Chapter 258 Queen Reina E
Of all the things I expected to hear when I met my long–lost mother for the first time, it certainly wasn’t,
“You’re toote.”
I stop dead in my tracks, ncing nervously at Cora, Roger and Philippe. We’re barely out of the
transport boats, and my bare feet are sinking into the dense ck sand covering the beach. It slips
between my toes, and I absentmindedly squidge them this way and that, enjoying the sensations while
my brain tries to catch up.
“We’re toote?” I finally repeat as our little party remains frozen at the edge of the waves, wondering if
we might be sent back the way we came.
“You should have been here months ago.” One of the priests announces grimly.
I recognize the man from my dreams, and suddenly my heart stops beating. His face is so familiar, and
yet I doubt I’d be able to pick him out of a lineup. He’s at once entirely unremarkable, yet impossible to
forget. Cora leans into me, sensing my tension if not my malfunctioning heart. “I didn’t even know this
ce existed untilst week!” I say by way of exnation, my voice hoarse and wary. “I would have
come sooner if I knew I was supposed to.”
The three figures exchange dubious nces, and though my wolf refuses to take her attention off the
priests, my other senses arepletely distracted by my investigation of my mother. She smells
familiar, but when I reach towards her with my thoughts, Ie up against a nk wall. She’s shutting
me out. My heart sinks, and a new voice pulls my attention from Reina’s beautiful face.
The second priest – also from my nightmares – grumbles, “Very well then, you’d bettere in.” We
begin to move forward, but Reina stops us with a raised palm. “Just E.” She orders, her voice soft
and yet inarguable. “The rest of you will have to return to your ship.”
“We’re not leaving her.” Cora objects, her hand wrapping tightly around my arm as if she fears they
might attempt to take me by force.
“You’ll have to.” The first priest responds dryly. “This is sacrednd. Only those blessed by the
Goddess are permitted to enter, you risk grave misfortune by setting foot in her temple without
invitation.”
“Then we’ll risk it.” Roger bites back, stepping forward with utter authority. “We stay with E.” Reina
arches one blonde brow as she considers my mate’s brother. After some contemtion, she concedes,
“As you wish.” One graceful palm is outstretched, weing our small group onto the ind. “But no
more, the rest of your crew will have to stay aboard.”
The trio turn their backs and begin marching through the sand towards the temple. I stare at their
retreating forms in shock, trying to wrap my head around this turn of events. They seem both entirely
unsurprised and thoroughly underwhelmed by my arrival. Granted, I wasn’t expecting fanfare or even a
wee banner, but I did assume we’d be received with warmth… especially by my mother.
She barely looked at me.
I feel a tugging at my elbow and realize Cora is trying to pull me forward. Meanwhile I’m standing here
gaping like a fish, too stunned to move. “Come on, honey.” Cora encourages softly, “let’s get you off
your feet.”
Despite our chilly greeting, Queen Reina and the priests turn out to be generous hosts. They usher us
into the temple and set us up in front of a zing fire. A few novice priestesses carry in dishes piled
high with food, as well as kettles full of tea and coffee.
I find myself shrinking next to Cora, increasingly ill–at–ease with every moment that passes. No one
says a word. Reina and the priests seem perfectly content to wait until the servants have delivered
everything and we’re alone… unfortunately for them, I’m not so patient. “Would someone please tell us
what’s going on?”
“You don’t know?” Reina inquires, setting down the steaming teapot in her hands.
“Well I thought I did!” I burst, still gripping Cora’s hand. “I came here to find you and learn about my
past and my powers, but now I’m only confused.” I exin, “You seem to be expecting us, yet you tell
us we’re toote.” I look to Reina now, trying not to show my hurt. “You’re my mother, but you don’t
seem to care that I’m here!”
“That isn’t true.” Reina corrects me gently. “We’re all very happy you’re here, E. We’re just worried.
There’s not much time left.”
