She bowed again, backed away twenty feet, turned on her heel, and left the room, stunned elves milling around in the empty space. The king was standing with her phone in his hand, an expression that she couldn’t define on his face.
She gave a final wave and left the building.
Elodie smiled as she returned to her normal elf appearance and began walking toward the gates. The sun was bright, her clothing was boring, but no one would look at her in this neighbourhood. She could walk to Delphine’s and knock on thedoor. Delphine was her niece, after all. She grinned. Delphine was Halla’s niece, but blood was blood.
* * * *
Delphine looked at her phone and smiled, texting,Did you get her number?
Her mother said,No. We were a little surprised when she turned black and grinned.
Okay. So, we will wait for contact.
She got another text and smiled.Make her comfortable and call a car to bring her here.
The dark star was at Delphine’s house and was having tea with the housekeeper.
She laughed and continued going over the information packet for the meeting. The band was back together.
* * * *
Wylda smiled as she walked with Ambera in a new dress. She felt like her entire body was now dry-clean only.
Ambera was laughing when they walked into DAK headquarters. A vehicle pulled up behind them, and Elodie got out, walking into the building behind them. She grinned. “All done with the elves.”
Wylda hugged her. “Everything good?”
“I have to look for a job and apartment, but it’s all good.”
Ambera chuckled. “I am fairly sure Delphine will invite you to stay.”
“She doesn’t have to. I can and will sleep in a tree. I just don’t know what I am suited for. Halla didn’t have any higher education, and she was a wife. So, I am starting from nothing with lovely bone structure.”
Ambera frowned. “You can stay with us. Delphine has been putting funds aside for both of you. She had an idea of what you would need when you met again.”
“Oh. I didn’t get her anything.”
Wylda laughed, and they headed inside. Ambera nodded at the security desk, and then they were on their way up in the elevator.
They walked through wide halls, past closed doors, and then Ambera led them to the double doors and opened them. Delphine was sitting at her desk and smiled, and then her eyes widened in shock. “Aunt Halla?”
“Elodie. Halla died before you were born.”
“Oh. I did not guess at that. May I see you?”
Elodie smiled and went all pearly shadows. “This is me.”
Delphine smiled. “You are my aunt.”
“Yes, I am.”
Delphine hugged Elodie and sighed. “You could have told me.”
“It was... difficult to get away from Enmar’s family.”
“Oh.”
“Yes.”
