Relinquish(102)

My mouth gapes open as I take a step back. I swiftly appraise her again, searching for any sign of myself in her. Her nose is similar to mine and her lips are full, boasting a tiny dip in the middle that is identical to my own. I press my hand to my stomach as I realize our eyes are the exact same shade of violet.

“Mother?” I whisper, needing to hear the word spoken aloud. “How did Kyan find you?”

“Sariana actually found me. She has a way of knowing exactly what needs to be done.” Her smile is pure radiance as I stare at her, too numb to know exactly what I’m feeling. She looks expectantly at me and I realize how awkward this must be for her too.

“I, uh…” I smooth my hair, needing something to do with my free hand, “I don’t even know your name.”

“It’s Laeydria. Most people just call me Dria.”

“Dria.” I roll her name over my tongue several times before I smile. “I think I prefer Laeydria.”

She grins and I watch as her skirts sway from side to side, brushing along her calves. “So do I.”

“And my father? Is he alive?”

“Oh, yes.” She shuffles forward a few steps. I can tell she is wary of upsetting me, no doubt thinking that I would prefer my space for now. “Locan is here and waiting to meet you. Alesta was only able to sneak me in. You’ll be able to meet him after…” My smiles fades as she trails off. “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t easy for you.”

I snort and wrap my hands about my waist. “There is little that I know about you and I have so many questions. Who am I? Why am I different? Do I have any brothers and sisters?”

Laeydria laughs, holding up her hand. “That’s a lot of questions and I wish I had more time to answer them for you, but I can at least answer the first one.”

I hold my breath as she steps forward and reaches for my hand. Her hands are soft as I allow her to pull my hand into her own. I don’t know what I was expecting when she touched me. A spark? A sense of familiarity?

I feel nothing.

She squeezes my hand as she smiles down at me. I realize even with my heels on she is still a couple of inches taller than me. “You are exactly who you are meant to be. I don’t know why you are special, only that you are. Your father and I are commoners. I’m a Healer and he is a Kinein. He can move matter with his mind.”

“I can too,” I whisper. “Both actually.”

Her smile grows fond. “I hear you have far more talents than that.”

I nod, biting my lip. Is this how all of us will feel when we meet our real parents? Misplaced and yet mingled with an odd sense of longing? I can only hope all of us have parents as Laeydria seems to be.

“I wish that we could have-” her head jerks around as the door opens and Alesta enters. She is a vision in a pale pink dress that shimmers with each step. Her hair flows down her back in silken waves. Her cheeks are nearly the same color as her lovely dress.

“I’m afraid this will have to wait,” she says, looking at me with sympathy. “It’s time.”





I have never been to a wedding before. Where I come from a simple vow is spoken before friends and family to bind you together. My parents spoke their vows when I was six. I don’t know why they waited so long. Everyone in our group knew they were meant for each other, both likeminded and of strong personality. They chose me as their daughter after the invasion, but sometimes I like to think that I helped bind them together.

I can hear the din of murmurs on the other side of the doors leading into the throne room. A thousand or more people wait to catch their first glimpse of me. I feel as if I can’t breathe as I pace back and forth.

Alesta watches silently beside me. From time to time she sends glares at the guards who stand outside the doors and they avert their gaze again.

I’m lost to my own world as I pace. Time seems to slow as my hands begin to tremble. I don’t know if I can do this.

The sound of approaching footsteps grasps my attention and I look up to see Bastien striding toward me. My breath catches at the sight of him in a fine coat of purple and silver. His pants are black and trimmed with silver, trailing down the outsides of both pant legs.

“Wow,” Alesta whispers behind me, blushing as I turn to look at her. “Sorry, but wow.”

I nod in silent agreement. “Can you give us a moment?”

She hesitates, glancing back at the closed doors. “Be quick. Use the side room.”

I grab Bastien by the arm and drag him through the open door. The curtains are drawn across the windows, dimming the sunlight that fights to stream in. I push on the door, my heels slipping on the slick floor.