Chapter 11
T he stagecoach ride back home from Sudamon was the longest ride of my life. I left first thing in the morning after the Ashoralida, and it was still raining when I passed through the capital city. The revelry had gone on late into the night, with most of the muses staying up to enjoy it, but I had gone to bed early, alone, sad, and confused.
I didn't say goodbye to anyone before I had gone because I didn't want to disturb Jessalyn and the muses, who had likely only gone to sleep a few hours before. I hadn't spoken to Soren or even seen him after our abrupt kiss, and I didn't know if I ever would again.
On top of all that – which was honestly enough misery on its own – I knew I would be returning home to a furious Adora. I had sent a reply to her message, and using Soren's suggestion, I had kept it short and simply said that it was a miscommunication, that I was safe, and that I would see her soon.
She had never replied to that, which wasn't a surprise, but that meant that I would have to listen to all the anger she'd bottled up while I had been gone.
The Ashoralida in Calida had apparently been effective because it kept raining as I passed from one kingdom to the next.
When I finally made it home, Heloise came out to greet me. She hugged me and asked me about my trip, and then she tried to carry my bag inside, but I wouldn't let her.
“How is Adora?” I asked her as we walked toward the house.
Heloise pursed her lips together and shook her head. “The Lady is… well, be careful with her, Miss Izzy. That is all I can say.”
I found Adora inside, lounging on the sofa under a plush blanket. All her attention was focused on her embroidering. I approached quietly, and over her shoulder, I could see she was working on a piece featuring a lion overtaking a rabbit.
“Hello, Adora,” I said, since she had yet to acknowledge me.
“You survived,” she said without looking at me. “I suppose I should be grateful for that.”
“Our conduction at the Ashoralida went well. We brought the rains to the deserts of Sudamon.” Then, when she didn’t reply, I pressed on with a boastful, “We were amazing.”
She snorted. “Is that what you believe, or did someone other than a muse actually say it?”
“Soren told us,” I said, and his name tasted bitter on my tongue.
"That would be a no, then." She let out an exasperated sigh, finally set down her embroidery, and looked up at me. "You can never trust the word of an enchanter. You know what happened to me the last time I trusted one."
"Of course," I said quickly because I was not in the mood to hear her retread the fateful tale of how Adora was fooled by a manipulative enchanter.
"Because of him, my vocation ended at sixteen," she reminded me. "I used to be able to pretend that it was a happy ending, albeit an abrupt one, because I gained a daughter, but now I am not even sure what's good about that. You have turned out to be willful and a liar, just like your father."
“Adora, I did not lie,” I insisted, and she glared up at me. “I swear it to you. It was simply a misunderstanding. But I am just fine. I stayed in a dormitory with the other muses on the palace grounds, and I was never anything but completely safe.”
“I know what you told me, Isadore, and I won’t believe you no matter how many times you try to pretend that things were otherwise,” she said firmly. “You lied to me.”
"I am sorry to have upset you, Adora," I said emphatically. "I never meant for that. I only wanted to perform at the Ashoralida how you wanted me to. With my conduction there, I really do believe that I may have a chance of getting more placements in the future."
“Yes, if you wish to perform in a barren desert.” Adora rolled her eyes. “You would’ve had better luck if you were here with me as a guest at the Calida Ashoralida. I was socializing with Queen Kriselle and her Court. I had the most wonderful conversation with the best warlock and enchanters in the kingdom.”
“Are they to be trusted then?” I asked. “The enchanters and warlocks on the Queen’s Court?”
“Isadore, when I say never, I mean it,” she insisted fiercely. “They are never to be trusted. But they are a necessary evil. Especially the ones here, and you know that. The best placements are in Calida, and you should have been here. I never should’ve let you go in the first place.”
“Word will spread about our performances in Sudamon. When it reaches the ears of Calida, it will lead to more impressive conductions,” I told her.
"Word has already gotten out, thanks to me," Adora said. "I considered not saying anything at all with the way that you behaved. But I am your mother, and I love you, despite all that you put me through and the disrespect you show me, and I could not pass up the chance to sing your praises when I had a warlock's ear. No matter how badly you treat me, I will always do what is best for you.”
My stomach twisted with guilt, and I lowered my eyes. “Thank you, Adora.”
"Your gratitude is nice, but it doesn't change what you've done," Adora said, but she did seem to be softening. "I was worried, Isadore. I didn't know who you were with or what might happen to you. I hardly slept while you were gone. When you sent that hurtful message, I was so afraid that it would be bad news that I had to have Heloise read it."
The hurt on her face made me want to cry, and I knelt on the floor beside her, literally begging for forgiveness. "I'm sorry, Adora. I wasn't thinking, and I was careless. I should've come home when you asked."
"At least it was a lesson learned – always listen to your mother," she said with a saccharine smile. "And now, onto the good news."
“There is good news?” I asked.
“Yes, my conversations at the Ashoralida led to you getting a new assignment,” Adora said. “Queen Kriselle is having her Golden Jubilee to celebrate her twenty-five years as a monarch. You will be performing alone as one of the opening acts.”
“ Alone ?" I asked, then I hurried to mask my dismay with forced excitement. "I will truly be able to showcase my talents. Thank you so much, Adora."
“Your perfect presentation will be thanks enough.”