Chapter 27
Iwas sitting on the sofa, wrapped in my favourite blanket.
Nocturna and Astra were cuddled up on either side of me.
The warm crackle of the fire played as soothing background noise to this utterly perfect moment.
I took a deep sip from my mug of camomile tea.
A drop lingered on my nose. Astra sat up and licked it off before I had a chance to wipe it away.
I giggled as she continued to thoroughly lick my face, making sure not another spot of tea lingered there.
I raised my hand in defeat. “All right, Astra. I think you got it!” I scratched behind her ear, knowing her favourite scratch spot was the only way I had to distract her. I smiled at her as her hind leg began to kick furiously.
Nocturna sat up, her face inches from mine. Her mouth moved, and words fell from her lips. “You really should wake up. It’s rude to keep us waiting.”
Puzzled, I looked around. Did she just speak to me? Or am I hearing things? I looked back at Nocturna, her usual disapproving look settled deeply on her face.
Astra leaned over and chimed in. “Give her a break. She’s been through a lot.”
I stared in disbelief at Astra as she gave me her signature goofy grin. My chest started to ache. Astra lay on her back with her head on my lap, looking up at me as she said calmly, “My sister is right, though. It might be a good time to wake up, before you freak yourself out some more.”
My eyes shot open. Astra’s fluffy silver face was just an inch from mine. I could feel her wet, warm breath on my face. I had to be dreaming still. I closed my eyes and waited a few seconds before opening them again. Astra’s large green eyes were staring back at me.
I sat up and wrapped my arms around her as tightly as I could and began to weep in deep, uncontrollable sobs.
I buried my face in her neck, breathing in the familiar smell of her musky fur.
I felt a sudden, rough nudge to my left side.
I looked over and saw Nocturna sitting there.
I wrapped an arm around her and pulled her tightly into me.
I sat there and cried as I finally held both of my girls in my arms again.
“I missed you both so much,” I rasped, my voice raw from sobbing so hard. I pulled away to get a better look at them. “Do not ever leave me like that again. Do you understand?”
I laughed at myself, as once again I was speaking to them as if I could expect a response.
Astra curled up on my lap, while Nocturna rested her head on my shoulder.
I leaned over and kissed Nocturna on her nose.
It had been too long since I had felt this genuinely happy.
To know that my girls were safe and by my side again made everything feel a bit more right in the realm.
I saw movement out of the corner of my eye.
I looked over to the far corner of the room and jumped.
A small fae woman was sitting in my dressing chair.
She was unnaturally beautiful in a way that I had never seen.
Her hair faded from black to white, and her facial features were fine and petite.
Her shadowy, upturned brown eyes stared at me intently, as if she was assessing me.
Startled, I pushed myself up against the headboard, putting any space I could between myself and the stranger. “Who are you, and why are you in my room?” I looked at Nocturna and Astra, who both seemed unfazed by our uninvited guest.
The stranger stood, flattening the creases in her sky-blue silk dress.
“I apologize for showing up unannounced and uninvited in your chambers. I must have given you quite a start.” She slowly made her way over to the foot of the bed.
“My name is Thea. I’m visiting from the Moonstone Court.
I knocked on your door several times, but there was no answer.
The girls started to get worried, but thankfully, your guardian was kind enough to let us in once he realized who these two were.
Fortunately, there was nothing wrong. You happen to sleep very deeply, like the dead almost.”
My face heated as embarrassment swept over me.
“Oh, have I offended you?” Thea asked apologetically, her face drawn with concern.
“No. I’m fine. It’s not the first time I’ve been told that.
Yet it’s still embarrassing, for some reason,” I responded sheepishly, rubbing Astra’s belly.
“Where did you find Nocturna and Astra? I asked the guardians to keep a lookout for them, but no one saw them. I was worried sick about them.” My voice trailed off as I thought about all the stress and anxiety I had been feeling during their absence.
A piece of me had been missing, and it ached to be reunited with them.
“I came across them on my journey to the Citrine Court for Prince Sterling’s party.
It had been so long since I had seen a mountain cat, never mind two of them.
I offered them food and company, and they followed.
As soon as I crossed the gates, one of the guardians let me know that a guest here was searching for two mountain cats of similar description.
And that leads us to this moment right here. ”
I was shocked to hear that any of the guardians would remember to look out for the girls, much less say a word to anyone if they saw them.
“Well, thank you for bringing them back. I can’t begin to tell you how much they mean to me.
” I looked down and noticed my sleeping shirt was askew. I frantically adjusted myself.
Thea chuckled, throwing her hands up. “Here, let me give you some space to get yourself sorted and ready for the day. I only wanted to ensure that your girls made it to you safely, and they have. I look forward to seeing you later for your arcana testing.”
“What do you mean?” I asked her, confused. “Am I not meeting with the arcana master?”
Thea made her way toward the door. “It appears something has happened to the arcana master, and they are indisposed for the time being. I offered King Julian my assistance during their absence, and he has agreed.”
My mind went back to the last time I had seen the arcana master and what had transpired. Had something happened to them because of me?
Interrupting my thoughts, Thea continued. “There’s no rush. Spend the morning with these two, and come see me this afternoon.” As Thea exited the door, she turned back to add, “It was lovely spending time with you ladies. Please come see me anytime you wish.”
Nocturna and Astra yipped back at her with enthusiasm. As the door shut, I fell back onto the bed and spent the remainder of my morning enjoying some quality time with Nocturna and Astra.