It was getting on to four in the afternoon by the time the ladies left to go back to their families. Ma and Aunt Anna stayed a bit longer to assure me they were with me, and behind me every step of the way.
"Your father, Alexander, would be so proud of you, Ellie. Just as he told you in his letters, he knew you would be a very powerful Queen. He knew you would do great things." Ma's voice hitched in sorrow as she remembered her first mate. She loved Paxton with her whole heart, but that didn't lessen the love she had once had for my bio father. That touched me deeply, knowing she still held him in her heart. The love for her current mate did not erase the love for the first mate.
"Thank you, Ma. That means so much hearing you say that." The hug we exchanged conveyed emotions words reall
