“Mata Iyana, you came back!”
“Did you bring me anything, Mata Iyana?”
“Is it true you sent the stars back to the sky, Mata Iyana?”
Mata Iyana.
Simultaneously, she began laughing and crying.She was so happy to be home.So happy to be surrounded by these people who knew her and loved her, and she was honored that they wanted to bestow the title ofMataupon her.
Iyana slid off the horse and allowed the children to guide her back to the village.
I’ll take care of the horse,Emmeric said into her mind.Go be with your people.She let her gratitude flow freely back to him.
Imelda was waiting for her, baby Ian on her hip and a broad smile on her face.Iyana hugged them both, then placed a kiss on Ian’s head.The babe rewarded her with a gummy grin.
“Welcome home, Mata Iyana.”
Looking around, Iyana gawped at everything they’d accomplished in her absence since Hadar destroyed their home.“How did you build all of this so quickly?”
Imelda followed her gaze.“The queen sent us supplies and carpenters to help us.Something about aiding her great-niece?”She raised a brow.
“I’ll fill you in on everything later,” Iyana said.A warmth filled her chest, letting her know Emmeric was near.“Promise.”
Em was walking towards her, flanked by the brothers Ialo and Iote.Her Kanaliza sighed and gazed towards the heavens.Iyana smiled at the sight.He sensed her amusement and, glancing down at her, gave her a wink.
“Thank you, Sir Emmeric,” Ialo chirped.
“You don’t have to—” Emmeric started, but the teenagers were already racing away.
“What are they thanking you for?”Iyana asked as Emmeric wound his arm around her waist.Imelda seemed to notice the contact, and both her brows raised this time.Later,Iyana mouthed.
“I promised to teach them how to wield a sword,” Emmeric said.
Iyana and Imelda laughed.“You’ll never be rid of them, now,” Imelda said.“Come, both of you.I have something to show you.”
“Come along,SirEmmeric,” Iyana said, smirking up at him.
You’re never going to let that go, are you?he asked.
Never.
Emmeric rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t hide his smile or the affection and love flowing through their bond.Winding through the village, they followed Imelda to the outskirts near where her old hut was.
Standing where the burnt remains of her home were not that long ago was a new, much larger hut.Iyana’s breath stilled in her lungs.
“Imelda,” she whispered.“Is this for me?”
“Of course it is, Mata Iyana.Welcome home.”She placed a kiss on Iyana’s cheek, then walked away, leaving Iyana and Emmeric alone.
A calloused thumb wiped a tear off of her face.Iyana hadn’t even realized she was crying.Emmeric swept her up into his arms, and she squeaked, wrapping her arms around his neck.This beautiful man, with his blue eyes—those blue eyes that meanthome—gazed upon her with all the love he was capable of.
“Let’s go see our new home,” Emmeric said, giving her a quick kiss on the lips.Then he carried her across the threshold.
Later that night, Emmeric rested soundly next to her, but sleep eluded Iyana.She carefully extracted herself from Em’s arms and wrapped a shawl around her shoulders.Stepping outside, she sat on the stoop in front of her new hut and stared up at the sky.
The stars shimmered against the inky black night.Iyana catalogued all the constellations.
The three leading families—Ursa, Scorpius, and Draco.She was able to identify Talitha, Antares, and Eltanin.They had all made it through the war.Iyana had heard reports that once they’d realized some of their magic had been stolen, they had retreated to the back of the forces, allowing others to fight and die for them.
