No one spoke, Bria simply stared.
Great-granddaughter.
The word echoed through her mind. Impossible, and yet the moment she looked into the woman’s eyes, she felt something stir deep inside her. Something familiar, something she could not explain.
The woman smiled gently and held her arms out.
Bria did not think nor question. She crossed the room and stepped into her embrace.
Strong arms wrapped around her and held her close. Warmth spread through her instantly. Not the warmth of a hearth. Not the comfort she offered others through her gift.
This was different. It settled deep inside her and eased an ache she had never fully acknowledged existed.
Love.
Pure and unconditional, just as her parents loved her.
Tears burned unexpectedly in her eyes. She had never met this woman, yet somehow, she felt as though she had known her all her life.
The embrace tightened, and that was when Bria felt it. Something beneath the love… urgency. As though time itself was slipping away.
The sensation startled her.
Wynn’s lips brushed her ear. “There is so little time.”
The whispered words sent a chill through Bria. She drew back enough to look at her. The warmth remained in Wynn’s eyes. The love remained. But now Bria saw something else there… worry.
Behind her, Kaelan stepped closer, not enough to intrude, but more than enough to protect.
His hand settled against the small of her back, a simple touch. A reminder that she was not facing this alone.
“My great-grandmother,” she whispered, still struggling to believe it.
Wynn smiled. “Aye, child.”
The simple answer brought fresh tears to Bria’s eyes. She had spent her life believing that her parents were the only family she had. Never once had she imagined someone waited for her here
Wynn brushed a loose strand of hair away from Bria’s face. The familiarity of it startled Bria. It was something her mum had often done when she was young and her hair forever messy.
“You have your mother’s eyes,” Wynn said softly.
Bria’s breath caught. Few people spoke of her mother anymore. The words stirred memories she had not thought of in years.
“My mother never spoke of Driochmor.”
“She couldn’t.” The sadness in Wynn’s voice was impossible to miss. “Your parents gave up much to protect what mattered most.”
Bria frowned. “I don’t understand.”
Wynn’s hand remained wrapped around hers. “All of it will make sense soon enough.”
Bria found herself impatient. She wanted answers now, wanted to know why her parents had never spoken of this place, and wanted to know why she felt as though the pieces of her life had suddenly shifted.
Yet for the moment, she found herself content simply holding Wynn’s hand.
The council remained respectfully silent.
Even Fiora had stopped talking, which might have been the most surprising thing of all.
