“I need some Chamomile, hope you won't mind sharing a cup. It's the only thing that calms my nerves.” She spoke softly, and began to pour the first cup.
“No thank you,” I said, trying to be polite.
“Drink something!” In a flash, her entire demeanor changed, anger marring her flawless beauty.
“Okay, that will be nice,” I said. I didn’t want her anger to emerge again. As the seconds ticked by, it seemed like it took an eternity to fill the small cups with the steaming liquid.
She got up from the table and returned with a round plate filled with bite-sized chocolate chip cookies. Even with all her scurrying around, the ambience of the room didn't change.
“Want a cookie?” She held out the plate towards me. I took one, scared that she might feel offended, as she had been when I declined the tea.
“So, Elena, how do you find things here in Paegeia?” she asked, and settled back into her chair.
“Nothing like I expected.” I spoke honestly. I did not want to upset her again.
“Mmm, I believe that your father was a dragon?” She had changed the subject to one thing I didn't want to talk about.
“Yes” “Did you know your mother?”
I shook my head.
“So you were raised only by him?”I couldn’t tell if she was asking a question or insulting me.
Unsure, I simply nodded.
“I see,” she said in a pretentious tone. “Why did she leave you? Didn't she love you?”
“I don't know why she left. I was very small, and my dad never spoke about her."
“I see. I suppose you must feel guilty for the death of your father then.”
My heart stopped. She had struck a nerve and she knew it. It was the one thing I'd feared the most.
She huffed when I didn't answer her. “I have no time for weakness or self-pity. In my honest opinion, I think Master Longwei is wasting his time with you. In fact he's wasting both of our time.” She gave me a fake smile that made me want to bash her in the head with the stupid crystal ball. "You see, your father was a dragon. Dragon offspring cannot become Dragonians. You might not appreciate my opinion, but believe me when I tell you this─ you will never ascend.” Her cruel words stung in more ways than one. She made me feel as if I didn't belong, and I could feel tears form in my eyes. “You've got something on your mind?”
I was scared, but one thing Herbert Watkins taught me was to stand up for myself when no one would. “I don't agree with some of the things you are saying.”
“Is it not true? Not knowing your mother leaves a big gap right here.” She tapped the area where her heart should've been. “It is going to keep you away from the things you truly want, because you will always be searching for her.”
I sighed. I hated to admit it, but there was some truth in what she said. Not knowing my mother was one of my greatest challenges. Every time I wanted to achieve something greater,I couldn’t help but think about my mother. It caused an inner struggle preventing me from truly reaching my goals in life. I always wondered what she would think or what she would have wanted. “It doesn't matter, my dad raised me well,” I said in defense.
“Fine, whatever. You can leave; I don't feel anything coming from you anyway. Another thing that shows me you are not important.”
My eyes started to sting again. I couldn't cry, not in front of this evil woman. I got up from the stupid pillow and stomped to the door.
“Oh, and another thing, you don't need to come back again. I only spend my time on students that are of value.”
That really ticked me off, I wanted to say something, but the truth was that I had always felt a bit unimportant. So instead, I yanked the door open to make my exit.
“A day will come and a day will go,” she said, startling me. Her voice sounded like ten people speaking in unison. “A choice you will have to make, otherwise, the truth will never be known.” Her eyes were a crystal white color, almost silver. She was still in her human form, and her hair blew wildly around her face as if she was in the path of a strong wind. Just as suddenly, she stopped, and shook her head fast, and cleared her throat as if something was stuck, like the cookie. My heart beat wildly.
When she looked up at me, her eyes were bright blue again. "I thought I told you to leave," she snapped.
Turning, I ran as fast as I could. What the hell just happened?
Chapter Eleven
The Viden's words were imprinted on my mind, and the worst part was that I didn't understand any of it. What choice must I make? What truth would be revealed? I sighed, wondering if she even meant any of it for me. Our conversation, however, made me furious.