Page 19 of Drawn in Blood
”No,” Eira replied, her smile tight, “no, thank you. I’ll just be a moment.”
“You okay?” Fen whispered, as he squeezed Ember’s hand. He held tight to her, almost like if he let go, she would slip away forever.
“I think so.” She nodded.
“I’m sorry to barge in on you this way,” Aoife said from the chair by the fire. Her legs were crossed daintily one over the other, one hand in her lap and the other sipping her cup of tea.Her mannerism reminded Ember of Killian—poised and elegant, the perfect example of aristocratic grace. It was jarring. So far from the warm mother she remembered.
But then again, maybe the memory of a six-year-old wasn’t one to be trusted.
“I do apologize if I’ve interrupted anything,” she continued.
Fen stiffened, like he wanted to tell her what exactly she had just interrupted, but Ember cut in before he had the chance.
“So, what does this mean?” Ember sniffed as she wiped the moisture off her eyes. “Now that you’re here, what happens?”
“If you’re alright with it,” Aoife smiled, “I would like to take you home.”
Ember felt Fen’s grip tighten around her fingers as she heard the breath leave his chest. Her own chest simultaneously swelled and ached. This was the only true home she had known in ten years. It was the only place she had ever lived that felt like more than a limbo she was waiting in till it was time for the next place. The Kitts’ farm made her feel safe and warm, like she’d always imagined home would feel.
But her parents—her mother… Was this why she felt so stuck? Why the adoption never felt completely right? Because somewhere, in the back of her mind, she knew this story wasn’t over?
“Back to Scotland?” she asked quietly. The thought of leaving this island, leaving Heksheim, made her stomach sour.
Aoife shook her head with a light laugh. “Our family home is on the other side of the island. We’ll be living there.”
Ember blew out a breath of relief. “I would love that, Mum.” She smiled, and it was the truth. She had imagined a moment where her parents would walk through the door and take her home since she was six years old, and now, here she was.
“Wonderful.” Aoife smiled as she looked around the room. “Would you be at all opposed to coming home with me now?”
Home.
Ember bit her lip as she looked toward Fen, then Otto and little Maeve. The latter seemed to be holding back tears as her bottom lip wobbled. Ember chest felt like it might cave in, the sorrow mixed with joy almost unbearable.
“Would it be okay if I finish the school week?” she asked, as she clasped her fingers in her lap, trying to keep from fidgeting. “It would give me time to pack.”
And time to say goodbye.
“Of course.” Aoife nodded, something like sadness flashing through her eyes. “I’ll go home and begin preparing your room.”
My room.
She smiled as she stood up and headed toward the door, Otto following closely behind. Ember gave her a hug as Otto opened the door for her, and Aoife gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead. When the door swung open, Thea was on the other side, shock painted across her perfect face.
“The ferry was late,” she said, as her eyes went back and forth between Aoife and Ember. “I seem to have missed a very important development.”
“Aoife Lothbrok,” Aoife said, as she stuck out a hand to shake Thea’s. “It’s lovely to make your acquaintance.”
Thea’s eyes widened as she looked between the mother and daughter. “How lovely to meet you, Mrs. Lothbrok,” she replied. “I’m sorry I didn’t realize…”
“That I was alive?” Aoife smirked, and Thea’s cheeks turned bright red.
“For lack of better words.” The social worker nodded. Her eyes trailed to Ember, and they quickly grew misty, though her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Aoife turned back to Ember and gave her a kiss on the head, lingering like she didn’t truly want to pull away. “I’ll be back soon,” she promised.
“I’ll see you Friday, Mum.” Ember smiled. She didn’t want to let go, afraid that if she took her eyes off her she would disappear again.
“I’ll be here, Mo Stór,” Aoife whispered, “I promise.” She gave her one last hug and waved to the Kitts and Thea as she slipped out the door and into the darkness.
