After Sam said her goodbyes to Nate, she walked back inside her home, her heart heavy with the weight of the future.
She entered the parlor, the scent of lavender and old books filling the air. Her second mother, Hannah, was lounging on a plush velvet settee, a leather-bound tome in her hands. Sam took a moment to study the woman she had always admired. While Sam was often described as charming and cute, Hannah's beauty was undeniable and arresting. Her honey-blond hair cascaded down her back like silk, and her pale blue eyes shimmered with wisdom—eyes that seemed to hold the secrets of the world. People were naturally drawn to her, as if her beauty alone carried an enchantment.
Sam quietly took a seat across from her, not wanting to disturb the serene moment. The soft rustle of fabric drew her attention to Hannah's midsection, where a small, barely noticeable bump hinted at her pregnancy. Without looking up, Hannah spoke in her usual soft tone. "Nate's gone?" she asked, though it sounded more like a statement than a question.
Sam nodded, her voice small. "Yes. He's on his way to the academy." The sadness that lingered in her chest was evident in her voice.
Hannah closed her book and set it aside, the leather creaking softly as she did. She gave Sam her full attention, her gaze softening, but her eyes still seemed distant, as though looking beyond the present. "It's for the best, you know. Both of you need to grow in your own ways before reuniting."
Sam wanted to accept her second mother's soothing words, but something nagged at her. "You've said that before... But how much of what you told me a few months ago was the truth?" Sam asked, her voice wavering between curiosity and doubt.
Hannah chuckled softly, her lips curving into an amused smile. "No lies, Sam, just a few... half-truths. You know how visions work," she teased, though her tone held a note of seriousness beneath the surface.
Hannah sat forward, her expression becoming more thoughtful. "I don't always get the full picture, and sometimes, I see things I wish I didn't. But your future with Nate—there's something powerful about it. I can't see everything about his fate, and that's rare for someone with my abilities."
Sam frowned, confused. "What do you mean you can't see his future?"
Hannah sighed, her eyes narrowing as if trying to peer into the unknown. "Nate is cloaked in something. Some force I can't comprehend. It's like his future is shrouded, and that only happens with people who have destinies that are intertwined with greater powers."
Sam's brow furrowed in thought. "But... you told me that without your intervention, I would have ended up engaged to the heir of Blackwood," she pressed, trying to make sense of everything.
Hannah's smile turned a bit sly. "And that's true. Your father would have pushed for that match. But make no mistake, Sam, even without my interference, Nate would have come back for you. It's inevitable," she said, her voice carrying a certainty that left no room for doubt.
Sam blushed at the thought of Nate storming back into the village to claim her. "So... why did you intervene, then? If it was going to happen anyway?"
Hannah's smile softened. "Because, my dear, I wanted to ensure your place in his life early. Before others could interfere." Her words carried a weight that made Sam pause.
"Others?" Sam echoed, her heart sinking.
"Yes, others. Nate may not realize it yet, but many women will be drawn to him," Hannah explained, her voice growing more serious. "And you, Sam, are starting with the lowest social standing. In the future, you'll need every advantage you can get to keep your position as his first wife."
Sam's eyes widened in shock, her hands gripping the armrests of her chair. "First wife?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
Hannah nodded, her expression calm but knowing. "The Fae blood in Nate makes him... desirable, in more ways than one. He will attract attention from women of all kinds—noble and common alike. But as his first wife, you'll always hold influence over him, more than any of the others."
Sam was quiet, processing the unexpected revelation. She had known being with Nate would have its challenges, but she hadn't anticipated this. A mix of emotions swirled within her – love for Nate, fear of losing him, and a fierce determination to hold onto her place in his life.
Hannah's hand moved to her stomach, gently caressing the small bump. Her voice softened. "I just hope your little sister doesn't come home with such a playboy one day," she added with a small laugh, trying to lighten the mood.
Sam, still stunned, narrowed her eyes. "Why are you so invested in Nate? I mean, he's strong, but he's not that powerful yet."
Hannah's smile faded, replaced by a look of quiet contemplation. "Because anyone who can evade my sight is no ordinary person. He's cloaked by forces I don't fully understand, and that makes him... important."
Before Sam could respond, Hannah waved her off. "Go get ready for dinner, Sam. In a few days, someone will arrive who can help you grow stronger. Be prepared."
Sam hesitated but eventually stood up. As she left the room, her mind raced with everything she had learned. The prospect of sharing Nate, of fighting for her place in his life, both terrified and steeled her. She made a silent vow to become strong enough to stand by his side, no matter what challenges lay ahead.
Once alone, the warmth in Hannah's expression faded. The room grew darker, the shadows in the corners deepening unnaturally. The temperature dropped, and a chill ran down Hannah's spine as a shadowy figure slithered forth from the darkest corner. Its voice crackled like dying embers, a sneer in its tone. "Always with the half-truths."
Hannah met the shadow's gaze with a cold, unwavering look. The air around her seemed to shimmer, a subtle display of her own power. "It is my duty to guide the fates as the Goddess wills," she replied, her voice steady but firm.
The shadow shifted, its form unsettling and ever-changing, like smoke given malevolent life. "Letting that girl stay close to Nate could get her killed," it hissed, its words leaving frost on the nearby window.
A flicker of sadness crossed Hannah's face, but her resolve remained firm. "Her fate would lead her into danger, whether or not she stays with him. All I can do is guide her."
The shadow seemed to accept this, slowly retracting back into the darkness. The chill in the air began to recede. "How long until the unraveling?" it asked quietly, its voice now barely a whisper.
Hannah closed her eyes, concentrating. The air around her pulsed with an unseen energy. "A decade, at most."
Satisfied with her answer, the shadow vanished, leaving Hannah in the dimly lit room. She sat in silence for a long moment before whispering a silent prayer to her Goddess, hoping for strength, not just for herself but for Sam and Nate as well.
She felt a faint warmth in response, like a gentle sunbeam breaking through storm clouds. It was a comfort in the face of the uncertain path ahead, a reminder that even in the darkest times, hope persists.