Page 90 of Fae Tithe

“You really do.” Rose giggled.

Eleanor felt a flutter of relief as the two women embraced each other gently. She watched as Helena let a long exhale out into her friend’s red hair, blowing loose strands around with her breath. Rose leant back from their hug and met Lance’s gaze as he hovered protectively behind Helena.

Rose nodded. “Fish Boy.”

“Red.”

Eleanor’s eyes prickled with tears again, just as her cheeks had begun to dry. She watched as Rose cupped the left side of Helena’s face. She ran her slightly grubby thumb under her mother’s Dragon eye. Helena pressed into the touch and laid her scaled hand over Rose’s fingers.

“I think you could do with a glass of wine. There’s a bottle or two left in the cellar from Winter Solstice,” she offered, her lips plucking upwards.

Helena blinked and grinned. “You have no idea how good that sounds, Rose.”

Helena sat contentedly in the sitting room with her family later that first balmy night back home. The cart had been unpacked, Goliath settled in, and everyone had bathed and eaten. The children had brought their pillows and blankets onto the rugs that covered the hard terracotta tiles. The three of them had quickly fallen asleep, with Biscuit wedged in the middle, under the dim lamplight of the cosy room. Helena loved the little space – it was where the family congregated around the hearth in the cold depths of winter. They often played card games together and gathered to open gifts on a birthday and for Solstice or Equinox celebrations.

Helena sat at one end of their lumpy sofa. A snoozing Lance’s head was nestled in her lap. His long body filled up the rest of the furniture, his knees bent over the opposite end and his bare feet dangling. He looked very peaceful as he slept. He had been taking part in their conversation, but the feeling of Helena’s fingers running through his long hair had been enough to let his heavy eyelids close. A light snore occasionally left Lance’s lips as his chest rose and fell in an even pattern.

Rose sat next to Helena in her own squashed armchair. Each held a crystal glass filled with red wine. The glasses were the finest thing that Helena owned and, alongside the villa, were the sum of her inheritance from Great Aunt Nora. The women spoke, heads close, in hushed tones, as their family slept.

We did it. We brought the Circle back together again.

I like the idea of the Circle, Atlas enthused. I also like your sister’s hair, it is like fire.

Sister in everything but blood, Helena agreed. Atlas, you are distracting me from my conversation with Rose.

I was participating in the conversation. Tell her I like her hair.

Helena sighed. “Atlas likes your hair. He says it remind him of fire.” She tapped her claw onto the crystal glass, and a high resonance rang through the small room.

Rose snorted. “I still don’t understand how this all works, but tell him ‘thank you’.”

The first thing Helena had done once the children had settled down was tell Rose everything that happened since they had left Portson for Solas. Lance had also explained himself and apologised profusely. That had not prevented Rose had from giving the High Prince a thorough telling off once he had revealed his identity.

“What will you do now?” Rose asked before taking a small sip of the red wine, her feet tucked under her in the chair.

“I don’t know,” Helena admitted. “Take it day by day. Do the next right thing.”

Atlas gave a hum of approval. That is all we can do, until we figure out more of what is happening with Eleanor, you, and me.

“I want it all,” she said firmly. “I want to be with my family. I want us all to be safe. I want to have fun. I want to read and learn more. If I can help El and Atlas…” Helena ran her fingers through Lance’s hair and twirled the silver streak around her forefinger. He had shaved his beard and now only stubble clung to his jaw. “I don’t know what to do with El.” She sighed, furrowing her brow. “I can’t send her back to school, not in Portson anyway. I am worried the Fae might find us.”

“They could, if you sent her back there,” Rose agreed. “But they haven’t found the boys on the island, and we have been hiding out here since the twins were three. They are eleven now, so, at least eight years and no one has found us.”

Helena closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. Are we safest staying on Majora? We could move to another island on the Clusters. Eleanor said that the Fae in Tithe Manor knew we lived on an island out here, but not which island. She pinched the bridge of her nose. I must be realistic. They could find us if they wanted to, and they will want to—

Because of me, Atlas interrupted. It may not be safe for us and your family to remain in Seelieland. You have the dead King’s intended Queen with you, and you have ripped the main source of power from the Seelie Court.

We may need to leave, Helena agreed. I don’t know where we could go, but I’m sure Lance has mentioned islands in his territory. He would make a place for us, I know it.

You should discuss this with your Siren.

I will. Let’s have everyone settle back in first, give the family time to be together for a while. Give me time to heal a bit more before we make any big changes.

I know you have been suffering with your injuries, and you have been keeping it as quiet as possible, the Dragon said gently. Why?

There’s so much going on, Atlas, Helena explained. I’m trying not to give everyone more to worry about.

Your Siren would want to know about the pain you feel. Your family worry because they love you.