Riona met his gaze, unwavering and confident despite the nerves buzzing beneath the surface.
“Good morning, sir. I’ve come to inquire about a position in your Circle. I’m transitioning from Lumora to the Keep, and while I’m sure Commander Nethran has already sent his recommendation, I wanted to present myself personally.”
Kael’s eyes scanned her face, and then his gaze shifted to a piece of parchment on his desk. “The Commander did send a recommendation,” he said after a pause. “He spoke very highly of you. Respect and admiration, to be exact.”
Kael leaned back in his chair, hiseyes narrowing slightly as if studying her more closely. “It struck me as odd that a member of Lumora’s Circle would travel this far north. But considering the Commander’s words and the circumstances of your transfer, I understand.”
Riona kept her expression neutral, but she could feel the weight of his scrutiny. His gaze lingered on her.
“Well,” he continued, breaking the momentary silence, “we’ll find a place for you. With a recommendation like this, it would be foolish to let such talent go to waste.”
Relief flickered across her face. “Thank you, sir.”
Kael returned to his papers, his tone brisk. “You’ll begin within three days. By then, your position, accommodations, and wages will be finalized. That will be all.”
Riona nodded, turning on her heel and leaving the office. Once outside, a smirk spread across her face a rare glimmer of pride and relief. But the moment was short lived. The thought of her father crept into her mind,smothering her satisfaction. She had to eventually see them her parents and now was just a good time as any other. Might as well get it over with it, so Riona made her way to her family’s estate, her stomach twisting with unease. She wanted to be the one to tell her parents she was back in Frostfire. She wanted to be the one to tell her father she was now part of the Frost Circle. Her nerves were frayed, her heart racing with a mix of dread and defiance. It had been seven years, seven long years, without so much as a word between them. Neither side had reached out, and the silence had been deafening. As the estate came into view, memories crashed over her like a tidal wave. The towering stone walls loomed just as they had in her childhood, but they felt heavier now, suffocating. She could hear echoes of the past, the yelling, the screams, the shattering of furniture. She remembered hiding behind doors, under tables, wherever she could fit. If she tried to stop him, it only made things worse. Her father’s words still rang in her ears:Discipline is what you need. You don’t know your place.
The first time Riona got into a fistfight, it wasn’t in the streets or with some rival, it was with her father. She hadn’t been big enough to defend herself back then, and she’d paid the price. A black eye, a cracked rib, and a missing tooth. The fights didn’t stop as she grew older. Each one was a clash of will and rage, and for years, she lost every time. But she grew stronger, faster and by her teenage years, she could hold her own. And the moment she overpowered him when she stood her ground and didn’t back down everything changed. He stopped looking at her like she was his daughter, if he ever did, but now he was looking at her like an enemy. He avoided her altogether after that, treating her as though she didn’t exist. And in some twisted way, she knew he hated her more for it because she was no longer his prey. She was an adult now, a grown woman. He didn’t have control over her anymore, at least for now. In the Circle? That was a different story.
She had to accept that he would oversee everything here, whether she liked it or not. Hopefully, he’d be too busy with meetings and paperwork to meddle in the Circle’saffairs. From what she’d observed so far, it seemed he wasn’t as hands off as she’d hoped.
Riona took a few deep breaths, steadying herself as she approached the iron bar gate in front of the stone wall surrounding the estate. Behind those walls stood a house built of brick and stone, its etched crystal roof blending seamlessly with the sky. The vibrant stained-glass window panes caught the light, showing the intricate pictures inside them. Beside the house was a small stable, followed by rows of apple trees, Blood of the Boyne apples, a variety harvested from autumn through winter. It was beautiful on the outside, picturesque even. But it wasn’t home, not to her. Not anymore. As she reached the door, she knocked three times. The sound echoed faintly before the door opened to reveal an older woman, short and stocky, her face kind and warm despite her advanced years. Riona frowned slightly. She’d never seen this woman before. In all the years she’d lived here, they’d never had help. It seemed her parents had made some changes in herabsence. The woman greeted her with a polite smile. “Welcome to the House of Byrne. How may I help you?”
Riona studied her for a moment before answering, her expression softening despite the weight in her voice. “I’m Riona Byrne, the daughter of Celeste and Odhran Byrne.”
The woman’s eyes widened in surprise, her smile faltering as confusion set in. “I’m sorry, Lady Riona, but… they’ve never spoken of having kin.” Her face fell, tinged with sadness.
Riona’s composure remained steady, her voice calm though her words carried an edge. “I’m not surprised. I wouldn’t have expected any different.” She gave the woman a small, tight smile.
The woman hesitated, then offered a kind smile in return. “My name is Myrna,” she said, stepping aside and motioning for Riona to enter.
Chapter 45
Uneasy Reunion
She moved from the grand entryway into the foyer, she waited as Myrna disappeared into the library, where her mother most likely was. She swore she heard something drop and the shuffle of hurried feet before Riona laid eyes on her mother.
Celeste, her mother, was a woman with a small but athletic frame. Although she seemed to have put on some muscle since the last time Riona had seen her. Her long blonde hair, the color of blue steel, was braided and adorned with a black ribbon at the bottom. She was wearing deep violet riding pants and a white top, as though she might have just come from the stables.
Their eyes locked, and her mother’s gaze swelled with tears before they fell freely down her face, her trembling hands covering her lips. Riona’s heart softened,and for a moment, she forgot the fears that had followed her here.
Celeste ran to Riona, flinging her arms around her in a tight embrace. The feelings that swirled in Riona’s heart threatened to crumble her under the weight of it all. She pulled away before the tears could fall. “Hi, Mom.”
Her mother’s expression was soft, and Riona braced herself for anger, for being away for so long, for never replying to her letters. But nothing had prepared her for this.
“Hello, Riona,” her mother said, her voice trembling with emotion. “I’m so happy you’re here. I was starting to think I would never see you again.” Tears spilled over as her mother cried softly, trying to push them away.
Riona could see how much she’d broken her mother’s heart, and the weight of it was almost too much to bear. She held her mother’s hands. “I’m so sorry I left you in the dark. I wanted to start my life over…” Her voice caught, the words stumbling out unevenly. “I made the decision to move back to the region. I don’t know if I’ll stay in Frostfire, but I’ve enlisted with the Circle.”
Her mother’s eyes searched hers as if she already knew why Riona was there. Without speaking it aloud, her mother simply nodded. “Riona, I’m just happy you’re here. I don’t need an explanation. Let’s have some food, you look famished.”
Her mother’s soft smile told her it was okay, at least for now.
Taking her hand, Celeste led Riona into the kitchen. It was both familiar and different, filled with memories but altered by time. A beautiful stone island had been added, where wooden stools sat. The turf stove still stood, fueled by wood fire. Above it hung pots and pans, dried herbs, and edible flowers. A small basket held apples picked from the apple trees outside. Beside it was another basket filled with rolls, glazed with butter and honey.
The scents filled Riona’s nostrils, and memories of making those honey rolls flooded her mind. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed her mother until thismoment. All the anger, resentment, and sadness she had held onto for so long faded away. In its place, she saw a woman who had been trapped. And instead of hate, she felt pity. Riona picked up a roll and took a bite. The roll was still warm, and the salty sweet glaze melted in her mouth. “Mmm, they’re just as good as I remember them being.” She looked over at her mother, whose eyes lit up as she let a soft chuckle escape.
“I actually get to eat them now since you’re not devouring them all before lunch,” Celeste laughed, but the joy in her face wavered. A flicker of sadness crossed her expression, as if she were lost in a memory. She quickly turned to grab plates, her back to Riona.
