The girl crossed her arms over her chest and frowned. “And where are you all going without even saying hello?”
Beside them, Lilah cantered ahead and halted directly in front of the girl. For a terrible moment, Sol thought Cas was about to pulverize another person, though after the thought invaded, she knew he wouldn’t hurt someone unprompted, especially not a young girl.
Well, Sol hoped.
The girl didn’t seem afraid, though. In fact, she gave Cas a distasteful glare. “Gone three years and not a single letter, Uncle Cas? Really?”
Cas dismounted and embraced the girl in a tender hug, enveloping her completely and lifting her from the ground.
The girl laughed and wrapped herself around him, the sound melting all the tension from Sol’s shoulders.
Sawyer huffed a breath behind her. “Penny Xanthos. Quite far from your mother’s claws, aren’t we?”
Penny continued giggling, then finally trotted over to them after Cas set her down. Sol marveled at the expression of unfiltered emotion on his face. She had only been allowed glimpses of his gentle side, and her insides fluttered as he smiled after his niece.
“The castle is stifling,” Penny said, patting Fey. “I escaped for the day.”
“So nothing has changed, then,” Alix said, also dismounting his mare and giving Penny a pat on her head. “Depressing.”
“You’re so big now, beautiful girl.” Nina held her hand out to her, then pulled her up on Kahaida. “You look so much like Samara.”
Penny made a face. “What an insult.”
Sol smiled despite herself at the casual conversation. It was nice to see the familiarity among them; it made her feel almost safer in their care, seeing their gentler sides.
Finally, Penny settled her gaze on her, gasping, “Is this??—”
“Shhh, it’s a secret until it’s verified,” Nina whispered, easing Kahaida to a walk. Everyone followed along. “It’ll cause an uproar here.”
Penny’s gaze roved all over Sol, as if she were staring at a ghost.
“H... hello,” Sol croaked, not knowing what else to say, feeling too vulnerable beneath her attention.
“I can't believe they found you,” Penny breathed, unable to tear her gaze from Sol.
“Neither can we,” Sawyer added. “I was starting to think my father was going to rule forever. I was already writing my eulogy.”
“He’s gotten so bad, Sawyer,” Penny said. “He’s… cruel.”
“More than before? Can’t wait.”
Behind them, the faint sound of yells carried through the streets, making some of the citizens bolt into their shops.
“Your uncle might be in trouble,” Nina said. “We are hoping King Semmena won’t mindmuch.”
Penny looked at Cas, who led them on wordlessly. “What did you do, Uncle Cas?” When he responded only with a shrug, the girl sighed. “He finally got rid of Finigan, didn’t he?”
“I wish,” Sawyer laughed. “It was some other soldier.”
“Bad day to have a temper, Uncle Cas. It’s Flora’s Day.”
Penny looked over at Sol again. “Quite poetic the rightful queen has arrived on the original goddess’ bloom day.”
Sol sighed. “I—would rather not be called that yet.”
Penny smiled. “It must be weird. To be here.”
“Very.”
