With his wings now gone, I catch a glimpse of the tiny female at his side. She brushes her chestnut brown hair from her eyes, and it sways right below her chin, the ends curling delicately. Her training top outlines her petite frame, but instead of the leather pants, she’s paired it with a flowing skirt. She’s handing Evander another arrow before I realize her hands are resting on her hips.
A small gasp escapes me, and Odessa sighs through her nose.
“And that’s Wilhelmina; as you can see, her blessed power is moving things with her thoughts. Before magic faded, she could easily toss boulders, and now she’s reduced to that.”
“Is she a Valkyrie too?” I ask, not seeing any wings.
“Yes, she is. But Wilhelmina is …different. You won’t see her with her wings out very often.” Odessa is barely masking the signs of displeasure before she turns and grins at me. “Let’s get you introduced, shall we?”
Her feet crunch against the soil of the grounds as she takes a few steps towards them and then halts abruptly. Everyone turns to stare at us. I shift uncomfortably on my feet as Odessa stays rooted on the spot, causing them to come to us.
Once they’re all gathered around, she steps back beside me.
“Tane, Mathilda, Wilhelmina, and Evander, this is my niece, Helena.” She pauses and tilts her head my way, clearly indicating she wants me to speak now.
I give an awkward little wave. “Hi, I’m Helena, but please call me Lena.” My words are met with silence. “Uh, you guys all looked really cool out there.”
They all continue to stare at me expectantly, and I grimace at the unwanted attention.
Luckily, Mathilda jumps in. “Are you adjusting well so far?”
Tane speaks before I can. “Did you really ask her that? She’s only been here for a few hours.” His accent indicates he’s a New Zealander.
I smile at the unexpectedness of it.
“Well, what else was I supposed to say? You’re just standing there staring at her,” Mathilda snaps back, but there’s no bite to her words. Tane knocks her hip with his.
Wilhelmina breaks up their bantering with her soft, lilting voice. “Lena, such a pretty name.”
“Thank you. Yours is pretty too, Wilhelmina, right?” She makes a face, her freckles scrunching on her nose. “Just Mina.”
I immediately feel a kinship towards her.
Nodding, I say, “Mina.”
She grins, pleased that I honored her request.
Evander juts his hand out. “Nice to meet you, Your Majesty.” His eyes blaze with kindness.
I take his hand and give a small but firm shake, but I look over at Odessa for confirmation.
“He is … correct … you’re the daughter of the Queen, and the rightful heir to the throne.” She sounds as if she’s thinking it through as she says it.
“Thank you, Evander, but please, no titles, just Lena.”
His cheeks redden, but he dips his head in confirmation.
A door slams loudly from the long building, and Julius struts towards us, flanked by two Valkyries. The Valkyrie on his right is as dainty as Mina, but that is where the similarities end. Her soft, rounded face is framed with wavy, strawberry-blonde hair that reaches her hips and complements her enchanting blue eyes.
The female on his left reminds me of a moonbeam. Her hair is as white as moonlight flowing down to her hips, as well. She’stall and wraith-thin, her dark-brown leathers standing out starkly against her pale skin. There’s something vacant about her expression, though, her pale-green eyes, almost silver, look around dully.
As they reach us, Odessa gestures with her hand to the female who resembles a moonbeam. “Luna.” Then to the smaller, soft-faced female. “Elowen.”
They both nod in greeting.
Julius steps forward abruptly and into my personal space. “What do you think of everything so far, Helena?”
I’m assuming this is his best attempt at pleasantry. I don’t step back, so I have to stare up into his eyes. “It’s been a bit overwhelming, but it’s so beautiful here. And please, call me Lena,” I reply with a smile.
