Page 82 of Wind and Water
The door opens, and six soldiers dressed in blue and gold livery rush out to flank the door.
Momma runs out with a man and a woman dressed in white and blue.
There is no time to examine them. My heart is racing, and I run into Momma’s arms. “Thank god you’re okay.” I hug her as tightly as I can, making sure she’s real.
She pulls me back to get a look at me. “You look a bit worse for wear, baby girl.” Wrapping her arms around me, she hugs me tighter than before. “I saw you go down that hole and prayed to our god and the elves’ gods that I would see you again. And Liam jumped in headfirst after you. Where on earth did you get to? Elspeth used all her magic to find you, and there was nothing.”
“I’m not surprised.” Liam hugs us both when it becomes clear Momma is not letting me go.
Finally, Momma realizes we’re not alone and lets me go. She wraps her arms around Liam. “You saved my girl. I’ll never be able to thank you enough.”
“I didn’t save her, Birdie. She saved us both.” He pulls back and takes my hand. “It’s a long story and maybe not one for themiddle of the concourse. Mother, Father, this is Wren Martin. She is the human from the prophecy and the love of my life. I intend to marry her as soon as she agrees. Wren, my parents, Elspeth and Brion Riordan.”
“My word.” Momma’s voice is breathy with the romance of it.
I’d be smitten myself if this weren’t so public and his parents didn’t look as if they’d been hit by a truck.
Elspeth Riordan has bright blond hair, and jewels on her pointed ears sparkle in the sunlight. She recovers, and her smile is warm and welcoming. Brion doesn’t smile. His hair is deep red, and his eyes are bright blue. I see a bit of him in Liam’s jaw and stern expressions.
A moment later, Elspeth takes my hand. “Welcome, Wren. It is a great relief that you are alive. You must be exhausted. We shall have a room made up for you to rest.”
Liam looks about to burst with whatever part of his mother’s greeting he disagrees with, but she holds up a hand and silences him.
Worried that an all-out royal feud will begin on the public terrace, I force a smile. “I am exhausted, and we have been through a lot. There is much to tell you.”
She threads my hand through her elbow as we turn and walk toward the castle doors.
The crowd breaks into a loud cheer.
Leaning down, Elspeth says, “They are overjoyed you have come. Now, if my youngest son would find his way home, we could start to control Domhan once again and perhaps break the curse.”
What can I say? I’m one of three tools brought here for the sole purpose of saving this world. She didn’t actually say that, but why should she accept a human woman into her family? I have no connections to offer.
Momma is behind me with Liam. “I cried my eyes out for both of you, though I never gave up hope.”
“It’s true.” Elspeth smiles. “Even when Brion and I had accepted and mourned for Liam, Birdie told us to delay holding our services. She knew you were still alive.”
“How did you know, Momma?” We step through the grand entrance and into an opulent foyer with sweeping staircases and a shining chandelier.
“My heart told me that my baby girl was still alive. Until it told me something else, I wouldn’t let you go.” She pats Liam’s arm. “I want to hear everything, but you both look like you could use a hot tub and some hours to sleep.”
Elspeth nods and hugs me. “Birdie is right. You’ll be cared for here, Wren. I’m sure the staff already made a room ready when word of your arrival came. Will you honor us at a family dinner tonight? You can tell us all about your journey after you were separated from your mother and the centaurs.”
“It’s not fit conversation for dinner, your majesty, ma’am, umm, Mrs. Riordan.” I have no idea how to address her. It would have been a good thing to ask thirty minutes ago.
“Elspeth and Brion will do nicely, Wren.” Brion’s face is still tightly held in a stern expression, but he pulls me into a quick hug. “You’re most welcome here. If the story is too gruesome or painful, we can wait until you’re able to tell it.”
“Thank you, sir.” I can’t call his father Brion. “It will be difficult, but there are things you’ll need to know. Maybe even things within my experience that I don’t yet realize are important.”
He lifts his eyebrows. “We’ll see you at dinner. Get the rest you need.”
“Liam!” The joyful voice comes from the top of the stairs. An elf with light blond hair and a wide smile sits on the curved railing and rides it down like he’s a boy. It’s not hard to guessthat this is Aaran. As soon as he lands, he pulls his brother into his arms. “I never gave up hope.”
Hugging his older brother tightly, Liam says, “For a time, hope was difficult to come by, Aaran. Perhaps it was yours and Birdie’s that pushed Wren and me to safety.”
Pulling back, Aaran’s smile falters. He studies his younger brother’s face. “Where did she take you?”
There is no doubt thatsheis Venora. Liam looks around at the group of mostly his family. He whispers, “Coire.”
