The Kingdom of Vanora

Aftermath

19 Lepus of the year 12984(218 years since Korbins birth)

Avalon's Pov

"Avalon?" Brielle asks tentatively putting a hand on my shoulder. "We should get up,"

I let out a sigh. She's right. "I know,"

"Come on. Let's go eat," I listen as Brielle pushes back the covers and swings her feet off the bed. Her feet pad around the bed and to my side.

I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling. Today can't get any harder, can it? Last night felt like a dream. Getting married only to have Korbin disrupt Elysia's ceremony. Spirits. So real it feels fake. I wish it wasn't real. One can only wish.

Brielle sits her knee on the bed. Her smile comes into my field of view. She places a hand on my chest. "Come on,"

She grabs my hand and gives a pull. I can't help but smile back at her. She's trying her best to help. And I love her even more for it.

I slide my legs over the edge of the bed and stand up. I pull her into a hug and mumble a thank you into her hair. Brielle smiles and squeezes me back.

A loud knock comes from the door. I yell for them to come in. Hadriel pops his head. "Mother and father want to talk with us,"

He looks at Brielle. "All of us,"

I nod and tell him to wait outside and we'll get changed. True to our words we change when Hadriel leaves. Brielle puts on a dark dress while I put on a dark shirt and jacket.

Once finished making sure we look presentable we head out. Standing by Carys door Hadriel and the lone twin stand conversing.

Carys looks like shit. His hair sticks every which way. His eyes have dark bags and are bloodshot like he's been crying. As he likely has. As we all have been.

The pair look opposite of the other. Where Hadriel is put together Carys is not. At least they look as exhausted as I feel. I'm sure Ignatius, Aveyard, Colt and mother and father are too.

Spirits, Colt.

I can't imagine how he must feel. They were only married for 9 years. He loved her with all his heart. As did she. They've been together for longer. So much longer. Nearly 180 years. Mother mentioned they might be mates. That just makes it even worse. So much worse. I can't imagine not living with Brielle. Our souls are intertwined, like all mates.

"Come, my love," Brielle takes my arm and begins leading me to the court's drawing-room. Carys and Hadriel follow us up the grand staircase. Their voices seem to have been left when Elysia turned to stone.

In the drawing-room, mother and father sit on a couch. They're so close it looks like they're back in their honeymoon phase. Like Brielle and me. Like we should be. This disaster has put everything on hold. The island can wait. This is more important. Family is important. So important.

We must look numb.

I feel numb.

Brielle leads me over to the couch across from mother and father. She sits close to me. A comforting hand on mine.

When Ignatius, Colt and Aveyard walk in mother grabs father's hand and sobs. Aveyard walks straight to the wine chest. He picks up a bottle and two cups. He pours a cup for himself and Ignatius. Colt is handed a bottle and a cup.

Ignatius downs his cup the instant he gets it. Aveyard on the other hand sips his. Aveyard passes Ignatius the bottle and sits beside Brielle. Colt takes a seat beside mother. She grabs his hand the moment he sits.