I spotted my mother sitting at a table near large windows overlooking the garden. She had an emotionless expression.

I moved closer. “I thought I’d find you here.”

She raised her glass to her lips. “As long as no one else does.”

I smiled to myself and sat across from her. “Are you alright?”

Her gaze remained pointed forward. 

With a sigh, I scanned the room. “I have to say your hiding spaces are far cozier than mine.”

She turned to me, amused. “Do you see me climbing trees and onto roofs?”

“No.” I poured myself a drink. 

My mother swirled the contents of her drink. “Is your father still talking?”

I nodded. “I slipped out. He was too busy catching up with his father and brother to notice. Cena left with the two women. I think she was giving them a tour and then showing them to their rooms.”

Her expression hardened. Now was probably not the best time to press the issue, but I worried about tomorrow. Since they were family, I was fairly sure my father would invite my uncle and grandfather to sit with us during the tournament.

I cleared my throat. “Mother.”

“Hmm…”

“I know you dislike mixing blood, but Hal didn’t choose to be born with mixed blood. That was a decision made for him. You can’t hold something against him that his parents did.”

She sighed, shaking her head. “I know.”

I let out a deep breath and leaned onto the table. “You were quite rude to him. Being a bastard already had enough stigma attached to it. I’m not saying you have to be a doting aunt or agree with what my uncle has done, but tolerance perhaps.” I leaned forward to get a clearer view of her face. “Towards Hal.”

Her eyes flicked up as she pursed her lips. “People forget why the gods disapprove of the mixing of eternal blood. We may not possess great strength, but we don’t need it,” she stated. “Mortals die. They’ll get sick, their wounds fester, they can be poisoned, and even if they survive all the illnesses that thrive in the mortal realm, old age will eventually take them. They have to fight to survive because the world is trying to kill them.” She turned to me. “Hal will live a long life. Longer than any mortal, but he will eventually die. And that long life can be cut short if he were to fall ill or get seriously injured. They don’t heal like we do. Mortals have as many children as possible because a portion of them will die.”

I nodded, tapping my fingers against my glass. “I guess that’s true.”

“Your uncle, Elrod, created the child for appearance's sake,” my mother said firmly, “and I fear that the commoners will see that a lord is mixing blood and start doing the same.” She took a drink. “They were already doing it, and that number will only increase. Your father and his family can dote over Hall all they want, but he will never become Lord Sullmane. He will never live long enough to receive the title. Your uncle can parade him around as a mixed elf who can hold their own against a mortal, but once Hal is too old, I’m sure Elrod will cast him aside, maybe for a new bastard son or grandchildren with more mortal blood. They’re doing it to look better in front of mortals, and I will never stoop to that level. I will never need a mortal's approval.”

“It sounds like you actually feel sorry for Hal.”

She rested her head against her fist. “Perhaps I do.”

“You could try taking that approach next time,” I offered. “It’ll be less combative.”

Amused, she turned to me. “I’ll keep that in mind.” My mother placed her hand on top of mine. “You have a heart, Ricky. I already know you will love your children, but do you want to watch them die?”

“I’m not going to marry a mortal.”

“Don’t let them tempt you,” she stated. “Don’t even fall in love with one. They will die, and I don't want to see you go through that pain. The gods don’t want us to endure such pain of watching our children, and then grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, on and on for eternity, all of them will pass away.”

“I won’t,” I stated. “That’s not the reality I want.”

She smiled. “I was rude earlier. I’ll admit that. But seeing Cena around that environment worries me, and your father is clearly interested in the idea of mixing blood. My anger was misdirected.”

“That’s progress,” I laughed. “They were all going on and on about tomorrow. They have high hopes for Hal to do well.”

“Hmm… I suppose if Hal can humble a few mortals, I wouldn’t be too upset.”

“Wow,” I laughed. “I never thought I would hear you be supportive of Hal after you threatened to kill him.”

