Chapter 7 Lothbrok Manor #2
Ember’s jaw hung slack as she nodded, her heart beginning to race in her chest before she felt her mother’s hand on her shoulder and began to gently guide her toward the manor.
Ember followed her mother up the path to the large, oak double doors.
She sucked in a breath as they swung open, eyes raking over the mahogany floors bathed in apricot and plum shining through the floor-to-ceiling windows lining the walls.
A grand staircase was directly in front of her, spiraling up to the second and third floors, no doubt filled with long halls and cozy rooms. The living room could be seen through a large archway to her right, and Ember’s mind reeled with the idea of all the cozy winter nights in front of the fire curled up with a book and a warm cup of tea.
Somewhere in the house, a clock chimed eight times, and the door behind her swung shut.
“Your room is up on the second floor, first door on the right.” Aoife smiled as she motioned toward the staircase. “Do you need help getting settled in?”
Ember shook her head with a small smile. “I’ve got it down to a science at this point,” she half laughed. “I’ll be okay.”
Aoife frowned as she wrapped her in a hug, kissing her gently on the head as she stroked her hair. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered, as she pulled away and took a shaky breath. “All of that is over now. Now, you’re home.”
Home.
“Mum?” Ember shouted, as she walked down the stairs the next morning, rounding into the hall toward where she assumed the kitchen was, evident only by the heavenly smell that was wafting toward her. “Mum, are you in here?”
“Good morning, Miss Ember,” a voice said from the kitchen. “Breakfast is ready.”
Ember walked into the room to see a young Merrow standing at the counter preparing a plate of eggs, bacon, and fried potatoes. A fresh pot of tea was sitting on the stove, and the Merrow summoned it to the teacups sitting on the counter beside her.
“Oh, um, good morning,” Ember mumbled, as she entered the room.
“I’m sorry, do I know you?” There was something familiar about her that Ember couldn’t quite place.
The memory was there, buried in the back of her mind, but it was like a shadow lingered over it.
She was older than Maren, perhaps a little younger than her mother, and her hair fell in deep mauve waves over her shoulders.
Ember’s heart broke as she thought about the Clann and what her parents must be going through.
How long had she been gone? Had she lived here at the manor her whole life?
Did her mum understand what the Merrow went through? Where was her cape?
They would have to talk about that later.
“I don’t believe so.” The Merrow smiled warmly. “My name is Gaelen. Tea?”
“Oh, yes please.” Ember nodded. She walked further into the kitchen but stopped short, her heart jumping into her throat when she peeked into the little breakfast nook in the corner by the large window.
There was a little boy with fiery red hair and bright green eyes tucked into the corner eating his breakfast. He didn’t so much as flinch when Ember walked into the room, didn’t even look up to acknowledge her presence.
Gaelen summoned the pot of tea to the center of the small table, charming it to pour the amber liquid into each mug.
“Sit,” she said to Ember, as she motioned to the table. “Your mum should be down shortly.”
Ember nodded as she slipped into the seat across from the boy, barely acknowledging the plate in front of her as she studied him intently.
There was something vaguely familiar about him, but she couldn’t place what it was.
He bit the edge of his lip as he traced his fingers along the grains of wood.
Her breath hitched in her throat with the way his nose scrunched, highlighting the freckles that traveled across the bridge of his nose and over his cheeks.
“Hello there,” she whispered, as she tapped her finger against the table. “My name is Ember. What’s yours?”
The boy looked up at her for a moment, emerald eyes meeting hers, before he quickly averted them and focused again on his breakfast. Ember furrowed her brow as she waited for a response, but one never came.
She let out a sigh as she reached for her tea when another pair of footsteps entered the room.
“Oh, good morning, loves.” Aoife smiled as she walked to the table and kissed Ember gently on the head, then did the same with the boy. “I see you’ve met Theo.”
Ember tilted her head in confusion as she looked at her mother and then back to the boy, who was now staring back at her.
“It’s nice to meet you, Theo,” she said with a smile. “How old are you?”
Theo looked up at Aoife and then back to Ember.
“He can’t answer you, I’m afraid,” Aoife said, as she smiled down at the boy, patting his head. “He’s mute.”
Ember’s chest tightened as she sucked in a breath. ”Mute?” she whispered. “He can’t speak at all?”
