Christmas Cake [King]

"No, I--" She took a deep breath. "I think you should know."

There was a short pause and a breath before she jumped in. "Mage families have... a central ancestor--the first, the founder. In my case, its Darmanitun Powell. The founder marries and has kids... but only the oldest child--usually the oldest son--gets to carry on the Powell name, and all others have to hyphenate it, with... Powell-Jordan or something."

She reached for Grant's hand.

"I'm. Dyshelle Powell. I'm. A direct descendant of Darmanitun. The main branch is always expected to keep a..." The next words caught in her throat and she had to more or less choke them out. "A certain.... purity of bloodline... to be allowed to hold positions like High Warlock."

Shellie swallowed. It felt like she was swallowing cotton. "My mom she--she's not... around anymore." She whispered. "I'm... an only child."

Shellie was quiet as she let what she had just revealed hang in air for a while. She leaned against Grant for a support. "It's... alright. I decided a long time ago that I wasn't going to date or marry for anything other than love, mage or not."

Hearing Grant say that made her feel a bit more strengthened. She loved Grant, loved him a lot, and she doubted that worrying about the purity of the family line would change that. If they had kids, they'd be able to do magic either way.

Everything would be fine.

She smiled at him and grabbed his hand. "Come now, sweetheart. We need to fill you with some good family food. It's the fastest way to being accepted here."

Shellie smiled devlishly as she made Grant a plate. It had some of everything, a small mountain of food that she presented to the tall pirate with a smile. "Well, here you go, darling!"