Page 56 of Spirit Trials (The Spirit Kingdoms #1)

It takes me a few days to get back on my feet, even with the healing from Solace and the healer Rysden brought to the castle.

Because Solace did so much extensive healing, she really knocked me out for a few days.

But today, my mind finally feels clear; and my body is blessedly pain free.

I stand to my feet and stretch before I make Rysden’s bed.

I’m not really sure where he’s been sleeping.

He could have been sleeping with me each night, for all I know.

I’ve been really out of it. The one plus is after that much sedation from Solace, not only do I feel completely healed, I feel alert and strong mentally.

After a hot bath, I change into a soft green long sleeved tunic, dark pants, and warm, thick socks.

After I run a comb through my curls, I leave them down to dry as I make my way downstairs.

It’s about mid-morning, and I’m starving.

I don’t really remember eating over the past few days.

I only get about halfway down the stairs when I smell something aromatic.

I grin and bound down the rest of the stairs, more than eager to feast on something amazing.

“Okay, I don't know who’s cooking but that smells—” my words fall off sharply, and I come to a complete stop and stare.

I close my eyes and open them again, certain my eyes are betraying me. “Mom?”

My mom pushes her chair back and slowly stands to her feet. “Hi, Farrah.”

My eyes jump to my brother beside her. He grins at me and waves his hand, holding a chunk of bread, before he takes another big bite of food from his bowl. I can’t process my thoughts. “How are you here? What? How...”

Jamik walks into the room carrying a bowl of stew. “Hector and Jamik brought us here,” Zeph tells me around his bite of bread.

I stare at Jamik. “Hey, Farrah.”

“You went and got them and brought them here?” I question. When he nods, I demand, “Why?”

I look around the room almost wildly. What’s the play here? Are they going to—

“I sent them.”

I spin around and meet Rysden’s eyes. “You sent them?” I repeat his words back to him. He only nods. “Why?”

“It was time.”

His words make no sense, and yet...my mom and brother are here!

Safe in Rysden’s castle. Suddenly, it’s all too much.

Emotion floods me; so much emotion. It’s too much, too fast; and I crumble under the weight of it.

A sob rips out of my chest, and I fear I’m going to get carried away in all the emotion.

It’s too heavy for me. Suddenly, strong arms wrap around me, and I’m pulled against a firm chest. Rysden doesn't say a word; he just holds me. I think I hear voices, but I can’t make sense of any of it.

Rysden holds me as every feeling I’ve felt since the moment the Guivre attacked our village until now flows out of me.

The fear, the pain, the loss, the grief.

..all of it just comes out. Some part of me isn’t really surprised; I’ve been stuffing down a lot of emotion.

It was bound to come pouring out at some point.

When it feels like I can’t cry any more, the storm inside me finally seems to settle.

Eventually, I stop crying all together. Rysden never lets go of me; he’s my anchor in the midst of my emotional mess.

When the emotion is gone, I lean my head against Rysden’s chest, not wanting to move just yet.

“Are you okay?” he asks softly.

I nod. “I’m sorry; I just—”

“Don’t you dare apologize.”

It’s quiet between us a moment. I finally tip my head back, so I can see those gorgeous dark eyes. “Did you really send Jamik and Hector to get my mother and brother?” He nods. “Why?” I repeat my earlier question.

He shrugs. “They’re your family. You won the trials; it was time.”

“But I thought you said they would be killed as soon as they came into the city.” He gives me a smile, but it’s full of mystery. I can’t figure it out. “What?”

“Jamik told the guards at the walls that they were Lady Mercy’s mother and brother. They let them right in.” My eyes widen. He tweaks my nose gently. “I told you, you were famous.”

“Not to all the guards,” I mutter. His expression changes, and I wish I hadn’t said anything.

“The guards that laid hands on you are dead, Farrah. They will never hurt you again.” The way he says it, I know they didn’t die easy deaths. But I don’t ask; I’ve learned my lesson with asking questions I don’t really want answers to.

“Farrah?” My mom’s soft voice pulls my attention away. I turn to face her, and Rysden stands beside me but keeps a hand on my waist.