“Not at all,” Aoife replied, a sad smile tugging at her lips. “I assumed it would happen eventually, but it never did.” Something like regret washed over her face—a shadow of blame, like it was somehow her fault.
“How old is he?” Ember asked, as she tilted her head.
“Ten.” Aoife smoothed the boy’s hair. “We just celebrated his birthday a month ago.”
Ember stiffened, her chest tightening as she looked the little boy over again, trying to place where she knew him, where she had seen him before. His green eyes sparkled as he looked toward her, and something vaguely familiar stared back that made Ember’s stomach coil into tight knots.
“Does he live here?” Ember asked, as she furrowed her brow.
“Oh, love, yes, I’m sorry.” Aoife smiled as she shook her head. “Theo is your little brother.”
Ember’s head began to spin as she sucked in a breath, and the realization of where she knew him from, where she recognized those eyes and freckles from, hit her like a freight train barreling down a mountain.
She was staring into her father’s eyes.
“My brother?” she whispered, struggling to catch her breath. “But that means you were—”
“Yes,” Aoife nodded, “I was pregnant before the storm. Just barely, though. I didn’t find out until a few months after.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Ember asked, suddenly at a loss for what she really wanted to say.
Why did you lie?
“It felt like something you needed to see in person first,” Aoife replied with a placating smile.
Ember nodded, suddenly unable to form any actual thoughts, let alone sentences.
The little boy looked up at her, green eyes twinkling as he gave her a small smile, and Ember could’ve sworn she was back in their cottage in Galway, staring at those same green eyes and freckled face as her father told her stories about the witches in the stars.
“Gaelen,” Aoife said over her shoulder, “would you mind getting Theo ready for the day? He has riding lessons this afternoon.” She kissed Theo on the head as Gaelen motioned for him and led him out of the room.
“I had Gaelen plan a special supper tonight in honor of your return,” Aoife said., “How does corned beef and cabbage with potatoes sound? I even had Maize pick some fresh peas from the garden to go on the side.”
Ember gritted her teeth. “Oh, um, I don’t like peas, Mum,” She forced a smile. “But I’m sure it will be lovely.”
“Oh,” Aoife gave an apologetic smile, “I’m sorry, love, I must’ve forgotten. I could’ve sworn you loved them.”
There had never been a day in her life Ember had liked peas, or corned beef for the matter.
Since she was old enough to sit at a table on her own, she had done everything in her power to keep them off her plate.
But it had been years since her mother had made her food, let alone sat at a table with her, so of course she wouldn’t remember something as insignificant as her hatred of peas.
Ember’s face fell, and Aoife squeezed her hand.
“You’ll have to forgive me,” she said, as she loosed a breath.
“It’s been so long, it’s going to take some time to find our new normal.
For me to find my new normal.” She bit her lip as she tapped a finger on the table.
“How would you like to go into town with me tomorrow?” Aoife continued, as she sat at the table opposite her daughter.
“Maybe see if there are any new releases at the Bookwyrm?”
Ember could feel her face light up as she nodded vigorously, the tea in her mug sloshing around as she moved. She felt something warm in her chest, like small puzzle pieces shifting back into place. She took a sip of her tea when a knock sounded on the front door.
“Hm,” Aoife said, as she furrowed her brow, “I don’t think we’re expecting anyone.”
“I’ll get it.” Ember smiled as she walked away from the table into the foyer. The door swung open, and her heart leapt into her throat. “Killian! Fen!” She nearly screamed with excitement. “What are you doing here?”
“You forgot your AirWave.” Fen smiled as he handed her the board that was tucked under his arm. “And Da’ picked up your ring, had to bring them over. Can’t have you getting rusty laid up in this big house with all your books.”
“Plus I had to see if your new house was bigger than mine.” Killian smirked as he waltzed into the foyer, hands stuffed lazily in his pockets as he let out a low whistle. “Very nice, Starshine.”
Ember rolled her eyes as she shut the door and watched both boys inspect the rich mahogany on the banister.
“It’s quite big,” she breathed a small laugh.
“Haven’t had much of a chance to explore yet, though.
I’ve been a bit… preoccupied this morning.
” Her breath caught as she remembered Theo, his bright green eyes staring at her from across the breakfast table.
“I have something to tell you, but not here. Let’s go outside. ”