I shifted to the side to let our mother move past.
Vera’s lip trembled. For a long, painful moment, she was frozen. And then, slowly, haltingly, she stepped forward. Mother held out a hand, and when Vera finally took it, the sound that broke from her chest was raw and keening, like a bird lifting up its song.
Mother pulled her close. Both of their shoulders shook as they held each other.
My throat strained with the effort of holding back my own tears. I didn’t think this day would ever come—the moment I’d dreamed of, had worked toward ever since we were ripped from each other’s lives.
I threw my arms around both of them. Meeting Everett’s eyes over their heads, I gave him a quick nod. “Thank you.”
He bowed his head low, and the first tear leaked free from my eye.
“My beautiful children,” Mother said, her voice cracking. “No more running. No more fighting.”
I kissed the top of each of theirheads. “Never again,” I promised.
At last, after all the years and battles, all the suffering and isolation, all the blood spilled and tears shed…we were home.
Our mother’sreappearance evidently wasn’t the only visit that would shift our world over the next few weeks.
We had all finally settled into a rhythm here at the Keep—Devora and Everett with the children, Tessa and Kieran and I handling community outreach, Milo with his new apprentice, and Arowyn doing…whatever Arowyn did in her free time.
Vera, Mother, Devora, and I spent most of the evenings together over the last two weeks, eating dinner around a fire and taking walks along the rocky shoreline when it wasn’t snowing too hard.
I was hanging my cloak in the workshop one night after our walk when a pounding came from the front door. A minute later, one of the servants popped his head into the room.
“There’s a guest at the door, sir. She said she needs to speak with you immediately.”
Devora turned to me with a devilish smirk. “A late-nightladycaller? Should I be worried?”
I leaned forward and nipped her earlobe playfully. “As if I could handle another woman.” Looking back up, I asked, “Who is it?”
The servant scratched the back of his neck. “It—it’s Her Majesty. The empress.”
85
Nox
“Well, well, well. To what do I owe this pleasure?” I drawled, bracing my arm against the doorway as I stared across the threshold at Rissa and Thorne.
Her burgundy cloak was wrapped tight around her shoulders. Delicate snowflakes fell from the sky, landing in their hair. The heavy chill in the air promised another storm.
“Cut the chitchat; this place isfreezing.” Rissa patted my arm as she strode past me and into the Keep. “It’s good to see you, Nox.”
Thorne chuckled and followed after her. I shut the door, the hinges creaking. “How’s married life treating you?” I asked.
“Why, are you interested?” There was a twinkle in Rissa’s dark eyes. Her gaze strayed to the other side of the entryway, where Devora stood bundled in a blanket. The empress’s lips turned into a feline grin. “Oh,hello,Devora. I didn’t see you there.”
Against my wishes, a blush crept up my cheeks. “Have you been traveling all day? I can make you something to eat.”
Rissa raised an eyebrow. “Nox in thekitchen? Now this I have to see.”
“I think she means ‘thank you,’” Thorne interjected with a laugh.
Rissa nodded. “Sure, that too.”
“I’ll have you know that I make a mean bean soup.” I shot Devora a wink, who stifled a laugh with her hand.
I led them down the winding corridors and to the kitchen, where the scent of baked bread and roasted meat from dinner still lingered. A fire dwindled in the massive fireplace. Several iron kettles hung above it, casting shadows on the floor. Tables were spread across the large space, with spots of flour dotting the wood.
