CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN #2
I followed Nithroel throughout the palace until we arrived at a wide set of double doors.
As we approached the dining room, she gestured with her hand and they swung open at her command.
The interior of the room was even more ornate than Rogam’s dining space had been, which was saying something, because everything about his mansion had screamed wealth. Somehow, this was still a step above.
The plates and cutlery were crafted not of crystal, but of solid gold.
Summer floral arrangements were interspersed along the width of a rich mahogany table in the room’s center, which looked long enough to seat at least eight people on either side.
The food, already spread across the table, suggested they’d spared no expense.
Soft candlelight illuminated the room, creating an intimate atmosphere.
The room was empty except for one woman, who sat waiting, perched at the edge of her chair.
When we stepped inside, she tilted her chin upward and I immediately recognized her—Agatha Somners, a woman I used to spend time with in Dewwick Village.
No longer a teenager, but still recognizable to me with the same heart-shaped face and soft smile.
She swept her straight ink-black hair over her shoulder.
She had an olive complexion and beautiful brown eyes.
I shuffled my feet awkwardly, waiting to see how she would react to my presence.
When she noticed my arrival, she immediately rushed over to say hello, capturing me in a tight embrace.
I patted her back clumsily, my body stiff, glad to see her again after so many years, but also slightly puzzled by her exuberant greeting.
“It’s so great to see you!” she squealed, taking my hand and dragging me into the seat next to hers at the dining table.
“This food—it’s all for us?” I asked Nithroel, my eyes widening at the size of the feast they’d provided.
“Can I bring you anything else to enjoy?” she asked, pausing on her way out of the dining room.
“Oh, no, it looks perfect. Thank you very much.”
“I’ll leave you to dine with your friend then,” Nithroel said with a smile, closing the doors behind herself.
“So, how have you been?” Agatha asked enthusiastically, positively beaming at me. “It’s been far too long!”
I twisted in my chair to answer my old friend, returning her smile. “I’ve been alright. Kaylin passed away a few moons ago. A lot has happened since then. I’ve been busy trying to figure out more about who I am and, well, what I want my life to look like, I suppose.”
“Oh, Elvira. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. About Kaylin, I mean.”
“Thank you. How about you? How have you been? Edwin mentioned you’d found a patron for your pottery?! Congratulations. I’ve thought a lot about you over the years, hoping you were doing well.”
Agatha’s smile was unrestrained. “I’ve thought about you too.
It’s so great to see you. I can’t even tell you how much everything has changed in my life since Ivaran discovered my pottery.
That’s my patron, Ivaran. He saw a vase I crafted at the market while passing through and said it moved him to actual tears.
Can you believe that? He whisked me away to the palace and I’ve been working on my pottery here ever since, with access to all the tools and materials I could possibly want.
I’ve even started to get into sculpture.
I work with marble now. I’ve learned so much.
And the house! Have you been to Dewwick Village lately?
Ivaran paid to have a brand-new house built for my family. It’s one of the largest in town!”
“No, I can’t say I’ve seen the house. But that all sounds wonderful.” I smiled at her, still finding it hard to believe I was actually here, speaking with her again. “I’m really happy for you. It’s great to hear that things are going so well.”
“Don’t you worry—you’re going to find your place too.
Do you still help deliver babies? Children are rare among the Fae.
A talented midwife would be highly valued here.
Although I guess you were always a bit distracted…
” She giggled to herself. “Remember how you used to bully the men into teaching you to fight?” I laughed along with her at the memory.
Agatha ran a hand down the arm of my cloak.
“Look how beautiful!” she complimented. “Did you do the embroidery yourself?” I shook my head.
“No, I wish I was that talented with a needle. It was a gift from King Filvendor actually.” Agatha leaned closer, speaking in a whisper.
“He is so generous—and handsome!” We erupted into a fit of laughter at her boldness, clutching each other for support.
“Tell me more about your sculptures,” I said when I caught my breath. “What are you working on right now?”
“Did you see the butterfly sculpture near the entrance to the gardens…” We chatted happily all throughout dinner, falling back into an easy rhythm.
My heart was almost as full as my stomach when Nithroel returned to the dining room to collect me.
I gave Agatha another hug, this one relaxed and warm, hoping I would be able to seek her out again during my visit.
“What did you think of the meal?” Nithroel asked.
“It was delicious. And it was wonderful to see Agatha again. It’s been far too long.”
“King Filvendor will be glad to hear you enjoyed your dinner. He noticed you were limping in the throne room. Is your hip bothering you? Would you care for a relaxing bath and a visit from one of our healers? I would be happy to help wash your hair for you as well.”
