I woke in a forest. Beaten, sore, alone, lost. I wandered around until I could go no more. I fell to the ground and wept. Everything that mattered, my life, all gone. I cried myself to sleep. I woke sometime in the early night, warm and comfortable to find seven large wolves laying tight against me, sheltering me from the cold. “Do I know you” I asked. One large grey shifted, sniffed my neck and licked my face before settling in closer. No, these beast had no words, but they seemed to claim me and so I let them.

When the sun rose they were gone. I was found by a Golden Hunter, Masician was his name. He was all that is sunshine and honey. Strong and muscular, Honey Golden hair that flowed down his back in a braid, Laughing Hazel eyes, and a booming voice to match his large appearance. Weak and exhausted he carried me to his home in his village. There I rested and healed for several days. There I began again.

It was slow progress but as the babe within me grew to life, so did I. The village became family and after a time I know longer wished for my former life, as much. And so I found a new life, a new love, a new family. The day after my babe was born Masician and I wed. Now this is yet another grief riddin part of my life, I will tell it faster than the last, this pain is the worst of all. But to know who I am, I must tell it.

I gave Glorian a daughter. Bella Victoria, my living doll. Pale flawless skin, red cupid bow lips, mischievous violet eyes and hair as black as night. The birth was easy, she was easy. Always happy, laughing, dancing. Masi doted on her something fierce and soon she was the princess of the village. By the age of six she won the hearts of everyone she met with her manners, regal poise, her pranks and tricks. She could be so naughty yet plop herself on your lap, wrapping those little arms around you and grin, all would be forgotten.

Throughout the years as Maci’s wife I learned that, I was truly lost. He tried to help me find my home, but it couldn’t be done. I also learned that I had not lost all my powers and Bella Victoria had some as well. These things we keep hidden. I didnt want to be cast out, this was the only home I could have.

When Bella was eleven travelers came, as they often did. This time they brought with them an illness that took almost half the village. My Bella included. I think the clan wept most for her, they loved her so. Something in me broke, shifted. I did not cry, I left.

Maci must have know I would. He never said anything, but at a time of day he was always home, he was not. And so a month after all was mended from the illness and my Bella gone, I set out to find something.