Daughter of Dusk

I shiver the moment I land on the muted green grass of Zala.

Has it always been this cold? Or is it just my imagination? Perhaps I’m just being dramatic, comparing the air to Kera’s.

Now that I’m back here, the air feels empty without the heaviness of the salt water, without the roar of the ocean reminding me of its grand presence, even from a distance. There’s nothing to fill the silence that circles me here.

Oddly enough, it’s unnerving. Deafening, almost.

I look around to gather my bearings, staring up at the tall, imposing walls of the Manor and its interconnected vines that spiral into the gray, overcast skies.

I shiver again, but not because of the cold.

How did I stay within those walls for so many years?

I turn toward the forest, recognizing the trail that Soren took me down the first time I left, the one that leads to his village.

Without another thought, I run to the path as fast as I can.

My fingertips tingle with anticipation as I race to the village, flying past the muted green trees as my heart pounds out of my chest. I can’t wait to tell Soren everything about Enas. The sun, the sky, the colours, the people, Kera itself, everything.

I want to tell him everything.

Time blurs as I come up to the tree line, his village in sight. The collection of houses is far quieter now than it was when I was here before; perhaps there’s no gathering tonight. Oh well. The fewer chances I have of being seen, the better.

I quickly pinpoint which house belongs to Soren and his mother before walking towards it, giving the wooden door a gentle knock. But that doesn’t stop me from taking a moment to appreciate the carved beams of wood just outside his door. They’re filled with patterns and filigree of all kinds that dance together with complicated steps, gently reminding me of the stone pillars on Kera. I wonder if any artistic influences between worlds carried over from the days of the war. Especially if Soren’s ancestor was involved.

His mother – Rhea – is the one who answers the door. Even in the short time since I saw her last, she is looking far better already. Now that I see her standing, I realize just how tall she is, with her shimmering white-blonde hair falling over one shoulder in a low ponytail.

Her silver eyes soften with recognition. “Hello. It’s . . . Luna, right?”

I nod. “Hello, Rhea.” I pause, looking around. “Is Soren here by chance?”

“He’s just running an errand for me, but he shouldn’t be too much longer. Would you like tea?”

I nod, thanking her for her hospitality as I head inside, where she quickly assembles two cups and a large pot on the coffee table in the main room.

I find myself looking around the walls, with more carvings covering the beams. They’re similar to the ones outside, but these look to be a visual story, with human silhouettes, swords, and clouds reaching up and greeting the ceiling. I run my fingers along the wood, taking in the grooves, a million sensations in one touch.

Rhea watches me for several moments before sighing with a light smile. “Soren did those a few years back.”

I glance at her before looking back at the wood. “Really? Quite the artisan.”

“Yes. He always has been. He was determined to fill every blank space he could,” she says with a chuckle.

I sit across from her, taking one of the cups and letting the warmth of its contents radiate through my hands. “What’s the story that’s carved there?”

“Hmm.” She closes her eyes before her silver gaze meets mine. “It’s one I’ve told him ever since he was a boy. It starts with a King who had all the power he could ever desire in the world. He had a Queen as well, and at first, he was kind to her, holding her with all the respect and love she could ever desire. But . . . once he had his heir to continue the line, he began to mistreat his Queen. She became isolated from the world, people forgot what she looked like, and seemed to forget her entirely.”

“That’s so sad,” I breathe.

She takes a heavy sigh. “Yes. But not all was lost. She was not royalty by blood, so she had connections to a nearby village, where she grew up. She confided in one friend in particular: a boy she had grown up with. One thing led to another, and she became pregnant. At first, the King was happy to have another supposed heir, not knowing the truth of who the father of the baby was until the child was born.”

“How did the King find out? That the baby wasn’t his, I mean,” I ask, leaning forward.

“A combination of things. If I remember the story right, he was suspicious right away because the baby didn’t share any of his features. He had spies follow her, and soon found out about the baby’s true father.”

“What did he do?”

