After Elowen left, Margaret, her eyes bright despite her illness, looked steadily at Dylan. "Come, child, sit down," she said, pointing to the chair beside her.

Dylan sat down, and Margaret smiled at him gently, her gaze lingering for a while. "My daughter may seem stubborn and unwilling to yield, but I know she’s fragile inside. She acts tough because she has no choice..." Margaret’s voice grew choked, her bright eyes shimmering with tears.

"Elowen is a good child. It’s me ...