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HUNTLEY
It was a full day’s ride to HeartHolme, and we touched down at dusk. I’d grown up in the cold, so it had no effect on me as a man, but it still caught me by surprise when I felt it after the warmth of Delacroix. When we landed, I gave Pyre a pat on the snout then entered the city with my brother, remembering the battle that had nearly claimed the front gate. It was there that I defeated Haldor, one of the Three Kings who almost ended my mother’s life.
We walked through the city, the torches already aglow down the cobblestone pathways and the alleys between buildings. It hadn’t changed in these last few decades, but the inhabitants flourished without fear of Necrosis and the Teeth.
“Let’s rest for the night before we provoke the Teeth,” Ian said. “I’d prefer to visit them in daylight anyway.”
I expected Avice and Lila to be waiting for him at the gate after Pyre was spotted from the sky by the scouts, and when they weren’t there, I expected to intercept them on our way to the castle, but that hadn’t happened either. “I should speak with Mother. She hasn’t seen me in a while.”
“And she would never forgive you if you didn’t visit her first,” he said with a slight grin.
We finally reached the castle and entered the double doors, swallowed by the warmth from the stone fireplace. The furniture hadn’t been updated in over twenty years, but it was free of dust and cobwebs since the servants were diligent in their upkeep.
We moved up the stairs, heading to the top where Mother’s quarters were positioned.
“Where’s your family?”
Ian remained ahead, leading the way like I’d forgotten every path I’d trod hundreds of times. “I’m sure we’ll see them soon enough.”
We made it to the landing, checked in with her guards, and then stepped into her private chambers that had a remarkable view of the city and beyond. My mother rose from her chair the second we entered the room, her eyes locked on mine like Ian wasn’t there. She wore her uniform with the family crest, her coat made of feathers that matched the ones woven into her hair.
Time had disrupted the details of her appearance, like the skin around her eyes and mouth, and the strength of her posture, but she was still the same queen she’d always been, her sword still on her hip like war could appear at her borders at any moment. Her eyes lit up with the unconditional affection she’d shown me over a lifetime, and then the smile that moved on to her lips reminded me of the way I looked at my own son and daughter.
“My son.” She stepped closer to me and circled my body with her arms, squeezing as tight as her frail body could.
I returned the embrace, wrapping her body in my arms, my chin resting on her head. “I’ve missed you, Mother.”
“Oh, not as much as I’ve missed you.” She pulled away and cupped both of my cheeks like I was still a boy. “How’s your family?”
“They’re well.”
Ian excused himself. “I’ll let you guys catch up. Huntley, I’ll meet you at our usual spot.” He walked out, and the guard closed the door behind him.
“Take a seat, son.” She gestured to her servant, who fetched me a drink after my long journey.
I sat in the other armchair, directly across from my mother, watching her look at me like I was her pride and joy. “How are you?”
“My eyes are tired. My bones are tired. But my heart is relentless.”
“Ian thinks you’re immortal.”
She smiled. “I just have too much to live for.”
“I hope he’s right.”
“Don’t despair, Huntley. We still have so much time left. How’s Harlow?”
“I told her she would be queen someday. She seemed surprised.”
“Because she’s not an arrogant brat. She has your brains and her mother’s humility.”
“And her beauty.”
She gave a slight nod. “She does.”
“We’ve officially reached the age where I have to acknowledge that my daughter is a woman.”
Her hands rested on the armrests, curling forward slightly. “She has a man in her life?”
