Everly~
Gwendolyn's small cottage was surrounded by dozens of colorful wildflowers, flowers that would never grow naturally in our cool, cloud covered village.
Vines hung from the ceiling and crept down the walls inside, holding up pictures, books, pots and pans, releasing them to Gwendolyn when commanded to.
She invited us in immediately, and wielded the vines around the door to move as we made our way inside. With a flick of her delicate wrist, plants would grow or recoil, moving out of our way as we entered the quaint cottage. The floral scent was almost overwhelming, but I enjoyed it, inhaling deeply as we sat around her table.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" She asked, her voice full of life, matching the thriving plants around her.
"I had a few questions. Questions that only another immortal might have the answers to."
Gwendolyn smiled at me and placed her hand over mine, understanding that I didn't have my mother to turn to and needed her to step into that role at the moment.
"Well dear, I know you're aware that your gifts are special, unlike any other nymphs I have ever come across. So if you have questions about healing, I'm afraid I have very little to offer you."
"No, no, nothing like that. My question is about...mates."
I watched as Gwendolyn's expression softened into a knowing grin.
"You and your husband are a mated pair, correct?"
"Indeed we are."
"How did you...how did you know?"
Gwendolyn's grin only grew wider at my question and I felt my cheeks heat with embarrassment.
"An immortal mating bond is a divine pairing, one that we have no control over. I felt a pull toward him like I needed to be somewhere specific, an urge to be where he was even before I knew him. Then one day I was doing the wash and heard his voice inside my head. Scared me half to death, if I'm being honest."
My eyes met Aiden's for a split second before I continued my line of questioning.
"When? When did you start hearing his voice?"
"Around my eighteenth birthday."
"Did it sound like a multitude of voices?"
Gwendolyn shook her head and scrunched her nose.
"No, definitely not. It was one voice, very clear and concise. His voice."
Aiden's shoulders slumped and I felt the same deflated feeling, knowing the multiple voices couldn't be my mate.
"I fear I've disappointed you."
"Just confused, but I'll sort through it." I said quietly.
"One more thing, did you ever discover additional gifts later in life? Gifts that arrived with similar timing to your mate's voice?"
The look on Gwendolyn's face was answer enough as she recoiled her head in confusion.
"My dear, a nymphs gifts are present at birth. They don't lie dormant or appear from thin air."
I gave her a smile and a nod trying to mask my utter confusion and disappointment. She offered us some tea and we discussed some lighter topics until it was time for Aiden and I to be on our way. My mother had given me a wealth of knowledge on healing techniques, but had taught me very little about immortal histories...or history in general.
Aiden's steps were heavy and his body was tense beside me as we left the cottage.
"Other gifts huh?" He snapped without looking at me.
