by Ben Alderson
“So much has changed,” Hadrian agreed, rubbing his smooth thumb against my ring.
“I must admit I’m feeling terrified right now.”
“Frightened of your home? After everything you have faced, Petal, I know you are not scared.” The Niraen guard who had taken us here opened the door to the carriage and extended a hand for Hadrian to get out. I noticed the new emblem he had embroidered onto his purple uniform. It was the antlers of an elk. In memory of Fadine.
Instead of taking the guard’s hand Hadrian thanked him and climbed out alone. Hadrian walked around to my door, smiled through the window and opened it for me. “Come on, we will do this together. I am here every step of the way.”
Without thinking my body moved, took Hadrian’s hand and climbed out. My eyes still pinned to the door of my home. I could imagine Fa preparing the morning fire and Mam making fresh breads as she did every morning. What would they think of me when they saw me? Would they recognize the person I had become? Would they be proud?
Hadrian guided me with a smile towards the rickety gate and pushed it open. The familiar squeak settled the nerves in my stomach. Even this far down the line, Fa still had not oiled the rusted hinges.
We walked up the small, slabbed path towards the front door. Every step I took, my heart beat faster. I expected the door to fly open, but I knew better. Neither Mam nor Fa would hear us approach. Not with their morning argument over what meats to cook before the day starts.
I pulled Hadrian back, dropping his hand and rubbing my own down the deep plum jacket that I wore. It was held together but gold painted rope and had multiple buttons and clasps covering it. Even my form fitting trousers screamed riches. Something my family had never had. And now here I was, standing before my home, but not the same as I was when I left it.
“Do I look ridiculous?” I asked him.
“Even with a funny hat and oversized shoes, you could never look ridiculous. Stop worrying my love and let it happen. When they see you, they will not care what you wear, or how you look. It will be the last thing on their mind.”
“I hope so,” I breathed, trying to calm myself down.
“Ready?” Hadrian smiled down at me.
I nodded, and he took my hand again, walking me all the way to the step before the scratched, dark wood door. Hadrian step aside and silently waved me forward.
My knuckles hovered over the door for a paused moment. My mind raced with possibilities. Then I heard them, Mam shouting to Fa about something mundane and pointless. My heart warmed, and all my anxieties disappeared.
I rapped my fist against the door three times, wondering if I should do a forth. Before I could even contemplate it further, the door swung open to the back of Fa’s head.
“Let me deal with this.” Fa turned around and laid his eyes upon me. His face morphed through many emotions before settling on pure shock. His eyes filled with tears, something I had never seen before. Then in the next breath, I was in his arms, and he was screaming for Mam.
“What is all the fuss,” I heard her say but my head was buried in Fa’s strong arms. “Oh Goddess…”
Mam snatched me from Fa and held me close. This time, she was buried in my embrace.
“My son,” she cried, tears staining my velvet jacket. “You have come back, my son, my son.”
It was a chorus of tears and heavy breathing as the three of us didn’t let go. I heard doors of neighboring homes open and hushed whispers about Prince’s and caught some even clapping from their doorways.
When they finally pulled back, they caught Hadrian standing in the corner of the pathway. It was Fa that rushed over to him, wrapping him in a hug. Mam soon followed. They accepted him as their own in that very moment. I stood watching from the top step as they all laughed and clapped hands on backs. My heart could have exploded at that second.
Hadrian was guided back to the door with Mam on one side of him and Fa on the other. They ushered us inside, closing the door to the outside world.
“We have been so worried,” Mam said, taking strands of my hair in her fingers and twisting like she had done most evenings back when I was here.
“I know,” I said. “I am sorry for making you worry. I am sorry I ever had to leave.”
“None of that,” Fa said, squeezing my shoulder. “You have nothing to apologize for. You are home now, you both are.”
Hadrian wouldn’t stop smiling whereas I couldn’t stop crying. Seeing them all together, as ridiculously as it sounded in my mind, was a dream come true.
Mam straightened her apron. “Goddess I have never had a Prince in this house. I suppose I should put some tea on.”
“Ale will do fine, dear,” Fa said to her as he guided Hadrian and me to sit by the fire. He called for Mam to join us.
We sat before the warm fire, boots off as it warmed out toes. Fa gave us each a tankard of home brewed ale and sat back down with his own.
“We hear you have been on quite the adventure,” Fa said. “Why don’t you tell us all about it?”
“It is a long story, Fa,” I told him.
His smile was honest and true, beaming from one ear to the other. “My son, we have all the time in the world.”
Fa was right. Time was finally on our side.
With a big breath I readied my mind and told them everything.
We shared our story for the first time, Hadrian’s hand in mine as we recited it from beginning to end.
To everyone who trusted me with this series and allowed me to tell my truth. Woven amongst the words are secrets I have never shared, stories I never dared to tell. Until now. You have each given me the strength to write this world and I thank you with all my heart.
I love you.
I adore you.
I thank you.
See you in the next world I create.
About the Author
Ben Alderson is a collaborator in the NYT bestselling anthology, Because You Love to Hate Me. He grew up in Berkshire, England. In addition to writing, Ben also runs Oftomes, a successful micro-publishing house. He enjoys reading, traveling, Greek food, music, and anything fantastical. Visit Ben on the Web: www.benjaminoftomes.com.
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