The Hidden Crystal

Chapter 63

Iris' new family wasn't going to let her stay miserable.

Elera took her dress shopping, and she insisted on getting Iris a white wedding gown and a party dress, just in case Iris felt like going out. Iris didn't argue. She only made sure the dresses were high-cut to hide the amulet. Elera assumed Iris' preference was due to modesty, which was partially true. She didn't need to know more. Iris was willing and able to share a lot with Elera over the next few days and during moments of darkness in the still of the night, but the amulet had to stay hidden. Nobody needed to know about that. Nobody except Char, and he was only going to find out after they were married and she couldn't hide it anymore.

He and Rath came over to Elera's house every night for dinner. The war was at a standstill, thanks to Micah's death and the ensuing chaos at the castle. He was the one who started the war, and he was the only mage capable of challenging dragons single-handedly. If the humans wanted to continue the fighting, it was going to be a lot harder and a lot bloodier for their side. Negotiating a truce was definitely on the table now.

Both Char and Rath were always tired in the evenings. Rath was still obstinate about leadership training, but Kelnor tasked him with going through Micah's writings, and the smile he wore at Elera's house seemed less and less genuine. He didn't talk about what he read, and Iris didn't ask.

Char wouldn't explain his weariness, but his smile was real, and the time he spent with Iris after dinner, talking on Elera's sofa, made her heart sing.

She missed the fairies. They stayed in the barracks with Char and Rath, so they didn't cause trouble in the city. Elera grumbled and complained about her time with them while Iris was gone, but it was easy to see that she missed them, too. They were endearing little creatures.

And, when the night came, when Iris was alone in her bed, she had her mother to keep her company.

The images she saw, the words she heard, made her smile and cry. They were always from her point of view, limiting her field of vision to her mother's face and whatever her mother was showing her. Iris felt the simple emotions of her infant self, sheer joy, awestruck wonder, innocent curiosity. Sometimes her mother dangled the amulet above her when they were playing, laughing when Iris grabbed at it and tried to chew on it. She told Iris that she loved her. She told Iris that she was going to have to leave her soon, that she hated doing it, but that it would be best for Iris. She held Iris close when they curled up on a bed of straw in a stable somewhere, telling Iris how wonderful it was that they had a warm place to sleep. And she prayed - a lot.

Look, Iris. See that? It's the place where you're going to live.

Iris looked where her mother was pointing, toward the old church with stone walls.

There's a priest there named Father John, and he'll be taking care of you from now on.

Iris snuggled into her mother's shoulder. The building wasn't that interesting, and the darkness made her sleepy.

You won't have to worry about where you're sleeping or what you're eating. Her mother laughed. Not that you worry about anything now. I do all the worrying for both of us, don't I?

Her mother's voice was cheerful, but thick. Iris yawned.

But I won't have to worry about you anymore. You'll be safe here, and Father John will see that you have everything you need.

Her mother stopped walking and wrapped both arms around Iris, hugging her tightly.

I'll miss you so much, Iris.

Iris looked up at her with wide eyes as her mother laid her down in a basket, arranging the blankets around her. Tears were streaming down her face.

I won't be coming back, Iris, she said, her voice choked. He's getting closer, and I'm afraid-