Page 94 of A Sunwoven Ascent

“Yes,” Evelyne replied. “Just as I promised.”

“Thank you,” her mother breathed, and pulled Evelyne into a firm embrace.

There were no declarations of affection, no dramatic words of how deeply she had been missed. But Evelyne knew this was how her mother expressed love—quietly, firmly, without spectacle. And it was enough.

When Lady Celeste stepped back, her attention turned immediately to Aurelia.

“Where in the world have you been?” she asked sharply. “I have been beside myself with worry. The only word I received was a letter stating that Leopold had left you and that you intended to depart. After that—nothing. Not a visit, not a single message from you or your husband.”

“He is no longer my husband, Mother,” Aurelia breathed. “I believe I made that quite clear in my letter, though it seems you chose to overlook that particular detail.”

Lady Celeste gave a soft, dismissive laugh. “My dear, you are his wife. And you will return to your home with him in due course. I have already spoken with Leopold and he has agreed to meet with you again. This unfortunate episode has simply been… a misunderstanding.”

Normally, Aurelia might have faltered beneath their mother’s firm tone. This time, she did not. She stepped forward until she stood directly before Lady Celeste, scarcely a foot between them, then folded her hands with perfect composure and met her mother’s gaze.

“I believe your authority in the matter ended the moment my bones began to break and canines descended from my gums,” Aurelia answered in a low hiss. “The moment I transformed into something you would call monstrous… and clawed my husband’s face open when he attempted to shoot me with the pistol he keeps above his desk.” Aurelia’s voice rose slightly. “I believe, Mother, that your maternal instincts are quite mistaken. Because you knew what we were.” She paused. “What we are. And you said nothing.”

Cillian and Evelyne both turned toward their mother in stunned silence.

Lady Celeste pressed her lips together. “I did not know of the Duskwood bloodline.”

“But you knew of magic,” Aurelia bit back. “You knew the dangers Evelyne would face when she left to rescue your son, and still you chose not to warn her. Nor did you see fit to tell me.”

“What precisely were you intending to do, Aurelia?” Lady Celeste replied coolly. “Compose melancholy songs at the pianoforte while she was away? For heaven’s sake, pull yourself together.”

“My lady,” Mauri, the kitchen servant, announced politely from the doorway, “tea and refreshments are prepared.”

Lady Celeste turned toward her with perfect composure. “Well, what fortunate timing. It appears we could all benefit from a cup of tea.” She gestured toward the hallway. “Shall we move to the dining room?”

Evelyne glanced toward Kaldrek, who remained seated on the couch, taking in the exchange without a word.

“Evelyne,” her mother added, “do see that you and your… friend wash your hands before joining us. It would be terribly improper to sit for tea without doing so.”

Evelyne bit down on her tongue. Ordinarily she might have rolled her eyes or offered some cutting remark about the absurdities of noble etiquette. But not today. Not before she shattered her mother’s world with the truth.

Without a word, she led Kaldrek toward the washroom nearby. Thankfully, he followed in silence.

***

Kaldrek took the chair that normally belonged to Cillian, while her brother seated himself in their father’s place at the head of the dining table. The sight stirred something complicated in Evelyne’s chest. It felt both right and deeply unsettling.

The table looked as immaculate as ever, even for the simple ritual of late-morning tea. Evelyne had to admit that while she had never cared much for gowns, politics, or the endless gossip of debutantes, she did love tea. The warm scent drifting up from her cup nearly made her sigh in relief. Across from her, however, Kaldrek regarded his own cup with visible suspicion.

You are meant to drink it, she sent quietly down the bond.

I am aware, he replied. But it appears to be little more than steaming brown water, and I see no reason to pretend otherwise. He lifted one brow. Though I do rather enjoy the way you stare at me.

Evelyne smiled despite herself, because she had been staring. The warmth of it faded quickly, however, when she noticed her mother watching them from the far end of the table.

Aurelia sat beside her, lightly tapping her spoon against the rim of her teacup as though daring their mother to mention Leopold again. Evelyne had never seen her sister speak to Lady Celeste with such boldness before. It was… strangely satisfying to witness.

“Well,” Lady Celeste said at last, “shall I break this dreadful silence and recount everything that has occurred during your absence, or will one of you kindly inform me of your journeys?”

Cillian tapped his fingers once against the table and drew a breath, but Evelyne spoke first.

“Mother… There is something we must tell you. Aurelia as well.”

The moment the words left her mouth, her stomach twisted. The room seemed to tilt slightly around her. She glanced toward Cillian, their matching golden eyes meeting. He rubbed his scruffy chin and gave her a small nod. Evelyne turned to Aurelia and gently took her hand.