The Wolf's Queen Vows

Chapter 184: Velkynara’s Happiness

But Lirael did not smile. She moved away from the table.

"Have you discussed this with Father?" she asked, walking closer to her mother.

Velkynara met her eyes. "Your father gave his permission as a condition."

"What condition?" Lirael asked.

"That I bring you three with me. He will not let me leave for Lycanthria without you girls. I have to train the heiress to use her magic."

Lirael glanced at the twins. They were already whispering to each other about what clothes to pack. She looked back at her mother.

"Do you truly have to go to train the heiress of the Werewolf King? Could they not find someone else?" Lirael queried.

Velkynara shook her head. "It is not a request, Lirael. It is a summons. The High Priestess of Lycanthria sent a formal writ sealed with the temple wax. I cannot defy it. And I do not wish to."

"You sound happy about it," Lirael said.

Velkynara paused. She looked down at her hands, then back at her daughter. "I am happy. I have not left this kingdom in years. I have not seen the outside of these walls except for the gardens and the training grounds. I miss the road. I miss new places."

"You miss Lycanthria," Lirael stated.

Velkynara nodded. "I do. I spent years there as a young elf. I learned more about magic during those years with the Sisterhood. It is a relief I get to do what I have always loved."

She reached out and touched Lirael’s arm. "You would like it there. And there is someone I want you to meet."

"Who?" Lirael asked.

"The heiress I am to train. Her name is Aveloria. She is close to your age. Her mother, Queen Lyra, was my closest friend during my years in Lycanthria."

"I know about her, Mother."

Velkynara’s face softened. "When she passed away, I made a promise to help protect her children."

Lirael looked at her mother. She saw something in her mother’s eyes that she had not seen in a long time. It was not just happiness. It was hope.

"You and Aveloria could become good friends, the same way I was friends with her mother. You have the same quiet nature. The same careful way of thinking."

Lirael did not answer right away. She looked away from her mother back at the twins. They had stopped whispering and were now watching her, waiting for her response.

"Fine. I will go if it makes you happy."

Velkynara squeezed her arm. "Thank you."

Lirael nodded once. She did not want to leave her home. She did not want to travel to a kingdom of wolves. But she had watched her mother fade into something smaller over the past ten years.

Velkynara had been a warrior once. A teacher. A traveler. Now she was just a wife among so many concubines. A quiet Queen to a king who never respected her.

So if going to Lycanthria would bring back the person her mother used to be, then Lirael would go.

The twins burst into motion immediately.

"I need to pack all my dresses," Lysanthia said. freёweɓnovel.com

"And your warm cloaks," Lirael added.

"Is Lycanthria cold, Mother?"

"The winter season should be near," Velkynara answered.

"I will pack three cloaks, my boots with the fur lining. And my drawing sheet. There will be new things to draw." Lythrissa said.

"We will get lots of drawing sheets there," Lirael said.

"I wish I could teleport this entire library," Lythrissa waved her hand at the shelves. "Just fold it into a small box and carry it with us."

Lysanthia rolled her eyes. "That is the dumbest thing you have ever said."

"It is not dumb! It is practical. There are books here that do not exist anywhere else." Lythrissa shot back.

"You cannot teleport a building! Everyone knows that!" Lysanthia argued.

Lythrissa countered. "I did not say teleport the building. I said teleport the contents."

"That is the same thing."

"It is not!"

"Enough!" Velkynara raised one hand.

The twins stopped talking immediately.

"There will be books in Lycanthria. The King has a library. The temple has one too."

"Is it big?" Lythrissa asked

Velkynara responded. "It is smaller than this one, but it has many texts on different histories and magic. You will not run out of things to read."

Lythrissa’s shoulders relaxed. "That is acceptable," she said.

"Good," Velkynara said. "Now go—both of you. Start packing. We leave by the end of the week."

The twins did not wait. They ran for the door. Lythrissa stopped at the threshold and looked back at the shelves one last time. Then she disappeared into the hallway. Lysanthia followed close behind, her hair bouncing with each step.

The door closed.

Velkynara took Lirael’s hands in her own.

"Will it be just the four of us traveling to Lycanthria?" Lirael asked.

"No. I am taking five elves with us."

Lirael nodded. She looked down at their joined hands.

"I know you do not want to leave," Velkynara said quietly.

"This is the only home I have known."

Velkynara squeezed her hands. "I know. And I am sorry for that. But Lirael, listen to me."

She waited until Lirael looked up.

"Home is not just a place; it is the people you carry with you. Your sisters will be there. I will be there. And I will not let anything harm you."

Lirael’s throat tightened. She did not speak.

Velkynara continued. "You are afraid. That is fine. Fear is not weakness. Fear is a sign that you understand the risk. But do not let it stop you from seeing what is on the other side of these walls. There is a whole world outside this kingdom. And you deserve to see it."

"What if I do not like it?" Lirael asked.

"Then we will come back," Velkynara said. "Your father’s condition was only that I bring you with me. He did not say how long you have to stay. If you hate Lycanthria after one month, I will send you home with the guards. I promise you that."

Lirael looked into her mother’s eyes. She saw no deception there—only honesty.

"One month," Lirael said.

"One month," Velkynara repeated.

Lirael took a slow breath. Then she let it out. "Okay."

Velkynara smiled. "Thank you." She embraced her tightly. "You have no idea how much this means to me."

Lirael did not say anything. She pulled away after some seconds. She nodded and walked toward the door.