"Averin was a very easy snakling," Sissira said softly, her voice warm with nostalgia. "She loved sleeping more than anything. If she could sit, she would never stand again. Even when she was young, she preferred resting under the sun or curling beside warm stones instead of running with the others."
She smiled as she spoke, her eyes distant.
"She helped me when she was little, bringing herbs and water, but she was never interested in becoming a priestess. Her heart was always wandering somewhere else."
Sissira's smile slowly faded, as if a shadow passed through her memories.
Ardis noticed it immediately. Her grandmother was always calm, always composed. Seeing that shift made her uneasy.
"What happened, Grandma?" Ardis asked softly.
Sissira exhaled and brushed Ardis's hair back gently. "Let me tell you a story," she said.
"When Averin transformed, a competition was held to choose her first male. She was very popular among the snake beastmen. At that time, a Cavaran arrived with several visiting tribes, and many outsiders also wished to participate. The grounds were filled with challengers, strong warriors, ambitious hunters, and clever strategists. Everyone wanted her."
Ardis imagined the scene: roaring beastmen, clashing claws, blood staining the earth, all fighting for the right to stand beside her aunt.
"In the end, Maelor won," Sissira continued. "But strength alone is never enough. We also judged intelligence, loyalty, and character. He was powerful, clever, and calm. He showed respect to the elders, obeyed the rules, and protected the weaker ones. Yet, he was also an orphan. No parents, no family, no tribe bonds beyond ours."
Sissira's eyes softened. "Later, Averin met him properly. They spoke often. She laughed more. Soon, they bonded. At first, I believed it was a good match."
Her voice lowered.
"But not long after, Averin began to change. She grew withdrawn. She stopped visiting me. She no longer joined the other females. She had never been social, but this was different. It was as if the world outside Maelor had disappeared for her."
Sissira clenched her fingers.
"I grew suspicious and went to see her without warning. I found her sitting beside him. Maelor was weaving a mat while they talked. She leaned close to him, depending on his presence. When she saw me, she quickly ran over and hugged me, acting cheerful."
Sissira shook her head. "I scolded them both for not visiting. I believed them when they said they were busy. I let my guard down."
She paused, then continued quietly.
"Later, I asked to speak to Averin alone. She glanced at Maelor before answering. She hesitated. He watched her closely. In that moment, I knew something was wrong."
Ardis felt a chill crawl up her spine.
"Maelor was manipulating her," Sissira said, anger flickering in her eyes. "He was possessive, controlling, and unstable. He wanted her world to be only him. When we tried to separate them, Averin threatened to harm herself. She believed she could not live without him."
Sissira slammed the wooden cup onto the table. "We confronted him. We warned him. We demanded he change."
She exhaled deeply.
"Over time, he truly tried. He learned to step back. Averin slowly returned to herself. They are better now, but scars remain."
Ardis swallowed. She had seen them from afar, gentle, calm, and affectionate. She had never imagined such darkness behind their bond.
"But don't worry," Sissira said, touching Ardis's hand. "Just be yourself. Trust your instincts. And… do not stay too close to Maelor."
Ardis nodded, understanding the warning.
She had learned something important: even those who seem gentle can carry dangerous shadows, and love, when twisted, can become a cage.
But someone who was once so extreme… could they truly change?That question lingered in Ardis's mind long after her grandmother finished speaking.
She looked up at Sissira, still trying to piece together everything she had just heard.
"Then… how did my aunt start traveling?" Ardis asked quietly, her curiosity mixed with doubt.
Sissira hesitated. Her fingers paused in the middle of folding a cloth. For a moment, she seemed unsure whether to speak.
"Actually," she said slowly, "your aunt was always easily satisfied. She never wanted to travel. She was content just listening to stories from others, imagining the world beyond the forest."
Ardis blinked in surprise.
"Then why—?"
"It was her friend," Sissira continued, her voice lowering. "Averin had a close companion, an unblessed female. She was the one who dreamed of seeing deserts, oceans, and distant lands. She wanted Averin to go with her."
Sissira's eyes darkened.
"She died during her transformation."
Ardis felt a chill run through her body. The room felt heavier.
Sissira turned away slightly, clearly unwilling to continue. Ardis could tell, there was another story buried beneath those words. One her grandmother was not ready to share.
Before Ardis could ask more, Ravik and Borin arrived to escort her home. She bowed to Sissira and followed them back through the dim paths of the village.
That night, Ardis ate quietly, spoke little, then curled up on her fur. She did not tell anyone about her grandmother's story.
Yet her thoughts refused to settle.
Why did Dad react like that?
She remembered clearly that when she had casually mentioned meeting Aunt Averin, Aeron had stiffened. His expression had changed, just for a heartbeat.
Later, he had called her outside.
"You aunt…" Aeron had started, then stopped. His eyes avoided hers."Talk to her normally," he finally said, "but don't get too close."
Then he turned and walked away, leaving Ardis standing alone in confusion.
Now, lying on her fur, she furrowed her brow.
How many secrets surround Aunt Averin? she wondered.
She tossed and turned for a long time before sleep finally claimed her.
In the evening before, —
"My niece is very cute, isn't she?" Averin said with a gentle smile, holding Maelor's arm as they walked.
Maelor only nodded.
"I hope she finds a good beastman," Averin continued softly. "Let's delay traveling for a while. I want to stay."
Maelor smiled. "Okay."
He leaned down, kissed her cheek, and wrapped his arms around her. Averin laughed lightly and stepped into their hut with him.
Yet behind that peaceful scene, unseen shadows quietly stirred.