Tethered (The Avenlore Series) (14 page)

I blinked and the tears that had pooled in my eyes spilled over.  “I am so sorry, what…what can I do?”

He smiled sadly and his answer was simple.  “You can keep breathing for me.”

Nikolas turned to face me, a
knowing look in his eyes since he had had a similar conversation with me.  Twice.  I could see that his cheeks glistened as well.  I looked around and there wasn’t a dry eye to be had.

My mother walked swiftly over to Liam, taking his face in her hands.  I realized she had the sweetest voice when she spoke.  “Sweet boy, I can never repay you for what you have done, or replace what you have lost, but you have a home here now, always…if you wish it.”

Relief washed over Liam’s face as he smiled.  “Thank you.”

My father walked up and clasped Liam on the shoulder then.  “Well, son.  If it’s a knighthood you still wish to have, say the word and it is yours.”

Liam looked to Nikolas, a silent question in his eyes.  Nikolas nodded as he looked back at Liam.  “I would be honored to serve beside you, Sir.”  Nikolas extended a hand, and Liam took it. 

My father patted Liam on the back again.  “It seems you require a new wardrobe, my boy.” 

A golden blur whipped past me then, launching itself into Nikolas’ arms.  “Nikolas, my love.  They said you had returned.  I am so glad you are safe!”  Her voice was high pitched and sounded childlike as she rained kisses over his face.

Nikolas looked like you could’ve bought him for a penny.  He patted her on the back uncomfortably and shot me a pleading look.

My stomach twisted in knots and blood rushed to my cheeks.  That look did not bode well.

The girl on Nikolas’ face climbed down and turned to look at me for the first time.  She smiled sweetly, but
it didn’t match her eyes.  “Oh!  This must be the princess!  I am so happy you’ve made it back safely.  But, of course my Nikolas would deliver you unharmed.”  She laughed, a sound that hit my ears like nails on a chalkboard.  “But, then, he doesn’t know how to fail.”  She trailed a hand down his arm.

Nikolas stared at nothing, face pale li
ke he may be sick at any moment.

The girl tossed her thick blonde curls over her
slim shoulder and wrinkled her perfect, demure nose.  “So sorry, I am Brigitte!”  She turned to look adoringly at Nikolas.  “I am Nikolas’ betrothed.”

My heart dropped to my toes and my stomach twisted tighter as I forced a smile that required an unbelievable amount of effort.  And then I thought…

Maybe some of us have made promises.

Chapter 17

It’s not like he’s mine.

That’s what I kept telling myself, that was the mantra I repeated over and over again in my head as I tried to look anywhere but the spot where Nikolas and his…betrothed…stood.  But, my eyes had a mind of their own.  No matter how I tried, they kept tracking back to him, hoping to view a different scene.
  A scene where this Brigitte did not have her tiny arm twined through Nikolas’.  

The worst part of it all was that I could feel Nikolas’
eyes on me every moment.  I was hyperaware of him, his presence surrounding me like a thick fog. 

“Danica?  Dani?  Is something the matter?”  My father’s voice broke through the fog. 

“Hmmm?”  I turned to focus on his face.  “Fine, I’m fine.”  The words came out high-pitched and wrong. 

My father studied my face, he wasn’t fooled.  “You have been through so much in such a short time.  This
all…it must not be easy for you.”

My eyes found Nikolas for a split second.  “Some things are mor
e difficult to take than others.”  I looked back to my father and caught sight of the auburn haired woman positioned several feet behind him.  She stood wringing her hands, watching me, but trying to look like she wasn’t.  “Is…is that my…um…my mother?” 

He glanced over his shoulder and a smile broke across his face, big and bright.  “She is.  She would very much like to meet you, if it is what you wish.”   

“Yes, of course.  I would like that very much.” 
I told him as my stomach dropped a few inches.

Offering his arm, my father led me over to the woman with auburn hair.  I noticed the other woman
, the blonde one, was nowhere to be seen. 

“Sweet Girl, allow me to introduce you Isla, well-loved Queen of Esterope and Lady of the Valley of Light.” 

She smiled warmly at me, eyes glistening.
  She reached for me, then pulled her hands back, unsure of what to do.  I smiled and extended my hands and she immediately grasped them in her tiny ones.  Taking a deep breath, she looked into my eyes and I watched as tears tracked down her face.  “The title I am most proud of…is that of your mother.  If, if you will still have me, that is.”  Immediately I knew I’d heard that voice before, it was the voice of the woman who beckoned me from the portal.

I found I couldn’t speak, so I just nodded as my own sob caught me by surprise.
  Her voice was so familiar and not just as the voice that helped to bring me here.  Some deeply buried part of me knew her the same way that I knew how to breathe.  It was like an instinct.

It was the same with my father.  It was all just so undeniably right. 
They felt, well, tethered there, to my heart and soul.  Maybe what Nikolas said had been more than just pretty words.   

Mayb
e he was tethered to me as well and In light of recent events, that was going to be extraordinarily problematic for me.

My mother gave me a knowing look, and I
feared she’d read my feelings on my face.  “You look tired, dear.  I know the past few days have been exceedingly difficult and you must be so exhausted.  Allow me to show you to your chambers, a warm meal and a good rest will do so much.”  She smiled warmly again.

I nodded in response to my mother’s offer and
breathed an internal sigh of relief that she was chalking up my no doubt worn and worried face to exhaustion.  Of course I was tired, absolutely I was, but this whole situation with Nikolas has sent me into sort of a tailspin.  I could almost hear the pilot’s distress call...

Mayday, mayday!

…and I didn’t want anyone to pick up on that. 

