Hidden Truths of Valentin

The Final Truth

The distance wasn't as far as it had only taken an hour of passing through the forest and climbing the mountain a bit while following the trail until we had finally arrived to a small cottage on a hill. Beside the hill was a small lake as well as a waterfall.

Within the hour of travelling with the girl, I had gotten much more comfortable and Demon and I had gotten to know one another. Turns out Demon had quite the past.

Her parents died when she was young: they were killed when a fire had struck their home. Luckily, she had been staying with her grandparents at the time so she was lucky to have survived. Ever since that day, her grandparents became her new guardians and took the responsibility in raising her.

I also learned that I wasn't the only one with a gift. Demonelle too had a gift. She was what people called a Dragoonaire, one with eyes that turn black and shine like marble, but also had the ability to control the will of others and find any and all truth without any difficulty.

As we approached the house, an older woman of who I presumed to be one of Demonelle's guardians had walked outside the small cottage to greet the both of us, a warm smile spread across her lips. "I've been waiting for you." Were here first words as we dismounted.

I frowned at that as my heart sank. "What do you mean?"

"You're Josie, right?" The woman asked. "My name is Edythe, I'm your grandmother."

My eyes widened. "My grandmother? But you were.. You are.." My voice trailed off.

"Evil? Is that what they told you?"

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"Evil?" Demonelle scoffed before giggling and wrapping her arms around me in an embrace. "Grams wouldn't harm a fly. She's what keeps this place alive, couz."

I only looked at her.

"Josie, Demonelle is your cousin. We're all family here, and you are welcome to stay with us as long as you like." Edythe welcomed.

I furrowed my brows as I now looked to the ground. "I don't understand.." I murmured.

"You're an enchanter, Josie. Your parents don't understand people like us, that's why they fear us. It's why they hide the truth. It's to keep people like us and humans away from one another, and.. give them a reason to wipe us out." She glanced to Demonelle of who now released me before locking eyes with me.

"The fire was no accident." She informed.

I could see she was a bit pained by her words, both her and Edythe were, but no tears fell from their eyes. I then looked to Edythe. "What exactly is an enchanter..?" I asked curiously. Because of the way I grew up, I didn't know anything about what I was or what I could do.

"Let's talk about this inside." My grandmother told me as she stepped closer to wrap an arm around my shoulder and guide me to the cottage.

I followed without question.

Once we were inside, Edythe had me sit down on the small couch beside the fireplace as she left to the kitchen to bring a fresh pot of tea. When she had returned, she wasn't alone as a man stood close by her side.

"This is my husband, Demyan, your grandfather." She began.

I knew she was telling the truth from the look in her eyes. She was an honest woman, and I felt as if I could trust her.

"How did you know I was coming?"

"The trees. They told me. I had them watching over you as you walked the forest."

"That's why they caught me?"

"No, they're very kind and love to protect and watch over its inhabitants."

I softly smiled at that. I was beginning to like this place more and more.

"I too was forced to get married at a young age, forced to never use my gift, the same as you were. Except I was married to another man, Rikalo. I was never happy as my parents said I would be. I was with him for just over a year, and in that time I had already given birth to a single child, your father. Only days after your father's birth, I had overheard of Rikalo's plan to assassinate me simply for being what I am, so before he had the chance, I left. I didn't have enough time to grab your father, so I was alone. Rikalo was quick to notice I was gone and chased after me into the Enchanted Forest." She informed. "He could've killed me, but Demyan here saved me." She softly smiled as she held onto Demyan's hand, giving him a small squeeze.

I was in shock. "My parents told me that because you were consumed by evil, that you murdered him.." I murmured.

"Sweet child," Edythe smiled. "Rikalo's not dead."

"Then where is he?" I asked, curious to hear more of the story.

"When Demyan saved my life, Rikalo ended up falling unconscious after having hit his head. He lost his memory. To keep him from remembering and trying to come for me or anyone else ever again, we sent him far away. He lives as a baker now on the Island of Lumière. Afterwards, I was remarried to someone new, someone kind. Demyan. We had a daughter, and she was so beautiful. Then she had you." She looked to Demonelle. "You both grow more beautiful every day, and I wouldn't trade you for anything in the world." She said as she now glanced between us both.

So everything was a lie. Everything my parents had told me, was indeed a lie. Up until now, the truth has finally been revealed to me, and with this truth, I smile. I'm not dangerous, and neither is she, we all aren't. Starting now, I think it's safe to say I'm happy. I may not be married yet, and I may not have children, but I'm me, and that's good enough.

The End