“Oh, dear child, yes, I knew. I served your father long before Rogue. I may not look it, but you know I am quite old.” She hesitated. “I knew your mother too. I must admit, I am the one who placed the spell upon her womb.”
“I know. She told me.”
Even as they both confirmed it, I still couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that my mother not only fell in love with a Fae, but she’d lived here. Trusted these people. Made friends and memories.
I don’t know her at all.
“You wrote to her, then?” I nodded and she smiled softly. “Yes, her and Vaelor… They were so in love. I truly believed they would’ve changed this realm together—and mind you, they would have.” She gazed out the window again. “They were dear friends of mine, actually, and it’s been so long since I’ve been able to speak freely of them. You do look so much like your mother.” She glanced back at me. “But those eyes… Those are Vaelor’s.”
My gaze dropped to my feet as my eyes stung with unshed tears.
“Well, come here. Let me have a look at you. That is what I came here for after all.”
I walked to the bedside, sitting as she stood. She closed her eyes as she placed a hand on either side of my face, and a warmth spread through my skin from her palms. We stayed this way for a brief moment before she opened her eyes, glowing softly. They immediately found the wound on my neck, before raising to meet mine. She stepped back, giving me space.
“You seem right as rain.” She laughed. I glared at her. “How do you feel?”
“I feel fine.”
She studied my face.
“Alright then. Although, you know, anger has a way of finding its way out if you hold onto it for too long. Don’t let it fester, child.” She strolled to the door, but paused, turning back to me. “Oh, um— Has anyone explained the purpose of the mate bond to you?”
“Not yet,” I uttered hesitantly.
She released a heavy sigh, pulling out a small bag of tea as she walked back to the bed. She grabbed my hand and placed it on my palm, closing my fingers around it.
“The mate bond chooses your partner based on biological compatibility. It… couples people based on how strong their offspring would be. That is its purpose. It fuels the lust that would create a powerful Fae.”
My eyes bulged, never leaving her face as she spoke.
“This,” she said, squeezing my hand, “is to ensure you don’t produce a child from your mating. It will prevent a pregnancy from happening. While Rogue asked me to give you this, it is entirely your choice.”
“Thank you,” I uttered, mortified but grateful. Overwhelmingly grateful. Blinking rapidly, I turned away from her, placing the mesh bag in a small cup to pour the heated water over it. We sat in silence as it brewed.
I wasn’t entirely surprised that was the purpose of the bond. Looking back, there were so many instances in which it was clear some external force was pulling me towards him, completely out of our control. It made sense, the lust. It was just the bond.
Just the bond.I shook my head to clear my thoughts as the liquid darkened and I looped my fingers through the handle. Bringing it to my lips, I sipped it and turned back to Iaso.
She nodded, reaching a hand out and giving my shoulder a light squeeze. With that, she stood and left without another word.
The gesture reminded me so much of Livvy. My eyes watered at her memory. She had been my only true friend back home.
I desperately hoped she didn’t know of my current situation. She had encouraged me to follow Rogue out and then I never returned. I hoped she thought I went home and just hadn’t had the chance to return. At least I knew my father wouldn’t openly share the news of my kidnapping, so I highly doubted anyone in the village knew anything at all.
Strolling to the chair, I turned it to the window and sat, staring out as the rain fell. Lightning struck the ocean miles away, lighting the stormy darkness for a moment. It was beautiful in a way that sunshine could never be.
I had always felt a connection to the sky, to storms. They seemed to understand me, rain falling when I needed it most, and now I guess I understood why.
Vaelor. My father by blood.
The past few days had been a whirlwind and trying to process everything left me dizzy at the overload of information. Bringing my head down to my hand, I rested my forehead on it, begging it to steady my racing thoughts.
Everything I knew had been a lie. My father. My mother. Rogue, who was also apparently my mate, something I never thought possible. Alden, who was also my grandfather.
And to top it off, it seemed everyone knew except my father and I… Evander, I mean.
When he found out, he would be hurt at first, confused probably, but he loved me. He raised me, played with me, protected me. No matter whose blood I was, I was his daughter all the same.