Burdens by Meril

A Necklace

Élin carries a precious necklace: an opal set in smooth silver. It was a gift from my mother, she whispers. Ammë gave it to me when I came of age, and I will give it to our daughter when she is grown. Her eyes are sad as she glances up at her husband, twisting her hands nervously in the folds of her azure cloak.

He tries to meet her eyes, but his face tightens with shame and he cannot. Instead, he clings to her hand.

What she does not say (but they both know) is that her mother was Telerin.