Keeper of the Lost Cities: Elysian

Chapter 42

The first thought that came to Sophie was...

Mom.

Then...

She's here. She's here.

Those thoughts seemed so obvious, but they were so significant. Sophie had only gotten the chance to speak with her mom during her brief time in Exile. Before she had to rush to Elysian... before things became complicated.

"Why are you crying, Sophie?" Edaline asked, snapping Sophie back into reality.

Sophie stared at her mother's open arms.

Was she crying?

She found the answer when she blinked. Then she had to blink several more times.

"Oh, Sophie," Edaline murmured. She closed the distance between them and wrapped Sophie into a hug.

In the embrace, Sophie felt an explosion of feelings- relief, and joy. And she was glowing inside, even in the dim room.

"It's just... the last few days have been tough," Sophie choked out. Tough was an understatement.

Edaline didn't say anything. She just patted Sophie's back until she managed to get her eyes clear and her voice steady.

"It's so good to see you after so long," Sophie mumbled as she stepped out of the embrace.

One day did feel very long, didn't it?

So much had happened.

"When you're ready, we can talk about some of the things that have been troubling you," Edaline said. "But... only when you're ready."

When would she be ready? The Band-Aid wouldn't last forever... she knew that.

"Have you talked with your friends yet?" Edaline asked after a moment of silence.

She didn't specify what, but Sophie knew what she meant. "Not really."

There were too many things.

Silence again.

Then, Sophie saw Tam standing in the doorway of Elysian's room. He had likely heard everything.

She looked away.

Then, Sophie heard a knock at the front door and the clamor of voices outside.

She went to open it but was thoroughly unprepared for the crowd outside.

Grady was leading Alden, Della, Juline, Kesler... Mr. Forkle, Tiergan, Blur, Wraith...

Dex, Linh, and Rayni were among them as well. As were Maruca, Wylie, and Marella.

Grizel, Ro, and Woltzer stood off to the sides with the other goblin bodyguards. Sophie couldn't hear their conversation over the others.

Dex and Linh smiled as they saw Sophie, but Rayni bit her lip. She looked distinctly uncomfortable being around so many people at once.

Fitz and Elwin appeared at Sophie's side.

She searched for Tam, but he was gone. Had he melted away into the shadows?

"It'll be okay," Edaline promised.

"Seems like I'll need to prepare another two dozen servings," Elysian said with a sigh, appearing behind them as well.

"Unless everyone already ate?" Fitz offered.

"We're sorry for the pressure we're putting on you," Edaline apologized. "Here. I'll help. What are you making?"