Future of Terrasen

Chapter 3

"Hurry," Aelin growled at Rowan, who was carrying Elentiya behind her. "There carriages are arriving."

Dorian and Manon would be arriving today in advance for Elentiya's second birthday. Dorian had arrived for her first birthday last year but Manon was busy in the Wastes. Then when Yulemas arrived Manon visited but Dorian didn't, spending it with Nesryn and Chaol.

Aelin had let them spend the two previous years rebuilding their kingdoms, but she had missed them all so much that she made sure everyone would come for her daughter's birthday this year.

Phillipa rushed towards them. "They have already arrived. They are waiting for you in the throne room."

Aelin nodded her thanks. She gritted her teeth at the idea of being late but getting Elentiya ready had been harder than normal. Her daughter had leaked out some of her water magic when she desperately didn't want to wear the white cotton dress Phillipa had laid out for her.

Aelin pushed open the throne room doors, not waiting for the guards. In front of her, Dorian was standing next to Manon. They both looked more grown up....more like royalty.

Aelin rushed to them and wrapped her arms around them.

"How have things been?" She asked, taking a step back.

Dorian glanced over her shoulder and grinned. "There's my little niece!" He barged past Aelin to  where Rowan held Elentiya.

Dorian started calling her niece at Yulemas when she had reached her arms at Dorian instead of Aedion. Aedion had growled about it but Lysandra had patted his shoulder and he forgot about everyone, staring at his wife.

"He has struggled to rebuild Adarlan," Manon admitted. "But he has managed to do it."

Aelin nodded as Dorian picked Elentiya up and swung her in a circle. Nesryn and Chaol came up from behind her. If it had been two years ago, Aelin would have slipped out a knife, ready to kill. But since Elentiya was born, she has not worn a single knife under her clothes, not wanting the child to accidentally harm herself just by having a cuddle.

"She looks just like you," Chaol said with a small smile.

Aelin grinned. "Who wouldn't want to look like me?"

He just shook his head. Nesryn hugged Aelin and went to say hello to the princess.

"Majesty," Elide curtsied before approaching Aelin. She was in a big poofy dress, not Elide's style at all.

Aelin looked her up and down and frowned. Elide froze with a smile on her face. Aelin sniffed. Then a grin of her own crept along her face.

"Congratulations," Aelin murmured.

Elide pushed back her dress to reveal quite a large bump. "Only three months to go."

Rowan joined Aelin's side. "I take it Lorcan is very pleased?"

They glanced over at the fae warrior who was sniffing at the pile of gifts for Elentiya. He turned and flashed them a grin.

"Why not tell us?" Manon asked.

"I didn't want to jinx it," Elide admitted. Just because Lorcan was now mortal it didn't mean fae blood didn't swim through him, which meant that it could still be difficult to have a child.

The throne doors opened and Luca, Emrys and Malakai strolled in. Evangeline ran straight to Luca, despite Aedion's warning growl.

Lysandra just laughed. Aelin sauntered over to the shifter.

"Any little ones for you and Aedion?" She asked.

Lysandra shook her head. "We were talking about it...not yet."

"What are you waiting for?" Aelin asked her.

Lysandra glanced at Manon, who nodded back her. "Manon is doing some research," she shrugged.

Fenrys strolled in beside Gavriel. Yrene had followed behind. She gave Gavriel a shy smile and headed towards Nesryn.

Fenrys growled at Dorian, who now carried Elentiya on his hip. Manon grimly smiled at the child, Elide was playing with her tiny hands.

Rowan turned to see Fenrys who had bared his canines. He was growling softly.

Lorcan joined Elide's side, and Gavriel stood guarding Dorian.

Rowan raised an eyebrow at Fenrys and raised a palm. "Stop it now."

Aelin hurried over and scooped Elentiya out of Dorian's arms. She stepped closer to Lysandra. Fenrys growling stopped. He stared at Aelin and Elentiya, his canines hidden once more.

"Not a chance in hell," Rowan hissed at Fenrys.

Aelin was pretty sure that the fae warrior wouldn't charge at his Queen and her child. But Rowan was now snarling.

Aedion cocked his head. He took Elentiya from Aelin, who only let him do so so she could fight Fenrys if need be.

Fenrys growling started again as he stared at Aedion's throat. Aelin rubbed her chin. "Give her back," she said and picked up her daughter once more.

The growling stopped. Rowan's own snarl continued though.

"He won't attack us," she told Rowan.

Aedion shook his head. "That's not why he's staring down Fenrys."

"She is two years old," Rowan snapped.

Aelin gasped. She let Elentiya stand on swaying legs in front of Lysandra.

Fenrys turned his pleading eyes to his Queen. "I don't know," he answered her unasked question. "I can feel a bond, a thread."

"Carranam?" She asked, hoping it wasn't anything more. Not that Fenrys would be a bad match, but like Rowan had said. She is two years old.

"I won't know until she starts using her powers," Fenrys admitted.

Aedion smirked at Aelin. "Not so simple when it's your own."