Chapter Twenty-Eight

After a brief discussion, the adults decided to afford Lilyrose and Ronal some privacy in the study. As Edmund and Arthur left by the main door, Lionel pointedly stated that he and Eleanor would be in their chamber, which was joined to the study via a smaller door to the side.

Pressing her heels into the ground to stop herself running after her parents, desperate for their reassuring presence, Lilyrose stared as the door closed, her heart fluttering in her chest. Her head felt like it was about to explode. She couldn’t comprehend being of the hidden elven realm when her mother had given birth to her in this realm. And, if she understood what Diamond had said, her body was that of the baby that had been inside her mother, but what had given her life had come from the hidden realm. And that essence linked her to Ronal. Her brother.

She’d dreamed of having a brother, especially after Henry and Margaret came to stay. To find out she did indeed have one left her bewildered; she didn’t know how to react, what to say.

“This is all like a tale,” said Ronal softly. “Not what I ever thought anyone’s real life would be, certainly not mine.” He ran his fingers through his short, thick hair as he started to smile. “I confess it’s a shock, being told you are my sister.”

“I wonder, is this why I’ve always felt, comfortable with you,” she said softly, unable to bring herself to look at him, feeling inexplicably shy.

“If I may speak plainly, I’m struggling with this knowledge, that we’re of elf blood.”

“But what does that mean?” Hands spread in front of her, she leaned forward. “Are we supposed to be different, feel different to everyone else? I was part of my mother, she gave birth to me. My parents are my parents. My family, my life is this, here,” she said, gesturing around her.

Ronal nodded. “I am a farrier’s son and proud of it. I love my family and can’t imagine having any other.”

Slowly, she lowered herself onto the soft armchair. “Of all that the gem elves told us, the only thing that makes a difference to me, the only thing that matters is, I have a brother.” Raising her gaze, she smiled hesitantly.

He returned her smile. “And now I have a younger sister to go with my older one.”

“Do you remember the hidden realm at all?”

He shook his head. “My memories only seem to be of this world. What I remember of the gem elf, Ruby, is fleeting. If I try too hard, the images retreat. But my memories of being cared for and loved by my ma, that is solid. Growing up with Emily, being taught by my da, those are the memories that are a part of me.”

Nodding slowly, Lilyrose picked at a loose thread on her skirt. “If you could, would you go there?”

His gaze travelled to the window. “One day, maybe, I don’t know. What I do know is my life is here. My parents are here. Emily has made me an uncle already and, soon, I will be uncle again to her second child. And Arthur is here,” he finished with a smile.

Her own smile widened before it slowly faded.

“What’s the matter?”

“I want to tell everyone I have a brother. That you are my brother. I want to talk with you the way I talk with Henry, with Arthur, without having to hide. But–”

“We cannot. Saying anything of our true heritage will alert that-that creature. As the gem elves said, it might force her hand. Besides.” He tried to smile but failed. “How would we explain it?”

“Then we must hide it.”

“When you come to Lord Edmund’s, we could try and find time, with Arthur’s help.”

She looked up, a tear trembling on her lashes. “What if the curse finds me? I’ll never have any time–”

“No.” He went down on one knee before her and took her hands in his. “I will never let that happen, sister. I promise.”

Failing to smile, her chin quivered as she tightened her grip on his hands.

Two days after the revelations, the day before Edmund’s party left for home, Arthur and Ronal took themselves off for a brief ride, wanting to converse privately. They slowed their horses to a walk, hooves squelching through the damp grass. The air smelled clean, like it had been freshly washed.

“How does it feel, knowing Lilyrose is your sister?” Arthur held Hero’s reins lightly.

Ronal smiled. “It’s clear now why I’ve always felt at ease in her company. It’s as if I’ve found a missing puzzle piece that I never knew I’d lost.”

“It must be hard, not being able to treat her as a sister.”

“I have to constantly remind myself to not look at her and smile all the time. And knowing, after tomorrow, I won’t see her again for months.”

“I know,” was Arthur’s soft reply.

“Neither will you. Sorry, my friend.”

