Marmalade's Love Potion

Chapter 23 - Reunion - Part 1

Everything that followed was a whirl of chaos. The King offered another rousing speech of battle, sacrifice, innovation, and triumph. The Rangers were ushered away by the Healers and Alchemists.

Steph squeezed Callum in a tight hug, refusing to release him until the Ranger promised he would eat, rest, and follow the Healers' every instruction. Callum gave Penelope a quick embrace and a shaky grin, his arms still trembling from the trauma of battle and injury, before a Healer helped him make his way out with the others.

The ballroom floor was swept clear of sand and the runes were extinguished. By the time the orchestra was reseated and striking the first notes of a new dance, the ballroom was once again filled with eager ball-goers, flushed and chattering with the thrill of spectacle.

Desperate for a moment of quiet, Penelope and Steph slipped through the crowd towards a shadowed arch, beyond which lay a terrace arcade. Ornate, open archways lined the long stone corridor, offering an expansive view over tiered gardens blooming with night flowers.

Set between each arch were delicate chimeneas shining with silver flame, bathing the polished stone with the illusion of moonlight. Dragon fire, Penelope realised with an uncomfortable twist to her stomach.

Their footsteps were lost to the din of music and chatter spilling from the ballroom as they wandered the arcade, coming to rest by an arch wreathed in floral vines.

Penelope felt Steph's arms circle her waist from behind. She spun to face him as he buried his face against her neck.

"You saved his life, Penelope," he whispered, voice rough with spent emotion. "You saved him."

Penelope traced her fingers through Steph's hair, grounding herself in the soft texture of his curls.

"None of this feels real..." Steph sniffed. "I grew up hearing the story of that night, of course, but in the context of... of history lessons. I never heard anyone truly speak about their experiences living through that night. How terrifying it must have been. As a boy, I always thought it a fine story about brave heroes fighting monsters. Just another battle, another story, in Grimwood's ancient legacy...

"I've even explored charred ruins beneath our town, but... it always just felt like a great adventure... As though everything happened in some distant untouchable past. I've been so naive, Penelope." Steph frowned, his mouth pinched with shame.

"I never realised just how much Ethan, my father, everyone, has been keeping from me... Callum's been one of my closest friends my whole life, and he never told me a thing about... about any of this. I don't understand why everyone kept me in the dark about these realities..."

Penelope drew back to peer up into Steph's face, his eyes wounded.

"I just feel so... betrayed."

"I'm so sorry, Steph," Penelope sighed, smoothing her thumbs along his cheeks. "For what it's worth, I understand the feeling."

Steph winced. "Am I being a massive hypocrite?"

Penelope frowned. "What? Oh! No, Steph... I understand your reasons for guarding your own secrets. No, I was speaking about my parents. How they've kept me in the dark my whole life... How they've always withheld the truth of their intentions from me. I understand what it is to feel... manipulated by those who should be the most honest with you."

Steph pressed his lips together, frowning at the garden vista. "I'm not sure what to do... Perhaps it's my fault. After all, I've never really followed the rules... except as a lark." Steph scoffed at himself. "I've never truly taken anything seriously... Perhaps they never trusted me to join the cause, so to speak..." Steph grimaced into the distance as he ruffled his hair.