“You guys ready for the night? Are you sure you’re still okay with me staying out tonight? I know we’ve never been apart for a whole night before.” I asked the kids for the hundredth time as I hurriedly braided Elena’s hair into a French braid, her brand new cupcake pajamas making me smile. She looked so happy and content after their day out with their grandparents, a day I was yet to hear the full detail about, and I was so happy she was happy. Adrian too, who was currently actively trying not to roll his eyes at my enquiry, looked happier and more relaxed than he had ever been. It stung a bit to know that I hadn’t been able to give my children such dazzling happiness and obvious security, but only just a bit. Because I was also happy they had someone other than me. Still wary, yes, but after the long talk I’d had with Atlas today, I as feeling a bit more settled. Now I just had to get through the night.
“For the hundredth time, YES, mother. We’ll be fine. We’re not little babies anymore. I’m sure we can survive one night without you telling us to brush our teeth before we sleep. Isn’t that right Ellie?” Adrian responded, pulling his attention away from the television screen. We were in the sitting room were the snacks were laid out for their ‘Epic Movie Marathon’ with Atlas, who would be babysitting them while I went away to talk with Leukas. I had packed the overnight back which had appeared with a servant, along with a simple note that informed me that we would be staying out for the night for privacy. For some reason, that made me nervous.
Elena gave me a long hug and a kiss before responding. “Yes mom, I promise we’ll be fine. And you look so beautiful!” she added enthusiastically bouncing on her toes as she looked at me, making me flush. After dropping off the kids, Lanthe had insisted on taking me clothes shopping as soon as we could both make it but I had still bought my own clothes from home so I didn’t mind much. I was wearing my best jeans; blue skinny jeans, a pink cashmere sweater that Lander had once forced upon me and I’d never worn before and black knee-high suede boots. My hair had been braided by Elena into a simple long braid.
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“Ohh hush.” I responded, checking the time on my watch. “Your dad and Atlas should be here any minute now. But remember to behave and anytime you feel unsafe or uneasy about anything…”
“Call me!” they finished in exasperated voices. Even Elena gave a little sigh.
“Call me. Right. And you guys be good okay?” the doorbell rang before they could respond and Adrian jumped up, muttering a quick ‘thank heavens’ and bounded towards the door, ignoring my scowl. A giggling Elena followed his enthusiastic departure, leaving me to take deep breaths of nervousness on my own. I looked around the new house which even though was received two days ago, already felt more like home than our little deserted cottage ever did, with a mild sense of dread because even though I wished it didn’t, a lot depended on how this night out with Leukas went.
Harpah barged into the house first, something that didn’t entirely surprise me after spending some time with her the previous day, a long suffering sigh leaving her mouth when Elena hugged her enthusiastically, but I could tell from the smile on her face that she wasn’t that bothered by the hug. After rolling her eyes at Adrian who, also unsurprisingly, rolled his eyes right back at her, she faced me and looked at me assessing and I couldn’t help but also look at the girl who looked so eerily like my own daughter but was, as I had come to learn, quite different from her. Her nails were painted a bright red as opposed to their bare form from the previous night and her hair was, seemingly quite professionally, done into a complicated but rather beautiful bun that I personally thought was too fancy for a sleepover. Her pajamas were like Elena’s, but were decorated with dark storm clouds in place of the unicorns and she had matching fur boots on.
“Hmm, elegant and beautiful but not too desperate or sloppy. I like that.” She finally said regarding my outfit before marching towards the living room, Atlas who seemed to be carrying various pink and black bags which clearly belonged to Harpah staggering dramatically behind her before heading to Elena’s room. Leukas was hugging both his kids and our eyes met briefly over their heads before he looked away.