I waited and waited for a reply from Allodia. To distract myself, I took several flights with Silverspark, who was back to his normal, distracted self, although still a bit cynical. Part of me wondered if he was jealous of my relationship with Leo.
Other than his occasional cynical comments, he was normal, focusing on random objects in nature.
Three weeks passed, and still no word from Allodia.
After another week, I started to wonder about what happened to her. My stepfamily actually took me outside of the house so they could shop. I looked at my reflection in a puddle and was shocked at what I saw.
I was grimy. My shiny fair hair was now coated in dirt and grease, dull from lack of care; my face was covered in ashes that must have flown up from the fire as I sat and read when I found the time to be alone. Instead of bright blue eyes, they were lifeless and exhausted. I had lost at least five pounds. I had to pause and think for a moment. I was no longer the girl I once was. Where had my life gone? Why did I still comply with their orders?
Leo. They tore us apart. They would destroy everything I ever cared about if I didn't do what I was told. I couldn't risk another goodbye. Despite my small bits of rebellion, I obeyed them. I sighed as they ordered me to come along.
Package after package of expensive clothing we probably couldn't afford was piled into my arms. I knew I could only hold so much before everything came toppling down.
Twenty-five boxes later, it happened. I lost my balance, and each and every package fell out of my hands and onto the ground. I landed face-first into a puddle. At least it washed some of the ashes off my face. Evangeline laughed, and Lady Millicent glared at me.
"Mariella, get up this instant! I don't want you to ruin our new clothes!" she ordered harshly.
"Yes ma'am," I replied out of habit, getting up and wiping the dirt and mud off myself. I scavenged around to pick up every item.
"May I be of any assistance?" asked a melodic voice. I looked up to see a strange but handsome man holding one of my packages. His hair was long, the shade of a hazelnut tree. His eyes were golden. His chin was strong, his nose pointy. Out of the corner or my eye, I could see several women eyeing him. Yes, I supposed he could be handsome, but my heart belonged to another. Besides, he seemed a tad old for me, or any of the other young girls glancing at him.
"Why yes! Thank you, sir," I answered, smiling gratefully at the stranger. There was something odd about him, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Something in me wanted to trust him, but he just had a strange air about him that made me be wary of him.
"Please, just call me Faolan," he stated. I smiled.
"Alright then. Thank you, Faolan." The man chuckled. He was quite a bit older than me. I grew immensely curious.
"I've never seen you about the city before. Are you new here?" I asked as we picked up the packages. Faolan smiled a wolfish smile.
"Just traveling. You don't by any chance know who lives over there on that hill, do you?" he asked. I glanced over to where he was pointing. It was Fairy Lane! I couldn't decide what to say. Should I lie or tell him the truth?
"Fairy Lane? Well, no one really knows that woman. She's a bit of a recluse," I answered. It was the truth. Who was this man, and why did he want to know about Allodia?
"Do you know her name?" he asked. I frowned.
"Why do you need to know?" I asked curiously. Faolan smiled.
"Don't worry your little head. I was just curious. I've heard lots of different rumors, and I was just trying to get to the bottom of everything. Here you go. Good luck with your family," he said. I still didn't trust this Faolan character. There had to be some ulterior motive to finding out about Allodia.
"Why don't you just visit her house yourself? That would save so much time and effort," I suggested. A brief look of disdain came across his face, but disappeared behind a different look.
"Believe me, we've tried." We? So he wasn't alone in his search for Allodia? I decided not to press any further. It was delicate topic.
"Hurry up, pig!" exclaimed Evangeline. She listed the shops she still wanted to go to. I glanced back at Faolan, the mysterious man. I then rushed to catch up with the rest of my family. I knew I had to warn Allodia about the strange people looking for her. There was no way it could be a good thing.
The second I got home and finished my chores I rushed upstairs to write to Allodia. I hurriedly grabbed my pen and wrote an urgent letter.
Dear Allodia,
I wanted to let you know that a…peculiar man is looking for you. I met him in the marketplace today. He helped me with a few dropped packages and while helping me pick them up, he inquired about you. His name is Faolan. He asked about who you were. I didn't tell him anything, really. I simply told him that no one knows much about you and you're a bit of a recluse. Of course, I never mentioned the fact that I know you and that you've almost been a mother to me. I don't think it's just him looking for you, either. He knows where you live. Allodia, what is going on? Why is Faolan searching for you and who is he searching with? Where are you? I think it's time that I learned the truth, Allodia. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. Please be careful. I don't trust Faolan.
I quickly scribbled my name down and folded the letter up. I rushed over to Silverspark, who was sleeping. My goodness, he was getting so big! Most people were intimidated by his presence. His size alone was enough to scare most people out of their wits!
"Silverspark! Silverspark, wake up!" I exclaimed. He opened one big, silver eye.
I was sleeping peacefully. What do you want?
"Oh come now, I'm the only one who's allowed to be grouchy in the mornings! I need you to deliver this letter to Allodia!" I exclaimed. Obligingly, Silverspark grabbed the letter with his teeth and flew off.