Arthur shrugged. “Each time, I think I’ll get used to it, but the leaving is always hard.”

“I never realised how much more difficult it is for her.”

Slowing Hero to a halt, Arthur frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Worrying about the curse, if it succeeds.” Having come to a stop also, Ronal realised, from Arthur’s dazed look, that he was unaware of Lilyrose’s fears.

“She thinks the curse might claim her?” He spoke so softly, Ronal found himself leaning forward.

Grimacing, Arthur let fly a curse. “I asked her once, a few years ago, she said she wasn’t afraid, she wouldn’t let it win. I never asked her again. And I refuse to think of it. Of course she’d be worried, this close to it. What a fool–”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s obvious she hides her worries well. If she doesn’t let you see, you can hardly blame yourself.”

“I should have at least asked, more than once.”

“Well. I think we should carry on in defiance of it. We have the gem elves on our side, and we’ll all be extra vigilant.”

Arthur nodded.

Remembering his promise to Lilyrose, Ronal wondered how to broach the subject of the betrothal. “To think, only three summers, and you’ll be married. To my sister. Your wedding has special meaning for me now.” When Arthur remained silent, his smile faded. “You do want to marry her, don’t you?”

“Yes,” said Arthur softly.

“Then why do you seem, unsure?”

He closed his eyes then looked at Ronal with a widening smile. “The thought of marrying her makes me excited and nervous. My life won’t be the same after that.”

Ronal returned his smile. Urging their mounts into a canter, they rode towards the forest. But Ronal was aware that Arthur’s words failed to explain why he kept asking Lilyrose if she wanted to set aside their betrothal. He wanted to ask him plainly, but his promise to Lilyrose stopped him.

Walking their horses back to the palace, Arthur said, “Last night, Papa asked me if I remembered anything from before he found me.”

“Do you?”

“Nothing specific, more a feeling of being happy. Do you remember anything more?”

He shook his head. “Like I said, I remember being with Lenya, then I remember you. I may have been afraid, but the stronger feeling is of being happy.”

“Do you want to see that place, your… home?”

Brows raised, he looked at Arthur, amused. “Lilyrose asked me that same question. One day, maybe. But not now. This is my home, this is where my family is. This is where you are, the closest I have to a brother. Even though you are the son of my lord,” he finished with a grin and a bow.

“By rights, I should be bowing to you, elf lord.”

“Yes, that is true.” Hand on his chin, Ronal struck a thoughtful pose. “When we return, I shall expect to be waited on by your good self.”

Arthur inclined his head. “Whatever my lord wishes.”

Their laughter filled the air around them.

They were almost at the palace when Ronal spoke again. “Does it bother you, not having any knowledge of your past?” At least he knew where he came from.

Arthur fiddled with Hero’s mane. “I couldn’t stop thinking about it the rest of that day and it robbed me of sleep that night. Who were my parents? What happened to them? Are they still alive? Did they not want me?” Turning to Ronal, his attempt at a smile failed. “Then I felt ashamed, as if I was betraying Papa. And Mama. Are they not my parents? As Mama used to tell me, all that mattered was, she wanted me, she and Papa. She always called me her blessing,” he said, smiling.

Not for the first time, Ronal gave thanks that he still had both his parents. “Being told I am an elf lord means nothing to me. All I will take from it is, I have a little sister. Though I must pretend she is no more than the betrothed of my best friend.”

Arthur frowned. “Surely once Marlis is defeated, there won’t be any need to keep this hidden. You and Lilyrose will be able to–”

“No, Arthur. I don’t want to chance hurting my family. What if they feel they must treat me differently because I was born an elf lord? What of Lord Lionel? Will Lilyrose’s heritage change how the emperor treats him? This knowledge affects too many.” He straightened his frame. “I was raised a farrier’s son, and I will always think of myself as a farrier’s son. I don’t want to be treated any differently.”

The silence between them grew until Arthur reached over and placed his gloved hand on Ronal’s. “Then I will say this. When Lilyrose becomes my wife, and she is with me at our castle, I will do all in my power to make sure the both of you have time together. As a brother and sister should. This, I promise you.”