Page 74 of Ruined Kingdom

My mother was by my side again in no time, asking if I was all right.

“What was that?” I rubbed the sore spot on my head that’d been the first part of me to make contact with the unforgiving floor.

“Take a look for yourself,” she said as she helped me back up to my feet.

My eyes fell on the first person in my line of sight.

From beneath a soldier’s helmet, I could see a scar running across an otherwise gentle face. I recognized the soldier instantly as the one who’d helped me train briefly.

“Adam…” I called out, seeing his eyes shift to me.

He turned his head, confused at first, but then calm understanding settled in his eyes. Then he looked long and hard at his hands, moving his fingers individually to ensure he had complete control.

It worked!

I snapped around without hesitation, looking around at everyone. “Garmilen! Tieni!” The names escaped my mouth before my eyes had time to process what they were seeing.

My voice echoed through the massive stone front hall as I watched on bated breath for some kind of movement.

The first thing to catch my eye was someone walking to the top of the grand staircase.

I didn't realize I was holding my breath until that moment when I saw Gamilen looking at me with a mixture of fear and confusion. As inappropriate as it felt to smile at this moment, I couldn't help it.

Part of me had been worried that I would never be able to undo whatever spell they’d been put under. I was so relieved to see the spark back in his green eyes.

Garmolen descended the stairs quickly. “Good heavens, Sophia. What hap?—”

His question was cut short as he looked just past me to my mother standing there. His eyes went as wide as an owl’s, and his jaw dropped.

He nearly fell down the stairs as he said, “Upon my word… Edith. Is that really you?”

“Garmilen, it’s been a long time.” She squeezed my shoulder while leaning her head forward just into my line of sight.

As if for the first time, I noticed how her long ginger hair fell like a waterfall, very nearly cascading down to the floor.

Garmilen rushed down the stairs and reached forward, hugging both my mother and me—which shocked me to my very core.

I’d never seen Garmilen quite so emotional before. He had always been a decidedly reserved man.

“Edith?” Another voice stretched from my far right in the direction of the kitchen.

We all turned at the same time to see Tieni stumbling over to us in awe.

I felt my mother shiver before letting go of Garmilen and me.

She walked toward Tieni slowly at first. “Mama.”

Then my mother burst into a full sprint, running into Tieni and wrapping her arms around her. They both hugged each other so tightly, crying openly.

Even some of the guards were wiping their tears as they watched on.

I felt a push and pull of emotions. At first, it was elation and joy, but now I was feeling a twinge of rigid anger.

My mother had been here all this time.

I grew up alone… My siblings grew up without the guidance of a mother because the Dark Fae King decided to play games with my family.

My anger then snowballed into an uncontrollable fire.

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