Love-in-Idleness by Christina Bell Page B

Miles continued. “I see you’ve come head to head with my personal nemesis: free will. We can cast shadows that cause others to follow their true desires, we can confuse them until they are sure that our desires are theirs. In the end, our power is limited by the strength a person’s convictions. If a person truly does not want to submit, they can resist, no matter how hard we try to bend their will. If I didn’t think that Ana wanted to be with you, I would have put a stop to your pursuit of her immediately. If she’s resisting you now, then that’s what she truly wants. I expect you to respect that.”
                  Puck grinned. “Are you having an ethics talk with me, Father?”
                  “Yes, I suppose I am.” It occurred to Miles that he had given Puck a great deal of technical know-how in regard to his abilities, but had spent precious little time guiding him in the matter of responsible usage. It was as if he had given him a powerful sports car and neglected to tell him not to drive it drunk. “I guess ethics have been on my mind quite a bit the last few days. This whole Titania situation is making me tread in territory I never thought I’d even consider.”
                  “She’s completely immune to your influence, isn’t she?” Puck asked.
                         “Titania never once, in our history together, has been susceptible to my powers of suggestion. I stopped trying years ago. She’s her own person. She’s never asked for anything but love, and she’s never sacrificed any of herself to be here. She and Grace have a lot in common. They are both unimpressed by wealth and prestige.” Miles ran his hand through his graying hair as he continued. “It’s different with Grace, though. Eventually, she will know everything and then she’ll be more willing to comply. Maybe. Maybe not. She’s a tough nut to crack. Having strong opinions is a quality that I normally admire, but today, it’s a pain in my ass.”
                         “Why don’t you tell her what’s really happening here? For that matter, why don’t you tell me so that I can help?”
    “Trust me, son,” Miles smiled, “I will tell Grace before I tell you. And still, that will only happen if I am out of choices. She’s a headstrong young woman. If I’m very lucky, she’ll listen to what I have to say, but if I’m not, I risk alienating her. There’s too much at stake to run that risk.”
    “What if she turns out to be like Cam?” Puck asked.
                         “Their children can still inherit the gift.” Miles felt that he had shared more than enough information with his sons for the time being. It would be nice if someone around here did what he asked without asking a bunch of questions.
                         “I have to tell you, she didn’t seem very interested in him. Maybe I should give things a try,” Puck persisted.
                         “Absolutely not. For you to be with Grace would be an abomination.” Miles fixed a hard stare on his son. He hoped to avoid disclosing the relationship between his family and Theo’s, but Puck’s jealousy was forcing his hand. He just needed one more night of total compliance from his boys.
                         Puck returned his father’s stare. “Tell me why,” he said calmly, directly.  
                         “All in good time, Puck. Everyone will get what is determined by fate.” Miles sat back in his chair slowly, leaning his head upon the padded leather headrest. “I need a favor tonight.”
                         Puck grinned. “Of course,” he said, “as soon as you explain this alleged abomination.”
                         While Miles fully appreciated his son’s tenacity, he was too tired to play games. “I want you to go