She rolled her eyes. “I spoke out of anger. I would kill Elrod, but spare the boy. Elrod is the one that I truly despise.”

“Because he cheated?”

My mother placed her cup on the table. “Yes.” She met my gaze. “I’m not going to pretend I have a good relationship with your father. I don’t. I never have, and our marriage has always been political. It was not based on love. I did my job as his wife and provided an heir, so there’s no point in having sex with him ever again.”

“Mother.” I rubbed my face. “I don’t need to know the details.”

“All I’m saying is, I personally don’t care that he sleeps around. Good, let someone else tend to him. He’s king,” she said in a mocking tone. “He can do as he wishes. My problem with your uncle is Clarissa loves him. Your aunt has always loved him. When he cheats, it breaks her heart, and I won’t stand for it. Let the poor woman go free, and Elrod can fuck whomever he wants. Instead, he parades his bastard son around in front of his wife and daughter as a reminder that she didn’t give Elrod a son and Annette wasn’t a boy.”

“That’s her name, my cousin?”

My mother nodded. “She’s a sweet young woman. I’m surprised your grandfather hasn’t married her off by now, but I believe he hopes to find someone in Lumeria.”

I eyed her. “You wouldn’t be stopping that from happening, right?”

She shrugged. “They need my blessing, and I’m not going to give it. No nobel of the elven highlands will marry a girl from the lowlands without my permission. Besides, Clarissa told me at last year's banquet that Annette had someone she fancied.” She smiled at me and lifted her cup into the air. “To happy marriages because there are enough unhappy ones in the world.”

Shaking my head, I tapped my glasses against her and took a drink. 

My mother sighed. “I do like some of your father’s family—the women.”

“What happened to my grandmother?”

“She passed a long time ago. Killed in the last attack on lowland eternals.”

“What?” I choked on the wine. “What attack?”

She turned to me. “This was centuries ago. A group of mortals didn’t like that Sullmane existed. They thought eternals should stay in the highlands, so they tried to run them out. They would have succeeded, but the gods sent a plague.” My mother appeared amused. “And that is why we don’t breed with mortals. It killed them and the mixed-bloods.”

I scoffed. “Breed, you’re reducing it to the status of animals.”

“It might as well be,” she laughed. “If your father offers to take you to a brothel, be a good boy and tell him no, or you’ll see that humans are no more than animals.”

“Funny.” I finished my drink and poured another. “My claim to the throne is already in jeopardy. I don’t need any unexpected children coming along that Father likes better.”

My mother laughed. “True because without us, Thaloria would cease to be a kingdom. If Arkin wants to give this place to some half-blooded elf, he can watch it be demoted to a Lordship. That’s all he is,” she muttered. “The second son of a lowland elven lord. Without us, the highland eternals would never recognize this place, and in turn, the mortals would do the same.”

“That political marriage you bring up on occasion.”

Nodding, she pointed at me. “You’re putting the piece together now.”

“Well, I have to because you refuse to tell me anything about your past, about Lumeria.”

She was quiet for a moment. “I’ve lived a long time, and the past has good moments, but I recall mostly the bad. I don’t want to give those memories any more thought. I prefer to focus on the now, the future.” With a smile, she patted my arm. “You are a prince of Thaloria and also Lumeria. That is all you need to know, and that is all you need to remember.”

“Could you at least tell me how old you are? Father hasn’t even reached five hundred. Are you older or younger?”

My mother eyes me. “It is very inappropriate to ask a woman her age.”

“That only applies to mortals. Eternals don’t age; we simply gather years.”

She tried not to smile. “I’m older than him. That might be my first mistake in this marriage. I should have married an older, more mature man.”

I scoffed. “Then I have no hope. It’ll be centuries before I can get married.”

“I see no rush in you getting married.”

“Good, because I’m not in a rush.”

We sat quietly for a moment.

“It’s getting late,” said my mother. “We have another day of this hellish week to endure tomorrow.”

I rose from my seat. “We’re nearly done.” I kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you in the morning.”