Elien;

Elián draws in a breath and lifts his gaze to Queen Selthía.

"He might be a bit... guarded." He warns her, and she smiles.

"As he should be," she replies.

"I will not force him to do anything he doesn’t want to do." She replies, and I can’t help but wonder if she truly believes Elián, or if she’s checking to see that he’s not mad.

Elián closes his eyes, and I feel him let go... and pull back.

He steps aside to let me reach the surface, so I do.

When my eyes open again, our posture is different. Straighter... in a way Elián would never sit with his free will still intact.

Queen Selthía notices this immediately, and I blink at her.

"So," she says softly.

"Hello, Elien." She greets, and I just stare at her for a moment.

Her brows knot a bit, and I know I ought to speak. After all, she saved me once... actually, more than once.

"You see too much," I say to her, and her eyes widen slightly at the drop in the tone of my voice.

Elián sounds like sunshine, while I sound like a depressed alcoholic.

That alone is a dead giveaway that Elian and I are different people.

"I get lucky sometimes." She tries to downplay herself, and I can’t help my smile.

I study the gorgeous woman who seems to hold no judgment in her eyes... Only the desire to understand.

"I understand that you gave a bit of yourself to strengthen me after my return. You wanted to make up for all the energy I was giving our baby. Thank you." I finally appreciate, and I feel Elian stir inside.

He had no idea of this, and I wasn’t going to have him start worrying.

"You seemed to mean a lot to Elian. I didn’t want him worrying again. I can see now why he was so concerned about you. You’re quite the gentleman." She flaters, and I scoff.

"You say that after hearing just a few words from me?" I probe, and she shrugs.

"I’m part serpent, remember? My ability to read people is quite impeccable." She replies, and I smile.

"Noted. But why has the Queen of Nagari requested my presence?" I question, and she giggles softly as she looks away and starts swinging gently.

"Please. Drop the formalities. I only wanted to understand." She replies, and I watch her.

"...And to protect what should not be broken further. When I sensed you... I sensed hurt. But also strength. I wanted to meet the resilient young man who could bear both powerful weights and still hold his head up." She adds, and something stirs inside me.

"I... also wanted to thank you. For looking after Elián. He’s like a toddler sometimes. It mustn’t be easy being on the job every waking second." She continues, and this time, it is Elián who shifts inside me in annoyance.

I smile as I stare at Queen Selthía, and she reaches into her pocket. She pulls out a necklace, and my brows crease as I stare at it.

The pendant is two snakes. One is a blue snake, curled around a brown one.

"The serpents of Sea and land. Very distinct but always found within each other. Like you and Elián." She says, and I blink in silence.

"I know you’re a Primordial and my magic most likely means little to you both, but... I weaved it with my magic. And... well... It’s a gift from me to you. I... I may not know how to show it, but I care a lot about Elián... and you as well." She begins, but stops, like she’s searching for the right words.

"I just... I know I’m not a mother to you. I don’t... even know how to be a mother, but. I thought it necessary to let you know that I see you as well, Elien. When I show care, it’s not just for Elian. It’s for both of you and your baby. You both may share one body, yet somehow, there is no master between you both. You’re halves of one soul."

Her words crack something inside me that I didn’t know was... there. She sees me?

All this while, I’ve been grateful that Elian took control over... our life. I was content just being in the shadows... but she sees me??

That’s... still possible?

Queen Selthia reaches out and gently touches my hand.

"I’d like you both to have this. A... token of my love for both of you. And... a token of appreciation for bringing my sons back to me. Thank you..." She whispers as she opens my palm and drops the pendant into it.

"It’s so pretty..." Elian whispers inside, and I smile as I stare at the gift.

The first gift anyone has given me in so long.

"I know I’m just meeting you, Elien, and this may be weird. You don’t have to wear–" She begins, but I cut her off.

"Can you put it on for me?" I question, and she blinks at me... stunned.

Tears instantly rush to her eyes, and she nods as she takes the necklace from me.

She moves behind me and carefully secures the beauty around my neck.

My fingers dance over the serpentine pendant, and goosebumps rise along my skin.

I stare at Queen Selthia as she returns to the swing beside me.

Who says she’s not a mother? I chose her as mine. I... may not say it, but I chose her.

I finally get to have a mother. One who knows about me and accepts me. One who sees me. I... didn’t think that was possible, but... It is.

I look up at her, and her golden eyes twinkle as she smiles at me.

I can’t help the flood of emotions that move me. I’ve never felt... this way before.

It hurts... in a good way.

Unlearning expected rejection...

Without thinking or second-guessing myself, I hold out my hand, and magic swirls around my fingers. The air shifts, shimmering as white mist gathers around my fingers, threading itself into shape. A serpent forms, pale as fog, and marked with unapologetic, red stripes.

I tilt my head as I stare at what I just created. The serpent turns to look at me, and as our eyes meet, a deep understanding settles in my bones.

"This is my gift to you," I whisper as the serpent glides through the air and curls around Queen Selthia like a shawl.

"A part of me... always with you. If you ever need me when I’m away, he’ll be there. You can name him whatever you please." I explain as I watch the gentle snake nuzzle Queen Selthia.

She smiles massively at me, and I try to ignore the gladened ache I feel in my chest. The silence that follows is soothing. In the only way silence ought to be.

"Nysa. It means sanctuary in Nagari tongue. That’s what I’ll name him. A safe haven of my love for my son." She then breaks the silence, and I blink at her.

The serpent disappears just then, and she smiles.

"Off he goes, he joins his siblings. I’ll take good care of him." She says, and I scoff as I start swinging.

"You better," I reply, and she chuckles as she joins me in swinging as well.

The wood creaks beneath our weight, and I let out a breath I never knew I was holding.

Queen Selthía does not look at me again immediately. She lets the silence exist between us without trying to fill it, and that is something I appreciate more than I have words to express.

Inside, Elián hums softly. No words, no thoughts... Just contentment.

He is happy. For me... He really has become a brother, hasn’t he?

Not selfish or battling for the limelight. He always lets me be me, and he’s always right where I need him.

"You know," Queen Selthía breaks the silence, and I look at her from the corner of my eye.

"When I first felt you... I was afraid. Not of you," she quickly adds the last part, and now, my interest is piqued.

"But for you. For both of you." She adds as her fingers curl around the ropes of the swing, with her knuckles turning pale.

"Two souls sharing one body is not unheard of," she continues as she finally looks at me, and I blink back.

"But it is rarely gentle. Most tear each other apart trying to decide who deserves to exist more." She says, and I swallow.

"You didn’t do that. You constantly chose each other." She notes, and I smile.

"Yes," I admit, and she nods, as if that confirms something she has long suspected.

"That choice is why your child will be safe. Loved... Whole." She says, and just then, my stomach rumbles in response.

Of course... How could I forget? Our little lady. Elián and I will make sure she has the best life.

But we must work hard, though. We need to make our world a perfect place for her...

Our little angel...