In the next bedchamber, Drayce and Evanthe overheard Seren's emotional outburst. Drayce could feel the intensity of Seren's emotions and was about to rush to her, but Evanthe gently grabbed his hand. "Give them a little more ti, alright?"
Drayce clenched his fists, holding himself back. "She better not make Seren cry any more. If she doesn't give Seren what she needs, I swear, I won't let that woman see her daughter ever again."
"Calm down," Evanthe said softly, patting his arm to soothe him.
---
Seeing Seren's outburst and hearing her desperate plea, Sierra imdiately pulled her daughter into a tight embrace. "Calm down, please. I'm sorry, alright? I've been a bad mother."
Seren, still sobbing, asked, "Are you doing this just so my anger doesn't activate the hellfire and cause harm?"
"No," Sierra replied gently, caressing Seren's trembling back in an effort to soothe her. "I'm doing this because I want to hold my daughter in my arms. I want to feel you, to imprint your existence in my heart."
She continued, her voice filled with emotion. "I promise, I will be a good mother from now on. I'll make sure everyone knows you have a mother who's here for you—to care for you, to protect you, and to tend to your needs and even your tantrums. I'll do everything a mother should because I want to. I want my daughter."
At those words, Seren finally hugged her mother back, letting her tears flow freely. Sierra, too, wept as they clung to one another, mother and daughter united at last.
Once they had both cald down, Sierra wiped the tears from Seren's cheeks. "You should wear this robe now. Don't keep your mate waiting."
Seren nodded and allowed her mother to help her into the red ceremonial robe.
"Red suits you," Sierra said with a warm smile.
"That's why I have a Red Dragon as my mate," Seren replied, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
Sierra chuckled gently. "True. He's the perfect match for you."
Seren turned around as Sierra adjusted the front of the robe, letting Seren's red dress peek through the parted sides. "Beautiful," Sierra murmured softly.
"Mother," Seren said, her voice tender yet strong. The word made Sierra freeze for a mont. It was the first ti Seren had called her that. Fighting to control her emotions, Sierra responded with a simple, "Hmm?"
"Who did this to you?" Seren asked quietly.
"One of the goddesses from the heavenly realm," Sierra replied.
"I've heard that the deity of earth is the most beautiful woman in all the realms. Is that why this goddess did this to you? Was she jealous of your beauty?" Seren asked, her eyes lingering on the hood that hid her mother's face.
Sierra chuckled softly. "Maybe."
"Won't you show your face?" Seren asked, her tone gentle but curious.
"I don't want you to rember this way," Sierra said, her voice filled with tenderness as she lifted her hand to caress Seren's cheek. "If you want to see , just look in the mirror. You look so much like ."
"No wonder I'm so beautiful, then," Seren teased, understanding her mother's reluctance and choosing not to push her further.
Sierra smiled beneath her hood. "Shall we go? I'm sure your mate is desperate to see you."
Seren nodded, and together, they stepped outside where Drayce and Evanthe were waiting.
Drayce's eyes imdiately fell on Seren, who looked radiant, even more beautiful than usual. Perhaps it was because of the marking ceremony, or maybe it was the joy that now filled her heart. A light smile spread across his face as he gazed at her, trying to imprint this image in his mory. Soon, it wouldn't be him by her side, but Erebus.
Seren hurried toward him and wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. Drayce held her just as firmly, savoring the mont. She then looked up at him, her eyes moist with emotion, but her smile content and full of joy.
"Dray, now I have a mother too," she whispered, her happiness shining through her tear-filled eyes.
"Congratulations," he replied softly, kissing her forehead. "I'm happy for you."
Sierra's heart swelled, feeling like it might burst from all the emotions flooding through her. She wondered why she had waited so long to reveal herself to her daughter. All her fears of rejection now seed like a silly mistake. Everything had fallen into place so easily.
Evanthe, standing beside Sierra, glanced at Seren, her eyes filled with joy, and remarked, "I told you to tell her sooner."
"My mistake for not listening to you," Sierra admitted, her voice full of gratitude. "Thank you for pushing to do it today."
"You owe ," Evanthe teased.
"I'll make sure to pay you back. What do you want?" Sierra asked.
Evanthe thought for a mont before responding, "Maybe two jars of wine from Yorian. That stubborn elf won't even let have a sip."
Sierra sighed. "Couldn't you ask for sothing easier? That elf is utterly stingy when it cos to his wine collection. But I must admit, it's better than any wine I've had, even in heaven. I'll try to get three jars instead."
"That'll do," Evanthe agreed with a grin. "Soon, I'll figure out where he hides his wine and steal so for both of us."
Drayce, overhearing the conversation between the two won, let go of Seren and shook his head, amused. How childish their mothers were, despite living for thousands of years.
He took Seren's hand, guiding her ahead, while Evanthe and Sierra followed behind, already plotting.
"It must be sowhere in the Moon Elf Clan since the High Elf Clan is in ruins now," Evanthe speculated.
"We'll have to visit his ho, then. Maybe we'll find it there," Sierra added.
"He won't let anyone into his ho," Evanthe frowned. "But if we fail, there's one person who could manage to get inside, and he wouldn't say no."
"Who?"
"Oriana. When she gets here, we can convince her to do it. She won't refuse us."
Sierra chuckled. "Love can make even the smartest person a fool, and Yorian's no exception. Poor elf, though. She already belongs to soone else."
Drayce, who had been listening to their hushed conversation, turned his head slightly while walking. "Don't let Arlan hear you talking like that, unless you want Yorian to end up buried deep underground, never to be seen again."
"I forget my son has sharp hearing," Evanthe sighed.
"So does Arlan," Drayce reminded her with a smirk.
The two won fell silent, exchanging guilty glances, and quietly followed the couple out of the guest quarters toward the council hall, where the marking ceremony would soon take place.
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