She stood in front of the looking glass, wearing a white dress. The fabric was light as a feather, and the dress didn't cling to her body like other dresses. The silver and cobalt blue embroidery on the bell sleeves and hems was beautiful. The dress was elegant in its simplicity. She struggled for a while with her hair but eventually managed to make a crown braid, leaving the bottom half untouched. She decorated the braid with a string adorned with colourful stones. She gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Memories of her time as a Queen quickly came rushing back, leaving a bitter-sweet taste behind.
She wasn't sure when it had begun, but now, looking at the woman staring back at her, she could bearly recognise her. Her appearance had not changed, but she had become a different person. The pompous and vain girl had now disappeared, making room for a woman who weathered good and evil.
She picked up the velvety silver cloak resting on the side of the mirror and draped it over her shoulders, and looked at herself one last time before she left the room. She seemed indeed elegant, approachable and dignified.
The sound of the door closing with a click snapped her out of her reverie, and she saw Ian approaching with slow steps looking at their reflection in the mirror.
" You look lovely!" he complimented with a coarse smile.
He could help himself but notice that she had discarded the revealing dresses she usually wore and turned to something simple yet elegant. She was still breathtaking in his eyes, but he refrained from saying it since their last conversation had been focused on the fact that he valued her beauty a little too much, as opposed to her as a person.
" Thank you!" she turned to look him in the eyes with a coquettish smile.
" Everyone will gather in the hall shortly, but before we go, I would like to speak with you," he said as he pulled her to the table where they had sat earlier.
He pulled a chair for her to sit down and sat opposite her. He wanted to ensure he could look her in the eyes while they spoke.
" Now that the sword is no longer with us, I'm no longer under its influence. I thought that you would like to know that nothing has changed. My mind is much clearer now. I don't feel the need to slit anyone's throat just for the sake of it." He confessed Ian's tone was even, and he keenly looked into her eyes.
Iris released a breath of relief " I love you, and I'm glad that things are slowly starting to fall into place. Now we can start to rebuild and mend all the broken fences." she grabbed his hands in hers, gently squeezing them. She held his gaze and didn't shy away. The smile on her lips stayed.
Ian smiled " I know things between us have changed and many more are yet to pass. I hope that once this is all over, we can return to the simple life we had before this happened. If that is still your wish." he said a little hopeful, and sat up from his seat.
Iris followed his lead and stood in front of him, still holding his gaze " I love you, and I hope that we can grow old together." he leaned in and kissed her lips. The kiss was tender and warm.
Iris smiled " We will, my love! Once this is over, I will gladly return to living a simple life with you!" she replied, caressing his cheek, lovingly gazing at him.
He took her hand in his " I'm sure that they all are there by now. We should go!" there was warmth in his voice, calm. His gaze on her was gentle, loving.
As they walked through the corridors leading to the throne Hall, Iris glanced at Ian from the corner of her eye, observing him.
His dishevelled appearance, long golden mane framing his face, the amber eyes shining from behind the stray fringes made him look roguishly handsome.
Iris found herself to be longing for the gentle and sweet man that she had fallen in love with, and slowly faded into darkness the moment he entered her world. Now he was remerging, trying to better himself for her sake.
The throne hall came into view as soon as they turned the corner. They stepped through the splendid golden double doors, and the two thrones that seemingly followed Iris everywhere she went majestically stood at the back of it. In front of the thrones on a short pillar stood a golden semi-circle with runic etchings on it. The hall was decorated in the same manner as most of the castle was, with emerald green walls and golden ornaments, precious stones incrusted in the intricately carved designs on the walls.
The voices of those in the hall could be heard from a distance.
Silence fell in the room when they entered, and the attention was turned on them. Everyone was attentively looking at him and Iris.
" We should all sit down!" Iris said as she waved at the oval table in the hall.
Ian sat at one end and Iris at the other. Everyone took a seat on either side of the table.
Iris looked at the people gathered around the table, smiled and cleared her throat.
" You may be wondering why you are here?" She paused for a moment and looked around the table once more.
Her demeanour demanded attention, the smile on her lips quickly fell, and her expression remained impassive.
" As you can see, Edýia and Haren arrived this morning. This may not be common knowledge, but Ian and I. We are no longer bound to our Kethars. They no longer exist."
Whisperers quickly spread through the room, mainly coming from Athan, Rhya and Tyla, who sat next to each other.
" Sadly, despite that little fact, they have left us some things we need to deal with. The witch is just a speck of dust right now. I strongly believe that Ellora, the place we call home, no longer exists as you remember it."
The whispering became louder " How do you know for certain?" Athan asked, looking a little distressed at the news.
" When I fell unconscious, I'm certain that I was pulled back to Ellora and what I saw was nothing but scorched earth, and terrifying creatures roamed the realm." she calmly explained, looking around the table.
Dakran stood up and pressed his hand on the table " So the creatures that have turned my land into ash are coming from your realm. Have I understood that correctly?" he calmly said and shuffled in his chair.
" I believe so", Iris confidently confirmed, her demeanour staying the same, calm.
" What do you intend to do about it? You are responsible for that realm. You are the queen. You should have controlled them or kept them within the realm. Instead, you are, prancing in your fancy white castle, worried about a measly witch." Haren accused maliciously
Iris's lips twitched imperceptibly " It is hard to look after a realm when you've been dragged and locked up in the belly of the Hollow." she retorted, a semblance of a smile on her lips.
Haren slumped in his chair, scoffed and waved his hand dismissively at Iris.
" Haren a modicum of respect. This no way to treat someone when you are under their roof." Dakran raggled, and sat back down in his chair.
Ian clicked his tongue. His eyes never left Iris for a moment. The air in the room was thick, unbearably heavy. One could easily cut it with a knife. They were only getting started " Before throwing your mud and stones. It would be nice to know the whole story. So quick to judge when you have been here for only...What? Half a day?." Ian calmly, nonchalantly interjected, leaning in the chair.
Iris let out a silent sigh of relief as everyone's attention was on him, and he nodded.
"Had we known what is happening in the North, we couldn't help you. As you can see, there are just five of us and if I'm not mistaken. You have been sitting with the solution to your problem under the same roof for eighteen years." Ian said, his eyes fixed on Edýia, who stared at the table in front of her.
Everyone turned their attention to Haren and Dakran, who stared at each other from the opposite side of the table.
They both looked at each other, a little surprised at his words. He knew he had struck a cord, and he was confident that the brothers knew what Edýia was capable of. They buried it deep enough so that no one would know, even the girl herself.