A Court of Heritance and Destiny

Chapter 13 Amaya

The spring had started to sneak its way back over Velaris, snow was slowly melting away, revealing the city's true colours again after months in the pale dress of winter. Amaya leaned back in her chair, holding her glass of wine before her as a moment of silence came over the dinner and those she shared it with.

It was Etera who had reached out with the idea, after months of staying away, she had now asked her to come by the small house together with Nyx and Nico. Asking for dinner, a step for her to come back to the world again. And here they were. The food had been finished, and now it was a short pause in the empty conversations that had happened. All of them had tried to avoid the topic regarding the work they did, leading to the conversations being very limited.

Amaya had not stopped holding an eye on Etera, studying her all throughout the night. Looking back it was clear that Etera had been very sick, but now, the female looked way less tense, more at peace. It was hard for Amaya to fully put a finger on it, it was a strange mix of seeing Etera calm, still, sitting down. The fact that she wasn't keeping an eye on every part of the room. Amaya closed her eyes, leaving her head back and let out a deep sigh. Completely at ease with her life right now.

Her training was going well, she had followed her father to every meeting, banquet, visit and inspection, learning more and more about her future responsibilities. Some scared her, like keeping track of the Illyrians and their different bands, villages and traditions. She glanced over to Ikarad, hoping that he would help her one day in the future.

"I think it sounds lovely." Amaya shook her head, landing back in the conversation, someone had said something and she had missed it. "Going away for a while, visiting the isles." Etera sighed.

"The biggest problem is organising a ceremony without Aunt Elain learning that I lied to her." Nyx said back with a frown. "Maybe if we have the ceremony there? What do you think about that, Nic?"

"All to flee your aunt?" Nico chuckled, "No, something smaller here, and then escaped in the cover of night. That is more like us Hero."

"Hero?" Etera asked, "A new nickname?"

"I am trying to find one that is just as annoying as Nic is to me." Nico shrugged as he talked. "And Hero is a good reminder of the first time we met."

"Hero is better than Wings." Nyx laughed back, "So I will accept it."

"Nico, come find me in a few days, and we will come up with a good one." Ikarad laughed, and Amaya did not stop the smile that grew on her lips. This was her family, her true home. Her friends and loved ones.

"Do not!" Etera lifted a hand, laughing with them. "Don't even think about it!" The laughter grew larger, and Amaya joined in. It was so easy to be with them.

"Why not? Don't trust my judgement mate?" Ikarad asked her, lifting her over to his lap.

"Sometimes." Amaya took it in, the love they all shared. "Do you trust me?"

"I have learned that you have your ways."

"About that!" Nyx leaned forward, "What did you do to Elain on solstice?" Amaya held her breath for a second, half expecting Etera to close down again. But the shifter leaned back towards Ikarad, and lifted her scarred hand.

"I made a bargain." The small black tattoo, so easy to miss if you did not know where it was. "Tattoos are a part of the tradition."

"But three lines over her face like that?" Nyx laughed, dragging three of his fingers down his face. Passing over his eyes and nose just like the tattoos that now covered Elains face. "It was one hell of a good touch." Amaya saw the sparkle in Eteras eyes.