Chapter 5 #2
Cadeyrn got there first and enveloped his older brother in a bone-crushing hug, but Eira wasn’t far behind.
Myra was there with a wide smile, and Eira hugged her, followed by Nell who’d jumped off her horse and practically bounced around as she looked at her new surroundings.
They greeted one another while Aytigin — the ever-anti-social grump — swooped overhead in his dragon form then escorted the party inside.
Eira was grateful it was in at least a little better condition than it had been when Rose visited, and they could host a few more people instead of them needing to stay in the village which was a good day or two of travel without the help of Aytigin.
Alvis looked around the inside of the mountain, the stars glinting in his eyes.
“Myra told me about this place, but seeing it… this truly is incredible.” A slight glow emanated from around his hands, and he flexed his fingers.
“I know Luana built it but, I can feel Ray here. His presence is astounding. I never in my wildest dreams…”
Eira nodded and their eyes met with understanding. “I know. Nothing can prepare you. Come, we have much to show you.”
The party followed Eira and Cadeyrn into the castle with Nell skipping along at their sides and her governess following not far behind.
Myra wrapped her arm around the girl and squeezed her tight at her side.
Something inside of Eira tugged at the sight.
Eira never had the opportunity to get to know Amelia’s daughter, as they only met briefly when she’d last been at Farren Castle and trapped Amelia in the mirror.
She didn’t know Nell existed — no one did — but Alvis had gotten to know her then and afterwards brought her back to the Golden Palace to be his ward.
It appeared as though with Myra they’d made a loving little family.
She was glad they were so happy and couldn’t help but be amazed that someone so sweet and lovely came from Amelia.
Her stomach knotted. But it meant Nell was a sorceress, or part one.
It wasn’t fair to judge all sorceresses by Amelia, and they had a terrible reputation.
Even one Eira had a difficult time shaking off.
She couldn’t see a trace of that in Nell though, but even in spite of that it didn’t mean Nell would have an easy go of things in the world.
Something Eira would need to work on during her reign.
Amelia’s actions certainly would not ease people’s fears of sorceresses and sorcerers, so it would be difficult work.
But there had to be a way to make the path at least a little easier for Nell and other children like her.
Upon further thought, it was hard to tell where their bad reputation came from.
Because they truly wreaked havoc on the world, or because they’d been mistreated for so long?
After the visitors settled in, they all gathered in the library where Eira had all her research and took seats in large chairs surrounding the fireplace. As it was still summer, they didn’t need to lite the fire, but it was cozy ever the same.
“You all are here so much sooner than we thought,” Eira said once they all took a seat and had cups of tea in hand. “We’re delighted to have you, but why so unexpected?”
“We didn’t mean to intrude,” Myra answered, a slight pinch of worry on her brow. “But we didn’t plan it either.”
Cadeyrn clapped Alvis on the back so hard he had to balance himself. “You’re welcome whenever you want. No need to announce yourself.”
“Of course,” Eira agreed. “We happened to surprise you when we came to Oxare too before the pageant. But is everything all right?”
Alvis and Myra exchanged glances, and they weren’t comforting.
“We were hoping to take refuge,” Alvis admitted. His hands were cupped around his untouched tea and looked into it as though the beverage held the words he searched for. “A few weeks ago there was another attempt to take Nell.”
The girl already had moved from her chair and stood at a window, looking out into the cavern.
Her curly hair, a mix of dark brown and streaks of blonde, looked like a cloud.
The few times Eira had encountered her, she seemed content and happy no matter where she was or what was happening.
Her blue eyes were big and bright as she took in her surroundings.
Oddly enough, Aytigin stood at her side answering all her questions and pointing out the different elements of the mountain.
It was difficult to tell what was truly going on in her mind.
“I think it was around the time Amelia was banned from the forest,” Alvis continued. “We didn’t see Amelia or her mother this time. But some sort of creatures. They were human, but looked…”
“Dead?” Cadeyrn finished. He sighed and leaned farther back into his chair. “Unfortunately, we’re familiar with them.”
“So you know what a delight they are,” Alvis said dryly. “Our soldiers and guards were able to defeat them, but we left on a ship to come here the moment we could. We have hardly any clothes with us or supplies, just enough for the journey and what we could manage to gather along the way.”
Eira’s lips tightened into a thin line as she pondered the situation.
Amelia wasn’t giving up on taking her daughter back.
On the one hand made sense, it was her daughter after all.
But Amelia didn’t appear to care for the girl considering she was locked in a mirror her whole life.
Nell was a possession to her. Something to keep control of and claim.
Not a girl with her own hopes and dreams. “You are welcome to stay as long as you want,” she said.
“But I will warn you, I imagine Amelia will want to make her way here in time too. She’s stayed away from the mountains for the time being, but I have no doubts she’s not done with me yet. ”
Myra squeezed Alvis’ hand and gave him an encouraging nod. It warmed Eira to see they had such support for each other.
“We know,” Alvis answered. “But it keeps the Golden Palace safer if we are not there, and it’s time we teamed together to defeat her. There is strength in numbers, and we can all work to keep each other safe.”