A Court of Sunflowers and Stardust

•chapter 24•

"Your mother is your first friend, your first love and your first happiness."

A Mother's Love

~

I sat quietly, watching as my father's eyes brimmed with silent tears. He reached into the drawer of his desk, pulling out a framed painting.

My breath caught in my throat as he turned it to face me. It was a painting of me, as a toddler, in my father's arms, and Alakai wrapping an arm around my mother. The painting was so accurate, if depicted everything beautifully.

"Before everything went down hill, me and your mother got this portrait painted of us. She loved it." My father's lips twitched into a small smile, "probably because it was the longest me and Alakai was stood in the same place without arguing."

I didn't pay attention to his humour, all I could focus on was my mother's face. She was absolutely beautiful, and healthy. The mother I remember was a dying woman, who's pale face was darkened and lifeless. But this painting- this was my mother.

"She's beautiful." I breathed, my voice hoarse.

"You and Alakai both look like her."

I looked up, "I'm guessed you want to know how I found out about Alakai."

He waited patiently, something my father wasn't good at. He was trying, that meant something.

"When the poison first hit the earth, I passed out. I woke up in a forest, and he was there. Ever since then, he regularly visited me through my mind. I never knew how he got in, but now I guess it's because he's my brother, my mental shields allowed him entrance." I sighed, running a hand down my face in exhaustion. "But there's still things that don't make sense."

He blinked at me, "what?"

"This riddle in the back of The Book of Breathings. I think it's talking about Alakai and me, destroying the world or saving it. We can't figure it out." I shook my head, frustration etched onto my every feature.

Something flashed across his eyes and his lips thinned, "have you found out what the poison is? Or how to get rid of it?"

I shook my head, frustration lacing my every feature. I watched his face contort into an expression I couldn't read, and then go back to normal.

"I need to deal with some things." He stated, suddenly standing.

I blinked up at him in confusion, but nodded. I sighed, his scent filling my nose. I move forward, wrapping my slender arms around his muscular torso, the familiar feel of my father easing my raging mind.

His large arms wrapped around my much smaller body, allowing me to melt completely into him. "Take the painting back with you, Acacia. If you see Alakai again, show him."

I nodded into his chest, closing my eyes and just allowing my worries to be put at bay for a while. Even though I found out about what he did to my mother, I couldn't help the overwhelming loving emotion sweep over me.

"I don't hate you." I admitted, pulling away and reaching out to grab the paining in my hands. I clutched it tightly, turning away before I could meet his eyes again and possibly burst into tears.

I stood, my back faced away from him, I could feel the sadness radiating from him. "You should hate me."

"Well I don't. And I never know. So get over it." I stated more harshly than I wanted, and then I walked straight out of the manor, gently shutting the door behind me.

Kaleb was in front of me in a second, arms outstretched, waiting for me. I entered his arms wordlessly and allowed him to winnow us back to Velaris.

Upon arriving back to my current home, Feyre was already waiting for me. She stood quickly as Kaleb and I entered, my knuckles white from how tightly I was clutching the painting in my hands.

"Be my guest." I muttered, allowing a small entrance into my mind for Feyre and Kaleb, who both gingerly went inside and relayed everything I was told.

Exiting my head, I threw my mental shields back up as I examined their reactions. "This was what my mother looked like."

I turned the painting around, allowing the mother and son to look at it. Feyre smiled sadly, "you look just like her."

"Is that Alakai?" Kaleb asked, pointed to my older brother in the picture. I nodded solemnly, watching as Kaleb seemed to be closely taking in all of his features.

Feyre seemed to be lost in her own mind for a minute, but then she returned back to reality, "Rhys said take some time to rest and gather your thoughts. We'll pick this back up tomorrow."

I nodded, allowing Kaleb to walk me to my room upstairs that was right beside his own. I glanced sidelong at him as we ascended the stairs, and I decided, after all of this has blown over; I wanted to think about the mating bond.

I wasn't sure whether to accept it or not, and thankfully Kaleb hasn't forced me to make a decision, that itself made my heart swell.

"Do you remember your mother?" He asked, pulling me out of my daydream.

I blinked, "barely. I remember a sick and dying female. I wish I knew her the way my brother and father did." It felt odd to say 'my brother', and I had to prevent from cringing.

He suddenly stopped, whirling on me and clasping his larger hand around my small one. I bulked in surprise, but didn't pull away. His brilliant eyes shone as they gazed into mine. "We'll figure this out, Acacia."

I nodded, feeling him squeeze my hands tighter. I said without thinking; "can you stay with me?"

Shock flared in his eyes, but it settled and he nodded. "Of course I will."

And as we entered my bedroom, as I lay down on my velvet bed, as Kaleb lay above the covers and allowed me to nestle my head into his side, I realised something before I drifted off to sleep.

I realised a part of me may be falling in love with Kaleb.