I'll expect full payment for this! In my circumstances, I laughed. Silverspark always had that ability.
It was about a day later when I got a reply. Why hadn't she replied before? I shook the thoughts out of my head. I ripped open the letter and began to read.
Dear Mari,
I am sorry that I have not replied yet. I've been busy hiding, which is explained later on in my letter. Happy birthday, by the way. I know you are almost sixteen now, but I do not know when I will be able to write to you next. I remembered, but was unable to do anything.
I'm very concerned about Faolan. Believe it or not, I know him. Faolan is a leader on the Fairy Council. He is a very dangerous man; I'm actually quite shocked he did not try to hurt you. He can stand me, but barely. Of course, he may not know who you really are, which is a good thing. I know he has been searching for me, which is part of why I have made myself nearly unreachable. It rather concerns me, actually. It is time you know the truth, Mari. We've hidden it from you for long enough. I think you are now able to handle it. Here is the truth: you are part fairy.
Do you know your mother's bloodline? She has a very unique history. Her mother was a fairy, and her father was a human who was actually killed by the fairies.
One of the odd things about fairies is that they cannot stand humans. It was nearly a crime for a fairy to marry a human, let alone have a child. Her mother was hated for "betraying the bloodline" and her daughter was part human: a crime all its own. She was a happy girl, much like you. She was so full of life, taking no sides in the conflict between the fairies and humans. She loved them both. That was the problem. Initially, her mother's marriage led to a small peace, but a few fairies manipulated the others and it only led to more bloodshed and hatred between the two races.
Your father was a young soldier who had been heavily wounded. Your mother saved his life. She and her mother took him in and let him heal. They fell in love. When the Fairy Council discovered their secret romance, they were infuriated. They wanted to execute them all.
Along with her mother, the two of them ran in the middle of the night while the rest of the fairies planned to "purify the bloodline." The fairies were foolish in their superior attitude. They still are foolish, in fact. It is their goal to stay clean of all human blood and corruption.
The fairies searched for the trio, who had fled to Queric. They lived there for quite some time. They married, and eventually had a baby girl. You were that baby girl, Mari. Shortly after your birth, though, the fairies found them, and killed your mother. Your father managed to escape with you and your grandmother. They managed to hide in Hetar and raise you. Your grandmother vowed to protect you and keep you safe from the fairies that still wanted to kill you. That is why I am scared of the recent fairy sightings. I have no doubt in my mind that they are your father's killers. That means you are close to discovery. That is the reason why I have been hiding. Yes Mari, I am a fairy. Not only that, but I am your grandmother. I have made minimal contact with them recently so that I might be accepted into their society again, as a peacemaker. I have done such in order that you might be safe. It is high time that this hatred and bloodshed ends.
It was at this point that I set the letter down. The rest of it contained details of how she had been a peacemaker. My mind spun. That was impossible! Allodia couldn't be my grandmother! She didn't look old enough! She sometimes looked younger than Father! My father…Allodia…the fairies! That explains it! The fairies thought her a traitor, so they were out to kill her! But that also meant I was marked for death. Wait, that meant that I was part fairy! A deep feeling of fear and confusion ran through me. Was she okay? Had her peacemaking efforts been successful? Silverspark leaped up, peeking through my window.
You're scared. I can feel it. What's wrong? Is Allodia safe? I nodded, still stunned at this new information.
"Yes, I'm fine. Allodia is my grandmother, a full-blooded fairy. I'm not surprised, honestly, yet the idea is so…so…mind blowing! And then there's the fact that the fairies want to kill me because I'm one-fourth fairy, too! I'm of a mixed bloodline. Oh Silverspark, what am I going to do?" I exclaimed, beginning to panic. Part fairy…it explained so much, particularly my strange ability to understand the past and knack for receiving visions from Silverspark.
"Silverspark, I'm going to die!" I exclaimed dramatically. Silverspark looked me in the eyes, his pupils dilating. Mine did the same, and I fell into the familiar state of visions.
I was laughing, dancing with Leo. He kissed me, and we entered into the ballroom. People were there to greet us. They cheered for us. Leo turned to me and smiled. He held my hand and squeezed it, his eyes full of love. All my fears instantly fled.
I smiled and looked back at Silverspark.
"Did you make that up, or is that really the future?" I asked.
I guess we'll find out. But it helped you calm down. I nodded.
"I'm still stunned at the new revelation that Allodia is my grandmother and the fact that the fairies are trying to kill me, though. I'm part fairy!" Silverspark rolled his eyes.
Just don't panic. Please, don't panic! Besides, I'm quite intimidating now; you won't have to worry about unfriendly people, fairy or otherwise, getting too close! Aside from the ones inside your house, that is. I'm powerless against those. If they would let me inside, it'd be a different matter! I hugged Silverspark around the neck.
"Silverspark, you may be the only thing helping me stay sane and happy," I stated joyfully.
Oh great, so I'm just a thing? Ooh, shiny necklace you have there!
For the first time in a long time, I laughed. Silverspark was a lifesaver. And apparently so was Allodia.