“That may be true, but it isn’t my fault.” I counter, crossing my arms over my chest, “You left me
helpless, defenseless, with no possible tools or advantages in life. You didn’t leave me a single hint
about my true identity, so is it any surprise that it took me so long to figure it out?”
“No.” The first priest concedes, bowing his head. “It isn’t.”
“Will you at least tell me your names?” I inquire, feeling far more bold than I did a few minutes ago, “I
keep calling you one and two in my head and it’s confusing.”
“I’m Ss.” The second priest offers me something akin to a smile, “and this is Pollux.”
“You two,” I use hoarsely, not sure where I’m headed with this, or why it’sing out now. “ You
bound my wolf, you tormented me.”
“We also saved your life.” Pollux points out, his dark eyes shing.
“Did it ever ur to you that I might not have been broken enough to need saving if you’d protected
me?” I demand harshly, trying and failing to get to my feet. Instead my ungainly belly topples me right
back into my chair.
“Just stay down, babe.” Cora murmurs in my ear. “You’re more intimidating seated than standing at this
point.”
I re at her over my shoulder, before extending a hand to Roger with a pleading expression. He helps
me to my feet, and I begin to pace. “All this time I’ve been asking myself why I was being punished,
why I was being tested.” I turn my focus to Riena, “I’ve waited 30 years to find out where I came from,
and now I finally find you and it’s like..” I trail off, pulling out my phone so I can y the recording of
Sinir’s purrs. If this is confusing for Reina and the Priests, they give no hint. Instead they wait until
my breathing has gone from heaving gasps to steady exhales, and I summon my remaining patient. “I
just want answers. I just want to know who I am and what I’m supposed to do in this war. Where in the
world do I belong?”
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I don’t realize I’m crying until Cora scrambles up and wraps herself around me, making soft shushing
sounds. “You belong with me, E. If nowhere else, you belong with me, and Dominic and Henry…”
“You belong right here among the Goddess’s most honored servants.” Reina interrupts, earning a
vicious re from Cora. “Surely you must realize you are no ordinary woman.”
“But I am.” I insist, clutching my sister. “Do you think you can erase so much hurt with a few divine
gifts? Do you believe that beauty or wealth can undo the crimesmitted against me?”
“You are not ordinary, E.” Reina repeats firmly. “Perhaps you are in matters of the heart, but you
certainly aren’t when ites to lineage and power.”
“Well what good does that do anyone, if I’m toote?” I inquire, trying to get my raging emotions under
control. “Are we bound to fail now?” Tears steam from my eyes as I contemte this possibility for the
first time. “Are… are you telling me I’m toote to help us win? To save the packs?”
The priests exchange unreadable nces. “Not necessarily. We didn’t mean to make it sound so final.”
Pollux exins. “None of us know what the future holds, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried.”
“We’re sorry for what you have suffered, E.” Ss offers, sounding sincere despite his austere
expression. “And we’re sorry that this meeting isn’t what you expected. It’s clear there have been a few
misunderstandings, but the important part now is that you’re here. We just have to do our best and
hope that it’s enough.”
I shake my head, feelingpletely adrift and longing for my mate so fiercely I could scream. I reach
for him through our bond, even though I know he’s much too far away to feel me. My tugs on the
connectione up empty, but I notice that I can feel his absence. It’s like a hole in my chest that can’t
be filled again until he returns. But it is there. Whereas, with Queen Reina, I don’t feel anything at all –
not even an absence of what should be.
I turn to Reina, realization dawning. “We aren’t bonded.” I assess, wrapping my arms around myself.
“Are we?”
“No.” Reina confirms gravely, and I see a sh of pain in her eyes. “E, you have to understand that I
only carried you… I was never your true mother.”
“I don’t understand.” Tears burn my eyes, “If you’re not my mother then who is?”
“Sweetheart.” Reina leans forward to take my hands in hers. They’re warm and soft, but I feel no
greater energy, no sign that we might have a connection beyond that of strangers. “Your mother – your
only mother, is the Goddess.”