April 3, 1178
Fenrick did not typically indulge his niece by being a compliant playmate, but today--as the mourners and well-wishers and passer-by filed out of the house at last--Geneva had taken him by the wrist and dragged him to the toys and he'd followed without protest, even if only halfheartedly. Not that Eilyssa would have expected more than a half-hearted effort. Not with what they said about twins. Poor boy had spent the past three days missing a piece of himself and he was never going to get it back.Her father had returned home that afternoon just in time to say goodbye before the light in Lornian's little eyes flickered out, just in time to see Celina crawling back into bed, complaining that she was feeling warm again. She barely made it through the next morning.
Now short two siblings, Eilyssa had spent the past couple hours at the side of her stepmother--who was now short two children. She'd scarcely said a word since Lornian had died and even fewer since Celina, but that was fine. Words were insufficient anyway."I'll bring Geneva over tomorrow." It wasn't much, but it was something. "I'll bring her every day if you want. She and Fenrick seem to be..." What? 'Having fun' wasn't the right phrase. Fenrick wouldn't be having any fun for a while. But at least he had a focus, sort of. At least he wasn't wondering around mindlessly searching for his twin like he'd been yesterday.
Alsina nodded and Eilyssa took to sharing a glance with her brother, seated nearby. He hadn't spoken much either, but he seemed to be coping better than his mother was. But that was to be expected, wasn't it? It hit the parents worst. If anything were to happen to her own daughter, Eilyssa doubted she'd have the strength to get out of bed.Her brother had their father's eyes. He had Alsina's eye color, but they way he stared had Aldhein Denvus written all over it. He could speak in stares if words did not suffice, and he was doing that now.
A pity that his mother wasn't looking.
"We could spend the night if you like." That wasn't an imposition, was it? In her head it had sounded like an offer... "You and Father could take a break. Fenrick and I can watch... uh, Fenrick."It used to be that Alsina would laugh over the name confusion, but nothing was funny today. "Thank you."
Her father's eyes darted from her husband to her and he nodded. Eilyssa's mouth twitched, but she hadn't quite smiled. Her father hadn't either.
She didn't think any of them would be smiling tonight.NEXT CHAPTER:
