A woman stands over a cliff, looking out over the ocean as her long blond hair flows in the wind. She claps her hands as if giving off a prayer as Tisha walks up behind her. The woman turns with a wide grin across her face as Tisha scowls at her.

“So that’s where he got that creepy grin.” She says.

The woman approaches. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen a Ranger. To think you guys are getting involved in this little game. Have things gotten that bad?”

“Things would be easier if we didn’t have people abandon our lands like you did. You’re a traitor to our kind for running off with a human.”

She laughs. “Oh? I chose my happiness over that idiotic Elvan pride. Besides, I get to have my son and a cute daughter because of it, so it was all worth it to me.”

“It was worth it? I know what you did. I figured it out! Does Glyn know? Do you know he’s stressed over the idea of his parentage!?”

She pauses, staring at Tisha. “Concerned for a Half-Elf? That’s strange for an Elf.”

Tisha pouts. “Glyn helped me out and I owe him a little, so I can’t just hate him. He may be a stupid Half-Elf but he’s good and smart and….” Tisha blushes as the woman laughs at her. “I… Why am I saying this?”

The woman laughs and walks ahead, reaching out her arm.

“Let’s start this conversation over. I’m Aoife, Aoife Mattox. But you can call me Mom if you like.”

Tisha’s face goes red. “I… I didn’t….”

“Oh, dear, it’s all over your face and you’re still trying to deny it. Come on, I’ll hear you out.”

Aoife leads Tisha over to a large tree as the pair sit under its shade. The wind blows and Tisha lays back, taking in the breeze as the wind hits her face. She takes a breath and calms her racing heart as she turns over to Aoife.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

“When did you figure it out?”

“What out? You have to say it with your own words?”

“That…. That we’re messed up.” She lowers her head. “We Elves have a long history going back before Humans spread across the mainland. But… all of it’s lost now. We’re clinging to the vestiges of our old pride and discarding the ability to change.”

“Those old idiots are a stubborn sort. I remember having to deal with them when I was around your age.”

“Did you?”

“Yes. My bloodline is cursed. A curse so powerful it went down the bloodline from our ancestors during the crisis over a hundred years ago. It’s a stubborn thing and we’ve been looked down on it for as long as I can remember. So, when the time came to send a youth for a cultural exchange, they chose me as the most expendable in my year.”

“That’s….”

“It’s fine. If it wasn’t for that, I never would’ve met the people I love. It was awkward at first, striking out on my own away from the homeland. But I had help, and I had a reason to. I wanted to be with them no matter what price I had to pay to do it.” She lowers her head. “I regret that Glyn was hurt by my actions. I tried to reassure him as best I could, but I guess there’s only so much I can do for that boy.”

“He is stubborn.” Tisha smiles. “But I think that’s why I…. why I fell for him.”

Aoife smiles. “That’s something he gets from his father.”

“You….”

“Myself, Al, and Ari… hell, even Eli, all of us assure him he’s a member of our family, no matter how out of place he feels at times. If you can put his heart at ease and help him, feel like he belongs, then that’s all I ask for a new daughter.”

Tisha blushes, turning away. “I… I don’t know if my admiration goes that far. I like him, but I don’t think I’ll ever be… we’ll ever….”

“Well… when this is over, I have to go home. I have to live up to Grandfather’s expectations and….”

“Who says?”

“I do!” Tisha stares ahead. “I care for Glyn, and I admire him. But being together is almost impossible. I have to fulfill my duty for the Elven people to survive.”

Aoife smiles. “Whatever you say, dearie. But one day you’ll learn what it means to follow your own heart. I did and I’m happier for it.”

“Not everyone can be so free-spirited. I want to enjoy my time with Glyn longer. I’ll go down the path of revenge to stay at his side. But if he decides to leave, then….”

“That is then, and this is now.” Aoife smiles. “A little saying Ari told me about for when Al is too caught up in worrying about things. Focus on your now and worry about the future later. Maybe that’ll help you clear your head.”

Tisha stands. “Okay. But what should I do for now?”

“For now, show me around this island. I know Glyn’s not going to be the happiest that I came, and that I brought Eli with me. But I want to see this territory that’s supposedly under my son for my own eyes.”

Tisha nods. “Alright. Follow me, then I’ll show you around.”

“And please dear, call me Mom.”

“Stop that!”