Page 70 of The Trials of Ophelia
We’d accompanied Ezalia and Seron south, not comfortable leaving them with his injury, and would spend a night here before heading to the war camp. It wasn’t much of a detour, just a less direct route than traveling straight through Mystique Territory.
Seron was recovering nicely, considering the severity of what he suffered. Santorina had been doing everything she could, but you couldn’t regrow limbs. The Seawatcher was forced to ride in a cart the entire trek to the capital.
He was determined, though. Seron had looked me in the eye more than once and swore he would ride again. That strength was inspiring. If he maintained that attitude after what had happened to him, I could persevere, too. When we left, I’d carry a piece of Seron’s bravery with me.
“Ezalia, this is beautiful,” I gasped as we crossed onto the grounds of her manor, though the word did not quite do it justice.
Light gray cobblestones continued in from the street, aqua sea glass speckling the spaces between, reflecting the moon and starlight. We dismounted our horses and handed the reins to her staff, more attendees rushing forward to take our packs and assist Seron. Ever the thorough healer, Santorina followed them inside.
“Thank you,” Ezalia said proudly. “My family has owned the manor as long as we’ve held power, but it continues to grow with each new ruler.” She waved a hand. “We enjoy expanding.”
The rest of us followed Ezalia into a courtyard in the center of her sprawling home, tall palm trees surrounding the space, the greenery dotted with tall flowers now closed for the evening. Sandstone columns and endless corridors with wide windows and breezy airways composed the building, the babbling of slow streams orchestrating a soothing melody.
“Mother!” Two small voices rang out, footsteps rushing down one of the corridors. A young girl with dark hair to her waist threw herself at Ezalia, a boy who appeared the same age nearly tripping himself as he stumbled to a stop.
“Why are you two still awake?” Ezalia quirked a reproachful brow, but squeezed the children tighter. Her eyes closed for a moment, and it was like a weight fell off her shoulders.
“I wasn’t aware you had children,” Cypherion said once their rushed excuses died off, and they distracted themselves play-fighting in their nightclothes. Somehow, they’d dragged Tolek into their games. The girl was currently atop his shoulders, the boy jumping to attempt to reach her.
“It’s why Seron usually doesn’t travel with me.” Ezalia smiled softly for a moment, almost pained. “They’re known by Seawatchers here, but it wasn’t something we made public knowledge to other clans.”
“Why’s that?” Jezebel asked.
“They were born a year before the war, and the unrest was already palpable. Word of it reached even our territory.”
“Ours, too,” Vale added quietly, watching the children mournfully.
Ezalia gazed wistfully at her son and daughter. “Seron and I hadn’t planned to start a family for decades, but…” A shrug and a sly grin. “Things happen. The best accident I could have ever dreamed of. And we knew, with tensions growing, that it opened them up to be pawns.”
I understood that feeling too well. Malakai had lived it, and we’d all been hurt by extension.
“Auggie, Seli, come say hello to the rest of the Revered’s friends and give poor Tolek a break,” Ezalia called.
“I don’t mind,” Tolek answered, walking over without even a limp, one hand across Seli’s ankles so she didn’t fall from his shoulders and his other hand gripped tightly by her brother.
“Mother, can we go to the tide pools tomorrow?” Seli blurted.
Ezalia’s smile wavered. “I think I’ll be with your father tomorrow.” Tending to his injuries, something she would have to explain to the children.
“I can take them before we leave if you’d like,” Tolek offered, catching the tension in the chancellor’s words.
“Yes!” Seli cheered. Auggie remained silent, uncertain, but Ezalia’s gratefulness was abundant.
“They’ll never leave you alone, now,” she muttered to Tol, and he only shrugged. Picking up her son, Ezalia propped him on a hip. “This is Auggie—August.” Bashfully, he hid his smile.
“I’m Selina!” The girl cheered loudly, arms crossed atop Tolek’s head. Carefully, he reached up and removed her, placing her on the ground in front of him.
“It’s very nice to meet both of you,” I said. “Do you mind if we stay here with you?”
“Like a sleepover?” Selina asked.
“If that’s okay with you,” I said.
Selina propped her hands on her hips, pretending to consider. “I suppose so.” She whirled toward her mother. “They can sleep in my room!”
“Oh, I don’t think you want that,” Jezebel said. She squatted down and crooked her finger to call Selina over, cupping her hand around the girl’s ear as if telling her a secret, but raising her voice. “My sister hogs all the blankets.”
Seli looked like she regretted the offer.
