Freyja's Fire - Chapter 40 - A'mara Books

40

(Muranaday, cont.)

Castel Velantia

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The sunset lit the courtyard as the two nuwa landed and four weary passengers slipped off their backs.

“Who should we talk to first?” Gemina asked.

“Your mother,” Aurelia replied. “She will be easier to persuade than my parents!”

“Okay. Kolt, stand to the side until I nod to you. I want to spare her the immediate shock, anyway.”

“Okay,” Kolt said.

“Mom?” Gemina called as she knocked on the door, Kolt standing beside her.

“Gemina? You’re back?” came the voice as the door opened.

“Yes, Mom. Aurelia is back too – the others will take a bit longer.”

“Is everything okay? We heard that a courier was dispatched with medicines,” her mother said.

“Yes, everything is very good,” Gemina said. She nodded at Kolt, who stepped forward.

For a moment, she watched her mother look Kolt up and down, from his bare feet and naked male perfection to his bare chest and long black hair. “Who is this? We’re not into slaves, though he’d be a good one.”

“Kolt, this is my mother, Ardith Inari, the Princess Royal. Mom, this is Kolt. We want Uncle Liam to perform our wedding.”

“Does he wear clothes?” Ardith asked.

“Only if he must. I have accepted him as he is – his honest self – and ask that my family also accept him as he is. He is to be my Naked Prince.”

“Your Uncle is going to be interesting to convince,” she said.

“I know.”

“I told her that,” Aurelia said as she joined them, Garrick close behind.

“You’ve brought someone home too?”

“Yes, Aunt Ardith. This is Garrick, Kolt’s adoptive brother. And my betrothed.”

“This is news! The two of you go away for a couple weeks and you come home with men, both of you!”

“I kept telling everyone that you needed to let us go to the beach more!” Aurelia reminded.

“So you did…. So you did. Give me a hug, you! I’ve missed you two girls!”

Gemina hugged her mother. Aurelia did as well. Ardith looked at the men for a moment, then she gave Garrick a hug and Kolt a more reserved one. “As long as you two treat our girls well, you are welcome – despite your lack of attire, Kolt. You must be an amazing man to capture Gemina’s heart and loyalty.”

“He is, Mother!” Gemina replied. “I love him so much! But Mother, come look what happened to our horses!”

“I heard that Melodia took off the other night. I wasn’t sure how we would explain that to Rachel.”

“Come!” Gemina begged. “You wouldn’t believe it otherwise.”

Gemina held her mother’s arm as they walked into the courtyard. “Jerem!” she called. “Melodia!”

The two animals walked towards them.

“Show my mother your wings!”

They obeyed, holding their wings out fully.

“Oh, sweet Vasana!” Ardith breathed, almost fainting.

“Actually, it was a gift from Brighid’s daughter, Ríosín,” Gemina explained.

“I can’t believe it!” her mother said reaching the creatures, stroking them, exploring their wings. “I can’t believe it!”

“Jerem was our mount when we had to go down into the Fire Swamps to find Stella,” Gemina continued.

“The Fire Swamps!” she exclaimed. “What on Terrenden were you doing there?!”

“Let’s tell the story in full over supper. We’re all very hungry,” Gemina begged. “Flying is definitely the way to go, but it was still a long journey!”

“I think the story will be easier for the King if I helped tell it,” Stella said as she landed in the courtyard on a third nuwa, this one was as black as night.

The other nuwa nickered and whinnied at this new associate.

“Very well, Stella,” Ardith replied. “Let us dine! I will inform the kitchen, then I will rouse Ellan and Liam.”

“Thank you!”

Stella turned to Gemina and Aurelia. “I’m very glad you are here. Kolt, too. I haven’t had the pleasure to meet the other, though I see he wears Vasana’s amulet as well.”

“Stella, meet Garrick, Kolt’s brother and my intended. Garrick, this is Stella, our healer,” Aurelia introduced.

Stella pulled out a crystal and waved it around Aurelia. “With child, it seems,” Stella informed.

Aurelia’s mouth dropped, then she smiled and turned to Garrick, bouncing up and down with the news.

“You’re worried about how the King will take your news,” Stella stated. “That’s why I’m here to tell the story. When the King learns how Kolt helped save everyone, he will not object to your marriage. And when the King learns how Garrick defeated Aurelia at Wolff, he will accept that marriage as well. Knowing that the future of the kingdom is secure within your wombs, blessed by Freyja herself, Gemina… he will rejoice.”

“I will let you tell the story then,” Gemina said, glad to give the burden to someone else. “Let’s go to the dining room,” she said to Kolt grabbing his hand. “We’re going to be fine.”

Gemina had almost forgotten how much she loved this old dining room, full of portraits of her ancestors. Most of them were loved by the family. She told Garrick and Kolt all about them – as far as she knew.

She then shared about all the swords that belonged to some of the men in the family, also proudly displayed on backgrounds of burgundy felt, warded by some herbs that Stella had used hundreds of years ago. Gemina explained that she didn’t know how Stella could be that old, but she had been reassured several times that her mother and aunt had known Stella their entire lives, and she looked old then too.

“You have an amazing family. I never knew much about mine,” Kolt said. “Neither my birth family, nor Captain Heath’s family.”

“I’m sorry,” Gemina said. “My family will be your family – we can share.”

Gemina looked at Stella, who had been gazing at her.

“Please take your seats,” Stella encouraged. “They are here.”

Gemina had just got Kolt seated next to her when the doors opened and her mother, aunt and uncle came into the room.

“Kolt, Garrick, please meet King Liam of Velantia and Queen Ellan of Velantia,” Stella introduced. “Your Majesties, your prospective sons-in-law.”

A moment later, a small feast was laid before them. Gemina couldn’t quite get rid of her nerves.