“This was your mother’s. She wrote in it while she lived here. I found it hidden in the library when I returned just a few years ago,” he said, sitting it on the table in front of me.
Hesitating, I stared at it before picking it up and flipping it open. A sketch fell from it onto the table. A gasp escaped me as a shaky hand flew to my mouth. I tilted my head to get a closer look, but there was no mistaking my mother’s face, much younger than I had ever seen her. I swallowed hard against the alarm rising in my throat and opened the book to the first page, releasing a choked sob as soon as I recognized my mother’s neat handwriting.
I snapped it closed, resting my hand on top while my other clutched at my chest, willing my heart to calm before it exploded in my chest.
“How is this possible? She has never said anything even vaguely about this. My father… Evander, he would not keep this from me.” I stilled as it dawned on me. “He doesn’t know… Does he?”
“No, he does not,” he said. “For your mother’s safety, she had to flee Ravaryn and hide the pregnancy until she married another… Otherwise, Adrastus would have found her and killed you both.”
My heart stopped.Adrastus. Rogue. He cannot know. He would kill me before I ever made it back to Auryna.
“Why? Why would you tell me this?” I stood, backing away from the table. My eyes darted around the room, everywhere except to Alden’s face.
My breaths were coming fast, too fast, but not bringing air.
“Ara, please try to remain calm. No one can know what I have revealed to you… I needed to tell you. You deserved to know who you are.” I looked into his eyes and they were pleading, his hand outstretched to me. I took another step back, shaking my head, and he flinched. “I helped your mother and I can help you too. Tell me what you need and I will do my best.”
What do I need?
I needed clarification. An explanation. Anything to make it make sense.
“Can you send a letter to my mother?”
“Yes, we can do that,” he replied quickly, turning and rushing to his office. He returned with a small piece of paper, ink, and a quill. “Come with me.”
I followed him to a private corner by a fireplace, already lit.
“Write what you must.”
How do I even begin?
I stared at the paper for a moment before scribbling down everything that came to mind, dumping every possible question. I needed answers. For everything. She had lied to me for twenty-six years and I needed to hear confirmation from her.
Mother,
It is me. I’m well, do not worry about that. However, I just learned of something and I need to hear it from you. I’m not sure where to begin or how to say this, so I’ll just say it.
Am I Evander’s daughter? Or am I Vaelor’s?
And if not Evander’s, how could you hide this from me? I understand hiding it from the world, but from me? Do I not deserve to know who my father is? Who I am? What I am?
How did you hide the Fae blood? Why do I appear entirely human?
Please, explain everything… For once, tell me the truth. I need to know everything. Ideserveto know everything.
I will anxiously be awaiting your reply.
-Ara
By the time I finished, tears had dripped from my cheeks onto the page, freckling it with wet spots. I blew on it to dry the ink before folding it and handing it to Alden.
“How do we get it to her?”
“I will send it through the flames. Once it burns completely, it will appear wherever your mother feels safest, and no one will be able to see it until after she finds it.”
He tossed the note into the flames, whispering something under his breath. The paper burned and disappeared in a plume of smoke.
“It is done. Now we just wait for her response.”