Chapter 31 Rumors of War #2
"Yes—" Graves cleared his throat. "I am well, and I am back for the time being."
Maybe Luella was more in tune with her Vincire than she had thought, because she noticed the slight flinch that Graves was unable to hide as the Queen reached for his cheek, cupping the scarred side of his face.
"You are so handsome, my son. Gods, when Opulus told me that there were six trespassers, one of whom bore a striking resemblance to you, I thought it to be a shapeshifter. Or another trick by the Umbra. Never could I have imagined it to be you, truly."
Graves looked down. "It’s me, Mother. I am… sorry to cause you worry."
"The only worry you cause me is that of a mother. I always worry for my children," the Queen replied, patting Graves’s cheek. She sniffled, releasing her son to wipe at her eyes gently. "Look at me. I’m a mess, but can you hardly blame me? I’ve not seen you for hundreds of years."
At that, Luella’s mouth dropped open. Graves’s mother seemed to care for him, and yet Graves ignored her. Why?
There are some things too heavy to bear, and some reminders that cannot overcome even the kindest of souls. Bastian’s voice filled Luella’s mind.
What did that mean? The question plagued her—countless questions plagued her; though, she knew she would not receive her answer now.
The Queen took a slight step back, only just looking to Luella and the others.
Her eyes widened as she took them all in.
"Oh, these are your friends?" She looked at Vale, and Luella noticed the exact moment the Queen realized Vale held her hand. "Vale, I’ve not seen you for so long. My, how you’ve matured. Who are the rest?" The Queen smiled.
The Queen knew Vale, too? But not the others?
"Mother, this is the reason I left," Graves answered cryptically, sweeping a hand toward Luella.
The Queen gave Luella her full attention. "This is her?" Shock filled the Queen’s words as she reached for Luella’s hands, taking them before she could blink. Luella couldn’t hide away her flinch, and the Queen smiled sadly down at her. "What is your name?"
"I—" Luella stammered, looking to Vale, who nodded once.
You can tell her, Bastian assured.
Luella swallowed. "Luella… Eritrais."
The Queen stiffened, hands going slack on hers. "Of Solis?" she questioned fiercely, wings fluttering behind her, kicking up the roaring wind and lifting Luella’s hair around her face.
Luella looked to the others. What could she say? What could she do?
Her last name haunted her. She was coming to understand that her birthright was a curse, not a blessing.
"She is here in peace," Graves asserted.
"Queen Samil, you have heard of rumors of war?" Vale prodded, continuing when the Queen nodded, still gripping Luella’s hands. "In time, we will share more with you, but for now, you and the Fallen can rest safely knowing that Luella Eritrais is not a threat, and neither is Solis any longer."
The words hurt, and the relief that fell over the Queen’s face stung even more. Was Luella the only one saddened by the conquering of the kingdom that had been her home for nearly two decades?
You won’t find many who sympathize with Solis here, Bastian said softly.
"That’s good. We are cut off from most here, so news takes time to reach us on our islands.
If the Princess of Solis has come with the King of Serpentis and the Prince of the Fallen Isles, I suspect there is good cause?
" Queen Samil questioned, eyes finding Luella’s and pinning her to the spot.
"You do not have allegiance with your kingdom? "
Luella blew a soft breath between her parted lips. Did she have allegiance with the King and Queen who had stolen her and pretended she was their own child, all while treating her like a stain on the royal line? No, she did not… and yet—
"I have no allegiance with those who wish to harm innocents and work with darkness," Luella uttered.
"Then, you have allied with Serpentis?"
It took every bone inside Luella’s body not to let anger betray her. Did the Queen not know Luella had been taken as a war prize? Did she not know that Luella had no choice?
"My allegiance is to myself," Luella proclaimed quietly.
Vale’s fingers flexed around hers.
Careful, Bastian warned.
Her whole body quivered as Queen Samil stared her down. She was a head taller than Luella, and she felt it more evidently than ever in that moment as the Queen assessed her.
Finally, she spoke, regal and poised:
"Hold onto that soft fire. No one can own you save yourself, Princess Luella." The Queen inclined her head, only slightly, but it was enough to make the Fallen warriors tense as she deferred to Luella.
"T-thank you, Queen Samil," Luella managed to reply, disentangling her hand from Vale’s as she dipped into a curtsy—what she should have done the moment the Queen had stepped into their midst.
