a door through which you see dark dreams.
―Conrad Aiken
Queen Mab Sprinkling Fairy Dust
My head was spinning after I left Maeve's house. I was on my way back to the university and ruminating on things she said that didn't add up, and actually disturbed me.
I was upset about the portrait of Maeve in a black cloak similar to what she wore in my first 'dream'. I had never been inside her house before nor had I seen that painting.
So, this couldn't be a partly-forgotten memory resurfacing or a mere coincidence. No, this was definitely uncanny and made me wonder if I should rely on Maeve's 'expertise' or consult an exorcist.
The whole business was making me anxious. I had to put it out of my mind and focus on my upcoming lecture—speaking of which, I’d have to deal with Avery again and this time she’d confront me.
What was my plan—to smile and deflect, or run away as I did last time with another lame excuse? No, that was cowardly and unprofessional—it was part of my duty to be available to answer students’ questions no matter how uncomfortable they made me feel.
But Avery would be bold and quite direct and it could get embarrassing. No, I think the wisest course in that eventuality was to have her stay behind after the lecture and address her concerns in private.
It might open other doors and encourage her further, but it would be better than being awkwardly humiliated before all her peers.
The topic of the lecture was the significance of dreams and desires in Romeo and Juliet and I did my best to cover the essentials without waving red flags that Avery might cheekily exploit—or so I thought.
When I paused for questions, hers was the only hand raised. It crossed my mind this was a set-up and I was about to be roasted, but I could see no way out.
“I’ve been puzzled by Queen Mab, “ Avery began, “and her role with regard to dreams and desire. I mean, she’s not just a fairy who tickles people’s noses like Tinker Bell in Peter Pan. She has a dark side too, doesn’t she?”
I was surprised by the sophistication of her question and decided to answer it.
”That’s a very perceptive question, Avery and you’re right—Mab does have a dark side, I mean, just consider these lines:
O’er ladies’ lips, who straight on kisses dream,
Which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues,
Because their breaths with sweetmeats tainted are
Mab certainly doesn’t appear benevolent or harmless does she?”
A strange expression came over Avery’s face and she hesitated a moment before responding.
“No, you’re right, Professor Eaves, Mab’s not just a dream weaver, but wields the power to create desires in men and then seduce them.”
“Are you suggesting Mab has desires of her own and is manipulating dreamers?”
She smiled, a bitter-sweet smile, as if she were speaking from experience.
“I think the text warrants such an interpretation—she seems jealous of the ladies who feel entitled, whose ‘breaths are tainted with sweets’ and their desires are also tainted as well. So, she plagues them by blistering their lips. Have you ever experienced anything like that?”
I was caught totally off-guard and almost instinctively raised my hand to touch my lips recalling how they felt when bruised.
As I stared at her I felt frozen and unable to speak. It was a recap of my ‘dream’ only it was taking place in broad daylight in front of my students.
Thankfully, I was able to recover and respond to her.
“I think your question has more depth than we can cover here—perhaps you can make an appointment to discuss this further during my office hours.”
A faint smile curled her lips. “Actually, I’m signed up for this afternoon—I’m looking forward to pursuing this further.”
I’m sure you are, I mused, but simply smiled blandly and dismissed the class.
I watched her gracefully exit the room, gently swaying as she walked, almost feline in her elegance.
What have I let myself in for? I moaned, feeling helpless and completely out of my depth.
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