“Really? That would be lovely. Thank you. I did take a bad fall onto my hip recently.”
Nithroel guided me into a large, private bathing chamber.
She attended to the bath first, adding something to the water that caused it to froth and bubble before leaving me alone to undress.
I slipped into the water with pleasure, grateful there were enough bubbles to maintain some semblance of modesty.
The water was warm, which called to mind the last person to draw me a bath.
I smiled, the memory tinged with sadness, as I thought about Kaylin reading to me when I was a child, encouraging me to stay in the bathtub until I was completely clean.
“May I help wash your hair now?” Nithroel offered when she returned.
“Sure. Thank you,” I replied politely, feeling unsure of myself, realizing too late that washing my hair would involve removing the moonflowers I’d placed in my braid.
But I didn’t stop Nithroel as she set to work untangling my braid, softly massaging my scalp as she washed my hair clean.
“We can replace these with some sunflowers,” she told me as she disposed of the moonflowers.
I closed my eyes, overcome by a deep state of relaxation as she lathered my hair with another round of soap, working her fingers soothingly through my hair again until it was fully detangled.
I opened my eyes as soon as Nithroel finished with my hair, intending to thank her for her kindness.
When I turned to express my gratitude, I noticed she was wearing a braided cord around her neck—a grieving symbol.
“You’re in mourning,” I remarked, meeting her gaze, as she sat at the edge of the bathtub.
Gently, I laid my hand on hers. “I lost somebody too recently. I’m so sorry for your loss.
May the summer sun lighten the grief in your heart.
” Her eyes looked deep into mine, pausing a moment before she returned my touch, tenderly squeezing my hand.
Though I was familiar with the custom, I neglected to braid my own cord after Kaylin’s death.
Our life together had been complicated, our bond difficult to define.
The color of the braid was supposed to be symbolic of your relationship.
I had gathered the twine after her funeral, only to let it drop from my hands.
Because who was Kaylin to me really? Was I grieving a mother?
A mentor? She gave me so much, except the family I desperately needed.
And that grief, that confusion, was so much harder to confront.
In truth, I was mourning more than just her loss.
I was mourning our relationship too, what I wished it could have been, had circumstances been different.
Would she be proud of me? Or horrified by my efforts to reclaim our lost legacy…
The door opened, and Nithroel rose to her feet, switching places with the woman who entered the room.
The newcomer approached the bathtub, crouching down to my level.
“I hear you have some aches and pains. I should be able to help you. May I?” I nodded, watching as she slowly twirled her hand into the water, the ache in my hip subsiding almost as soon as her magic reached my skin.
“Thank you,” I said, sinking lower into the water as the healer departed, having completed her job.
I stayed in the bath until the water ran cold, eventually drying myself off with the towel Nithroel left behind for me.
I dressed myself in a beautiful green tunic embroidered with swirling leaves that I found neatly folded beside the towel.
Abundance. Calm. Contentment. Was this what it meant to live at the Summer Palace?
I exited the bathing chamber to find Nithroel waiting on me.
“We’ve prepared a bedchamber for you,” she informed me. “Please follow me this way.”
I assumed Nithroel was leading me to a guest chamber, which I would be welcome to use throughout my visit.
That was before I looked inside and saw the number of items that had been inscribed with my name.
A surge of warmth filled me as I looked around the room.
It must have taken weeks for them to prepare and personalize all the items in the bedroom.
A beautiful ceramic vase sat on the nightstand next to the bed, containing a bouquet of fresh sunflowers, and I wondered if Agatha herself had crafted it for me.
I walked over to a bookcase and traced my finger over the engraving of my name, carved into the wood.
The room was elegance personified, draped with deep purple curtains and gilded in gold.
The bed was massive, with lavender sheets and covered in more pillows than I owned in the entirety of my cottage back home.
As I explored the space, I realized the main room was connected to a large bathing chamber and opened right onto a garden terrace on the other side.
“It’s stunning,” I breathed, smiling broadly at Nithroel as she watched me investigate.
“I’m glad it’s to your satisfaction. Please rest well.
King Filvendor would like to join you for a stroll through the rose gardens tomorrow morning.
I believe he was also going to show you the palace library.
If you need anything, you can pull on that rope there, and I will come.
Everything in this room belongs to you—feel free to read a book before bed if you would like.
” She departed shortly afterward, the faint click of a lock audible as she left me alone in the room.
I collapsed against the pillows on my bed, anticipating a very restful night of sleep.