"The only worry you cause me is that of a mother. I always worry for my children," the Queen replied, patting Graves’s cheek. She sniffled, releasing her son to wipe at her eyes gently. "Look at me. I’m a mess, but can you hardly blame me? I’ve not seen you for hundreds of years."
At that, Luella’s mouth dropped open. Graves’s mother seemed to care for him, and yet Graves ignored her.Why?
There are some things too heavy to bear, and some reminders that cannot overcome even the kindest of souls.Bastian’s voice filled Luella’s mind.
What did that mean? The question plagued her—countless questions plagued her; though, she knew she would not receive her answer now.
The Queen took a slight step back, only just looking to Luella and the others. Her eyes widened as she took them all in. "Oh, these are your friends?" She looked at Vale, and Luella noticed the exact moment the Queen realized Vale held her hand. "Vale,I’ve not seen you for so long. My, how you’ve matured. Who are the rest?" The Queen smiled.
The Queen knew Vale, too? But not the others?
"Mother, this is the reason I left," Graves answered cryptically, sweeping a hand toward Luella.
The Queen gave Luella her full attention. "This is her?" Shock filled the Queen’s words as she reached for Luella’s hands, taking them before she could blink. Luella couldn’t hide away her flinch, and the Queen smiled sadly down at her. "What is your name?"
"I—" Luella stammered, looking to Vale, who nodded once.
You can tell her,Bastian assured.
Luella swallowed. "Luella… Eritrais."
The Queen stiffened, hands going slack on hers. "Of Solis?" she questioned fiercely, wings fluttering behind her, kicking up the roaring wind and lifting Luella’s hair around her face.
Luella looked to the others. What could she say? What could shedo?
Her last name haunted her. She was coming to understand that her birthright was a curse, not a blessing.
"She is here in peace," Graves asserted.
"Queen Samil, you have heard of rumors of war?" Vale prodded, continuing when the Queen nodded, still gripping Luella’s hands. "In time, we will share more with you, but for now, you and the Fallen can rest safely knowing that Luella Eritrais is not a threat, and neither is Solis any longer."
The words hurt, and the relief that fell over the Queen’s face stung even more. Was Luella the only one saddened by the conquering of the kingdom that had been her home for nearly two decades?
You won’t find many who sympathize with Solis here,Bastian said softly.
"That’s good. We are cut off from most here, so news takes time to reach us on our islands. If the Princess of Solis has come with the King of Serpentis and the Prince of the Fallen Isles, I suspect there is good cause?" Queen Samil questioned, eyes finding Luella’s and pinning her to the spot. "You do not have allegiance with your kingdom?"
Luella blew a soft breath between her parted lips. Did she have allegiance with the King and Queen who had stolen her and pretended she was their own child, all while treating her like a stain on the royal line?No, she did not… and yet?—
"I have no allegiance with those who wish to harm innocents and work with darkness," Luella uttered.
"Then, you have allied with Serpentis?"
It took every bone inside Luella’s body not to let anger betray her. Did the Queen not know Luella had been taken as a war prize? Did she not know that Luella had no choice?
"My allegiance is to myself," Luella proclaimed quietly.
Vale’s fingers flexed around hers.
Careful,Bastian warned.
Her whole body quivered as Queen Samil stared her down. She was a head taller than Luella, and she felt it more evidently than ever in that moment as the Queen assessed her.
Finally, she spoke, regal and poised:
"Hold onto that soft fire. No one can own you save yourself, Princess Luella." The Queen inclined her head, only slightly, but it was enough to make the Fallen warriors tense as she deferred to Luella.
"T-thank you, Queen Samil," Luella managed to reply, disentangling her hand from Vale’s as she dipped into a curtsy—what she should have done the moment the Queen had stepped into their midst.
