Ravenswynd Legends

Chapter 10. Family Tree

Family Tree

Larkin and Amrita had slipped noiselessly into the room where Emrys and I sat, hearts entwined. Larkin cleared his throat to warn of their approach as they strolled toward us, arm in arm. The way Amrita glided over the antique area rug was silky-smooth, eerie as an apparition; I half imagined she drifted in on some ghostly cloud of ice and Larkin pulled her around with an invisible cord. But that was ridiculous; no doubt my own ethereally charged evening had affected my perception.

"Elizabeth and Emrys! I am so pleased to see that your destiny has found you!" Amrita's smile was genuine; her voice warm and soft. Finding it difficult to figure her out, I stared. What I saw and what I heard did not match.

They stood directly in front of the chaise lounge, and Amrita surprised me by saying, "Elizabeth - my sister!"

She reached out to me, and just as I was about to take her hand, I spotted a scorpion stretched across it. I hesitated a moment while the realization sunk in that the creature was only a tattoo. Tiny bits of lightning warmed my hand as we touched.

"Please say hello to my husband, Larkin," she announced. Her voice was sultry and low.

Husband? I never would have expected this: they were complete opposites. He looked so different from her, so clean-cut. There wasn't even one visible tattoo on him.

As he shook my hand and gave me a quick nod, he said, "It is a great pleasure to finally meet you face to face. We have heard much about you these past few months." Larkin smiled at me as he spoke, but his pale blue eyes turned to his wife moments later.

Amrita and Larkin's arms were still locked together, and, after our brief handshake, his hand immediately went back to hers, as though he had to be sure she did not release his arm.

I said, "Hello." I managed a few words of politeness, but my mind whirled with all the unknowns that my future now held.

"Amrita, I owe you an apology," Emrys said as he stood and faced his sister, reaching for her free hand. "You were correct. I was far too skeptical about tonight's outcome. I do apologize for being so moody and argumentative these past few weeks." He leaned forward to kiss her cheek and his hair fell forward from his shoulders catching the candle light just right so that it moved in black metallic waves. I couldn't believe how beautiful he was in every way possible. And, he was in love with me!

"My brother, you need not apologize. Just let me say - I told you so! As usual, Sibelle was right: our Elizabeth is a true beauty, inside and out, and she is meant to be with you now and forever. I felt it the minute I saw her on the dock. I had everything I could do to keep from hugging her myself." She looked at me and smiled. Her lipstick was so dark, and I couldn't help but wonder if her lip piercing hurt when she moved her mouth.

Could that be why she seemed so standoffish during our first meeting? She had to pretend she wasn't glad to meet me! I had to chuckle at this thought - which I did, out loud. Maybe I had her pegged all wrong. Just because she dressed as she did – wearing the dark makeup, so many tattoos and piercings, didn't mean she was one of those gloomy, antisocial types at all. She seemed happy and friendly.

Emrys turned and joined me on the sofa, taking my hand in his electrified warm hand. He spoke to Amrita, but his eyes stayed on me. "I know, my sister. I can barely contain myself, even more so, now that she has consented."

He gazed at me with those mesmerizing eyes again. Did I look even remotely as in love as he did? He bent forward and kissed me just then. I guess I got my answer!

Without hesitation, Larkin advised, "Amrita, my dearest, let us leave these two alone to continue their first evening of the rest of eternity."

He turned toward us. "I know it doesn't have to be said, but I wish you the best and dearest kind of love imaginable, and may your timeless existence together be blessed." Something in his voice sounded a little envious.