The sunrise was beautiful out the tower window. Evelyn sat quietly, watching the birds sing as the sun rose to meet the deep emerald tree tops. A stream of golden light cast a warm green shines, and made the lovely birds colors pop against their environment. The tea in her porcelain cup sent gentle swirls of steam into the air. Her eyes closed as those warm earthy notes washed over her senses shaking the dark dreams from her mind.
Behind her in the doorway, Clovis stood quietly leaned against the frame. Though her heart was still bleeding, and sadness was still evident in her aura he could see it healing. The total sadness he had come to know as his mother had brightened since they crossed into Shadow Veil, and honestly, he wasn't sure he wanted to go back. This land had done so much for both his daughter and his mother. He couldn't help but wonder what would happen if he took both his mother and his daughter to the arctic lands he had just returned from.
"Do you plan to stand and watch me all morning, my Son?" Eve asked, never turning to look at him. Clovis chuckled and pushed himself off the wall and approached his mother.
"I am sorry, Mother. I was enjoying the view." He replied, his tone jovial and teasing as he sat beside her. "What are you thinking about so intently this morning?"
Eve sighed deeply glancing at her son. "I am thinking about your Grandmother, The Empress Dowager. I miss morning tea with her." She replied, being honest as she dare. There was so little she missed from home, it hadn't been her home in such a long time.
"I understand, honestly I miss her too. Yet, I don't regret us leaving. Father needed to understand he couldn't keep letting those women make decisions for us." Clovis replied pouring himself a cup of tea himself and topped off her cup. She smiled and nodded at him in gratitude.
"I don't either. I bowed to their judgement to distract them from you and little Raina. I never dreamed that snake would go after the egg to destroy a flightless bird. Especially after you clipped your own wings." Eve replied, sadness once again pouring off of her. There was so much regret in her face and manner. Clovis laughed darkly.
"Mother, it isn't your fault. They should never have came after us once we walked away." He agreed softly.
"Those boys treating Raina like that… anyone weaker than they are. They can't become the Emperor, the people will suffer. How does your father not see that?" Eve asked honestly at a loss. Clovis took a deep breath working over a few things in his mind.
"To be honest, I agree that my eldest brother has no business leading, but Alexi…" Clovis frowned softly. "I think he would do fine, if he wanted it. My other brothers are too bull headed, I agree."
"Alexi's little wife is quiet though and his son is very young." Eve pointed out and Clovis laughed.
"Lyra learned early that by playing meek and quiet she would be ignored by the queens, and she has hidden her son well. He is almost Raina's age." Her eyes widened as she realized the truth of her son's words.
"Your right… how could I have missed it?" She asked and he chuckled.
"Alexi keeps younger children around as his son's playmate to make the harem forget how old the boy is. He plays with Raina now and again and is a very good child. He shares, he has respect and speaks with a level head. Raina adores him, but they see each other very seldom." Clovis revealed as he sipped the tea and made a bitter face. Eve laughed and took a ball of sweet powder and dropped it into the cup.
"Try that, my boy. I adore you, but you should know by now I prefer bitter tea." Eve chuckled as he swirled the cup. The hot liquid dissolved the glass and curved the bitterness.
"I thought perhaps now that you felt less bitter, you might like sweeter tea." Clovis teased, but regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth. The look on her face was as though her very heart was filled with shame.
"Clovis, I was never bitter about what your father did. I can't hate him." Eve whispered, her tone so quiet that he could barely hear her. She reached out and gently caressed his cheek. "He gave me you, and your sister. Your father… was a good man till those women twisted his view. He loved you and Vella as well as little Raina. Perhaps it's time to tell you how it came to this. I need you to promise you will wait till I finish to interrupt." Eve told her son who frowned. There was surprise in his eyes as he realized what his mother meant.
"Alright, I am listening, Mother." Clovis replied settling back as though he was unaffected by what was to come, but every nerve in his body trembled in anticipation.