Costs//A MCD Fanfiction//Sequel to 'Immortality'

17

Gabriella's POV:

     "Are you sure this is a good idea?", Quill asked me, as we sat at the table. Irene is now ten minutes late. "What's taking her so long?"

      I didn't know how to answer his question. Of course I was growing worried but, I had faith that Irene wouldn't do anything to me yet. She probably still wants me to do something for her.

     "If she doesn't show up in another twenty minutes, I say we leave. It's been a long day for you Gabbie,", Nate said, looking at me softly. I read the concern in his eyes. It made me really question how I was acting. "It's your call though."

     "Let's wait. I'm sure she wouldn't stand up people who are in her own home,", I say, trying to calm down the two.

      That's when the doors opened and in cane Irene in an evening gown. She immediately looked at me and it was his every daughter wanted to be looked at by their mother. Sweet and caring. For a moment, I felt safe but, it wasn't long as Laurance and Dante followed behind her. They all took a seat and Irene smiled towards me saying; "Sorry we're late. We had something to discuss."

"It's alright,", I say back, secretly clutching my dress in frustration. "How was the rest of your day?"

"It was fine. Are you settled in?", She asked me.

"Yes. My room looks practically the same,", I say, a little uneasiness lingering in my voice.

"Why, of course. I made sure no one touched it. I wanted it to be perfect for you when you came back,", She told me, smiling. "I want to ask you...have you been staying with these two boys all this time?"

That's when I got nervous. Why was she bringing them into this? I had to be careful with my words to not make them seem like a threat to her...

"Y-Yes...they found me in the enchanted forest and let me stay there."

She looked at Quill and Nathan with a grin. I could tell she was hiding something. I just couldn't place it down. Food then began coming from the kitchen before I could ask anything else. The chef came out and told us about the appetizers before disappearing again to work on the entree.

"I want to thank you two boys,", Irene said, grabbing her fork for the salad. "My daughter was obviously in good hands."

Quill and Nate looked a little shocked but, Quill promptly said; "It was no trouble at all really. Gabbie was a lovely guest."

Laurance and Dante smirked at each other before continuing on with the meal. The conversation continued as basic small talk. Irene would ask a simple yes or no question while I did the same. I could she was in her element at the moment. By the time the main course arrived, it was silent almost. You couldn't blame the food though. It was merely decent and I wondered if that was her taste. Dry and bland. When the plates were being cleared, Irene said almost as if it weren't a request; "I want to have a private talk with you after diner Gabriella. Just some mother and daughter time. Doesn't that sound fun?"

Nate side-eyed me when I answered; "I would love to."

"Good."

By then, the dessert has rolled out and we ate that while my regret grew. I looked up for a second at the door that led out of the dining room to see Degory walk by. He caught a glance of me and froze. I wanted to bolt up and hug him tightly but, it needed to wait. I gave him a look to continue on and he understood. I knew he was my first priority to find after this so called...mother-daughter time.
Once diner had finished Irene dismissed Dante and Laurance. I noted though instead that she called Laurance Kul'zak. That helps...yet, she still called Dante by his name. It all confused me really. I turned to Nate and Quill and said; "You two should go to bed. We'll discuss sometime tomorrow with Degory on how to get out."

The two were hesitant to leave. Irene gave them a glare though. It was like it was the mannerly expectation for your guards to leave after dessert, and only then. Anytime sooner would've been a disgrace. The two rushed smoothly out, leaving my "mother" and I alone. She came up to me and sweetly smiled.

"I would like to show you something."

She guided me upstairs, pass her office, towards a balcony. It overlooked what seemed to be all of Ru'an. The city looked dark though...I could see only candlelight in the nearby windows.

"You're probably wondering why I've changed so much of your father's vision,", She spoke, her tone now serious. All the fake washed away.

"I mean...yes. I guess I am,", I acted clueless.

"Well...me and other divine warriors had a vision of divided power. That's why we had separate villages corresponding to each of us. That's what drove Enki to Tu'la as well, since we knew that it would be too much land that was too far away to govern,", She explained to me. "When I finally passed after giving my relic to you, it all changed. They all became united under one ruler. The exact opposite of what I intended. They split it into districts and had your father at the top of it all. Now, I respect his guidance but, it makes me question his morals. It completely went against everything that Ru'an had ever known."

"My father didn't come up with the idea...you and the others with him did. Collectively. He wasn't the ruler either. You decided that Levin and his descendants were to be the rulers,", I snapped. The way she was speaking about him made me rage inside. "It was his descendant that chose to have Garroth to hold the Lord position."

"Correction,", Irene said, raising a finger. "Aphmau made that decision. I am no longer Aphmau...at least that's what I have finally realized."

"What do you mean by that?", I asked.

"I mean...is that she is no longer with me. We are different parts of a soul. I have just decided to take control again,", She explained, empty. "Ella...you are my child. Don't doubt that in your mind." She took my hands and folded them into her's. She looked me in the eyes with a comforting gaze as she said; "I love you dearly, as much as I did a thousand years before. I want to go back to that...and I know it's hard without your father here. But, I'm sure he would want us to be happy together."

With my voice shaking, hearing those words, I said; "Aphmau is my mother. Not Irene."

"B-But Ella...you hold my relic! Can't you see that we are the same? We are to rule together. We will once again divide Ru'an into equal parts, you and I working together with the other warriors. You are me! We are destined to rise above!"

"Irene,", I say, softly, retracting my hands. I look her now in the eyes. "Even if I am your daughter...I will always be a part of Garroth Ro'Meave. I will always be Gabriella Ro'Meave. You want me to be you...but, I will never be a copy of you."

She was silent. It was as though something hit her. Then she said; "You're right..."

She turned back to the city, her raven black hair blew in the wind. She was beautiful...just how I remember my mother. Soft and elegant.

"Ella...I want to embark on a journey in the next few days,", She said, not facing me. "Hopefully, you'll be able to see my image by then. If not..."

She went silent. I wanted to ask her what would happen but, I didn't poke. She was already upset. No reason to just irritate her more.

"You can leave if you would like. I'll be in my chambers if you need me,", She finally said. I nodded and took my chance to slip back inside.

I went to my room and I took a sigh of relief when I closed the door. I walked slowly to my bed and questioned everything about my words during that conversation. I thought that I might've messed everything up. I just had to wait and see.

I saw a slip of paper waiting on my pillow. Curious, I picked it up and read;

"The gardens. Noon tomorrow. Degory."

I smiled, excited to finally see him. At least one thing was going right.

Word Count
1460