Page 99 of Her Ivory Flame

She heard doors opening and people walking into the street, her eyes looking up to see a crowd forming.

“Is it true Kaden?” an elderly female asked nearby.

Kaden nodded and gestured towards her, the boy still hugging her like his life depended on it and she smiled.

She pulled at her power and this time let a large bundle of flames glow around her hand.

The people around them started to celebrate, yelling in joy and more moved closer to her in excitement.

“Princess!” someone yelled.

“We are so glad you are home!” another shouted.

The boy moved to her side but kept hold of her as her people started to approach wanting to shake her hand. She was at first shocked by it, but as more people gave her happy smiles and vigorous hand shakes, she relaxed.

There was no panic or anxiety from their touch, and she realized maybe she was healing more than she thought.

“Thank you Kaden.” many said as they walked past him.

He would just nod and keep watch as more people filed by without a hint of anger or malice towards hers.

Soon they were just a group standing a few feet away, many just staring at her in awe and she wasn’t quite sure what to do.

“What’s your name, little one?” she asked the boy again who loosened his grip on her.

“Halvard,” He said shyly.

“Nice to meet you, Halvard.”

The boy smiled and pulled away from her to join the rest of the people staring at her.

“I don’t really know what to say,” she said hesitantly. “Only that I was very happy to hear you are all still alive and that Kaden was gracious enough to take care of you in my absence.”

“Was it true Mavros held you captive?” she heard someone ask.

“Yes,” she replied. “He tried to get me to give him the Ivory Flame, but as you can see he did not succeed.”

The elderly female from before approached again and gestured for her to grab her hands.

“You are just as I remember you.” the lady smiled. “Your mother would be so proud of you.”

The lady did look familiar, however she had forgotten a lot of things over the time she had been gone and was occupied with the war last time she had been home.

“I wish she was here,” she whispered.

“She is my lady, in here.” The female placed her hand over her heart, the rest of the crowd following suit in tribute to her mother.

She felt the tears start to well in her eyes and Kaden stepped closer to her with his hand finding her lower back.

“We should get her back so she can rest, I just thought she should see her people before we leave tomorrow.” Kaden’s voice was soft and she looked quickly to him unaware they were leaving so soon.

“We can’t wait for you to return again.” The lady nodded and the rest of the crowd started to disburse back into their homes, Halvard giving her one last smile before disappearing.

Once the street was empty she let out a shaky breath and turned towards Kaden.

“Thank you,” she said with quivering lips. “For taking care of my people and bringing me to see them.”

He pulled his free hand from her back, the other still holding the lantern and wrapped it around the nap of her neck. He pulled her close and placed a kiss on her forehead, her hands reaching out to him and grabbing onto his shirt for support.