"Are they older or younger than me? My half siblings or full?"
She supposed it didn't matter. It was selfish, but she already hated them either way.
Elise's expression softened. Her hand dropped from the door as she turned and went to her knees in front of Elena, reaching for her cheek. "Oh, my darling, it's not like that."
Elena slapped her hand away, backing out of reach. "What's it like then? I want to know the reason I wasn't good enough. Is it because I'm half human? Or did you just never want me?"
She was a mistake, after all. An accident. A freak who should never have existed in the first place.
Elise grabbed Elena, pulling her into a fierce hug. "I wanted you more than anything."
Elena lost the fight against her tears. They rolled down her cheeks as she hung in her mother's embrace, not able to return it despite having dreamt of this moment for years.
Elise pushed Elena away to look into her face. "Before your aunt and uncle, I was an empty shell of a woman. I didn't experience emotion. I didn't understand it. Joy. Sorrow. These were only words other people used to legitimize their actions. Your aunt and uncle gave me back my humanity. They broke me out of my cocoon and showed me that surviving wasn't living. Your father taught me what love was. That to protect it sometimes sacrifices had to be made, but that it was always worth it." Elise wiped the tears from Elena's face, affection shining from her eyes. "But you, my dear, you gave me a heart and a soul. You are the only reason they didn't completely brainwash me."
"Then why?" Elena demanded with a broken sob.
"Because they're mine," Elise declared. "They deserve better than this fate. Just like we deserved better. I had no part of their making but that doesn't change the fact that they're embedded in my soul the same way you are."
Elena couldn't control her tears. They fell from her eyes. A lifetime's worth.
Uncle Jin draped his tail around the back of Elena's neck, giving it a small squeeze. A hug. Her first one from him.
"You lied to Kira," Uncle Jin said quietly. "You're not here for the generals."
"I did; and I didn't. Lothos and his allies are trying to do something important. They're worth saving. I know you and Kira don't see it because of your history with them, but I'm betting she’s beginning to."
Elise nodded at Elena.
Uncle Jin's silence held a grudging note, but he didn't argue.
"Never doubt my love for you," Elise told Elena, rising. "It's the only thing I have left to offer you."
A whimper tried to crawl out of Elena's throat as Elise strode out of the room without a single look back. Tears were useless. They wouldn't bring her mother back. And they wouldn't save her when the Osiri came for her.
"It will be alright, dear heart," Uncle Jin whispered, cuddling against her neck as she walked over to close her door. "We'll find a way through this. I promise you, Elena."
Elena barely heard him as she caught sight of Kai watching Elise from the shadows of the rock garden. "Oh no."
"Shit," Uncle Jin cursed as Kai looked in their direction.
He tucked himself under Elena's hair, going very still as Kai crossed the room.
"You're familiar with the masters' toy?" Kai asked, arching an eyebrow at Elena.
She stiffened, her eyes narrowing at the pejorative term in reference to her mother.
Uncle Jin squeezed the back of her neck. "Easy."
Elena took a breath, expelling it lightly as she met the other's probing gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about. She was in my room when I returned. I thought you sent her."
"What did you two talk about?"
"You'll have to ask her." Elena sent the Sye a cocky look. "I'm not at liberty to say."
Elena gave herself a mental pat on the back. With how rigid Tsavitee society was, Kai probably wouldn't question her further if the Sye thought the discussion was considered Top Secret.
The trick always worked for Tommy. She hoped it would do the same for her.
The moments dragged by as the Sye studied her.
"You're doing good," Uncle Jin whispered. "You just have to fool them a little longer."
Elena really hoped so. Maintaining an innocent expression for this long was difficult. Any moment she might break and give away her fib.
Fyr cleared his throat, making his presence known.
The Sye frowned at him. "What is it? Can't you see I'm busy?"
Fyr's expression remained blank as he stepped closer, lowering his voice to speak into the other's ear.