During our time together, a peculiar aspect of Elven biology took hold.
Because we grow and mature based on the mana density of our living conditions, living so close to Jacob—a man radiating power—accelerated my growth.
I grew taller, my features sharpening, looking more like a teenager than the little girl he had saved.
But as I grew, the curse grew with me.
Mister Jacob looked increasingly worried as time passed. My skin had begun cracking like dry earth, and my eyes had clouded over, sealing shut.
I was blind, unable to see a thing despite my eyes being open. My body could no longer contain the energy I was absorbing; I was breaking apart at the seams.
One evening, we were both sitting at the edge of a high tree branch, the wind rustling the leaves I could hear but not see.
"Let me see your hand," he said to me softly.
Hesitant, I scrambled away from him, hiding my hand behind my back.
