The forest air was still for a moment, as if holding its breath while Fae regarded them. Lira smiled gently, keeping her hands relaxed at her sides. "You're… a Fae, right?" she asked softly, careful not to startle her.
Fae flinched slightly at the name but did not run. "Yes," she whispered, her voice like wind through leaves. "I… I am called Fae. Just Fae. There's no one else for me now." Her golden hair fell around her shoulders, catching the sun, and her large eyes, tinged with sorrow, flicked toward the pond and the distant forest edge.
Maelin stepped closer, her tone warm. "It's okay, Fae. You don't need to hide from us."
Fae's gaze drifted across the group, lingering briefly on Thalanir. "I… I made a mistake," she admitted softly, almost to herself. "A choice I shouldn't have made. And now… I am alone. The home I knew… it's gone." Her voice wavered, carrying centuries of regret.
