Book Two: KOTLC One-shots and More

Sophie (Della POV)

A/N: @SKAT_J requested that I write Della's POV of when she first met Sophie.

Biana was not happy that the entire family had been in on a secret from which she had been kept. Della tried to explain that Alden's duties as an Emissary often--in fact, nearly always--involved things the rest of the family could not know about, and that since this was something he'd been conducting without the knowledge and against the permission of the Council, he needed to be just as secretive. She tried to explain that Fitz--and Alvar before him--only knew about it because their assistance in the search had been necessary.

Biana heard her, but didn't seem to care.

She knew things were difficult for Biana. Having a third child was pretty rare in the elvin world, so Biana had always been something of a surprise and topic of much discussion among others. And although her status as a Vacker kept her from open scorn and ridicule, it also piled on all kinds of pressure and unfair expectations.

Biana nearly always carried herself in a very composed manner, but sometimes, the pressure got to her. And for some reason, she was not happy that "some strange new girl" was being brought in from the Forbidden Cities when she had known nothing about it.

"And you know she's going to be all over Fitz, because all the girls are, and you seriously expect her to live with us?!" Biana shouted at her in frustration.

"Fitz said nothing about her being, as you put it, 'all over him' when he found her yesterday," Della told her daughter patiently. "And yes, we do hope to adopt her. Your father says she's very sweet, and doesn't seem to have any idea that she's about to..." Della's voice cracked with emotion. She cleared her throat and continued. "About to lose everything she's ever known. The least we can do is provide a loving home for her and help her as she adjusts to life in the Lost Cities."

In truth, the Council had denied their request to take Sophie in, but Della was hopeful that Alden would be able to change their minds. She strode toward one of the windows, allowing the light to pass through her and make her invisible as she prepared for Biana's rebuttal.

Sure enough, Biana let out an exasperated sigh and shouted, "how can you even consider taking her in when you haven't even met her? What if she's awful? What if she doesn't want to be here? What if--"

Just then, three figures entered the room. "You're home," Della said with delight, cutting off her daughter's angry tirade and hoping none of them knew what she'd been saying.

Sophie let out a little squeal, and Della looked at her.

She had medium length blonde hair, and warm brown eyes--what a beautiful and striking change to the usual blue hues they had in the Lost Cities--and at the moment, looked a bit frightened.

"Sophie, this is my wife, Della, and my daughter, Biana," Alden explained, trying not to laugh. Then he looked at Della. "My dear, I don't believe our guest is used to being around Vanishers."

"I'm so sorry," Della said, smiling at Sophie. "Are you okay?"

  "Yes," Sophie replied quietly, eyes widening as she looked at Della before quickly looking away. Della had been around humans enough to know that Sophie would find their fine homes and their clothing extravagant and perhaps a bit intimidating.

"Is that my dress?" Biana asked.

Della tried not to let out an audible sigh. This was not the way to say hello to a guest.

"Yes." Alden answered before Sophie had to try to say anything. "Sophie needed to borrow it to go on a few errands."

  "I can go change," Sophie offered, looking supremely uncomfortable.