_Lisa's POV_
I stepped forward. My hand was trembling just slightly as I lifted it to knock on the door.
Rylan was close beside me. He was silent and steady like a mountain. His presence was calming, but my heart still raced like a wild drum. The truthwood shard in my pocket pulsed warmly against my skin, as if it could sense how close I was to uncovering the truth.
The door opened and there she was.
My mother.
Or… the woman I used to call my mother.
She blinked at first. She was clearly shocked to see me. Her hand flew to her mouth, and for a moment she looked like she couldn’t breathe. Then her eyes filled with tears, and a smile broke across her face like sunshine breaking through clouds.
“Oh, thank the Moon Goddess!” she whispered. “You’ve finally returned home.”
I stared at he
