Yizinia looked… alive. The streets bustled with people on errand. Nephie walked through the cobbled streets that were wide enough for two dragons to walk side by side. There were hawkers selling all kinds of wares. Extravagant carriages rolled beside her with girls wearing expensive gowns and men in flashy suits in them. Most of the storefronts were glass and gilt. Emma was naturally attracted to them.
"Your mother would be proud to buy you a lot of those, Emma," Nephie said through her bond. "She's been really wanting to see you from a long time."
As Nephie passed through the streets, the market squares gave way to large theaters and slowly the landscape changed into huge townhouses, each of which stood on a small hill. A dragon with green wings and peacock blue scales passed them. He bowed to Nephie and walked past. His rider, a man with light gray eyes, looked at Emma and smiled at her. Emma smiled back, smoothing her dress.
"That's Duke Jordan. He is Xina's rider," Nephie informed.
"Where is mother?" she asked, looking with wide eyes at the beautiful green city that was nestled in a valley of snow mountains. She was also intrigued as to where the dragons lived. Several dragons flew in the clear blue skies above. Some breathed fire, while some breathed ice to douse that fire. Emma was mesmerized.
"Patience Emma," Nephie chuffed. "Bernice's house is around that corner."
Nephie took graceful steps on the cobbled feet. Rounding a corner, she came to stand in front of a huge house that stood on a small hill that was covered with various hued flowers. "That's it," Nephie said.
Emma's heart filled with excitement, nervousness, panic. Goosebumps lined her skin as she looked at the entrance of the house. She caught the reins tightly to stop her hands from shaking.
"This is the most beautiful place I have ever seen," said Angus. "This is better than Wilyra!"
"You should dismount now," Nephie said. "Bernice isn't in the house. She is in the royal palace with the queen."
Emma let out a rough exhale. "So her name is Bernice."
Nephie grunted that was more like her chuckle. "Yes, your mother's name is Bernice."
"And she knows the queen?"
"She does. She knows both the king and queen. She is a very special woman, Emma. She is a dragon rider and we dragons choose our riders before we hatch. The connection between us and the dragon rider is deep. Bernice is one of those very few who I chose."
"But I thought you were…" Emma pursed her lips.
Nephie snorted. "I am not so old!"
Emma stifled her laugh and got down. She helped Angus to get down from Nephie. With her fists clenched to her sides, she walked down the brick path that was lined with petunias that looked like butterflies gone haywire. As soon as she was near the huge oak door, it opened and a girl with light green eyes and dark hair came out. Wearing a yellow cotton gown, she bowed to her excitedly. "You must be Emma!" She looked over her shoulder nervously as if looking for others. "Please come in. We've been expecting you!"
Emma caught Angus's hand and walked inside. She was expecting to see dragons everywhere only with a few humans, but this place was different.
"Your room is right there," she said, pointing to the left stairs. "Oh!" she slapped her head. "I forgot to introduce myself. I am Ivy, your maid!"
Emma gave her a nervous smile. "How did you know I was coming?"
Ivy glanced at Angus. "Your arrival was announced as soon as Nephie entered the portal." She canted her head and broadened her smile. "You may like to take a bath. I will send hot water for you in a few minutes."
"What about Nephie?" Emma asked, not knowing where a dragon would be parked in this house.
Ivy chuckled. "She will be taken to the stables behind the house. Please come. I will show you the room."
Emma was surprised to see that a room was ready for her. It was cozy with the fire in the fireplace that was freshly lit. Her bed was in the right corner. It was small and single. "What about Angus? Where will he sleep?"
"He will be in the room right beside this one!" Ivy said as she opened an interconnecting door. The room on the other side was identical. Angus let out a squeal and rushed inside his room. "Get ready fast Angus!" Ivy called him. "Lunch is ready!" She closed the door and turned to Emma. "I will be leaving you now. If you need anything, let me know."
Emma's lips curled up at her hospitality. "When will mother be here?"
"She will be here for lunch."
As soon as Ivy went, Emma sat on the bed and exhaled. It had been a two-day long ride. She remembered Nephie saying that it would be a two-day long ride. But she also recalled that Nephie had mentioned that a portal needed to be created. When they reached here, a portal was already in place. Did they know that she was coming?
The door opened and a flurry of servants entered with buckets of hot water. Soon Emma was in the scented bathtub with her head resting at the edge. She couldn't help feeling anxious about meeting her mother. She wanted to know why she left her and not take her. There were a thousand more questions that she was going to ask.
Emma wore a simple blue gown, braided her hair and knocked on Angus's door. When he didn't answer, she opened it quietly only to find that he was snoring on his bed with a towel wrapped around his waist. She chuckled. He was too tired and after taking a bath, he must have slept off. She covered him with a blanket and closed the door softly behind her before exiting.
When she reached downstairs, she stopped in her tracks when a woman with hair as golden as hers, but taller than her, was standing at the door. Wearing white tunic and black trousers with knee high boots, Bernice looked every bit regal and a dragon rider.
"Mother…" Emma rasped as she tried to blink away tears from her eyes.
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