I had to hand it to
my parents though, they held understanding in abundance.  While I wanted to spend time with them, get to know them, I was overwhelmed and exhausted and…hurt.  The longer I stood here, near Nikolas with Brigitte melded to his side like they were conjoined twins, the more pronounced the pain became.

I needed to deal with that pain and I needed to deal with it alone
…not to mention the other things I wanted to do like sleep in a bed and my gracious, bathe. 

My mother
led me into the castle, while my father accompanied us and I was so lost in thought and feeling that I was completely unaware of my surroundings until we reached my room. 

My father opened the thick wooden door with a massive grin plastered across his face.

When I looked into the room, I understood why.  If nothing else had been like a fairytale, this room was.

Walls, off white and smooth like marble set off the silver tapestries, stitched with pastel colors depicting scenes of beautiful waterfalls and flowing streams. 
The bed was enormous and covered in light gray bedding with a pale pink textured print that reminded me of something I was pretty sure was called damask.  Iridescent stitching caught the light and shimmered, perfectly matching the billowy canopy that hung around the bed like so many fluffy clouds.  The bed itself was made of a sturdy pale wood, the color of crepe myrtle bark.  Massive pillows covered half the bed and a nook in the wall provided a wide seat covered in a thick, long cushion that matched the bedding.  The window behind it reached from the seat to the ceiling.

There were beautiful wardrobes to match the bed and a writing table complete with quill and ink pot.  Matching tables sat to either side of bed,
topped by lanterns that held many bright spots of light that waxed and waned alternately like fireflies.  Every level surface in the room held vases sprouting fat bouquets of pale pink roses and white lilies and half a dozen other flowers I’d never even seen and the air carried their sweet scents. 

A
luxurious rug spanned almost every inch of the circular room, threads every shade of gray and silver.  Cozy warmth wafted from the fireplace and for once, the fire was provided via regular old ordinary logs, crackling and hissing as they burned. 

But the kicker, well that had to be the ceiling.  High and domed, it was home to an immaculate and detailed painting.  A woman and a man stood far apart in a meadow
filled with flowers, seemingly unaware of one another and each looking haunted and lost as an angel hovered above each one.  It was beautiful and heartbreaking.

I turned to my parents who stood with their arms around each other, patiently watching as I took in the room.  “Its…its just so…they are no words.”  I told them. 

Hesitantly, I walked to my mother and father and wrapped an arm around each one, forming a group hug kind of thing.  Their relief at my affection was palpable and I felt my heart swell a little in response. 

“I am so very glad you are safe with us at last.”  My mother whispered through tears.

“Me too.”  I said.

Dad let out a sigh of relief. 
He didn’t speak, but I felt a shudder roll through him with a poorly concealed sob.

After an undetermined amount of time in our huddle, we began bidding each other goodnight. 
My mother indicated the door that led to my own private washroom and asked if I would like to come down to the dining hall and take a meal after I freshened up. I really didn’t feel up for it though.  Truth be told, I was such a bundle of nerves I didn’t think I could eat at all.  She finally got me to agree to let a bowl of soup and some cider be delivered to my room in case I changed my mind later.

Each of my parents
hugged me again, this time one on one, then stood in the doorway and stared at me like I may disappear for a few breaths before retiring to their own quarters.  I figured I looked at them much the same since that was exactly what it felt like.  Even though the circumstances of our reunion were far from ideal, I still feared having a family, my own actual family, was just a dream I would wake from.

On my own in the massive bedroom, a
t first I was mostly happy in the wake of the reunion with my parents, but then I’ve always said alone with your thoughts is a dangerous place to be.  It was as true now as it ever was.  Five minutes alone and my mind began replaying the golden blur as she ran past me and pasted herself to Nikolas. 

I shook my head back and forth, trying to dislodge the image, but to no avail.
  This new development came on the heels of learning the whole business where Liam had failed to mention he was the son of the man who was actively trying to end my life.  I mean, that wasn’t his fault, but geez, he could’ve given me a heads up.

I floated across the room to the door my mother had indic
ated was the washroom on my gloomy cloud.  At least I had gotten to meet my mom and be reunited with my father again.  Talk about taking the good with the bad.

I
opened the door to the washroom and discovered an immense stone tub that was already filled with steaming water waiting for me.  Rose petals floated on the still surface, their scent permeating the air.  Sighing at the glorious sight, I undressed and sank to my chin in the water, easing back to lean my head against the stone.  I breathed in the steam and closed my eyes and…saw Nikolas’ face.

Crap.

I opened my eyes again, so much for a long, relaxing bath. 

Sitting back up,
I decided sleep was the only thing that may save me from my thoughts.  I scrubbed and washed quickly, ready to get to the part where I was unconscious and incapable of coherent thought.

A table contained in the washroom was home to several grooming tools and multiple bottles of scented oils.  I sniffed each one, deciding on
a light floral scent with notes of rose and peach blossom.  Plucking a heavy wooden brush from the table top, I worked the tangles from my hair before lacing the strands into a long, loose braid. 

I donned the robe that hung in the bathroom, at least that’s what I thought it was.  It was pale blue, the material plush and thick.  If I hadn’t found it in this room, I would’ve assumed it was some fancy overcoat thing.
 

I knew I’d never had things this nice before but
discovered my memories of what I did have were fuzzy and where I came from had also become a hazy spot in my mind.  I could see my “aunt’s” face, but couldn’t remember her name and I could see beautiful mountain sides and a lit up, busy strip of road, but didn’t know what the place was called. 

That was kind of strange, and I would have to ask someone about that soon.  But right now, I wouldn’t worry over it.  There was nowhere available in my mind to process this development presently.