She loved you," the Quess finally admitted. "She was very happy to be with
child. She talked of nothing more than her desire to hold you in her arms."
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Oliver asked quietly. Hazel covered her sniffle with
a small cough.
"I was angry. You took her from me, even before your birth. She loved you more
than she ever cared for me. And then she was gone. Because of your
origins, it was easy to assume you killed her. And it all alleviated my guilt. I wasn't
able to help her in the end. No one could."
"She loved me? Oliver echoed, and this time, Hazel had to turn away to keep from
spilling her tears on the both of them. fairy she would have spouted
like a big watering pot.
"She did," ford whispered. "And, though I never understood the beast
within you, your
