It’s Sunday the 14th of May today which means it is mother’s day here in New Zealand! I am off to visit my own mother soon enough for a short walk around the neighbourhood (it is absolutely freezing here, so emphasis on short =P). One thing I wanted to say about my amazing mum is that even though she has never been a big reader, she always supported my reading (I’m talking weekly trips into town to the library and helping me carry 15+ books back to the car every time) and she has made an effort to support me in my writing journey. I can’t wait for her to read Hybrid when it’s finished =D [Love ya mum]
In celebration of this wonderful day, I thought I would write a small snippet introducing you to the powerful woman that is Yeve, Gryphon’s mother.
Raised Persephone-style, Yeve spent 6 months of the year with her mother and family on Koron. It was a life she loved. Seriously, but the other half of the year she lived in Ethendoral, with the Elves and her father. Yeve never felt conflicted about her life, it was just how she lived. But when she began defying expectations in Ethendoral she gained some prestige and was eventually invited to join the gardai. This was a rare honour, and both her mother and father encouraged her to seize the opportunity. The only downside was that she had to leave Koron in order to train full time in Ethendoral. She was torn, beyond torn, actually. She wanted the experience and the honour of being one of the Gardai, but she hated the idea of missing out on the festivals and celebrations on Koron. In an effort to live up to her parent’s hopes for her, she accepted the offer to join the gardai. Years later, after a bucket load of training, Yeve was a respected member. Despite her substandard breeding, she was a formidable warrior and was soon requested for more jobs than she could handle.
She met her match at a royal wedding and everything changed. Tall, light and quirky he took her world by storm and soon enough…
“Four, five… six…” Yeve looked up in horror and swore. “Not possible. Really not possible.”
“What isn’t possible, Yeve?” Commander Mariek came around the corner, startling her.
“Err…” Yeve scrambled for an explanation as she stuffed a scrap of parchment into the bag at her feet. “I’ve been asked to help out Lady Sonders next month, but I am already scheduled for work with Miss Annala.”
Mariek frowned down at her, “nonsense. Miss Annala can have someone else. Lady Sonders takes priority.”
In spite of the trepidation niggling at her mind, a spark of frustration flared. “With all respect intended, my Lord, Miss Annala requested me months ago, instead of leaving it to the last minute. She deserves precedence.”
“But Miss Annala is Tefa.” The disgust on his face made her stomach turn and her fists clench.
“As am I, my Lord.” She carefully annunciated each word, trying to control her anger. All her life, the label tefa had followed her wherever she went. Only upon joining the gardai had things changed for her, but still, the stigma lingered.
“Yes, well…” Mariek trailed off, the discomfort on his face mollifying her anger slightly.
“Perhaps Lady Sonders might be more comfortable with someone befitting Amali status. My trip with Miss Annala will go ahead as planned, I think.”
He only nodded before walking away without another word. She shook her head before looking down at the crumpled paper peeking out at her. Such an insignificant item, yet the words it held could change her life in the blink of an eye. The healer she had seen seemed sure of their diagnosis for why she was feeling so unwell for a solid week. She was so happy to share the news that she couldn’t see that with every word the horror and fear in Yeve was growing.
According to the perky woman, she was almost two months gone. Two months. That’s about when Crael was called home to Koron. Thinking of her other home made her heart ache, she wished she could go there again. Now more than ever she craved the comfort of her mother’s arms and the smell of the sea crashing on the cliffs of Dryak. Yeve folded her hands over her flat stomach and closed her eyes. Pulling her magic inwards Yeve felt for any sign, any indication that the healer was right. A small nudge pushed back at her magic. Tears splashed into her lap as laughter bubbled up. She was pregnant.
“This is going to change everything.”
*
Yeve wasn’t prepared for Gryphon’s arrival. But it didn’t take her long to come around to the idea. I hope y’all enjoyed this glimpse into the moment Yeve learnt of her pregnancy and your first taste of who she is. I adore this woman, she is incredible and I hope I can continue to share her with you as much as possible =)
Happy Mother’s day to all of the wonderful, amazing, strong, undefeatable mother’s out there. You rock!
Keep smiling
x
H
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