner of the atrium, holding my arm up for Jack. "So, I have to have a lesson with Hawke each week?"

"Dad!" Jack grumped, flapping over to land on my bicep and make his way up. "Rain-Dad."

"I know, Jack, but math still sucks," I told him.

Liam laughed at that. "Just go with whatever works for the two of you, but you'll need at least one per week," he said. "So long as your grades improve, I won't push for more. Does that sound fair?"

To answer, I stepped into him and wrapped my arms around Liam's neck. "Thank you, Dad. Thank you, thank you, thank you! For bringing me here, for adopting me, and for being the coolest dad in the entire world!"

Leaning in, he hugged back, and Jack pressed in to make this a group thing. "You are so welcome," Liam said. "And thank you for giving us the family we always wanted. One with a daughter we're so damned proud of."