Looking up the steep mountain it felt like they were never going to get to the top by Elric’s house. “Are we really going to hike all the way up there?”
“You didn’t want Medea’s help, so yes, we have to walk. Don’t worry, I’ll help you. It’ll be fine. Come on, let’s go.” Stone held her hand tightly and together they briskly followed the trail leading almost straight up, to Elric’s home.
“Mayhap we should wait for Lira,” suggested Persimmon, breathing heavier, the higher they got. “After all, she has a much better relationship with Elric than I do.”
“Mayhap it is time you change that,” Stone said as he moved in front of her and continued to climb.
“I cannot change something when I don’t know why it even exists in the first place.” She kept her eyes on the ground, not wanting to fall off the side of the mountain.
“Just ask him.”
“What?”
Stone stopped and turned to face her. “Ask Elric why he acts like he hates you. He doesn’t seem like the kind of man who bites his tongue, so I am sure he’ll tell you what is on his mind if you inquire.”
“I’m not certain I can do that.”
“Of course, you can. And I’ll be right there with you.” He held out his hand again and she willingly took it. Mayhap with Stone at her side she would have the courage and strength to face Elric and finally find out the secrets of the past.
They finally made it up to Elric’s dwelling. Stone made a fist and rapped upon the door.
“Who’s bothering me?” came Elric’s grumpy shout from within.
“You’d better say something,” whispered Stone. “If he knows it’s me, he’s likely to push us down the mountain.”
“Me?” Her hand went to her chest. “Are you forgetting he doesn’t like me?”
“He called me a big oaf and a fool. You are of his blood so we have a better chance if it’s you instead of me.”
“Fine.” She let out a deep sigh. “Father, it’s me,” she called out. “Please, let me in.”
“Lira?” The door swung open and the elf’s face appeared. “Oh, it’s you and the big oaf. Go away, I’m busy.” Elric tried to close the door on them, but Stone stuck his foot in the threshold and stopped him.
“Let us in, Elric.” Stone wasn’t going to back down.
“Nay! You are not getting the gemstones, so you might as well leave right now.” He clutched the bag of gems to his chest
“Do you ever put them down?” mumbled Stone.
“Father, we just walked all the way up the mountain to see you. We want to talk. Please, don’t turn us away.” Persimmon tried her best to convince Elric to let them enter.
“If I let you in, the big oaf needs to promise he is not going to try again to take my gemstones away from me.”
“You mean King Helix of Taelgonoth’s gems,” Stone corrected him. “Jewels that you stole.”
“Stone, please.” Persimmon laid a hand on his arm and willed him to be quiet. “If you put him on his defense, we are never going to get inside.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry,” said Stone. “Can we please come in, Elric?”
“You promise me, first.” The elf was a stubborn little thing. He was also so different from Persimmon’s mother that Persimmon wondered how in the world the two of them ever got together in the first place and how she was even born.
“Stone. Please.” Persimmon looked at him and raised a brow.
“Fine. I promise,” he groaned, shaking his head as soon as Elric turned around.
“All right. Come in and close the door.”
Persimmon entered her father’s house, stopping to look around and take in her surroundings. It was tiny. All the furniture was small, like it was made for a child. She supposed it was because Elric himself wasn’t taller than a child.
“Sit down, sit down.” Elric zipped over to the open window, closing the shutter quickly. “Did Queen Sasha see you come here?” he asked, with one eye squinted. He darted over and climbed up on the table to be the same height as them. “She did, didn’t she?” He acted as if it worried him that the elven queen might have even seen them.
“Who?” asked Persimmon, knowing the answer but stalling for time to work up her courage. She checked out each of the chairs and finally chose one to sit on.
“Lira’s aunt,” spat Elric. “She is queen of Glint now since your sister foolishly gave up the throne and the queendom to go rule with that shapeshifting husband of hers. What a waste, I swear.”
“Father, that’s not a nice thing to say,” scolded Persimmon.
“Zann is a shapeshifter?” asked Stone in surprise, still standing.
“Yes. I’m surprised you even know what it means.” Elric raised his chin and proceeded to look down his nose at Stone. “After all, you are naught but a helpless human since you have no magic in your land and hold no power in the least.”
“Of course, I know what it means. And I’m sorry to have disappointed you with my mundane abilities. So, tell me. What does Zann shift into? And how often does it occur?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but Zann can turn into a man-eating white wolf at any moment. You’d better beware,” snapped Elric, his arms flaying around above his head like a madman.
“Man-eating?” repeated Stone.
“Father! That is a lie. How can you even say that?” Lira stood in the open doorway. “My husband can shift into a wolf, that part is true. However, he has never eaten a human, I assure you.” Lira entered the room.