She takes a breath, looking down. “He – he killed the baby’s true father right in front of the Queen, then cast her and the baby out into the darkness.”

“Wow,” I breathe. “That’s quite the story.”

“Yes.” She brings her silver eyes back to me. “But not all was lost for the Queen. She was able to start a new life in peace, and the baby never knew the truth of their existence. But they were safe.”

“But, the child,” I start. “They never knew who they were?”

She shakes her head.

“That’s sad though, don’t you think?”

She gives me a curious glance. “How do you mean?”

“Well, I – I think everyone deserves a chance at knowing who they are, where they came from.” My voice cracks as thoughts of my mysterious traitor mother come to mind. “I know I would want to know if I were that child.”

I take a sip of the tea to hide my emotions coming to the surface. It tastes like mint. “Sorry, I – it is just a story after all. I just identify with it, I suppose.”

She gives me a kind smile. “It’s all right, my dear. I don’t judge anyone who comes into my home. But I did want to ask you one thing, if that’s all right.”

“Of course.”

“You’re healing is something I find very compelling. Do you mind if I ask which village you belong to? I’m curious as to where something like that would originate.”

“Oh,” I take another sip. “I’m not sure where my healing came from, to be transparent. I don’t belong to any village. I . . . I’m a servant in the Manor, I mostly look after the library.” I take a breath, quickly changing the subject to avoid further questions on the matter. “That’s how I met Soren. I hear he’s doing well under Darius.”

She averts her bright eyes. “Yes, I’m very aware of his presence there. He wasn’t given much choice in the matter. But he is of age now. I wasn’t in a place where I could intervene.”

I want to pry, but something within me tells me I shouldn’t; though there’s a sadness surrounding her, a helplessness, almost.

I don’t want to push, but perhaps I should say something.

“It sounds like that was a hard day for you.”

“It was.” She takes a sip of her tea. “But orders are orders.”

I pause. “If it makes you feel better about Soren being at the Manor . . .he’s been a wonderful source of kindness for me. And I think it’s clear where he gets it from.”

She looks back at me, gratitude radiating from her. “You’re too thoughtful, my dear.”

The door opens in the next moment as Soren comes into the room, his face lighting up as his eyes meet mine.

“Luna!” His excited voice is music to my ears.

I put my cup down and stand to greet him. Before I can react, he pulls me into a tight hug; the longest one I’ve experienced with him, in fact. I smile as I wrap my arms around his strong shoulders, letting his joy surround me.

It feels so unbelievably good to be near his energy again. To not be suffocated by the Manor or any of my familial inhabitants. And as beautiful as Kera is, it’s still so different from this world, and I haven’t completely gotten used to everything it holds. I’m still foreign there.

But here, with Soren, it feels familiar.

“I’ll give the two of you some space,” his mother chuckles, picking up the white tea tray.

I thank her for her company as she leaves the room before I turn back to Soren.

“So . . . how did it go?” He asks, biting his lip.

I can’t stop my lips from curving into a smile. “I know I should be back at the Manor by now, but I couldn’t wait to tell you.” I pause, looking over my shoulder. “Can we talk somewhere a little more private?”

He nods with a grin. “Here, how about I walk you back? Then we can talk all about it on the way.”

“Okay.”

We bid Rhea farewell once more before heading out the door, making our way down the forest path that leads to the Manor.

“So, tell me what happened!” Soren nudges me, brightness in his eyes. “I’ve been worried about you. I think that’s why Mother sent me on an errand, she could tell I was anxious about something,” he says sheepishly.

I blush as I register his words, before excitement bubbles to life within me.

“I . . . I made it to the island. Kera. I went to Enas.”

As the words slip out of my mouth, the realization of everything hits me.

I went to Enas. I did it.

I almost can’t believe it.

“Oh my God,” he breathes, the eagerness in his voice. “Luna, that’s amazing!” He stops walking and pulls me into a tight embrace. “What’s it like?”

Where do I even begin?