“Hi, Mom.” I can’t help the smile that fills my face as I step forward and take her in my arms. She’s sturdier than I remember her being. I feel everything shift once again, and everything feels right in my world, at least in this moment.

She pulls back and brushes a hand over my cheek and stares into my eyes with eyes that seem clearer than I’ve seen in a long time. “I’m so proud of you, and I see you. I’m sorry it took me so long.” I close my eyes and will my tears not to come.

“It’s okay, Mom. You were grieving.”

“But I shouldn’t have fallen apart like I did.” She bites her lip, and I watch as her eyes fill with tears. “You had to grow up so fast; I was such a burden to you after your father died.”

“No, Mom. Never.” I shake my head. “You were never a burden to me.”

A tear drips down her cheek, and I ache at seeing it. “Thank you.” She takes a shaky breath. “Thank you for keeping us alive.”

“Mom,” my voice cracks. I pull her into my arms and hug her tightly. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Farrah.”

I take a step back, needing a break from all the emotion.

I step right into Rysden’s chest, but he makes no move to back away, so I don’t either.

His hand is still at my waist, and I wonder if this is going to be our new norm.

I could get used to it . I turn to face my little brother, who doesn’t look as little anymore.

His face is more filled out, and he looks healthy.

“Are you going to come greet your sister or keep stuffing your face?” I smile as I say the words and laugh as he takes another bite.

“It’s really good,” he protests.

I shake my head. “I’m sure it is; Hector’s a great cook.” I walk over to him and pull his chair out. Before I can say anything, he launches himself out of his chair and hugs me tightly. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “I missed you.”

“Missed you too,” he says softly. I squeeze him tightly once more and then let him go.

Kinsley stands up. “Can I give you a hug now?”

“Why not?” She launches herself at me, and I stumble back but Rysden stays steady behind me, keeping me standing.

“I’m so glad you’re okay.”

“Okay, enough emotion,” Harper says, picking up her bowl and pushing in her chair. “Come on, Kins. You’re with me.”

“You don’t have to go,” I tell them.

“It’s okay,” Kinsley says, giving me a warm smile. “We want you to be able to catch up with your family.” There’s a sadness to her words, and I hate that. But she gives me a warm smile and a wave before leaving the room.

“Glad you’re on your feet, Girl.” That’s all Harper says before she follows Kinsley out.

I make my way over to where a certain red-bearded man is stirring a pot of stew. “Thank you, Hector.” I reach out and hug him. He grunts a moment and then returns my hug before dropping his hands and stepping away.

“When is it my turn?”

I whirl around at the voice and stare in shock. My mind stutters because I literally cannot believe what I’m seeing. “Lox?” My voice breaks a little.

He grins. “In the flesh.”

And then I’m running. I launch myself at him. He grunts but catches me. “How are you here?” I ask when I step back. “You were...dead. I watched him gut you.”

Lox grimaces. “Okay, I don’t need to be reminded; I was there. I felt it.”

For just a moment, I see past the levity. “I’m so sorry, Lox.”

“I’m alive, thanks to the healers. I’m thankful to be anywhere, but I’m thankful to be back here.”

“We’re so glad you’re here too. I can’t believe you're alive.” My eyes narrow at him. “Don’t ever do that again, though. Nobody risks their life for mine.”

“Well, since I did practically die for you, maybe you guys can name your first-born child after me. Lox if it’s a boy; Loxetta if it’s a girl.”

I wrinkle my nose. “Loxetta? That’s a terrible name.”

“But Lox?” He wiggles his eyebrows. “You’re thinking about it.”

I turn to Rysden, but he shakes his head. “Don’t encourage him.”

I shake my head. “I’m starving. I'm going to get some food and then I’ll join you,” I say to my mom and brother. Rysden joins me in the kitchen. “Did you know? About Lox?”

“Not until he showed up this morning. About gave me a heart attack.” He stares down at me a moment, and I step right into him. He rewards me by wrapping those strong arms around me and pulling me close. I look up at him and meet his eyes. “Thank you for taking care of me.”

His eyes gentle. “Always. But are you sure you’re okay?”

I smile. “I am, Rysden. I really am, and I have you to thank for that. I can’t believe Lox is alive, and my mom and brother are here. Thank you. Seriously.”

