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I nodded, not totally sure what to say to that.
“Come, sit.” Sarah patted the spot next to her. “Are you warm enough now?”
I was, actually. The heat from the crackling fire in the grate had thawed me out nicely. I was also totally exhausted from the day’s festivities, and then the shifting and flying. I plopped down on the couch next to my aunt, sipping the tea she’d given me.
“So, what are you really doing here, girl?” Sarah asked, picking up her knitting needles.
I avoided her question and asked, “What are you working on there?”
“A baby blanket for Tilly. Her baby’s due in a few months’ time.”
Dymitri and Sarah had three children. Matilda was their daughter. “Oh, that’s so good. God, I’ve missed a lot!”
Sarah and Dymitri smiled but didn’t say anything. They didn’t need to, though. The weight of their silence was impregnated with reproachful undertones. My guilt about being away for so long grew.
“I should have come back for Christmas,” I whispered, my cup clattering as I lowered it to the saucer.
“Yes, you should have,” Sarah said calmly. “But you’re young. You’re gonna make mistakes.”
“Just try not to repeat too many of them,” Dymitri said with a smile.
I sighed and tugged the cloak tighter around myself. That was good advice.
“Okay. I’ll do my best.”
Sarah put down one of her needles and reached for my hand. “Do you want to stay here tonight? We’re empty nesters now. We have beds to fill.”
I wiped away the stupid tear that had wended its way down my cheek. “No. I should get back. To Dad. I want to be there if...” I swallowed. “No, when, he wakes up.”
I stood and hurried to the door. “Can I borrow the cloak? I’ll bring it back tomorrow.”
“Of course,” Sarah said, right on my heels. “What’s going on, Veronica? Why did you drop in? Not that we don't love seeing you, but I’m sure it wasn’t just for the tea.”
“Oh, nothing,” I said, reaching for the door handle. “I just... wanted to see family, I guess.”
Sarah and Dymitri had often been my safe haven when things blew up with Mom and Dad. I wasn’t sure what they could do for me now, or how they’d help me with my Iain problem. I’d just come here automatically, out of habit. But it was still nice to see them.
“We’ll come up in the morning,” Sarah said. “Unless we hear anything before then.”
Dymitri was standing by the door pulling on his coat. “I’ll walk you up to the castle.”
“Oh, you don’t need to do that,” I told him, but he ignored me.
He kissed his wife on the lips, and ushered me out with a wave of his hands. “Let’s go.”
I smiled my goodbyes at Sarah and headed out the door. It was really late now. Almost every house we walked past had their lights off. I hadn’t realized how dark and late it had gotten.
“Thanks for the company,” I said to my uncle as we walked up the steps to the castle entrance.
“What’s going on, Veronica? Really?”
I sighed, knowing I hadn’t fooled either Dymitri or Sarah. They could tell I needed advice.
Hmm... where to even begin? “You and Sarah are fated mates, right?”
He nodded. “Yeah. We all are. Your mom and dad. Me and Sarah. Lucian and Katerina.”
“So, that’s expected and normal in our family?” I asked, teasing out the discussion as long as I could.
