Indebted

88

A full day and night after Nightmother revealed Myrrh's crimes. Safe inside Delia's family coven home, Atticus finished telling Esti how Nightmother revealed everything Myrrh wanted to keep secret. Myrrh had been responsible for so many murders, manipulating court from the sidelines. How Myrrh had arranged for Andromeda, The Fitzprince Caspian's mother had been murdered with poison, how Myrrh had conspired and arranged for dozens of lords to be executed over the years. How Myrrh had been using lord Roddington to manipulate the king and have Esti's father executed. Myrrh had even murdered her own brother. As Atticus had never been registered at court, once his mother died, Myrrh gained control of her brother's estate.

Lord Roddington had been a willing puppet for Myrrh. He had lived a small simple life. He didn't understand how his actions would affect others. Not at first at least. He had been a slow learner. Lord Roddington managed to see the truth before it was too late when he couldn't do what Myrrh had wanted. Myrrh had been ready to go to war against their own people. Kill those who had left the castle in a cull in order to maintain the status quo.

Magnus had looked down at Myrrh. Myrrh was the opposite of Isadora. Magnus saw how easily he had been manipulated. Hating that it was one of his own descendants who had betrayed him. Kinslaying was wrong. Damon Black and Marisol had approached the king. "If you would prefer The Council can assume responsibility for her and charge her formally under our laws for her crimes we would be glad to take this burden from you." Framing it as an opportunity to work together. "A start towards better integration of the Sovran court." Damon had offered. Marisol offering to teleport Myrrh to The Council cells immediately.

Magnus was more than ready to be done with dealing with this particular problem. Granting his consent immediately. Marisol was gone in a blink with a wildly screaming Myrrh who did not seem to understand that she had already lost everything. Marisol was back, minutes later. Showing Magnus photos of Myrrh in her cell deep underneath The Council's buildings. Assuring the King that he would be given all updates on her condition and trial. In reports that he could read or not at his leisure. Which more than suited the King fine.

Magnus announced that the scribes would begin negotiations the next day. Rooms were available for any who wanted, his stable of teleporting demons would provide any travel services needed. The king bid his goodnight and left. Barely able to make it through the minimum of decorum and instruction before the tears started to escape.

The dragon Carax-xys finally learned the fate of their mate. Murdered by their own kin for the crime of being loved and empathetic. Vengence would not come at their own hands. There was only the opportunity to properly mourn. Celestia immediately stepped up as the highest ranking royal present. Presenting a picture of an even-headed and thoughtful leader. It was a shame the Sovran Court still held to gender stereotypes and it was her less suited for the role brother who was set to gain the crown next according to the laws succession.

Nightmother had looked around the room. A new path had been set tonight from where things had been heading this morning. A better path forward. She felt satisfaction that she had not known in such a long time. Announcing to the crowd, "I have answered the call. I will be watching." Moving her arms to wrap them around herself and vanishing into the air. Returning to her own domain. 

Delia as an empath was deeply aware that Atticus wanted to be anywhere but here, and was also certain that Esti would not want to wake up in court if it could be avoided. "My coven has a safe house, my mama lives there, we can offer you and the Queen rooms." Delia offered with a sfot gentle voice. More than well aware that a night in The Council Tower was not a night alone. She always felt like her skin was crawling with all the unseen hidden eyes in that place. So many half hidden emotions. Trusting that her mother would be able to keep Atticus and Esti safe with the privacy they deserved. Esti had felt her own death, and Atticus had experienced the pain of losing her. They deserved a chance to recover.

Delia had felt both of them, the weight of their combined pain tonight had been almost too much for her. It had nearly suffocated her. The only reason she had been able to bear it was because Laurel and Damon had been with her to support her. Take some of the crushing weight off her heart. She had felt her other mate, still back in their family home sending her all the strength he had. Delia loved her large, loving family. 

Atticus had readily accepted the offer, anywhere not directly part of The Council after this morning, and not at Court sounded like where he wanted to be with Esti. She hadn't moved or stirred since she was healed. Her breathing and heart rate were slow enough to worry Atticus that she might not ever wake up. Delia had opened a portal to the guest bedroom her mama had already made sure was ready. Delia liked to overplan and believed having extra accommodations in a neutral, isolated location might be beneficial today.

Blue Willow would have been easily able to provide rooms, however Blue Willow was a busy place. A place full of nosy eyes that would not serve the new Queen and her consort right now. Caroline Had been waiting in the hall for Atticus where Delia had opened a gateway. The transition from court to somewhere far away had been easy. Esti still and limp in Atticus's arms as he carried her towards their host.

Delia had already briefed her mother on everything she knew about the latest house guests. Caroline was getting used to Delia bringing home those in need of safety now. "Come, a room is ready, if you have any needs please let me know." Caroline offered Atticus. Sounding just as warm and caring as her daughter. The family resemblance clear between the two.

He had followed Caroline into a pretty room. Tucking Esti into the large four poster bed. There was nothing from her. No movement, no emotions, not even a dream to find her in. She was alive. Nothing else. Atticus had never in life known the anxious constant feeling he was experiencing looking at Esti. He just wanted her to wake up. She felt so fragile in his arms. He was worried he was going to hurt her the longer he held her in his arms.

Then Atticus had sat vigil over Esti. Exhausted but too scared to join her in the bed, scared he would hurt her. Sitting be her side in a chair until he had literally collapsed into the bed. Waking up to see her, sitting up, smiling, talking, moving her arms. She was ok. Atticus could scent fresh soap and no one else in the room. Esti had walked, he was certain. And nothing had ever felt better than knowing she was ok. Attius had leapt at the chance to hold her, only to worry that she was perhaps still tired, still sore, still healing.

Esti had smiled, Atticus had not hurt her. She was fine. She had loved when he moved to cradle her body under his from behind. Had listened intently as he told her everything she had missed, and who they had to thank for their current accommodations.

Esti took a moment. Letting her mind absorb all that she had just learned. All they had been through. Her body remembered the pain she had felt, remembered how it felt to know Atticus felt her die when he could do nothing. Myrrh had caused them both trauma that wouldn't ever be undone. Regardless of how well the attempted murder had been healed. Atticus and Esti spent several minutes in silence. Quietly celebrating Esti's beating heart and breathing lungs.