Page 40 of Isle of Beasts and Shadows

“Well, Sirius? Are you coming in?” She waved her hand, the gentle breeze ruffling her hair as she sought to draw his attention.

“Yes, sorry.” Sirius shook himself from his reverie, his eyes meeting Airella’s before he made his way towards her and the entrance of the quaint little house.

Airella couldn’t recall a time she had seen him lost in thought like that before. Perhaps the weight of their newfound responsibilities in this unfamiliar kingdom was weighing on him.

In that moment, Arii dashed into Airella’s outstretched arms, his youthful exuberance palpable. “I’ve missed you so much, Airella. It’s been forever since I last saw you—now I’m twelve!” Airella couldn’t help but smile at the boy’s infectious energy. “I know, you’ve grown so much!” Her fingers combed through his sandy blonde locks, noting the striking resemblance between his emerald eyes and her right one. They shared a depth that seemed to mirror the boundless nature of the sea.

Unlike Airella, Arii appeared entirely ordinary, much like their mother. His features bore no hint of the mysterious lineage that ran through Airella’s blood, yet his presence was a comfort to her.

“Please, make yourself at home. Any friend of Airella’s is a friend of ours.” Elizabeth’s frail form radiated warmth as she ushered a stunned Sirius further into the living area. “You cancall me Elizabeth,” she introduced herself with a soft smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Thank you,” Sirius replied, his voice quiet yet tinged with curiosity. His gaze, a striking gold against his pale complexion, held a glint of intrigue, though his expression remained impassive, betraying little of his inner thoughts.

“I’m absolutely overjoyed to have you back here, dear. You wouldn’t believe how much money we’ve received from Aramore since you’ve been gone,” Elizabeth exclaimed with a smile, her eyes lighting up as she gestured towards Airella.

“Enough for your medication?” Airella asked curiously, a glimmer of hope shining in her eyes.

“Oh, yes.” Her mother gleamed with gratefulness. In that moment, Airella felt a heavy burden lifted off her chest. Airella felt such a relief to know that she had successfully achieved her primary goal at the start of her journey.

As the day slowly transitioned into evening, Airella took her time to narrate every single detail of her adventures to Arii and her mother. Both of them listened intently, their faces reflecting a mix of awe and curiosity, as if she were weaving an enchanting tale for them.

Airella spared no detail, recounting her encounters with Zol, Sirius, Duran, Jonathan, and Father. With each word, she painted a vivid picture of her journey, ensuring she didn’t leave out a single moment.

As the narrative approached its conclusion, a bittersweet feeling settled in Airella’s heart. She gently touched the glass necklace that held Jonathan’s soul, a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made along the way. Determined to honor his memory, she shared every detail about him with Arii and hermother, their gazes shifting towards Sirius after the tale was told.

“No way,” Arii exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief as he leaped up from his seated position on the ground, leaning in towards Sirius with curiosity and excitement. “Are you really a Miscreant?”

“Well, yes,” Sirius hesitated, his eyes fixed on Airella. “I prefer the term reaper.”

“Are you going to eat us?” Arii’s voice was a mix of curiosity and fear as he leaned in closer towards Sirius.

“Arii,” Elizabeth scolded, swiftly grabbing the mischievous child by the ear. Airella couldn’t help but stifle a laugh, finding the situation more amusing than alarming. Despite the lingering doubts, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Sirius, with his human-like demeanor, was more than just a mere soul-eating Miscreant. He had so much compassion and an open heart, unlike any of the other Miscreants that lurked on the isle.

“Though you are quite the handsome one. So mysterious.” Airella’s mother chimed in with a hint of playfulness.

“Mother.” Airella’s cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and amusement at her mother’s antics. She took a quick look to see Sirius’s reaction, but his expression was unmoving.

Elizabeth chuckled, glancing at the darkening sky. “I’m just making fun. Would you look at the time? It’s nearly sundown,” she remarked, signaling the end of their conversation and the impending arrival of nightfall.

“Can I practice with that?” Arii pointed at Sirius’s scythe, his eyes wide with curiosity and a hint of mischief.

“Arii, that wouldn’t be a good idea. Why don’t you go get ready for bed?” Airella responded, her voice tinged with a touch of concern as she watched him dash off to another room. She couldn’t help but recall the countless times he had sneaked into their father’s weaponry cabinet; it seemed like a natural inclination for him.

“Mother, Sirius and I can’t stay long. We’ll leave first thing in the morning, and you and Arii have to come with us. This will be the first place the soldiers will search once they realize we’re no longer in Aramore. It’s not safe here anymore,” Airella disclosed, her expression a mix of determination and worry.

Elizabeth paused, lips pursed as if she already had sensed this moment was coming. “I understand, dear. We’ll pack what we can carry and leave with you first thing in the morning.” Elizabeth replied, her smile warm and reassuring. “No matter what happens, I just want you to know I love you so much. I know your father is watching over you and feels the same way.” With those words, she enveloped Airella in a tight hug, conveying her love and protection.

“I love you too,” Airella murmured, savoring the embrace before gently pulling away. A sense of foreboding lingered in her heart, a feeling that this peaceful moment might be the last for a while. “I have a question,” she began slowly, her eyes searching her mother’s face. Her voice carried curiosity tinged with a hint of longing as she asked, “Why didn’t you ever tell me about Father and what he really meant to this kingdom?”

Elizabeth stepped back with a sudden moment of shock, her heart skipping a beat in response to her daughter’s question.Reflecting on the past, Elizabeth admitted, “I wasn’t always proud of the things he had done. He wasn’t the epitome of perfection. My priority was ensuring you had the best childhood possible. I’m sorry.” Despite her remorse, Elizabeth couldn’t help but notice the protective quality of Dawnbreaker by Airella’s side, a silent guardian as Lysander had foreseen.

Airella, grappling with mixed emotions, cast a fleeting glance at her sheathed axe. Feeling unsettled, she murmured, “I think I’ll turn in for the night. Goodnight,” managing a gentle smile after planting a soft kiss on her mother’s cheek.

“Sleep well, dear,” Elizabeth reciprocated, her gaze following Airella as she made her way to her room. The weight of her insufficient explanation lingered heavily, a promise to her late husband binding her tongue from revealing the complete truth.

Airella turned to Sirius, who had been engrossed in the family portraits, and motioned towards her room. “This way,” she breathed.

Opening the door, a wave of nostalgia washed over her, the familiarity of her surroundings comforting her soul. Settling on her bed, she savored the sense of homecoming, cherishing every detail of the room, the house, the village, and its skeptical residents. As she glanced up, she noticed Sirius lingering in the doorway.

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