Page 54 of The Last Storm
“Good. That is very good. I have much to do, but be ready at sunset tomorrow. I have somewhere to take you.” He nodded and patted me on the shoulder. “I must return to my work, but rest assured, I will see you soon.”
* * *
The sun had dipped below the water, leaving a trail of burning orange and red in its wake, as I arrived at the library the following evening. Through the window, I watched as the stars slowly revealed themselves, twinkling against the inky darkness. It had been clear all day, without a drop of rain, and the relief I felt was like a small breath of fresh air.
Alden walked out of his study and joined me.
“The library does have the best view,” he said, admiring the sky’s artwork. When the sun had disappeared entirely, he spoke again, breaking the silence. “Come. I have somewhere special to show you.”
I followed him as we exited the castle and entered the bailey. Large torches had been lit along the wall, casting the courtyard in ominous, flickering shadows and illuminating the dark blood red tunics of the guards. Alden strode towards the gate and I slowed, noting the stares. He paused, turning back to me, and offered his elbow. Reluctantly, I looped my arm through his and we strolled through the gate untouched.
Once outside the gate and away from the light, my eyes quickly adjusted, the moon nearly bright as daylight. We walked for some time down the slope that led to Draig Hearth, staying close to the eastern border, and eventually met with a sandy beach that led out to sea. Just ahead, there was an old, wooden dock with a small boat tied to it.
I glanced up at Alden and he gave me a soft smile.
He led me down the dock and gracefully stepped onto the boat. He turned to offer a hand. I took it, stepping aboard as the boat swayed beneath us. Releasing my hand, he untied the rope and grabbed the oar, using it to push off the dock.
“Where could we possibly be going in a boat?”
“You’ll see.” He dipped the oar into the water, paddling us out.
I stared out to the endless sea as we continued, trying to wrap my mind around the fact that it wasn’t actually endless. I knew it had to end somewhere, crash on some distant shore, but looking out, it followed the horizon to the edge, meeting the sky in every direction.
“There. That’s where we are going,” Alden proclaimed, pointing past the front of the boat.
I squinted, and in the far distance was a small dot of land, barely distinguishable from the surrounding black waters.
We arrived and Alden stepped off into the shallow water, pulling the boat onto the small beach that backed into a cliff edge. My eyes followed it to the top just as he extended a hand to me. I took it, stepped onto the sand, and followed behind him as he led me to the cliff. I opened my mouth to speak when he disappeared behind the rock and my mouth fell open.
I jogged up, peeking around the edge.
Hidden in the wall was a set of steep stairs that climbed up parallel to the cliff. At the top, I braced my hands on my knees to catch my breath, finally seeing the island in its entirety. It was a small field atop the plateau with trees bordering the edges, blowing in the breeze. The center was cleared, covered in grass and patches of wildflowers except for a small circle made of rocks and dirt.
“It’s beautiful,” I said, amazed.
“Yes, it is. Vaelor used to bring your mother here for privacy.”
He motioned to the ground, pointing at a stone with the letter E carved in it, and I dropped to my knees, running my hand over the stone, smooth from the elements. E for Elora.
My heart ached at the thought of my mother being here.
Sitting on the ground, I crossed my legs and placed my hands on the cool grass, taking a deep breath as sadness washed over me.I miss you so much it hurts.
“They loved each other deeply,” he said, sitting beside me. “I’d always hoped he would find someone kind, someone who would give him the love he deserved, and that was your mother. She loved him fiercely and stayed with him until his last breath.”
“How did he die? I mean, I know Adrastus, he… But how?” I don’t know why I felt the need to ask, but knowing my mother was there made me feel like I should know. I needed to understand what she went through and suffered with in silence all these years.
Alden took a breath and I braced myself for the story.
“The day it happened, your mother hadjusttold Vaelor she was with child. He was overjoyed, as we all knew he would be. He had prayed to the Goddess to be blessed with a child with Elora as soon as they found each other. He wanted to marry her and she wanted him.” He glanced at me, a wistful smile on his lips. “He never held humans in lower regard than that of the Fae, you see. He wanted peace with Auryna, they both did, and their marriage was to be proof of that. You were to be proof that there could be peace, and even love, between the two.
“That night, Adrastus came. He stormed the castle in the dead of night, somehow finding their chambers. Vaelor knew something was happening, so he told Elora to hide in the closet. She was with child and he would’ve done anything to protect her. To protect you. As soon he shut the closet door, Adrastus burst into the room… She was forced to watch as they fought, but Adrastus was a Draig. He was too strong, he could shift on command, and he sliced Vaelor’s throat before he even had a chance.”
A tear slipped from my eye, rolling down my cheek.
“Your mother hid in the closet until Adrastus left the room. She tried to stop the bleeding… She stayed with him until his last breath before she ran to Iaso’s chambers for help. That’s when Iaso placed the curse upon her womb to protect you. It wasn’t well known that Vaelor had a lover at the time, thank the Goddess, so Adrastus didn’t know of her existence. And she couldn’t risk him learning that a child of Vaelor’s was still alive, so she fled to Auryna and married Evander before she began to show.”
Silent tears poured down my cheeks. Not only did she have to witness the brutal murder of her love, but she had to flee from the life she had built and dreamed of.
