Author's note: Apologies for the delay in release! There is no excuse. I am simply slow!
Chapter 60
Since our arrival, the chamber had been steeped in silence. I remained standing while Yseldra knelt upon the floor and held Aelunira close, speaking not a word as tears slipped endlessly down her cheeks. Aelunira looked at her in quiet confusion, yet she did not draw away, as though some unspoken warmth bound her there.
At last, Yseldra rose, hastily wiping her tears, and guided the child to sit beside her on the sofa. "Look at you," she murmured, her hands trembling as they gently cradled Aelunira's cheeks. "Five years of age… and you have grown into such a lovely young lady."
Aelunira studied her with innocent curiosity, then reached out and brushed her fingers against Yseldra's red hair. "You look like me…"
A fragile smile touched Yseldra's lips. "Ah… forgive me. My name is Yseldra Valebrinth. I am your other mother. It seems you have taken much of your appearance from me."
Aelunira tilted her head, uncertain. Yseldra slowly lowered herself, slipping from the sofa to kneel before her, and drew her into a gentle embrace. "You know that every child has a mother and a father, do you not?"
Aelunira nodded.
"In your case," Yseldra continued softly, "you have two mothers."
Aelunira glanced toward me. "I do not understand."
"It is difficult to understand," Yseldra said, her hand resting tenderly upon the child's back. "But know this… you are dearly loved by us both."
A faint blush rose upon Aelunira's cheeks. "L-loved?"
"Yes. And when we return to Dunverra, I shall grant you the title that is yours by right."
"Title?"
"Yes… Princess Aelunira."
"She shall not be leaving with you," I interjected lightly.
Yseldra cast me a measured glance before rising, her hand enclosing Aelunira's. "Will you grant me a moment alone with your mother? There are matters we must discuss."
Aelunira nodded shyly.
"I have brought many gifts for you," Yseldra said, guiding her toward the door. "My knight shall escort you to them. His name is Sir Lorcan. He may appear formidable, yet you need not fear him, for he protects me, and he shall protect you as well."
Once Aelunira had gone, Yseldra came to stand before me, her presence as familiar as it was distant. "It has been six years, Naevia," she said, a weary breath escaping her. "Have I not suffered enough for what I did? And Nerissea… she had reason for her actions. I have told you what was done to her in my letters, time and again."
"I know what befell Nerissea," I replied, my voice lacking emotion. "I am no longer angry, Yseldra. Not with you, nor with her. I desire only to begin anew."
Her golden eyes trembled. "You speak my name so easily. You still love me."
"Do not mistake me. I am merely weary of titles. I shall give courtesy when needed."
"If there is no love, why grant our child a name of Dunverra?"
"Aelunira was a name Alethea cherished. It bears no meaning of you."
"I never commanded her death. I told you in every letter. I searched for her as well. Why will you not believe me?"
"Enough. I have long abandoned hope of finding her. Pray, return home."
"Please… grant me one more chance. I will love you as I ought. I swear it."
"You spend your breath in vain."
"Naevia…" Her voice broke as her arms found my waist, holding me as though I might vanish. "Millicent has undone the enchantment upon Nerissea's contract. It is finished. She and I are no longer bound. We may, at last, live as a couple unburdened, as others so easily do."
"Release me, Yseldra."
"On my journey here, I saw it so clearly," she said, holding me closer. "You, Aelunira, and I... Our life together… You reading to us beside a warm hearth, our child upon my lap... My hands weaving her hair as mine matches hers… Walks beneath open skies, where I may present my beloveds to the world... A life as a family… as something whole. We could yet have it… Please, grant me this chance, for my heart is yours entirely…"
"I cannot answer such longing," I murmured, my gaze lowered. "I have long ceased to live as I once did… my heart no longer stirs."
Her hold tightened. "Then let it stir again. I shall not merely speak it… I will prove it."
"Nonsense," I said as I gently removed her arms from about me. "You should return. Aelunira and I shall go home. Please inform Her Grace that you hold no objection to Aelunira remaining here, and that you will not bring trouble upon her duchy."
