Chapter 21 You Can Always Come Home
You Can Always Come Home
Ember laid in bed with a book floating in the air in front of her, flipping the pages as she sighed.
She had read this particular chapter three times so far, and every time she got to the end, she couldn’t remember what had happened.
She flicked her wrist, closing the book, and then sent it floating into a pile on the nightstand beside her bed.
It was Friday, and though she had only been in bed for twenty-four hours resting, it already felt like an eternity.
Her shoulder ached as she rolled out of bed, and she sucked in a breath as she felt pain shoot through her ribs.
She blew out a breath, limping toward her bedroom window as she stared at the ever changing leaves at the back of their property.
It was Samhain, one of the best festivals of the year, and thanks to Veda Ellingboe, she was spending it cooped up at home.
There would be no dancing or singing or eating till she was so full she was sure she wouldn’t be able to make it home.
Considering she missed the festivities last year, she was really hoping she would get to go to this one.
Apparently not.
She jumped when she heard a knock at the door and turned around to see Aoife smiling at her as she popped her head in. “You have some company, Mo Stór,” she said and motioned for her to come downstairs.
Ember crinkled her forehead and followed her down the steps, limping as she went. They walked through the house and to the door that led into the back garden, and Ember winced as she sucked in a breath when they walked out the door.
“We knew you couldn’t come to the festival this year,” Fen beamed, as he shoved his hands in his pockets, “so we thought we might bring the festival to you.”
The garden was bedecked in twinkling lights strung across posts set in a giant circle.
Music seemed to play from everywhere and nowhere, and food overflowed from a table set on the side of the garden.
Ember’s smile grew as Killian grinned at her, Theo standing beside him with Maeve—both practically vibrating out of their skin with excitement.
Eira and Otto both came up and gave her a peck on the cheek, and Thea wrapped her in a tight hug.
Ember didn’t even care that her ribs ached at the pressure.
Odette gave her a small wave from where she was swaying to the music, and even Gaelen was enjoying the festivities—though she always seemed to have one eye on the two small children now running through the darkening grass.
Everyone was here, all her friends, and she wasn’t at all ashamed about the tears that streaked down her cheeks.
The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.
“You did all of this for me?” Her voice cracked as she smiled. Killian waltzed up to her and planted a kiss right on her cheek that set her skin on fire.
“Considering what you spent last year doing,” he whispered close to her ear, “we thought it best not to leave you alone this time.”
Ember swatted his arm, and he laughed as he backed up next to Fen, who looked like he might be sick.
“One night up and about shouldn’t hurt your recovery too bad,” Otto said, as he walked up with a pair of crutches, charmed to help her stand upright and relieve the growing pressure on her ribs and shoulder.
He gave her another kiss on the head and then made his way to grab a drink from Thea, who seemed to be concocting something from the punch and a flask she had pulled from her purse.
“You deserve a night with your friends.” Aoife smiled as she gave her shoulder a squeeze, but something akin to pain settled in her eyes. “Now go have fun.” She kissed Ember on the top of the head and shooed her away.
Fen was piling food onto a plate while Odette leaned against the table, talking animatedly about something or another. Ember tried not to laugh as his face contorted into confusion, painting on a fake smile as he nodded. He shot Ember a look, and she could hear his voice rattle around in her head.
Help me.
Ember let out a laugh as she hobbled over.
“You’re all mad,” she laughed. “You know that, right? You should be in Sigurvik for the festival. You didn’t have to do all of this.”
“And go without you?” Killian said, as he slung an arm over her shoulders, making her wince. “Where would the fun be in that?”
“Thank you,” she whispered. The love in the air was palpable—so intense it took her breath away.
She watched as Theo and Maeve danced in the grass, the latter holding her little brother’s hand like she was his lifeline.
She listened as Odette continued to talk Killian’s and Fen’s ears off and laughed as both boys tried desperately to find a way out of the conversation.
She quietly slipped away, making her way to the edge of the twinkling lights, and leaned against one of the posts as she watched her friends and family dance and laugh.
“Enjoying the festivities?” Eira’s voice cut through the laughter as she walked up beside her, smiling as she hugged a mug of tea close to her chest.
“It’s beautiful,” Ember said. “I can’t believe you all did this for me.”
“Can I tell you a secret?” Eira smiled.
Ember nodded her head.
“I overheard the boys planning to break you out of the house and sneak you to the festival, so I thought maybe this time we would save them the trouble of getting caught.” Eira winked, and Ember laughed.
She could almost picture the two whispering together as they played chess.
Suddenly, her heart ached for a home that wasn’t hers anymore—a family that wasn’t hers.
“We miss you,” Eira continued, as she watched Maeve try to stuff biscuits into the pockets of her dress. “We were hoping we would see you for your birthday dinner. I hope you know you’re always welcome at the house, whenever you like.”
Ember nodded as she swallowed. “I’m sorry I missed it. I just don’t want my mum to think I’m not thankful that she came back for me. I don’t want her to think that I’ve…”
“Replaced her?” Eira asked, voice filled with sadness.
Ember nodded again—she couldn’t make any of the words come out.
“I never knew your mum well—not as well as I knew your da’.
But I know he would be glad you found your way back to your family.
” There was no anger in her voice—no jealousy or regret, and something about that made Ember’s heart break further.
“But I also know he wouldn’t want you to forget everyone else that loves you too.
” She smiled softly. “He wouldn’t want you to hide those parts of yourself away or lock up the past like it never happened.
You can have more than one home. And no matter where you go or what you do, or how far you have to travel,” Eira breathed, as she kissed her on the head, “you can always come home.”