Shrouded

Ch. 4

(Hello Dear Readers,

I am so sorry to have been gone for so long. As I'm sure we all are struggling with trying to get back to some sort of normalcy, and it's been hard. I know it's been a roller coaster for me.

I hope you are all doing well, and taking care of yourselves as best you can during these hard time.

All my love your way,
Lady Thyme)

Eris

   It was difficult to listen from behind closed doors as the Healers that were available did all they could to try and keep Larken’s sanity. His mind would switch so quickly between docile to panic in a matter of moments. They had to keep him restrained for not only their safety, but his. Mother would spend days with him. Recalling stories from all of our collective childhoods that she had memories off by heart when he was emptied enough of his pain to sit quietly.

   His mind falling back into those simpler times. His speech swapping back and forth between coherent and that of a frighten faeling. Ever the guiding light of our lives, Mother remained to keep him out of the dark as best she could despite how dark her world has grown.

   At least caring for him could take her mind off of the fresh purpled skin on her arms and neck. I still continued to have to keep my mouth shut despite my father’s increasing cruelty.

   “Eris”, called a voice I knew but could not place as I stood in the doorway as I watched Larken lean his head against the pillow as Mother wove tails of giant birds made of storms, and brave hero’s battling mountain serpent.

   “Eris”, again the voice called and I finally peeled away to find the High Lord of Dawn standing in the dank hallway. Standing beside him; Helion.

   I paused only a moment to glare at the old fae who was stepping on very thin ice just to be in my Mother’s presence, but I admire the gumption.

   “We have heard of the plight of your family. How is Larken faring?”, Theon, Melona’s father, asks with concern. I knew very well it was not for my brother.

   “He is. . . recovering. Now, what is it you want of me?”, I demand with folded arms. Blocking the way to the room where my brother and Mother had grown quiet.

   “Is it true? That there is a mating bond between you and my daughter”, he asks without delay.

   “Not that it is any of your business, but yes”, I glare.

   “How is she?”

   I do not answer.

   “. . . I have come to give aid for the information. What is left of my power is not much, but I am willing to part with a sliver in order to heal your brother a little further along. Not fully, but as much as I can, just to know if she is alright”, he presses.

   “Fine”, I hiss gripping at my arm to keep my composure for the male.

   Melona’s memories of her father where just as cold and fearful as my own. He had never raised a hand to her, but he never had to. So much of her childhood was filled with uncertainty of being loved, or even wanted, and without her by my side. It made him all the less tolerable.

    But I knew what she would say. That my brother’s health should go before any bitterness of heart for things I couldn’t change. So I let the two pass.

   Mother dare not even look in the Day Court regents direction as he stole a glance at her. I took my spot between them to remind him that this was no time to get too close.