Page 128 of The War and Deceit Series omnibus

“They can’t be bonded, she’s a human,” Eldrin bites out, taking an angry step forward.

Turning, I glare at him. “What is your problem?” I query, throwing my hands up in the air.

“Exactly!” Vaeril shouts at the same time.

Making a noise of irritation, all eyes fall on me again. “Will someone just tell me what you’re talking about? Stop speaking in circles!” The demand is clear. I’ve heard that elves are tricky and like to talk in riddles, never giving you a full answer, but I won’t have it, not from Vaeril.

Ardeth is the one who takes pity on me, reaching out and placing a hand on my shoulder as he explains, “Clarissa, there is no way a human could bond with an elf, meaning you’re not human, or at least not fully.”

“I’m part elf?” Gasping, I look around, but I’m not really seeing anything. My heart pounds in my ears, sounds muffled. Someone places a hand on my shoulder and leads me forward. Blinking a couple of times, I see they’re taking me to one of the wooden chairs situated around the desk.

“It would explain how you survived twelve years of slavery, how you survived those beatings when no one else could. You are stronger than a normal human, not to mention your gifts.” Vaeril kneels in front of me, his gaze running over my face, and I see a flash of concern in his eyes.Gifts. I know he’s talking about my ability to sense magic and break spells. I had always felt different than everyone else, but as a slave, it was like I was sleepwalking, only semi-aware of everything going on. ThenGrayson appeared and woke me up and the Mother blessed me, making me different again.

“I don’t remember who my parents were, I was just an orphan.” Looking up at Ardeth for answers, my voice is soft, inquisitive. “If I was part elf, I would look like you, right?”

“I think you look more like us than you realise. I also have a theory about where your elvish heritage comes from,” Ardeth informs me, taking the chair closest to me and reaching for the large book that is still open on the desk. “Vaeril was the one who suggested it, and I put two and two together.” He waves down at the large book. “Vaeril was…away when this happened, so he won’t remember, but about fifty years ago, one of our scholars, a wood elf named Jaonos, left us. He was tired of the war and spoke of making peace with the humans.” He sighs, shaking his head in regret. “Everyone said he was foolish, myself included, saying he would die at the hands of the humans.” I can feel Ardeth’s sorrow as he speaks, and I get the impression he was close with this Jaonos.

“A couple of years after he left, we received a message. He had fallen in love with a human woman and conceived a son. We never heard anything from him after that,” the master finishes, waiting for my reaction with bated breath. The twins have obviously pieced together whatever I’m missing and are wearing shocked expressions.

“What does this have to do with me?” I ask, pleading with one of them to just tell me. Vaeril is the one who answers, kneeling in front of me.

“We think his son, a half blood, was your father,” he explains slowly, a smile spreading across his face. “I think Jaonos was your grandfather.”

“So... I’m part elf?” I ask again, struggling to comprehend what they’re telling me. It explains a lot, but it’s difficult to wrap my mind around. The four of them are looking at me, all with varying degrees of expectancy. What are they waiting for?

“Yes,” Vaeril replies, watching my face carefully for any sign of my reaction.

Turning my head, I look over at Ardeth. He’s wearing a soft, understanding smile. “I assume you will have questions, and I’m happy to answer them to the best of my knowledge.”

I frown but nod. I do have questions, so many that I don’t know where to begin. Taking a deep breath, I process what this means. If I’m part elf, then I have family here, or at least,hadfamily here.

“My family. Jaonos is dead? What about my…my father?” I question the master, stumbling over the word ‘father.’ My whole life, it’s been something I’ve just accepted—I don’t have a family.I know I must have one, but I have no memories of them. Shouldn’t I havesomething? Even just a vague recollection?

“We don’t know, but no one has heard anything of him in years,” he answers softly, shaking his head sadly. “He was a friend of mine, a great scholar.” He averts his gaze, turning to peer down at the book before him, but I don’t miss the flash of pain in his eyes. Running his finger down the page, he taps it twice when he reaches a blank spot—like there’s a name missing from the list. “I’m afraid I know nothing about your father, not even his name, but the wood elves might have more information,” he finishes, looking back up at me now that his emotions are more in control.

“I can take you to meet the wood elves,” Vaeril chimes in. He looks worried. Perhaps he was expecting me to react differently, but all I feel is…numb and confused.

“I would like that.” My voice is soft, and I feel like all of the fight has been drained out of me.

“If she is part elf, she has a right to be here. The queen can’t deny her a home in Galandell,” Naril speaks up, taking a step closer to us, as if seeing me like this invokes some sort of protective feeling towards me. I look over at his scarred brother who is glaring at me, his arms crossed as if he’s trying to stop himself from doing something he might regret later.

Pulling my gaze away, I stare down at my hands, not having the energy to fight with him anymore. Usually, I would be barking at him, demanding to know what his issue is, instead a single word floats through my mind.

Home. Somewhere to belong.

“Can we prove she’s an elf though? Without revealing the bond between the two of them?” Naril muses, and I can feel his gaze land on me again.

“Are you sure you’re bonded?” Eldrin snaps, and this time his tone wakes something within me, my anger pushing through the fog as I glare at him, but he just ignores me.

Glancing wearily between me and his friend, Vaeril answers, “It isn’t sealed yet. There was never really a good time while we were in captivity or on the run. But yes, I’m sure.” His answer only seems to make Eldrin angrier as he starts to pace the study area.

“Sealed?” I echo, looking at the elves. What does he mean by sealed? Is the bond not complete between us?

Naril snorts and holds his hands up. “Well, I’m not telling her whatthatmeans.”

They all share a look again and Ardeth shakes his head. Sighing, Vaeril nods slowly. “Bonds between elves get stronger as the relationship grows between them, but it’s not a full bond, not to start with. It has to be sealed,” he explains slowly, while Naril chuckles behind him, enjoying his discomfort.

“Okay…How do you seal a bond?” I’m getting annoyed again as he talks in circles, and I gesture for him to continue.

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