The High Lady's secret

The Spring Courts Secret

The fire in the hearth popped and sizzled cheerily, lighting up the charming little sitting room. The room had deep woodland colors and a wonderfully woven red and gold rug, deep red mahogany framed the hearth. And two large comfy chairs sat facing the fire a little table between them with tea already poured and half drank. A cozy little sitting room in the heart of the spring court.
Lady Ava sank onto her knees at her wife's feet one of them in her lap as she gently rubbed them.
Lady Eveonna having had a rough day leaned back in her chair and sighed heavily, all that day she'd been searching the western part of their borders searching for any signs of those assassins. at the end of the day, she brought home a large deer that the cooks downstairs were now frying and preparing. but her body ached and she half closed her eyes as her wife rubbed her feet, listing to the gentle pop and hiss of the fire. when there was a sound.. one could almost dismiss it as a popping log.. if not for the tale tail swishing sound of a fire message. Ava already standing she picked up the message, parchment half curled in on itself, burnt at the edges. "Its from Rykern" She said turning back to Eveonna and extending the letter to her wife who waved a hand "You read it, I've not the energy for Rys right now.." She sighed and closed her eyes once more. "Eve.... Evie.." came a hushed voice  "Its Nehemia... Shes been killed.."

Eve eyes shot open and she stood up in one motion, snatching the letter and reading it over carefully.. "She... She wasn't suppose to pass yet...the boys.. they weren't ready... " She shuddered and sat heavily down into her chair, long hair falling over her face as she bent over the letter.. "That poor girl.." Ava whispered as she came over to perch on the arm of her wifes chair. Eve looked up at her "We... we should have told the twins.. now one of them will inherit summer.. and we wont have prepared them.. what have we done Ava?" Ava frowned and drew Eveonna in for a hug. holding her. "We fuffiled the wishes of a dead man.. and kept his secret. He knew Nehemia wouldnt live as long as any full blooded offspring... he was prepared.. maybe not for this..but its what he wanted.. and we kept our promise to a friend.." She said her voice thick from holding back tears... later.. she'd cry later in the privcy of her bathroom after Eve had fallen asleep. but for now she looked into her wifes face and saw the guilt and devastation. "In keeping our promise..Ava.. i feel as though we have failed our sons.."
Ava shook her head and ran her fingers through Eves silvery locks. "They are strong.. they will be good leaders when the time comes. whatever court they end up inheriting."
There was silence then. as each of the high ladys thought about the secrets and events leading to this moment. each feeling guilt for different reasons. each feeling the sting of loss so intensely as if they too had lost a daughter. And both longing for the male who started this whole shit show. High Lord Tarquin.. who passed at the end of the war. "Theres not much we can do about things tonight.. Let us go to bed and send word to each of the twins in the morning." Ava said standing up and smothing her green gold dressing gown.
"They likely already know..The power would have transferred just moments after her death.. " Eve said gravely but stood as well. smoothing her red and silver night gown and bringing the moss colored robe tighter around her, feeling a chill creep into her bones.
"This changes everything..."