If the topic was of any less import, Themis would have laughed at the girl's rebuke. She didn't have the heart to tell the child that thinking up a justification after the fact wasn't the same as thinking carefully. Themis could see it in how the child moved, the inherent restlessness in her that felt painfully familiar. Themis, though, had the benefit of time and experience. Themis had learned to master her impulses; she had also learned to control her tongue when it suited her.
She kept her face neutral as the ambiguity in her words caused Charley an unnecessary blow. "I am sorry, but I cannot take you back with me." The injustice of that burned deep."Were it within my power, I would make sure that you, and others like you, had the opportunity to return." It made no difference what Themis felt about Charley's situation, but it felt vital to express her sincerity. It wasn't possible to return Charley to her rightful place in the castle, but that wasn't the only way to educate the girl.
"There is a certificate to allow underage magic for your occupation, yes." Themis let her mind dance through the possibilities, the different mental maps that could lead to something. "It is still essential that you receive proper instruction." The stars were beginning to align in her mind the way they did in the skies. There was a path forward here, if Charley was ready to walk it. "If you wish, I will help you get the instruction you need." While she offered hope, Themis' voice was full of warning. "We can arrange for a safe room of your own, but I will require you to behave respectfully in my home. Can you do that for me, Charley?"
The skeptical, rational part of her brain seemed to be watching from afar. This was ridiculous; the ideas she was considering. She should speak to her son first. While Themis operated her home apart from her son's influence, it was Justin's inheritance. If she was thinking this through at all, she should be asking Samuel. It was almost thrilling to ignore the sensible reservations now lining up in mind. Themis also knew that neither man would be foolish enough to expect her to ignore a girl in need. Not on her life.
She kept her face neutral as the ambiguity in her words caused Charley an unnecessary blow. "I am sorry, but I cannot take you back with me." The injustice of that burned deep."Were it within my power, I would make sure that you, and others like you, had the opportunity to return." It made no difference what Themis felt about Charley's situation, but it felt vital to express her sincerity. It wasn't possible to return Charley to her rightful place in the castle, but that wasn't the only way to educate the girl.
"There is a certificate to allow underage magic for your occupation, yes." Themis let her mind dance through the possibilities, the different mental maps that could lead to something. "It is still essential that you receive proper instruction." The stars were beginning to align in her mind the way they did in the skies. There was a path forward here, if Charley was ready to walk it. "If you wish, I will help you get the instruction you need." While she offered hope, Themis' voice was full of warning. "We can arrange for a safe room of your own, but I will require you to behave respectfully in my home. Can you do that for me, Charley?"
The skeptical, rational part of her brain seemed to be watching from afar. This was ridiculous; the ideas she was considering. She should speak to her son first. While Themis operated her home apart from her son's influence, it was Justin's inheritance. If she was thinking this through at all, she should be asking Samuel. It was almost thrilling to ignore the sensible reservations now lining up in mind. Themis also knew that neither man would be foolish enough to expect her to ignore a girl in need. Not on her life.
![[Image: Bka0H0x.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/Bka0H0x.jpeg)