Firebird

Chapter 16

Kyla

    I was sitting in my room, trying to look over these papers my father had given me. Some landowners were fighting over property lines. I just couldn't focus. Beckett and the rest of the men should have been back days ago. I know he didn't want me to worry but I couldn't help it. This is how I'd been since he left.
    Suddenly, my door flew open and Beckett ran in. I didn't hesitate to throw myself into his arms. He scooped me up and held me for a moment before stepping away and looking at me.
    "What's wrong?" I asked, confused. "Was anyone lost?"
    "No, Kyla." He said, looking nervous "Sweetheart, we found your mom. Alive."
I let the words sink in and wash over me. My blood hammering in my ears. Whatever I thought he was going to say, definitely wasn't that.
"She's alive." He said again. "She's downstairs in the throne room with your dad."
My feet were moving before I registered what I was doing. He stayed close behind and kept up easily. People cleared out my way as I flew through the halls. I slammed the doors open to the throne room and froze completely. She was really here.
"Mama?" My voice broke as a sob ripped through my throat.
"Oh my little firebird." She said, opening up her arms. I sobbed harder and barreled into her. My knees gave out and we both went to the ground. Crying and laughing, we held onto each other. I was vaguely aware of my father wrapping his arms around us both.
I don't know exactly how long we stayed like but I knew it was along enough for the sun to go down. We stopped crying but didn't let go. My mom had me cradled in her lap and was singing her favorite song to me. I only gripped her harder. After awhile, my mom finally spoke.
"How's Tanwen, my dear?" She asked softly, rubbing her fingers down my hair.
"She's really good." I said, voice small. "She'll be really happy to see you again. Oh and she found her soul bound dragon."
"Yes I know about that." She said, looking down at me. "That's Beckett's dragon, right?"
"Yes that's right." I sniffled. "Drake isn't full grown yet but he grows a little everyday. He's insanely smart too."
"That doesn't surprise me at all." She laughed. "Beckett seems like a smart man too."
I nodded and smiled at that. I looked around the room for him and realized everyone cleared out to give us some privacy.
"Oh and of course there's the little fact of him being in love with you." She said. I sat all the way up and looked at her. She had a twinkle in her eyes. "He talked about you non stop the whole way here. You should have seen his face when I asked when the wedding was."
"Mom!" I said, laughing way too hard. "You can't just ask that."
"Oh yes I can. I'm your mother." She said as a matter of fact. "He told me he hadn't gotten around to asking for your hand. Yet."
She winked and I shook my head. It was good to have her back.
      "Are you up for a ride?" I asked, hopeful.
      "You don't have to ask me twice!" She jumped quickly, my father right on her heels. Together, the three of us ran to aeries. Laughter rang out between us and my heart soared.