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“Meli,” I cried, cutting in. “Slow down. I will tell you everything, I promise, just as soon as Mama comes. I want to tell you together.”
Her face fell.
“What? What is it?” I bolted upright. “Oh no, did they not let her go!”
“No, no, that’s not it. She was released with an apology, just like me, but...” Meliora’s lips trembled. “She only walked as far as the hallway before she collapsed. I needed help to carry her back home, so...”
“Collapsed?” I got to my feet. “Why would she collapse? What’s wrong?”
“You know what’s wrong,” she snapped. “The wasting sickness. It’s only gotten worse since you been gone.”
I put a hand on Meli’s shoulder, stopping her saying anymore when the twins’ round, curious faces turned to us. I gave them a bright, carefree smile like I always used to do, and they smiled back.
When Bradach and I left the castle, I turned left immediately, making for Gutter Galley. He pulled me up short, reminding me my family would’ve moved after coming into wealth.
It took little asking around for us to find out where. It seemed the poor family from the Gutter who suddenly became wealthy and brought a home in the noble district was the talk of the town for weeks.
I knocked on the door and Jaclan threw it open. I barely got out a greeting before he tackled me, throwing himself into my arms. Gisela wasn’t far behind him.
After talking to the twins, it was clear they had no idea their mother and sister were sentenced to be executed that day, and just as well. It haunted me the whole flight to Lyrica thinking of the terror they were going through, believing everyone they loved would leave them and never come back.
On the contrary, they were their happy little selves, giving me the grand tour of our new home, and even showing me my new room.
Even though Mama had the coin to buy the biggest mansion in the district, she didn’t. She bought the home Papa left for her. The one that was always meant to be ours.
It had sweeping, vaulted ceilings; three floors of extra bedrooms, dining rooms, servant quarters we’d never need; a grand dining room with a mile-long table, and huge, four-poster beds in every room,perfect for jumpingas Jaclan assured me.
“Children, have you had dinner yet?” I asked. “Why don’t you go into the dining room, and I’ll be along soon with your supper.”
“That’s okay, Haeowen,” Gisela said, pulling Jaclan up on his feet. “Peri makes supper for us now.” She lit on my wrist. “Oooh, I like your charm, Haeowen. It’s so pretty.”
“Thank you, sweet one. I’ll get you one just like it.” I watched them go, chuckling. “I’ve been replaced by Peri. Glad to know they didn’t miss me too much.”
The look Meliora gave me could’ve peeled paint. “They missed you, Calli. They cried every night for three weeks. They were inconsolable. We thought you were dead while the whole time, you were hiding out in Wind and Wild. How could you?”
“That’s not what happened. Just let me explain—”
The guards chose that time to walk in, carrying my mother on a litter. My explanation was on hold while we got her settled in her room, placed baby Savia next to her, and covered them both with soft, downy sheets.
The baby fell asleep almost instantly. My mother stared at me like she’d never seen me before.
“Explain,” she croaked, lips paper dry. “Did you truly overhear Kirwan plotting an assassination? Have you been sheltering in Wind and Wild all this time?”
I perched on the side of her bed with Meli sitting on the other side. She wasn’t going anywhere until she heard my story, so I told them everything.
From the night Kaelan kidnapped me out of my bed and forced me to switch bodies with the princess of Lyrica, to getting word that they were about to be executed and flying across the Wastelands on the back of raven men.
“Speaking of, I asked Bradach and the others to hang back and give us some privacy, but they’re going to need a place to shower and sleep. They haven’t taken a break in over a day.”
“Well, of course they must stay here,” Mama cried. “Sounds to me Meli and I wouldn’t be here without them. And you left them out in the cold, Calli, shame on you.” Even lying in her sick bed, Mama scolded with the best of them. “You go send for them right this minute.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Calli, wait for me.” Meliora jumped out and followed, trailing me out of our home and into the night.
“What is it?” I finally spoke up. “Say what’s on your mind.”
“I’d rather know what’s on your mind. After your faeriken have rested and eaten, what do you plan to do?”