I turned toward the door, yet her hand seized my arm in desperation. "Nerissea may have given up on you, but I shall not. I have loved you since the first moment I beheld you, and I will not abandon that love. You need not forgive me, Naevia, I shall bear that truth for the rest of my days. Only… allow me to remain at your side. If not for me, then for our daughter. She deserves what other children possess… two parents. I beg you."
I removed her hand and moved toward the door, yet she stepped before me at once, her fingers closing around my arms with a quiet force. Her expression shifted into something resolute and unyielding, and the air itself seemed to dim beneath her gaze.
"Very well," she whispered, drawing close until I felt her breath upon my skin. "I shall depart. Yet my princess comes with me. Should you wish to remain by her side, you will follow."
"If I refuse, will you take her by force?"
"I have no need. I may claim what is mine."
"You forget this is Ivoryspire, a land governed by law."
"It seems you fail to grasp a certain truth," she said in a low voice. "Aelunira bears royal blood. Should I so much as suggest that Millicent is holding my child hostage, matters could turn… unfortunate. Why did you think she contacted me? She does not wish her duchy to be held accountable for your actions, nor entangled in consequences born of them. You know Millicent values peace above all things, do you not?"
I regarded her for a long while. She was the woman I had once loved with all my heart, the very one for whom I had forsaken my faith. Do I truly feel nothing for her now? I cannot say. What I do know is this, she pursued me from the very beginning, and she will not cease, not now, not with Aelunira's existence.
"Oh, Yseldra…" I said. "Why can you not let us go…"
"Never," she breathed against my ear. "Ever."
---
"I trust you have reached an accord," Millicent asked.
I stood before her within her study, while she remained seated with perfect composure, the great expanse of papers upon her desk far surpassing any I had seen in Yseldra's possession. Yseldra had gone to see Aelunira, and I had been summoned here.
"Yes," I answered. "Aelunira shall depart with Her Majesty, and I shall remain here."
The unreadable calm of her expression softened. She stood and guided me to the sofa, and rather than taking the seat opposite, she sat beside me. I lowered my gaze to my hands resting upon my lap.
"My apologies, but I took the liberty of learning more of you," she said gently. "The most cherished child of House Ashcroft was once a woman of light and joy. She dwelt within the temple and gave her life to Ombrithar, ever placing others before herself, her kindness vast and unmeasured. Yet now… I see that light has dimmed." She drew closer and took my hand within hers. "I would wish to see that woman. I have established a new orphanage. Would you consider aiding me in its care? The most devoted servant of Ombrithar sits before me, after all."
I lifted my gaze to her, and she met me with a quiet, knowing smile.
"The laughter of children may yet warm your heart again," she said softly. "And should you find it is not your path, I shall help you seek another. We shall try, again and again, until you smile. And when that day comes, I will accompany you to see Aelunira."
My lips pressed together as feeling rose beyond my control, my vision blurring as sobs broke free despite my efforts. Her words were so gentle… so piercingly kind that they found me without resistance.
She drew me into her embrace as I wept, my tears staining her fine dress. "Cry," she murmured. "Cry as much as you wish."
---
Aelunira wept with all her small strength, clutching at my skirts. "No, Mother, please… let me go with you! I will be good! I will be good!"
I knelt before her and gently wiped her tears. "I am sorry, Aelunira. You must remain with your other mother."
I rose and met Yseldra's gaze, who stood behind the child.
"Do not fear, my princess," Yseldra said with composed calm, though a fierce resolve burned within her golden eyes. "You shall see your mother soon."
I loosened Aelunira's grasp from my skirts and stepped into the carriage Millicent had prepared. As it began to move, Aelunira ran after it, her small body stumbling upon the ground more than once, her cries rising.
I turned my gaze away and closed the blinds. When I am worthy of a heart once more, I shall return to her and beg her forgiveness upon my knees, and accept whatever judgment she gives. I pray that day comes soon, for I do wish to become a mother she deserves.