“What’s my reward?” he asks in all seriousness.

It takes me a moment, and then I grin. “How about a kiss?”

“Yes.” His voice is low, almost a growl.

I reach up and put my hands on the back of his neck and tug his head down.

He pulls me closer, and our lips touch. Hunger ignites in me, as it always does whenever he’s around.

He kisses me with the same desperation I feel for him. I want him closer, need him closer.

“Hey,” somebody says right next to us, startling me into reality.

“Somebody better be dead,” Rysden growls not letting me pull away from him.

“Nope, not dead, but just giving you two kids a reminder that Farrah's mom is...you know, right there.” Lox’s words snap me back to reality.

I look at Rysden, surprised to find myself on the counter.

I didn’t remember that part. He steps close, well closer than he already is, and puts his hands on my waist and lowers me to the floor but doesn’t let me go. “So,” Lox begins.

“Get lost,” Rysden growls at him without looking away from me.

“Yep.” Lox disappears a moment later, and I can’t help my laugh.

Rysden stares down at me with intensity in his eyes. “What?” I finally ask.

“It’s really good to hear you laugh.” I pat his chest, because I know what we’re both thinking. There hasn’t been a whole lot to laugh about lately. I sober up quickly. “I need you to know something.”

“Okay.”

He takes my hands in his. “What happened to you.” His jaw tightens.

“It will never happen again. I realize why you thought you had to go with them, but never again, Farrah. You don’t protect everybody else while sacrificing yourself.

I will always find a way to protect you.

When I woke up and realized you were gone,” he pauses and cracks his neck. “I can’t believe Harper...”

I grimace. “I wanted her to do it.”

“I know. She told me.” He takes my jaw in his hand so very gently. “Never again, Love.”

I stare up at him. “Okay.” I reach up on my tiptoes and give him a kiss on the cheek. “I love you.”

His eyes never leave mine. “I love you more.”

I squeeze his hand. “I don’t think that’s possible.”

“It is.” His voice is so serious.

I tug on his hand. “Let’s go talk to my mom and brother.”

“I have a few things I have to do. You enjoy the time; I’ll be back soon.” He grabs a bowl and fills it with meat stew and hands it to me. “Make sure you eat.” With that, he kisses me again and then leaves.

I walk over to the table and take the seat across from my mother and brother, still in shock that they’re here. When I look across the table, my brother’s eyes are wide. “Are you going to marry him?”

I laugh but don’t answer, because my mom needs to hear a lot before she hears that announcement coming from me.

The last thing she knew of Rysden was him kidnapping and taking me away from them.

I decide to just attack it head on as soon as I eat.

I’m starving. “How was the trip here?” I ask in between bites.

“Good,” my mother says.

Zeph tells me about their adventures on the way here. All in all, it sounds like they didn’t have too horrible a trip. “I’m glad it went well.” I push my bowl away, finally feeling full. “About Rysden,” I begin.

“He’s a good man, Farrah.”

My mouth drops open, and I stare at my mom in surprise. “But he kidnapped me and took me from you.”

“And I’m sure by now he’s told you why...about his mother’s visions.”

“Well, yes, but,” I sputter.

“Farrah, do you know what happened that day, after they took you?”

I watch my mother carefully. “They dragged you away from me.” Even though I love Rysden, the memories of that day fill me with bitterness. “Our village was destroyed. You had no home, no food, no way of making it through the winter.”

“That’s true,” my mother says calmly. “And that’s why they came back just an hour or so later.”

“What?” I ask in confusion.

“Your Rysden and Lox and Hector came back.”

“To do what?” I ask.

My mother studies my face a moment. “I’m sorry you’ve lived with this for so long, that you didn’t know.”

“Know what?” I feel like if she doesn’t give me some answers soon, I’m going to lose it.

“They helped us, Farrah. They hunted and brought in enough meat to last our entire village for the winter. They helped us clean up. They burned all the bodies of the enemy and helped us bury all our dead. They did as much as they could, and it was a lot for one day. They talked with our elders and gave them a plan for rebuilding and helped us start the process. They helped us so much, Farrah. Your Rysden was at the center of all of it. To this day, I still don’t know how they got as much accomplished as they did in one day. ”