Reaching Answers (Artemis University #8) - Erin R Flynn Page 0,94

“There is one more thing you are also forgetting. You weren’t born of only a mother. Somewhere out there could still be your father.”

I winced, nodding though, since she was right. “I think I’m out of hope after the bombshells I learned last time. I’m not sure I can open anymore Pandora’s Boxes and have them explode in my face. I’ve had several the past few years, and that’s taken a toll.”

“Yes, and you think no fairy will accept you if your father is indeed a dark fairy.” She chuckled when I couldn’t hide my shock. “Iolas. He still had the telepathy rune on from something you were all doing, and you took off your mental shield when you were exhausted. He caught the thought and came to me in confidence on how to help you since you won’t discuss such matters with him.”

“I know you trust him and I will on certain things because of that, but he was in love with my mother. It’s weird. It’s super weird, Katrina.”

“Yes, it is, but not to fairies. Love to them is… You were raised human, and I in the prude society of witches and warlocks. To fairies, it’s like breathing and without stigmas. It’s so freeing to hear them speak of it. If your mother did love a dark fairy, it would be an epic tale celebrated of a great romance, even forbidden. That’s how fairies are.”

“They believe in rules and fight for justice.”

“Yes, but fairness, not current laws,” she corrected. “Fairies weren’t always separated by their own history.”

“He knows who my father is, doesn’t he?”

“Yes, but he wouldn’t betray your mother’s confidence, even now that she’s gone. He made it clear you were worried over nothing and I agree, even if your theory is correct.” She smirked at me. “You love going against the grain and starting trouble way too much to not believe other fairies aren’t the same, darling. They are. Trust me. That’s how they got the myths of being mischievous. They start trouble.”

“Simply not for trouble’s sake or to hurt the good,” I muttered, bobbing my head. “Thanks, Katrina. Really.”

“You are not only my dear friend, but I believe my path to redemption for all I did not fight or help with earlier before things became this bad.”

I didn’t know what that meant, nor was I going to make her say it, switching on my telepathy instead… Which she was ready for.

Of course she was.

“You will make a wonderous queen unlike any other, darling. You see how you were raised differently as a fault or something to be looked down on, but I see it as your best fucking asset, Tamsin Vale. You have seen, lived, and suffered through what no other fairy queen has before you. You are the one who will unite the realms and bring peace and prosperity to your people like none before have.

“And maybe I can work off my penance with any small help I can give you. I firmly believe that. The gods do not push us around like mice in mazes as we have free will, but throw us lifelines and give us chances to change our fates, make the right choices. So remember that next time you write a letter saying you hate your mother. She could see the future and probably knew you would.”

I nodded, unable to make my voice work. She came over and kissed my hair, muttering for me to get some rest and remember I wasn’t alone before leaving.

I thought about the last part of what she’d said as I ate the rest, ignoring when it got cold. How far in the future could my mother have seen? This far? Did that mean she knew I would succeed or not? That seemed much crazier than glimpses a few months ahead.

Honestly, all of it seemed crazy.

But just to let Katrina play devil’s advocate, I considered her idea that my mother knew I would be here writing a letter that I hated her. She made the decision knowing all I would go through, all I would suffer to be in that exact moment.

Either she was a psychopath who didn’t care or willing to sacrifice her own daughter for all fairies. Fine, I wasn’t dead, but what I’d been through… It had been close.

Several times. Dozens of times really.

And I didn’t think I could do it. I obviously didn’t have a kid, but even with what had happened a few weeks ago with Izzy, I couldn’t sacrifice