“I’ve always loved you and your sister. Only now I can say it. Now I can show it.” I pulled him closer, wrapping my arms around him, telling him again, “I never meant to hurt you.”
He sniffed, composing himself, weary of my confession. “I trust you, mother.”
We took Morella’s hands in ours, eyes closed, searching for her spirit.
I brought forth memories of holding her in my arms as a babe. Of watching her brother hold her hand as she learned to walk, knowing how dearly I loved them both. I brought my thoughts closer to the present, watching her sign the contract to be married when she was but fifteen years old, curious if she’d choose to work her way out of it by the time the marriage date neared.
The tug on her spirit was sharp. Korven was finding his sister there too, close to the shadow of the Veil. We pulled together, he and I, each of us taking a side. Her spirit was golden, a brilliant light against the dark and with one final memory, she tumbled back with us from the shadows of the Veil.
Through a gasp of air, her eyes flew open, wide and confused.
“Thank the fucking Goddessdamned stars, Morella,” Korven breathed. “Are you alright?”
“What happened? Where am—” Her focus caught mine. “…Mother?”
Her eyes of honey gold widened. “Mother!” She sat upright, throwing her arms around my neck. I held her there, reachingout to pull Korven into the embrace, both of my children back in my arms again where I could love them fully.
Killian soon burstthrough the door and shoved everyone aside except the guard who had returned with him. The Changlingfae had rich brown skin and fingers tipped in gold, one baby cradled in the crook of his arm, and my granddaughter hanging off his back. After they spoke quickly, the man handed the children off to their parents, and I stepped aside to meet my newest granddaughter.
“Her name is Elryci. We call her El for short.”
I took her into my arms, cradling her there and feeling the telltale warmth of love wash over me. “Hello, El.” I kissed her forehead, taking a moment to glance around the room.
Killian and the man I assumed to be his closest advisor still hovered over Morella, who was clearly telling them to get a grip and let her breathe.
I handed El back to Seraphine. “I have to go.”
“But you’ve just arrived.” Korven set his firstborn down onto the ground where she quickly sprinted to the bed, climbing on top and diving into Morella’s arms.
A smile tugged at his lips, but fell when he continued. “You’ve explained nothing. You’ve been gone for a year. Ayear, mother. An entire fucking year, and?—”
I held a hand up between us. “I must get back to Arthur. I have to save him.” I turned to Killian. “Can you take me to Heartstone Castle? Fast as you can?”
He glanced at Morella who nodded. “Yes.”
“Who is Arthur?” Korven fumed.
“Korven.” There was a warning in Seraphine’s voice.
“Wait just a Goddessdamned minute,” he continued, slipping a hand through his hair. “Arthur?Duke-of-fucking-Riche,Arthur?”
“Like I said, I will explain everything upon my return.”
“In what, another year? Two?”
Korven!” Seraphine yanked his arm. “Arthur is herhusband. She loves him.”
His glare towards me could have killed a man, but not a Goddess, and before he could say another word, I held my hand out to Killian. With his touch on the headboard, we were gone.
Killian placedme outside the gates of Heartstone Castle within five minutes, grunting a quick apology before sifting away again. I shifted and flew through the light snowfall, flying into the entrance of the Underrealm, finding the great hall, and sweeping down the western corridor. I soon reached Piffle who huddled over Arthur’s body.
“Has anything changed?”
“No, Mistress. He is breathing, but this…” He gestured to the knife protruding from his chest. “Is there hope?”
I nodded, rising to my feet. I slipped off my shoes and pinned my hair back into place. “He is not leaving us. Now help me turn him.”
“But that is the wrong way, Mistress!” he shouted as I grabbed the fabric of Arthur’s shoulders, pointing him towards the deepening dark.
