“It’s more than that,” Arthur began. “She wants to get to know you.”
Faylin gave a huff and stirred the pot. “She’d know me if her mother bothered to come around.”
Faylin was so forward. It was difficult getting used to, until I realized it was a trait that showed up in me.
My mother had kept me away from my grandparents all my life. I was still wondering if she had a good reason to. But at the same time, these people didn’t seem that bad. They’d raised Arthur, after all, and he was wonderful. Something about them had to be good.
I decided to immediately confront the elephant in the room. “My mother said that you’re horrible people. I’m not saying you are, but I want to know her reasoning. Did you have a fight with her years ago?”
Faylin frowned. “It wasn’t so much a fight as it was a brawl, child. We did not approve of Evonna because she did not have Unseelie blood. We wanted Anastazy to marry someone of our own kind, to continue our Unseelie heritage.”
“But she didn’t know that,” I countered. “She never knew our father had Unseelie blood. She thought you hated her.”
Vocheck chewed on his pipe. “To be honest… Evonna wasn’t very fond of us from the beginning. Poor girl lost her parents early in life, you know. I believe she saw Anastazy as her only family, and didn’t want to share him with us. Understandable if not unsettling.”
“Understandable!” Faylin gave a loud noise. “She told Anastazy he would have to abandon his family if he wanted to stay with her, and forget his parents forever. That’s far from a fair partnership.”
“Well…” Vocheck trailed off, and Faylin shook her head.
I could see that happening with my mother. She guarded me like a hawk. Growing up, she didn’t like me talking to other people— hell, she’d even get jealous if I tried to make friends my own age. It was one of the reasons I didn’t have any until I came to Arcanea University, and got some distance from her. It wouldn’t surprise me that she’d try to keep her mate all to herself, and isolate him from anyone that wasn’t her.
My mother was an envious soul. It wasn’t unusual for me to feel more like a possession than a daughter.
“Anastazy never told Evonna of his Unseelie blood because he feared being rejected by her. He pretended to be full-blooded Seelie, to try to appeal to her,” Faylin explained. “Your mother is particularly racist toward the Unseelie, as I’m sure you know. But I said many times over that if she truly loved him, it wouldn’t matter.”
Faylin scoffed. “Old prejudices die hard, I suppose.”
“Whatever happened between you and my mother, I want to put it behind us,” I said as leaned forward. “We can’t change the past, but I do want to get to know you now.”
Faylin’s cheeks warmed. “I suppose it’s all water under the bridge. Though I’m surprised your mother let you come here.”
“She doesn’t know. We’re not speaking, currently.”
The notion pained me to admit, but the distance was necessary right now. She’d try to stop me from seeing my grandparents if she knew the truth, and I couldn’t allow her to get in my way. I had to do this.
“It’s probably for the best,” Faylin said. “Your mother always had a problem with cutting the apron strings.”
“We tried to reach out,” Vocheck said. “Over the years, we sent letters and gifts, especially on your birthday. We wanted to see you, but your mother… well. I’m sure you understand.”
I’d never received anything from them. My mother had probably burned whatever was delivered. The notion hurt. She was so controlling she wouldn’t allow me to have gifts from other people— even if they were my family.
But I didn’t want to upset my grandparents further, so I said, “Yes, thank you. They were wonderful.”
There was something still burning at my throat. “My father’s grave,” I began. “I don’t mean to be rude, but it seemed a little… plain. Almost cold.”
“Yes…” Faylin said slowly. “It is what he wanted. He made a specific request to keep his headstone as simple as possible, before he died. I’m sure you were expecting more, but your father was a quiet man.”
I felt awful. I’d figured my grandparents had given my father a plain headstone because they didn’t care, and they were merely honoring his wishes.
I needed to stop taking what my mother said at face