“We are so sorry,” my mother sobbed. “We didn’t want to send you away. We really didn’t.” Her lips grazed my cheek and kissed the stream of tears. “I wanted, we wanted, to go with you. We just couldn’t.”
I shook my head, peeking out from my mother’s shoulder to see my father’s face. He was filled with sadness at seeing my mother cry, but I gripped his hand to pull him closer to us. “You did what you had to do. I was a risk, wasn’t I? To you both, to all those other faes?”
My father’s voice cracked. “Yes, darling, we didn’t know. We had not been enlightened about the Goddess’ new gift, and our leader was fearful of what it might bring. Death? More attention to the clan? Then your mother fell pregnant.” My father rubbed her belly lovingly. “It was the best and scariest day of our lives. I didn’t know I could get her pregnant without completing a bond. And when you were born.” He sighed. “I knew you were meant to be here.”
His face turned to anger. “But then someone in our clan betrayed us.”
“Betrayed?” I sniffed, pulling away.
“There was an autumn fae that begged to travel with us to Earth. We sought peace from the Elysian realm many years ago. Political reasons.” My father cleared his throat. “Anyway, Aedar traveled with us. He was quiet, dutiful, always did what he was asked. He always had his nose buried in a book, and when we went to towns for supplies, he found computers fascinating. We thought it was just pure interest in human technology, but we believe it was far worse.”
“He showed extreme interest in our pairing and even asked us questions about the pregnancy,” Mother said. “He was kind, brought me pillows, even brought a gallon of milk… my favorite thing to drink when I was pregnant with you.”
I smiled.
Kraven’s voice grew cold. “Yes, but then once you were born, and you survived, that was the last we saw of him.”
“You will be happy to know that he’s dead,” Bear interrupted. “He was one of the fae exploiting humans, exploiting Journey, our priestess now. Grim ripped him apart, piece by piece.” Bear growled.
My father nodded. “Good, it was well deserved.”
“That poor woman. She’s come so far.” My mother gripped me closer. “You didn’t… have anything like that happen to you, did you? What happened?”
I gave her a crooked smile. “Doesn’t matter now. I’m here, alive, happy. But no, I wasn’t touched. I was just locked in a cell.”
And had my mind played with for a few years, but I didn’t think I’d dare tell her that. Not now, not ever.
My father’s fists tightened, and he snarled and continued his story. “There were whispers among the faes; we had limited communication since there are so few of us but we heard that Duke Idris was alive through other passing supernaturals. It was almost unbelievable to hear, but we felt the truth of their words in our bones. And he was collecting.”
I tilted my head in confusion.
Bear placed a hand on my shoulder. “Duke Idris was forming an army many years ago when his power was still weak. Collecting fae and witches, promising them more power but draining them of theirs. He doesn’t do that anymore, but it’s what he did.”
What a horrible person.
“He’s become powerful, but he wants to strengthen the army he has. He wants them mindless, listening to his every word, and to do that, having them be part human accomplishes that. Strong bodies but weak minds. He wanted to experiment on you. Learn your genetics, learn how to alter them for future experiments. You were one of the first halflings born. Fae genetics are hard to work with, especially when you are dealing with multiple species of fae.”
“Are there others? Like what I was? Half fae?”
My father pressed his lips into a thin line.
“Yes,” my mother said. “There were. They had to be sent away as well. There aren’t many, and we hope they can remain undetected. Your powers were buried deep inside you, Nadia. You were given a blessing to do so. The only way a halfling powers can be revived is by a witch that knows there are powers there.”
My mother’s hair brushed over her face. I could see sparkles of gold strands in her hair. I wrapped my finger around to play with the long tresses.
“Are you disappointed I’m a bear and not a fae?”
They both looked at each other, smiling, shaking their heads. “Why would we be upset? You have a mate, and you are positively glowing!” My mother gleamed. “Isn’t she glowing, Kraven?” My mother continued to touch my face, my shoulders, my hands.
“Absolutely.” He nodded. “Surprising, since she was kept in a cabin for a week, not sleeping.” He eyed Bear, and a blush spread across my cheeks.
Bear stuck out his chest. “We are mates.” He pointed out. “I will protect her with my life, but she isn’t fragile.”
I snuck a smile at Bear and wrapped my pinky finger around his. “He’s a good bear. He’s saved me several times.”
“But she saved me first.” Bear wrapped his arms around my neck and placed a kiss on my head.
My father studied him and nodded. “Yes, as did my mate.” He winked at my mother, who blushed as hard as I did.
