“Aye, truly,” Nina said with a soft chuckle. “She’s out of danger, and she’s on the mend, and that’s nay small thing. In a day or two, she will be back to her old self.”
Joy swelled in Eva’s chest until it nearly spilled over. “That’s the best news I’ve heard in days,” she said, pressing a hand to her heart. “Thank the saints.” She turned toward the door almost at once. “I’ll go to her straight away.”
“Ye’ve carried much worry on them shoulders,” she said quietly. “It shows.” She softened then, her voice lowering. “But ye can set some of it down now, lass. Yer maither’s strong, and she’s nae alone in this place.”
Eva swallowed again, emotion thick in her throat. “Thank ye, Nina,” she said earnestly. “For everythin’ ye’ve done for us.” Her voice trembled despite her efforts. “I’ll nae forget it, as long as I draw breath.”
Nina waved her off with a small smile. “Go on then,” she said. “Sit with her a while, and let her see yer face.”
As Eva left the healing rooms, the scent of herbs clung to her skirts like a quiet promise. Her steps were lighter, relief and hope weaving together in her chest. She moved swiftly through the castle halls, already imagining her mother’s tired smile and the sound of her voice stronger than before.
It was all worth it for me family to get well under the best care.
Eva entered her mother's bed chamber and looked at the bed, but it was empty.
"Maither?" she said.
"Aye, I'm here," Annabeth said.
Eva turned to see Annabeth standing at the window, watching the castle bustle below. Eva moved to her side and hugged her.
"Och, ye look well. Ye have color again," she said.
"I feel much better, lass. Woke up with almost all me energy back," she said.
She studied Annabeth’s face. Color had returned to her cheeks, a soft warmth where there had been only gray exhaustion days before. Relief filled Eva so completely that it nearly hurt to breathe. She smiled without meaning to, as if her joy might anchor her mother firmly to this moment of health.
Annabeth noticed at once and squeezed her daughter’s fingers.
“Ye look at me as though I might vanish,” she said gently, her voice stronger than it had been in weeks.
Eva laughed softly, “I have nae seen ye this well since before we came to the castle.”
“Aye, and I can feel it in me bones. Like meself again,” Annabeth replied, rolling her shoulders, “and it feels like a miracle I daenae take lightly.”
Eva leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her mother’s knuckles, emotion tightening her throat.
“I was so afraid,” she admitted quietly, her voice thick with feeling.
Annabeth brushed a hand through Eva’s hair, the motion slow but steady. “I ken, me lass,” she said, “but ye kept us alive when ye shouldnae had had to carry such weight alone.”
A brisk knock sounded at the door, breaking the tender hush of the room. Eva rose and crossed to open it, finding Amelie nearly bouncing on her toes in the corridor. The maid’s eyes shone as if she carried a secret too bright to hold.
“Miss Eva,” Amelie said breathlessly, “another parcel’s come for ye, and I’ve set it in yer room.”
Eva gasped and pressed a hand to her mouth, laughter bubbling up before she could stop it.
“It must be me weddin’ clothes,” she said, half in disbelief. From the bed, Annabeth straightened, her eyes lighting with sudden energy. “Oh, then we must have a look, daughter,” she declared, already stepping toward the floor.
Together they made their way to Eva’s chamber, Amelie hovering nearby like an excited sparrow. The parcel lay on the bed, wrapped in clean linen and tied with careful knots.
Eva hesitated before touching it, suddenly shy, as if the gown inside might judge her worth. Annabeth nodded once, firm and encouraging, and Eva finally loosened the ties.
The cloth fell away to reveal a white wool gown, soft and luminous in the light. Delicate embroidery traced the hem and sleeves, thread worked into curling vines and tiny flowers. Eva reached out with trembling fingers, scarcely daring to touch it.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, her voice breaking on the word.
Annabeth smiled, tears gathering despite her effort to stay composed.
