Marie Harte - Aftershocks

“ You okay?” he asked her.

“Fine. Tanselm seems very welcoming. And being down here in the cool dark feels really, really good. It’s like a big cocoon of magic.”

“Too warm for you outside?”

He could feel her shrug . ”I’ll adapt. I always do.”

“You know, you could have just teleported us into the castle instead of making us walk the long way,” Marcus muttered to Arim.

“But then where would the fun, brotherly camaraderie be? So Ellie, what do you think of Tanselm so far?”

“It’s ripe with magic.”

“That it is.”

“It’s a lot like Foreia, actually.” She sounded surprised, and Cadmus watched the academic within her come to life. “That feeling of power brims in the very soil beneath your feet. You probably don’t notice it so much since you’re used to it. But trust me, it’s very different from Seattle.”

Cadmus glanced over his shoulder and saw Arim’s speculative gaze rested Ellie. Cadmus wished he knew what his uncle had really done to his affai , but he knew he’d get no answers from the sorcerer. Maybe Aerolus could take a look later and shed some light. A subtle probe brushed his mind, and he immediately withdrew into himself, using the techniques Lexa had taught him to shield himself.

Odd that he would automatically turn to the teachings of a Dark Lord in his homeworld. Odder still he didn’t instinctively turn to Arim for help. Concern for his affai overwhelmed him, the sudden thought that he had brought her into danger untenable.

Acute pain lanced through his skull, and he stumbled as visions overtook him.

His mother’s welcoming face, her green eyes blazing with love and affection. Then she lay still, unmoving on the cold stone floor, her dress scorched above her heart, the burn of blue flame still smoking while her attacker fled the scene. Shouts and incriminations, tears. Samantha and Tessa leaning over Ravyn as Darius and Marcus shouted the alarm. And there, behind them, Ellie backing away, guilt stealing over her face as she continued to apologise over and over. She glanced up at Jonas with tears in her eyes and murmured something Cadmus couldn’t quite make out.

“Cadmus.” Ellie breathed a sigh of relief when he blinked up at her.

Up at her? “What am I doing on the ground?”

“You tripped over your own two feet, you clod,” Darius growled. “What the hell happened?”

“A vision?” Marcus asked.

Aware everyone waited for him to speak, he couldn’t keep from studying Ellie, wondering what in the hell that vision had meant. His mother hurt? Ellie involved? Had she been guilty of not reacting quickly enough, or of perpetrating the attack?

“Cadmus, are you all right?” Arim asked quietly.

Cadmus glanced at his uncle, knowing the searching look in his eyes saw too much and yet, not enough. Should he share this vision with them, they’d surely turn on Ellie. Though Darius and Marcus didn’t seem to mind she was Djinn, and Aerolus would welcome her regardless, Arim was another matter.

Deciding to keep what he’d seen to himself, Cadmus said, “I’m good. Sorry, I had a weird vision of Mother crying and welcoming me home, and it threw me.”

“Well, be glad she’s just crying. She nearly knocked me on my ass to welcome Samantha when we walked through the door,” Darius muttered.

Marcus chuckled. “Hell, Darius, we all wanted to congratulate Samantha. I still can’t believe you found a woman who can tolerate you.”

“Me? You’re one to talk, you pompous water-walker.”

“Here they go,” Cadmus said to Ellie as his brothers started in on one another. The argument grew in volume as they travelled towards the castle.

“So tedious.” Arim sighed, but a smile curved his lips all the same.

Ellie smothered a laugh when Darius suddenly turned to her. “Tell him, Ellie. Tell him what an outstanding bartender I really was.”

“Ah, yeah. He did a good job.”

“A good job?” Darius glared, his eyes flaming red and glowing in the dark. “I took home huge tips.”

“That’s because the women were dying to get into your pants,” Marcus said dryly. “Had nothing to do with your uncanny ability to serve drinks.”

Darius turned to her again, but Ellie shook her head. “Sorry, Darius, but he’s right. Now I really was a great bartender.”

Darius scoffed and drew Ellie into a heated debate about clients, tips and the art of pouring a decent drink.

Cadmus wondered. Had he really missed his idiot brothers?

“So, dirt-for-brains, what the hell have you been doing with yourself since we’ve been gone?” Marcus asked him.

“Oh, I’ve been busy. Making deals with the Djinn, seducing The Sarqua’s daughter, dancing with wraiths.” He glanced over his shoulder to see Arim’s eyes narrow dangerously.

Marcus’ eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

“Unfortunately, he is.” Arim swore, clapped his hands, and they suddenly appeared in Queen Ravyn’s chambers, where the queen sat talking with Samantha and Tessa, her daughters by marriage. “You four are giving me a headache. Cadmus, go greet your mother. Introduce her to your affai , properly.”

Surprised Arim actually wanted him to admit his ties to Ellie, Cadmus did as instructed. Pushing his disturbing vision to the back of his mind, he took Ellie and approached his stunned mother. He bowed gracefully, but before he could speak, his mother had him in her arms, crushing him to her breast.

“Mother, you’re choking me.” He coughed, trying to breathe, and heard laughter behind him.

“Where have you been, Cadmus? I’ve been worried sick!” His mother pushed him back and stared at him, from the top of his head to his leather Djinn boots. “And who is this lovely young woman, hmm?” Her impish grin told him she already knew, but the delight in her eyes made it hard not to go along with her.

“Mother, I have the great pleasure of introducing to you my affai , Elliara Storm.”

“Elliara?” Darius murmured, and Samantha elbowed him in the stomach to be quiet.

Ellie blushed but stepped closer to Ravyn. “Just Ellie, actually. It’s a pleasure, ma’am, ah, Your Highness.”

Alandra and Aerolus suddenly appeared. “Might as well start calling her Mom,” Alandra teased.

“Man, I hate when they do that,” Tessa said as she joined hands with Marcus. “Freaks me out.”

“I have all my children together, and such beautiful brides. Ellie,” Ravyn said, a tear in her eye. “Welcome to the family.” She embraced Ellie with a sincerity that made Cadmus’ eyes burn, and he had to blink rapidly to keep from looking like a lovesick idiot. Fortunately, all eyes were on his mother and Ellie. The sheer pleasure on Ellie’s face at being accepted made his homecoming more than special, and he couldn’t thank his mother enough for her warmth and love. By the Light’s breath, he’d missed her.

“It’s so good to be home again,” he said thickly, kissing Ravyn on the cheek.

“Yes, it is.” She linked one arm through Ellie’s and the other through Cadmus’. “This calls for a celebration.”

Marcus groaned. “I knew you were going to say that.”

“Hey, at least you don’t have to procure several barrels of rare cinarum,” Aerolus complained. “That ale is expensive and damn hard to fabricate.”

Alandra chuckled. “Not really. He just likes to grumble to feel duly appreciated.”

Aerolus gave his affai a look, one that had her batting her eyes in innocence.

“You see, Arim? I told you everything would work out.” Ravyn beamed, looking around at her children. “So much joy in our house again. How I’ve missed it.”