The Incandescent | Book 7 | The Fairy arc

Chapter 11 ~ The Form Taking of a Fairy Stepmother

In the morning, three cups of tea awaited Mara, Drave, and Erasmo. Tiramisu cake accompanied the tea on three lavender purple plates, with sparkling blackberries completing the delightful sight. Mara took a sip of the fragrant tea, thinking what an excellent way to wake up.

Erasmo sparkled happily when he saw the tea and tiramisu, but Mara forced him to share, indicating there were three plates, with three forks and three cups.

"If you want extra, ask Killian or Ireyna. And don't you even think of stealing a slice from Drave!" Mara said, tossing the Vanquesha a warning look.

"Ask me for extra what?" Killian asked, walking into the dining room. He was dressed finely in a deep purple long-sleeved shirt and slim black pants, his long black hair neatly brushed and slicked back. He paused when he saw Drave and Erasmo at the table with Mara.

"Extra tiramisu," Drave answered, speaking in place of Mara. He locked eyes with Killian, relieved to see that for the first time since the reunion, Killian looked at him without any hostility or resentment.

Killian was caught off guard for a moment. Assuming Drave was the one who wanted extra tiramisu, he quickly said, "Sure, I'll get you some."

Mara's eyes widened in surprise and Drave froze in startlement. Erasmo dropped his fork, the metallic purple utensil clattering on the plate.

Not only did Killian bring extra tiramisu, but he also brought extra tea. Killian took a seat beside Mara, sitting directly across from Drave. The Decuir siblings were silent, extremely astonished that Killian was at the table with them. He always ate alone or with Mara, never with Drave. This was the first time they sat together as a family.

To break the spell of surprised silence, Mara asked, "Where's Ireyna?"

"Asleep," Killian said, his voice serious at the mention of Ireyna. "Mara, come with me to the stable after breakfast. I need to speak with you regarding Ireyna."

He still doesn't trust Drave whenever he wants to discuss something, but at least he had breakfast with him for the first time, Mara thought, amazed it was the first time they actually sat together at the dining table like a normal family.

After finishing her tea and tiramisu, Mara went outside with Killian while Drave and Erasmo remained at the table.

A misty fog hung over the dewy grass, dampening their boots as Killian and Mara walked towards the stable. There was a mat with towels they used to dry their shoes before entering the stable. The teal stallion and the mulberry red mare neighed in greeting at the sight of father and daughter.

Killian made sure the horses had clean water and fresh oats before he addressed the matter he wanted to discuss with Mara.

"Ireyna is a rare immortal fairy from another world. As her husband, I personally monitor the use of her power, to make sure it isn't being misused, and that her great power doesn't fall in the wrong hands."

Mara's eyes widened as she remembered the Glittered Inktraitor mentioning portals and doorways to other worlds. "Wait, so the Glittered Inktraitor was right? There are portals and doorways to other worlds? My stepmother came from another world? And she is immortal?"

Killian's eyes narrowed. "What Glittered Inktraitor?" he asked, not liking the sound of his character.

Mara told him about the assignment on planet Ghatom, of the encounter with the Glittered Inktraitor at the ink factory.

Alarm appeared instantly, along with an urgency to protect his family from such a person. "If you see the Glittered Inktraitor again, please let me know. Always keep the Rose Dagger with you. Drave should keep the Ivyslash with him. I will give Erasmo a weapon of his own called Confettra, made of intricate diamond dust. I have my dagger, the Emerald Glare. The one Ireyna gave me when we first met." A fond smile touched his face at the memory.