Daughter of Tide and Illusion

Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Lyv should have known as soon as she stepped foot off the dock and was met with cheers, laughter, and hugs and kisses from every single person she knew, which pretty much meant everyone in Asturia. The overwhelming feeling of joy at being home replaced the hesitation and panic that ran deeper.

She needed to talk to her parents about everything Allel had told them.

About how Corliss had just been laying in wake in her cell, waiting for the most opportune time to leave since she didn't have anything holding her back.

About what Allel said would happen if she got Lyv and placed that obsidian stone inside her.

And about the overwhelming feeling she'd had all day that she tried to mask with spending time with Gideon and Thia, of making a few hours disappear with Jai in their cabin, and now the celebration of not only the Autumn Equinox festival, but also her and Elys's birthday.

Jai kept a tight hold of her left hand as Elys held onto her right as he bounced with every step he took. He was chattering more about what they'd done in the time they were in the city. All eyes were on them, wide with disbelief when they realized that not only was the heir of Asturia back after months of being away, but she'd come back finally mated to one of the most powerful Fae males in all of Dalcaine. One she could easily bring to his knees with just one look. One she loved so absolutely.

But it was when they spotted the female her mother was walking beside that they threw up their cautionary walls. Suspicion laced with just the slightest bit of fear that was threatening to grow.

It starkly contrasted the warmth of the reds, oranges, and dark greens that flooded the city in forms of flowers, canopies and streamers, and umbrellas on the café patios. The main festivities were winding down, but everyone was out just in time for the dinner time rush. Even their attire matched the mood and the change in season and had Lyv wishing she'd put on a thick cloak. The chill that whipped through the streets made her walk closer to Jai's side. He smiled, lifting her hand to press a kiss to the ring on her finger.

"We need to talk to them as soon as we're settled," she told him quietly.

"And we will," he promised, and pulled her even closer to press a kiss to her lips.

And heard both of their mothers sigh happily behind them.

"We're never going to hear the end of it, are we?" Lyv smiled up at him.

"Of course not. And not only from our mothers...but those two, as well."

Those two turned out to be Jules and Camilla, who were both coming out of the front doors of the Deverell family palace. Drue, Soren, and Eamon were behind them, but Eamon broke away as soon as he saw them enter the courtyard, smiling hugely as he went to hug Jai.

"You're finally here!" he grinned up at him. "I would have gone to the dock with Elys, but Camilla wouldn't let me until I finished training."

"How mean of her," Jai laughed, picking him up to kiss his cheek. "Have you been training hard, though?"

"Yep! Both Elys and I have."

"I disarmed him earlier today, too!" Elys laughed. "And just with my dagger! Soren said I ought to get a sword now since I've gotten so good!"

That statement had Jai grinning over at Lyv, hinting at the sword he'd had made specially for him, tucked away in her bag where she wanted it to stay a lot longer than he had planned. A few years at most, really. The thing was massive, over half the size of Elys himself. He needed to grow more before he officially started training with it or he would fall over just holding it.