“To rule. You are just like them. A bit of both and I don’t know if that is a good thing or a bad thing, yet.”
He opened the entrance and fresh air seeped through my lungs as the trees nearby stood gigantic behind a row of neatly trimmed hedges.
We walked down the cobblestone paths, past more trees and blocks of gardens with beautiful flowers and white marble statues.
Dad came into view, and I ran to him.
He opened his arms and hugged me tight. That was so scary. “Why didn’t you tell me it was life or death?”
“You already struggle with so much, Bear. I’m proud of you.” I couldn’t hear a thumb of his heart. Mine wanted to explode from my chest. I wasn’t even on trial. I lifted my head from his chest and looked up at him.
He smiled as tears glistened in his eyes. “You reminded me of why I did this. Made me proud that my sacrifice wasn’t for nothing.”
My eyes landed on someone lingering a few yards behind him. It was her, the woman in the picture I carried. All the feistiness left her features. Her lips turned into a smile.
“She will understand if you don’t want to,” Dad said as he brushed a strand of hair from my face.
I let go of him and walked to her. I stopped in front of her.
“Elena,” she whispered and smiled.
“I don’t remember you, but I have a picture of us when I was little.”
“Your second birthday party.” Tears filled her eyes. “I’m sorry, I should’ve stayed.”
“I understand.”
“It’s not a good enough reason. I should’ve tried harder.”
“It’s okay. Just promise to visit from time to time. I don’t know who my mom is.”
She smiled as her warm hand touched my cheek. “Did they at least show you pictures of her?”
I didn’t want to shake my head.
She gasped and her gaze flickered back to Dad. “Jako.”
“Everything happened so fast. I’m sorry, Bear.”
I smiled back at my father as Tanya took something out of her robe. It was a necklace, and it carried a locket. “Demand it, Elena.”
I nodded as I kept staring at her fingers, prying the locket open. She took a step and moved next to me. Two women, side by side, stood right next to each other. She was one of them, and she had the most beautiful smile.
My eyes skidded to the one kissing her on her cheek with her arm around her neck. She had dark brown hair, and from the side profile of her face, I could tell she was beautiful.
“It’s not much, but it was one of the best days of my life. The perfect memory that I’ll always treasure.”
“Thank you.” I kept staring at my birth mother, not knowing what to make of this warm ache in my chest. My eyes flickered to Tanya as she closed the locket.
“She loved you more than anything in this world. It broke her when she had to let you go. I’m sorry that I couldn’t fulfill her vow. I’ll carry that regret with me always.” A tear spilled over her cheek.
Tears pricked mine. “Don’t cry please, otherwise I’m going to cry.”
She laughed and hugged me. “Welcome home, Elena.”
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