Descendants of the Kings (Book 2)

Ch 22: Bloody hell

If Ella had been told that whilst she remained in the temple an earthquake had hit and demolished half of the Fionn Peaks, she would have believed it.

As it was, she couldn't remember any of the rest of the trip. Not the moment she came out of the Star Sister's vision. Not the journey back above ground or the trek through the enchanted forest. Not even arriving back at the Sacred City of Astralis.

Realistically, she knew she'd gotten back somehow. If she strained herself, she could see flashes of Val's concerned green eyes. The faint impression of Blaise's low, soothing voice. The cool touch of a hand on her forehead. The press of a glass vial against her lips, followed by a sweet, floral taste. The rest of her memories involved the velvet inside of a carriage, a glimpse of snow, and the rattle of the road.

When she did finally come to, she sat in front of a fire, wrapped in a warm, knitted shawl. Home. Home, sweet home. Even in her stupor, she was able to feel a flash of relief.

She blinked slowly and turned her head side to side as if getting water out of her ears. It did feel as if she'd resurfaced from the sea after days of endless cold blue.

Slowly, she regained her senses. The sensation of her limbs, the ability to hear. No longer was she a statue. As a moment went by, she began to be able to hear voices. Soft, hushed voices.

Ella blinked again and found herself staring into her father's icy grey eyes. For a moment, he looked so much like Faolan, that Ella's screwed her eyes closed, afraid she'd somehow gotten stuck in that vision again.

When she did open her eyes again, she was filled with relief. Callan shared some similarities with the ancient King, but he was nothing like him. He was her father, through and through. Warm hand clasping her shoulder, grey eyes soft with concern. Yes, she was home. In the present, where she belonged.

"Elowen, are you alright?" He crouched in front of her, watching her every move, as if she might become catatonic again.

Ella smacked her lips and cleared her throat, before rasping out, "I'm alright. I'm fine."

She wasn't lying, despite how shaken she still felt. Callan, however, did not take her word for it. His mouth tensed into a line, as he stood up from his crouched position. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

"I should have never allowed you to go. It was a mistake."

"I truly am fine," Ella protested. She tried to stand, but she overestimated how quickly her body would recover, and found herself wobbling.

Quickly, Katram was by her side, shushing her and pushing her to sit again.

"Miss, you ought to be easy on your body," she clucked. "Magistra Zella said it would take a few more hours for your limbs to regain full mobility." She tugged the shawl back on Ella's shoulders and thrust a vial into her grip.

"Protectress Selin sent this with Miss Valren, instructing you to take it today. It should replenish your energy."

Under Katram's watchful eye, Ella swallowed the contents, its floral scent reminding her that she'd already taken it at Astralis. Then, without a word, she accepted the bowl of soup Katram forced into her hands. Ella knew better than to complain. She simply sipped dutifully, until Kat seem satisfied with the amount.

"I am well enough," Ella argued again, setting the bowl down after a moment and looking after Callan, who had his back to her, tension lining his shoulders as he stared at the fire. "This is a normal reaction. It's nothing different from what I usually feel after I get a vision. A body needs time to adjust to being corporeal once again. You shouldn't become agitated over trivialities," she sniffed.