Chapter 62
Lisa’s POV_
The wind was cold on my skin as I stepped outside. The morning sun was climbing slowly above the trees, but its light felt dull and distant. My eyes locked on Kael the moment I saw him.
He was waiting just beyond the garden path near the stone fountain. He stood with his hands in the pockets of his coat. His eyes were scanning the path until they landed on me. A faint smile tugged at his
lips.
I didn’t smile back.
“Why are you here?” I asked, my voice sharp. “What do you want now?”
Kael’s smile faltered, but he didn’t look away. “I have something important to talk to you about.”
I don’t have time for your games, Kael. Make it quick.”
He took a slow step forward but I didn’t move.
“Lisa,” he said gently, “please forgive me. I know I’ve hurt you. More than I ever should have.”
I lifted my hand, cutting him off. “Oh, please. Stop with your sweet act. You expect me to believe this
sudden change of heart? Is that why you came here? To beg for forgiveness after everything you’ve done?”
His jaw tightened. “No. I came because I needed to give you something. Something that belongs to you.”
I stared at him in confusion.
He reached into the inside of his jacket and pulled out a small gold chain. Dangling from it was a delicate
pendant. It was shaped like a teardrop. It was smooth and polished. The metal shimmered softly.
My breath caught.
“What is that?” I asked quietly.
“It’s yours,” he said. “Your mother left it with you. When the warrior brought you to my father, this was around your neck.”
My eyes widened. I took a step forward. My heart was pounding wildly.
“She…….what?”
Kael extended the pendant toward me. “Your adoptive mother forgot to mention it. She was distraught when you came over and questioned her. She asked me to bring this to you. This… this was yours from the beginning.”
I reached out and took the chain from his hand. It was surprisingly warm. My fingers shook as I opened
the locket.
Inside was a tiny photograph. It was faded but still clear. A woman with soft eyes and long brown hair held
a baby in her arms. Her expression was gentle and protective.
My knees nearly gave out.
“It’s her,” I whispered. “It’s Althea.”
Sierra’s voice trembled in my mind. It’s your mother, Lisa. This is real.
Claire
Tears stung my eyes. This was the only thing I had….my only connection to the woman who gave birth to me. My only piece of her..
Kael watched me carefully. “I thought you should have it.”
I clutched the pendant to my chest. “Why are you doing this, Kael? Why now?”
“Because it’s your right,” he said. “And because this is the only thing that remains from your birth mother.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You think giving me this makes up for what you did? For rejecting me? For choosing Roxanne? For letting me believe I was worthless?”
His face darkened. “I never thought you were worthless.”
“You made me feel like I was.”
He stepped closer. “I was wrong. I know that. I’ve known that for a long time now.”
“Then why didn’t you say anything sooner?” I snapped. “Why did you wait until now?”
“Because I was a coward,” he admitted. “I thought I was doing what was right. But I was just scared-of my feelings, of the bond, of what loving you meant.”
I flinched. “Don’t say that.”
“But it’s the truth,” he said. “When I saw you again in Frostbane, it all came back. Everything I tried to bury.”
I looked away. “It’s too late for this.”
“No, it’s not,” he said, stepping even closer. “Lisa, I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. But I still had to
try.”
I didn’t respond. The pendant was still clutched tightly in my hand.
“I know how hard this must be for you,” Kael said softly. “If I had lived my whole life thinking my parents were mine, only to find out I was adopted… I’d feel betrayed too.”
I scoffed. “Don’t pretend you understand.”
“I’m not pretending,” he said. “I just….I’m trying to see the world through your eyes. And maybe they thought they were protecting you by keeping it secret.”
“What a hypocrite,” I muttered. “Now you want to be kind and understanding? Now you want to show
empathy?”
He didn’t answer right away. “I don’t expect you to believe me. Or to care. I just wanted you to have this.”
He motioned to the pendant.
I took a shaky breath. “Thank you… for bringing it. But that doesn’t change anything.”
He nodded slowly. “I know.”
“Is that all?” I asked coldly.
He hesitated. “Just one more thing.”
I turned to leave.
“Wait….please,” he said quickly. “If you ever find it in your heart to forgive me… I’ll be here. Always. If you
ever need help, or answers, or anything, you can come to me.”
His voice broke slightly. “Never forget that, Lisa.”
I didn’t look back.
I walked away.
At the top of the steps, Rylan stood waiting. His face was unreadable.
As I reached him, he nodded toward Kael. “Fred will escort him out.”
Fred stepped out of the shadows and headed toward Kael.
“What did he want?” Rylan asked me.
I opened my hand and showed him the pendant. “My mother gave this to me. She forgot to mention it
when we visited her. She gave it to Kael to pass to me.”
Rylan took the locket and examined it. He opened it slowly.
“That’s her,” I said softly. “That’s Althea.”
He studied the picture. “At least you have something of hers now. A memory. A piece of her.”
I nodded, my chest tight.
Then Rylan frowned. His eyes were still on the locket.
“Maybe…” he said thoughtfully, “maybe we can show this to the seer.”
I blinked. “The seer?”
He nodded. “Now that we have a photo of your mother, she might be able to trace something. A place, a connection, a memory. Something that will help.”
I stared at the pendant again.
“I didn’t think of that,” I whispered. “That’s a great idea.”
Sierra stirred gently. We might finally get some answers.
I closed my hand around the chain.
“Yes,” I said. “Let’s do it.”
