The Dragon Queen

Chapter 3

Queen Jemma Blythe of Hosephia

Iron City, Sarkin

The coach arrives by mid-day, and everyone feels the weight of the long journey. Jemma is wringing her fingers together as it comes to a jolting stop. Penelope awakens and sits up with questioning eyes. She does not speak much yet, but she does not need to; her eyes say it all. Jemma nods once, a silent answer to the question of the arrival. The door opens and Henry greets them with a smile. Immediately, Penelope perks up and extends her arms her for Henry to carry her. She calls him Henny, not quite being able to work in the "r" of Henry yet. He picks her up with ease, and with an expert free hand helps Jemma out. "You have to walk, Penny." Jemma motions for Henry to put her down, and though she pouts she does as she is told. She has observant and curious eyes but an obedient and caring heart.

"I could carry her, Jemma." Henry offers with a side whisper to her, not agreeing with seeing his little Penny upset. Penelope does not have a father, and she may not yet know what it means to have one, but Jemma can see that the bond between them is strong and unbreakable. Henny and Penny are often inseparable, which annoys Jemma as much as it softens her heart.

"No, Henry." Jemma shakes her head and fixes her dress, and though her refusal is direct, her tone is always soft towards him. "You spoil her enough, and she is a princess. She needs to start acting like it." Jemma glances up at the giant castle before them and lets out a held breath slowly.

"It is the home of your sister, nothing more." Henry tries to reassure her, and she gives him a small smile of gratitude before they all enter the castle. He knows it is also the home of her birth mother Matylda, to whom she has not spoken to, and also her sister's family; the family Jemma never had the chance to have until now.

Jaymie is awaiting them on the other side of the grand door as it opens. It is a completely informal greeting, but neither sister cares as they embrace. Jemma can feel Jaymie soften, realizing that something is causing her sister great stress. It comforts Jemma to know that she can comfort her little sister. "Auntie Jay-jay!" Penelope squeals with excitement, having not entirely pieced together before where they were going. Jaymie barely has time to catch the girl as she jumps into her arms.

"You are getting so big!" Jaymie hugs her tightly and bops her nose with a finger before setting her down. "Henry." Jaymie greets, knowing that when it is just them, she can get away without the use of titles.

"It is lovely to see you again, Jaymie." Henry returns with a calm air as he takes Penelope's awaiting hand. The action does go unnoticed to Jaymie who gets a small twinkle in her dark eyes.

Jaymie turns slightly and Jemma realizes Dex is standing not far away, awaiting any orders. He looks different, somehow, than the last time she saw him, and more than the first time she saw him. Brighane had nearly beaten him to death when they met, and in some way, it seems to only have made him stronger, not physically but rather in mindfulness and awareness. Dex reminds her very much of Henry, though the two look nothing alike. It is strange to think that for a time, Dex grew up with Henry and Brighane under their father, but the way each of the boys turned out was vastly different. "Dex, why don't you take Henry and Penelope up to Mother and Father. I know they are most anxious to see her again." Penelope frowns, clearly not wanting to be parted already from her beloved aunt. "I only need to speak with your mom for just a little while, and then I will come find you and we can play." Jaymie offers for a moment, while kneeling to the child's level. Penelope nods and looks to her mother, as though asking for permission to go. Jemma only nods softly and looks up to Henry as Jaymie stands. Neither say anything, but they do not need to. Jemma knows all of Henry's glances by now. This one is the question of her safety alone. She will not be alone, she has Jaymie. Jemma gives a soft smile for the shortest of seconds, and then watches as he picks up Penelope and follows Dex up a stairway.