The Mountains Blade

Chapter Fifty Seven

Chapter Fifty Seven: Sisterly Quarrels

Avelina could not think straight, not as she sat mutely while her bandage was changed, or as she walked silently throughout the ruined hallways in the evening.

Days had passed, rolling into weeks. There was not much done aside from the rebuilding of the castle. Avelina had hired some of the townspeople to fix the walls and more to act as servants. With her mother's health looming like a vulture, life felt like swimming while drowning simultaneously.

Avelina's wings were now threading themselves back together, despite the pain that constantly stabbed her. Opal had ordered that she stretch her wings daily to optimize the healing. The heir had vomited the first time she had tried. Now, she could open them and hold them up for less than a minute before sweat and nausea overcame her.

As she walked the dimly lit hallways, the fresh marble, slick beneath her slippered feet. She thought of Markarious. He was her mate, the other half of her and yet she had barely spoke to him. He was pre occupied with Evander. They had been developing a plan for The Shadow Leader, alongside Hale, her disgruntled father's second in command. He was still angry that Warren who he had helped train was now the right hand.
Not to mention, he was infinitely younger compared to the older now third in command. 

Tomorrow the other continents leaders were set to meet and discuss a contingency plan.

Avelina continued her walk, considering turning back when she noticed the libraries lamps lit.
Curiously,  Avelina entered. The library here was massive, updated upon her mother's arrival to the kingdom. The room was nearly an acre in size, with row of books, multiple sliding ladders and three different floors. Chairs were scattered about, couches and tables, one of which Elwyn sat at pouring herself into a stack of books.

She didn't look at Avelina as she entered and ascended the stairs. That was very unlike her. Avelina waited for her sisters warrior instincts to kick in but there was no response.
Avelina leaned against the railing at the top of the second floor, watching her sister skim through what she was reading. Her hair was in a messy updo, bags under her eyes and a loose fitted shirt and leggings did little to hide the bulging bandage that peaked through the shirts fabric.

Finally with a loud thud, Elwyn closed the heavy book she was reading.
She leaned back in her chair, her eyes crinkling as she adjusted her back. "What?" She deadpanned.

Avelina raised a brow at her. "I knew it was you the second you walked in. I'll ask again, What?"
Avelina felt her irritation simmer but she forced herself to take deep breaths. "I was just wondering what you were doing?"
"Researching ." She clipped.

"What?"

"I don't need to share that with you." She snapped.

Avelina straightened herself, raising her chin in a dignified manner. "I am your future queen, the one you swore to protect-." 
"I was 12 when I made that vow."
Elwyn hissed bitterly, leaning forward and pressing her hands against the table. "I was a child. And so were you. I am not your protector, it was a ruse or did you not listen when mom told you?"

Avelinas mouth hung open slightly. She hadn't thought about it, not really. She hadn't considered what the knowledge her mother had given them both meant.
"I am not your bodyguard or princess. I am my own person. When you are queen, I will be one as well."

Avelina balked. "What?"

Elwyn rose from her chair, collecting her stack of books into her arms. "I am the mate of the most powerful king in The Unknown World." She stated.

Avelina starred, at a loss of words. She hadn't noticed   that. It has gone right over her head. Somehow throughout all the chaos, she had not stopped and considered Elwyns situation. It was clear as day, she knew this about her sister but the realization that this changed things had not ocurred to her. It had always been the plan that Elwyn would be her right hand, her protector. Avelina blinked at her younger sister.

Elwyn clenched her jaw as she saw the change in her sisters posture. "Didn't think I would leave?" she scoffed.

The sisters both stood there for a moment before Elwyn started down the staircase. Avelina ungracefully dropped herself into the seat her sister had just occupied. "What happened to us, Wynn?"

Avelina looked down at her sister, blinking away unshed tears. For a glimmer of a second, Elwyns face softened before the mask fell back into place. A mask of anger. "Avelina, the fact that you have to ask that just shows what kind of queen you will be."

Avelinas eyes widened and her mouth slid open in disbelief. "What is that supposed to mean?" She asked jumping to her feet.

Elwyn was turned to her now, the stack of books balancing between her toned arms. Elwyns brows pulled together as a scowl pinched the corners of her lips.

"Nothing." She breathed exasperated.

"Tell me!" Avelina yelled, the authoritative voice she was taught to use, echoing off the dark shelves.

Elwyn was half turned as she spoke, her shoulders tensing. She whipped herself around in a rage. Her eyes were feral, the books beneath her fingers crackling as they became enveloped in ice. "It means, you were supposed to be my sister. It means I deserved to be protected too!" Elwyn screamed. Her eyes blossomed with a fervent gold hue as she dropped her stack of books. She looked at her books and then her ice flecked hands and then back to her sister in horror.

Avelina stood at the base of the stairs, mouth agape, fear across her delicate features.

"Avelina? Elwyn?" Voices filled the hall and the sound of running stopped in front of the library doors.

Both sisters turned to the door, their mates looking them both over. Elwyn, again gathered her books, shooting a glare at Avelina before moving to the doorway.

Markarious moved around her, hurrying to Avelina. "Lina are you okay?" Avelina gave him a vague nod before going down the stairs hurriedly.

Evander still blocked the doorway, looking at Elwyn as she glowered at him. "Can you move?" She hissed.

Evander looked at her with a long expression before doing as she asked.

"Wait, Elwyn-." Avelina called, stopping a good few feet in front of her.

Elwyn looked over her shoulder at Avelina and the space she had placed between her.

She shook her head and ignored her pushing past Evander.

Avelina moved to go after her but this time, Evander blocked her. "Give her time." He said. Avelina pressed her lips together in irritation. "She's my sister."

Markarious gently held her forearm. "Avelina." He coaxed. Evander gave him a grateful nod before disappearing into the hallway.

Avelina turned to Markrious, her eyes shining with hurt.

Markarious held her face in his hands, placing a kiss on her forehead as she began to cry.