The Queen of Elysium

Chapter 80 - Saint Elissa

Most of the trees are naked, having shucked their colourful coats a moon ago and the shrivelled, brown remnants of their glory crunch beneath Elissa's feet. There is a bite to the air and a cool wind chafes at her cheeks.

Cavall sends the leaves scattering when he spots a squirrel and sets off in hot pursuit. Each day, the nights grow inexorably longer and already the sky is starting to darken. She calls the dog back to her side and heads back to the palace.

Inside her apartments, half of her inner circle are lounging in the reception room. Darish and Zane are playing Queen's Conquest, while Dusk leans in to help, or possibly hinder from the sidelines.

Tabbi and Talia are sat closely together on a chaise with sheets of parchment paper scattered around them. Drake and Bram are on a sofa next to them munching on sandwiches and occasionally chipping into the conversation. Meanwhile, Altair has his head buried in a book.

Ianthe, Dawn, the babies and all their paraphernalia are spread out in front of the massive hearth where a cheery fire is blazing. The twins are sat gnawing on finger food grasped in chubby fists and seem intent on leaving a trail of gooey handprints over the expensive rug.

Laid on his stomach, Baby Jin's blue eyes are fixed on a plate of goodies on the floor. Unable to crawl yet, he nevertheless wriggles like an eel and slowly inches forward.

Without breaking her conversation with Dawn, Ianthe scoops up her son before he can reach his destination. His silvery face takes on a ruddy completion as he starts to wail. She settles him into her lap and hands him a wooden toy to chew on. 

The chill from outside is more than dispelled by the warmth blossoming in Elissa's chest, brought from the comfort of being surrounded by people she loves.

Darish rises, crossing over the room to greet her, and kisses her cheek. "Can I get you a cup of tea?"

"Darish!" she chides, shaking her head, although a bright smile breaks across her face. "What about your game?"

His voice falls to a hushed tone. "I think I will leave them to it. I adore Dusk, but he does get a little possessive when I spend time with Zane."

"Let's get that tea then."

Arm in arm, they wander over to the sideboard to help themselves to refreshments before taking a seat together on the settee on the other side of Tabbi.

"How are the wedding plans progressing?" Elissa enquires.

"We are reviewing the guest list." Tabbi bites her lip.

Elissa cocks her head. "Is there a problem?"

Tabbi takes a deep breath. "Are you alright with us inviting Aren?

"Of course. I would l-like to see him," she stutters, just stopping herself from saying 'love to see him' as this would no doubt cause Darish to frown.

"And Drake's sister?" Tabbi's body tenses up, almost as if expecting a blow, while Drake freezes with a sandwich halfway to his mouth.

"You don't have to walk on eggshells around me. I have made my peace with Belinda and I wouldn't dream of stopping her from being there on your special day."

Tabbi visibly sags and Drake grins before shoving the morsel in his mouth.

Even Talia lets out a relieved breath. "I am looking forward to seeing my brother and his family for mid-winter."

"Ah, yes." Darish's gaze flits about the room, avoiding eye contact. "I should mention that Dusk and I will also be going away for a few days."

"As will we, for Jin is overdue his first visit to the ocean," Ianthe pipes up from the floor.