Queen Samil smiled as Luella rose. "I like her, Sorren.
" She wiped one last tear from under her eye, folding her hands before her.
"Enough tears. We have reason to celebrate. I’ve prepared a ball in your honor to welcome you home," she said to Graves.
"Opulus told me not to get my hopes up, but I could not help but feel like it was true. I’ve had a week to prepare, while you have been isolated.
I extend my gratitude to you for understanding the measures needed to keep the Fallen safe. "
Opulus, the Fallen who had led the warriors, with dark eyes and severe features, hair of deep brown, falling to his shoulders. He stepped closer to his Queen. "Forgive me for being cautious, Queen Samil. I did not want you to get your hopes up."
The Queen tutted. "I understand, Opulus; though, you are far too protective. I do not have reason to be mad at your warnings, as I’ve done the same." She turned to Graves. "I’ve kept this news from your siblings."
Graves had siblings…
Shock after shock hit Luella like waves eroding rock. She felt one final surge away from crumbling.
An unreadable look passed over Graves’s face. Was it relief?
"There are rooms at the palace for you… and your friends," Queen Samil shared. "Opulus will guide you. Get some rest. Eat. We celebrate come eve."
With that, Queen Samil reached for Graves’s hands, one last time, squeezing them as she murmured something low that Luella did not hear.
Then, she left, her guard getting into formation around her, but before she reached the narrow steps that led down to the passageway, her wings unfurled, snapping out in dark glory—revealed entirely from the open back of her breezy gown—and then she took to the sky, wings beating as her Fallen surrounded her.
Luella stared after them in awe, not even realizing her mouth had parted as something tapped under her chin, forcing it to close.
Tharen held her jaw, thumb stroking over her cheek. "Better to keep closed, Princess."
She lifted her chin away from him, briefly mourning his touch as his hand fell back down and his icy eyes sparked with cold, blue flames.
Opulus stepped forward, head inclined to the passage. "We should be on our way now, Prince Sorren."
"Yes, let’s go." Graves nodded, eyes finding Luella’s as he opened his mouth. She quickly looked away, cutting off whatever it was he wanted to say to her.
Graves led the way, walking beside Opulus, and she stared at their black, feathered wings as they ventured down the narrow passage and back to their boats, still there on the rocky shore, waiting for them. As if no time had passed.
As they prepared to get situated on the boats, Tharen steadied her with a hand on her waist as she waded ankle-deep into the water.
Az was on her other side, helping her step over the side of the boat, as he kept a firm hand on her shoulder, anchoring her.
Tharen sat next, and she tensed as Graves walked past, eyes narrowing on him as if to demand, Do not come near.
Burning ire swelled within her lungs, and gusts of wind ricocheted off the mountains and pulsed down the snaking curves of the waterways. Graves paused by the boat, jaw clenching as he turned to the second, and a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding escaped her in a sigh.
As Az moved to sit, Vale stopped him with a raised hand and smoke curling from his lips.
The King’s words were careful, cautious of Opulus, who watched them all with unwavering attention.
"Take the other, Azgorath," said Vale.
Az held Vale’s eyes, and Luella briefly wondered if her demon would refuse, but after a moment, he relented, sweeping his hand over the top of her hair as he passed by, moving to sit in the other boat with Bastian and Graves, leaving her with Tharen and Vale.
The dragon shifter sat behind her, his knees brushing her backside.
"Follow me," Opulus said. "We must make haste before the storm releases." He tilted his head back, watching the dark clouds that were quickly covering the early morning sun.
Then, they were off.
The tips of Opulus’s wings skimmed over the water, leaving sharp trails glancing upward as they cut through the surface in sleek lines, all while their two boats rowed after him, the oars making the water ripple.
Like the first time, she kept her body still and tried not to look down, but it was a losing battle.
She couldn’t help it. Something in the water, as fearsome and deadly and so, so terrifying as it was, it called to her—like the mountains, like the sky, like the trees that popped up the further they rowed, and like the air itself, roaring around them and making her white hair whip against her cheeks, stinging her skin pink.
Behind her, Vale’s hand brushed upward, skimming over her spine and stilling as they reached the base of her wings, where they jutted from her skin. It no longer hurt, just a faint ache when she moved too swiftly, and the sensation of his fingers—even over the cloak—was far too pleasant.
His lips pressed to her ear. "You’ve done well, darling."
She turned her head slightly and murmured, "I wasn’t given a choice."