“She is about to celebrate her seventeenth winter, my dear,” said King Dante in a low voice. But anyone could tell that there was a little edge to it.
“I know,” answered Queen Thora, as she put a pearl earring in one ear. She was seated in front of her new Venetian mirror, a gift from her husband.
“Do you think there is something wrong with her?”
The queen turned around sharply and looked at her husband.
“There is nothing wrong with Soraya. She is perfect.”
“You are a mother. Of course, that is what you will say. But haven’t you been manifesting your powers long before her age?”
“Yes, but I lived with other witches. I was able to practice freely. She does not even know who she is, not really.”
“But wouldn’t there be natural signs? Shouldn’t she at least start manifesting some by a
