Redhawk Caldera heartstone

She was so distraught, and so angry, that the feeling surprised even herself. Maia knew it wasn’t her place to say what Teya, an adult and a mother twice over, should or shouldn’t do. But she loved her and it hurt her deeply to know that she and Eljay were dispensable. They were family. Family was who you went to when you needed support.

Teya did not see them this way, apparently. She didn’t want their help, and in fact, felt staying would do more harm than good. Maia could only see this as a reflection of herself. And out of everyone here, Maia’s own self was the one she was angriest at. Maybe this was why their children looked for support in other places too. Maybe only Maia and Eljay saw this place as a family, and maybe she’d failed in making sure the others felt that too.

I love you, Maia managed to respond, though her voice broke partially through. She wasn’t able to say anything else as Teya disappeared and instead clung close to Eljay, grappling with all of these new feelings that she didn’t know how to process.