**Light of Nibel—Gareth, Coker, Aeraile Brighton**
"That even though you are not my real mother… I love you."
The Queen blinked, her expression unreadable. But Ember had come too far to waver now that she was putting everything out there.
"I've tried to find a way to say it that doesn't sound foolish or childish, but there's really no way to dress it up. I love you, Mother. Not because I'm pretending to be Elara. Not because you saved me. But because you stayed."
She swallowed thickly, her voice trembling but firm.
"You stayed and guided me. You protected me when no one else did. You saw the worst in me—and still refused to throw me away. And in all my life, no one… no one has ever done that for me. Least of all the one who gave birth to me."
The Queen's brows drew together slightly, the first flicker of emotion cracking her stern poise.
