“You do?” He approached the table, looking at her in question. “Why would you do such a thing?”
“So they can forgive you and so they will never take away your powers. Plus, we need you as sage of Mura. You are the wisest man we know.” She reached out and took his hands, tucking the bag between them.
“All right,” he said, and sighed. “Thank you.”
“Did Elric just say thank you?” she heard Rhys ask.
“He never says that. He must be sick,” Zann answered.
“Sister, where will you and Stone be staying now that you are married?” asked Lira.
“Well, I had hoped we’d be welcome here in Glint.”
“In the home of the elves?” asked Elric, looking up in surprise. “Why in the world would you want to stay here since you found out you are not even part elf?”
“I want to stay here to be close to my father,” she said with a big smile.
“What?” Elric wrinkled his nose as if he’d smelled something fowl. “Your father is in Taelgonoth, not Mura.
“Nay, that’s not true,” she told him.
“Persimmon? What are you saying?” asked Stone, obviously wondering where she was going with this.
“Since Stone and I professed our love for each other I’ve been able to scry using the gazing crystal. I am getting good at it and have seen a lot of things.”
“So what?” asked Elric.
“So I am going to try something, just to make sure.”
“What does that mean?” Elric didn’t seem at all interested.
She pulled out the gazing orb and held it up in her hands. “I am now going to ask a question, and the gazing orb will show me the true answer.”
“That’s nice.” Elric sighed again and tied the bag of stones onto his belt.
“Gazing orb, I want to see a vision of my father. My true father.”
Elric sighed again and looked at the ground.
“Is it working?” asked Medea excitedly since no one but Persimmon could see the visions within it.
“It is,” she said with a nod. “And I see…you, Elric! King Helix Kapion is not my true father after all. But you are!”
“I am?” Elric’s head snapped up. “Are you sure about that?” He looked at her in a suspicious manner.
“Mother always told me that the gazing ball doesn’t lie,” she said, not directly answering his question.
“So, I’m your father then?” A smile spread across his face. “You’re half-elf, even though you don’t have pointy ears?”
“That’s right. I think I must have inherited more of my mother’s looks instead.”
“Thank the gods,” said Darium under his breath.
“You did?” Elric’s face got brighter and happiness spread up into his eyes now.
“I suppose it is possible,” said Stone with a nod.
“Daughter. You’re my daughter! I have two daughters now, as well as two sons. Yippee! I’m going to the pyramids of the gods right now to give them back the stones. I want the gods to smile on me from now on. I also want to be on my best behavior and be the best father ever.”
“You’ll have to be the best grandfather as well. And I’m not talking about Lira’s children.” Persimmon put her hand on her belly and looked over to see Stone’s very surprised look on his face.
“What are you saying?” asked Elric. “There is no way you are already pregnant. You haven’t even known Stone long enough.”
“What are you saying, sweetheart?” asked Stone, putting his arm around Persimmon’s shoulders and pulling her closer.
“I am not pregnant yet, but the gazing orb has shown me that I will be with child very soon,” Persimmon answered, and giggled. “I actually can’t wait.”
“And neither can I,” added Stone with a big smile.
“Oh, I’ve got so much to do. We need to prepare for the baby,” said Elric. “I hope the little tyke at least gets my ears and not the big oaf’s ugly nose. That would be nasty.” He was speaking about Stone and everyone there knew it.
“Now wait a minute, I’m not a big oaf,” said Stone in his defense.
“It looks like Elric’s accepted you now, Stone. You’ve joined the rest of us big oafs, so welcome to the family,” shouted Zann, making everyone laugh and cheer since Elric always called the Blackseed boys the same thing.
“I’ll see you later.” Elric sped off in a blur, still whooping and hollering in joy.
“Can you look into your gazing orb and see if we’re going to have a boy or a girl?” asked Stone, nuzzling her neck and kissing her behind the ear.
