Chapter 42 TIR'NAREL
After flying for hours, we successfully crossed the border into Tir'Narel by nightfall. We stopped at the elvish castle. Auren changed back into his human form and headed towards the guards while we descended the wyverns.
He spoke a few words with the guards before nodding at us to walk in. A servant instantly approaches us and bows low.
“Greetings, Your Grace. King Tyren has been expecting you."
Auren nods and gestures to us. "Show the ladies to rest, Imogen, come with me. " With that he walks away, Imogen following behind him. The servant turns to us and nods.
As she walks us in, I take my time observing the place. The castle is beautiful with that ancient vibe that screams a thousand years of existence. She shows Amelia her room, before showing me to mine.
“If you need anything at all, just ring the bell on the bedside table." With that she bows and steps away.
I step into the room, my heart racing from thoughts on how this mission is going to end. It leaves me nearly frustrated that Lyra is dying and I can't do anything about it.
Urgh!
I take off my cloak and head to the wardrobe. Pulling it open I take out a dress and hold it up.
What the fuck!!
The Elvish certainly dress differently. The dress I'm holding looks like pieces of scrap material put together to make something worth covering the skin.
I take a look at the others and they are all the same. Great!
My mind then shifts to Auren, to what Lyle told me on our way here. I still find it hard to believe that the purpose for Auren marrying is to break some curse by sacrificing my life. Just when I thought he could actually be a better person.
“You know that's not true." The familiar voice has me turning around and sitting on the bed. Leaning by the wall opposite me is my mother, Athalia. She's dressed as usual in her white ethereal robe, her skin almost transparent.
“You're here."
A smile ghosts her lips. “I could hear your thoughts. You know the King loves you, right?"
I scoff. “Love. Funny how you can still believe in love after what my father did to you."
In the past few weeks I got the chance to talk with my mother and the things I found out are heartbreaking to say the least. What I saw in her memories was just the tip of the iceberg compared to what she told me.
Love made her that way. She was so stupidly in love with Eurolys that she was willing to destroy herself for it. She had to get the Eathereal Essence from the temple for him. That's what turned her into the wondering soul she is today.
“I loved the wrong man, Haven and I haven't stopped regretting it,’’ she says, slowly walking towards me. She didn't just love the wrong man, she let her stupid emotions control her. “But Auren is not the wrong man."
I stare at her like she's lost her mind. “What do you mean, not the wrong man? He took me from my home and dragged me into this…mess. If I hadn't married him Lyra wouldn't have been stabbed. And now I hear he's been cursed and he needs a female to sacrifice her life to break the curse. That does sound like the wrong man to me, thank you.”
Mother shakes her head and takes a seat on the bed next to me. “You are your own person, and can make decisions for yourself. But know this, life isn't always the way we want it. You say that Auren is the cause of Lyra's condition. I'll tell you that the only reason you started manifesting magical powers after stepping into Drakorath is because of the high magic presence. I was trying to reach you for a long time and I could only do that once you stepped into the castle.”
I stare at her without saying anything.
“Your powers would have surfaced sooner or later, and whoever is attacking you would have still come for you. Not only would Lyra have been in danger, but the whole village as well. " She places a hand on my shoulder and gives me a slight nod. “If it had been Mira in Lyra's condition, she wouldn't have made it through the night. So everything happens for a reason.”
I sigh. " I just don't know how to accept all this. I just feel like as long as we stay together, calamity is never too far away.”
She reaches over and places her hands on mine. Before, I would flinch from the severe cold radiating from her touch. But I've gotten used to it. " Troubles are a part of life, and till you get rid of whomever wants you dead, be ready to face a lot of them. This is where you let him stand by your side, not push him away.”
" But the curse…you heard what Lyle said about…about me being the sacrifice…”
" We both know that he's never going to let that happen,” she cuts in. " He loves you and you know that. Just open your heart to him and give him a chance to love you.”
She reaches over and kisses my forehead, her lips no less colder than her hands.
∞∞∞
I don't know when I fall asleep, but by the time I wake up, it's morning.
Auren didn't come to bed last night. After Mom disappeared, I waited for him till after midnight but he didn't show up.
No matter how much I try to ignore it, I can't stop the worried feeling growing inside me. I push it aside and head to the bathroom. After taking a bath, I fit myself in one of the dresses found in the wardrobe.
The most decent of them still feels very exposed.
Urgh!
I brush my hair then head outside. I ask the first servant I see if she knows where Amy is and I'm being led to the garden.
Amy is seated in the garden under a Rose tree with another girl. They're chatting and laughing, and I instantly guess that they're close.
“Haven!" Amy calls the moment she notices me. She stands and pulls me into a hug. " This is Princess Steph–mara of Tir'Narel."
The girl lets out a charming smile and a I can't help but smile back. She's pretty, real pretty and dressed in a dress far more exposed than the one I have on. A good amount of her cleavage is exposed as well as her sides and entire back from what I can see.
“It's good to meet you, My Lady," she says, voice cheerful. “I heard you're the one who melted Auren's cold heart."
I take a seat. " It's a pleasure to meet you too, princess. And no, I don't think I melted anyone's heart.”
Before anyone could say another word, Imogen comes running, breath coming out in short pants.
“My Lady… My Lady,” he calls, coming to a stop trying to catch his breath. " You have to come quickly…the king…he…he…”
" What happened to Auren?” Amy cries rising
to her feet.
" He passed out. You have to come now, My Lady. Only you can save him.”