ELEMENTS: Acquiesce by Kathryn Andrews (snow like ashes series .TXT) 📕

Mazu sensed there was something amiss but decided to leave Cordelia alone for now.

In the privacy of her chamber, Cordelia curled up on her bed and cried into her pillow. Confused, she wondered what her place was in all this. Even Flynn, the person she felt closest to seemed like a stranger now.

“You’re not feeling sorry for yourself again are you?” said Nixie, floating into the chamber. “I thought we were making progress with all this drama.”

“I should have known there was no privacy around here,” retorted Cordelia.

“He’s still your father, Cordelia.”

“Then why does it feel like I’m losing him again? Breck must think I’m an idiot. All this time I’ve been telling him about this amazing man I lost and he’s not even my father, he’s Breck’s. He’ll resent me, knowing I had him to myself all those years. I kept him away from his own son.”

“That’s nonsense and you know it. Flynn told you why he did it and you’ve always known he wasn’t your real father. Flynn had a life before you came along.”

“He lied to me.”

“No, he didn’t. He just didn’t reveal everything about his life. He’s not the only one with secrets though, is he?”

“That’s completely different.”

“How?”

“He knew he had a son and didn’t tell me.”

“And you know about Meren, but you haven’t told him, have you?”

Cordelia had no response.

“As for Breck, he loves you,” said Nixie. “It’s not you he’s upset with.”

“Since you seem to know everything, what am I supposed to do?” asked Cordelia.

“Build the relationship between Breck and Flynn, they’re better together than apart.”

“And where do I fit in to this?”

“They’ll both love you just the same, but you have greater things in store. Remember who you are, Cordelia.”

“That’s the problem, I don’t know who I am.”

“You’re on a journey Cordelia, and you’ll meet different people along the way. Every one of those people serves a purpose, no matter how long or short their time is with you. Not everyone is supposed to be in our lives forever.”

“What are you saying? Flynn and Breck aren’t supposed to be part of my life anymore?”

“No, no. Oh gosh, these things never come out how I plan them in my head.”

Cordelia wondered if Nixie ever planned what she was going to say, after all, she did have a habit of blurting things out.

“Of course, they’re very important and they will still be there but you are destined for greater things.”

“People keep telling me that.”

“Because it’s true. You have another world waiting for you.”

“I just don’t know where I belong.”

“That’s because you’re between two worlds, you haven’t chosen one or the other.”

“So help me. What should I do? It would be easier if I had a crystal ball.”

“Your quest is to get to Meren, that’s where you belong.”

“That would mean leaving Flynn and Breck, I can’t do it.”

Cordelia waited for another wise response from Nixie but she had gone. The mermaid sat for a few moments longer before going to find Flynn.

Cordelia found Flynn outside the lighthouse with the horses.

“I’m sorry for walking away like that,” she said.

“It’s alright, I understand. I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with you.”

“I still love you,” said Cordelia, squeezing him tight.

Flynn stroked Cordelia’s hair. “I don’t ever want to lose you. You’re my only daughter.”

“But no longer your only child.”

“Now I’ve a daughter and a son,” smiled Flynn. “Did you ever think you’d have a big brother?”

Cordelia’s heart sank. She felt nauseous. “He’s not my brother though, is he? Not really.”

“I’ve always considered you my own Cordelia, that makes you brother and sister in my eyes. I won’t have it any other way.”

Cordelia faked a half smile.

“You say Breck is a friend of yours?”

Cordelia nodded.

“Well then you’ll be able to help me put things right with him.”

“Of course,” said Cordelia and kissed Flynn on the cheek.

The moment was interrupted by Max’s desire to throw his weight around. “What d’you think you’re doing messing with the horses?”

Cordelia glared at Max through narrowed eyes.

“We’re not messing with the horses at all,” said Flynn, “we’re just back from a walk, beautiful day for it.”

“Is that right?” asked Max. “Where did you go?”

Cordelia sensed Max was pushing for an argument and gently tugged at Flynn’s elbow. “Come on, let’s go inside.”

“So you’ve something to hide?” said Max.

“That’s enough,” said Rafe. “They mean no harm.”

“Oh come on,” said Max. “I’m only saying what everyone else is thinking. Why is he still here? He’s not one of us. He’s probably been into town telling everyone about us, and if he hasn’t, it’s only a matter of time.”

“He hasn’t said anything to anyone,” protested Cordelia, “he wouldn’t.”

“How can you be so sure?” asked Max. “Tell me, why do Triton and Mazu bend all the rules for you? What’s so special about you?”

“They don’t. I follow the rules just as everyone else.”

“I’m not blind Cordelia. You miss lessons, you wander off whenever you feel like it, you never even met the requirements to be here in the first place, but somehow you’re still here, with him.”

“I won’t have you speak to my daughter in that manner,” said Flynn.

Max squared up to Flynn.

“That’s enough Max,” said Rafe, putting his hand on Max’s shoulder.

“There’s something off about you,” said Max, pointing at Cordelia and shoulder barging Flynn as he walked to the horse shed.

“I’m sorry,” said Rafe. “He’s a bit of a loose cannon.”

“I thought we’d reached an understanding,” said Cordelia.

“He sees you as a threat.”

“How?”

“He knows how hard you’ve been practising for the diving competition. He won’t be beaten by a girl, especially not you.”

“In that case, may the best woman win,” said Cordelia.

At the tavern Breck stood in the doorway watching the babes crawl around the floor while his aunt cried into a glass of whisky.

He took a deep breath, exhaled and marched over to the bar. “Will you pull yourself together,” he said, taking the whisky glass from his aunt.