Bernice's heart thundered with a thousand emotions. She clenched her fists to stop herself but she couldn't stop when she heard "mother" from Emma's lips. She rushed to meet Emma. She stopped right in front of her for a moment and then the two hugged each other tightly. No words exchanged between them as mother-daughter embraced, wrapping their arms tightly around each other.
"Mother…" Emma murmured as tears dropped from her eyes and fell on Bernice's tunic. Bernice stroked her daughter's hair softly, gently, as she pressed kisses to her face. When Nephie had entered the portal, it was instantly reported to her that she had come with a girl who looked like her and a little boy. At that time, she was with the queen who was complaining to her about a clutch of three dragon eggs that hadn't hatched for nearly a hundred years.
"My baby…" Bernice said. All her emotions had rolled her as she touched her daughter, her own blood. She had a thousand dreams on what she was going to say to her daughter once she met her, but all of them washed in the reality of emotions. She couldn't come up with a single word.
When both of them had cried hard, Bernice pulled away and held Emma's hand. "I know that you must be having a thousand questions to ask me, but know this—" she wiped her tears. "I thought of you every day. I was bound to stay in Yizinia because the king and the queen didn't allow me to go out."
Emma's lips quivered as she tried to smile to assure her mother that it was all okay. Bernice tugged her to the nearest couch and they sat down. Ivy appeared on the door and watched the two of them with affection in her eyes. "Can I get you something?" she asked softly.
"Yes Ivy," Bernice replied with a grin through her tears. "Please get some of your best cakes and pastries and mint tea."
"Yes, prospectress." Ivy bowed and went to the kitchen.
Bernice turned her attention to her daughter. "How was your journey?"
"It was fine. Too windy," Emma giggled as she wiped her tears with the napkin that her mother handed her.
Bernice's lips curled up. "That little boy is Drogo's son?"
"Yes," Emma said quietly, not knowing how her mother would take it up. "His name is Angus."
Bernice chuckled. She read her emotions. "Don't worry. I didn't expect Drogo to stay single after I left him. I knew he would marry again. So how is your other mother? I hope she loves you just as much as I love you."
Emma's throat dried thinking of Avice. She shook her head. "Let's talk about other things."
Bernice narrowed her eyes and then thought that this wasn't the right topic to start with at the moment. "Okay. So tell me about what finally brought my daughter here? I was craving to meet you and when Nephie had to fly out to be with her mate, I got the opportunity. I asked her to meet you and hoped that you would come back to me. And I think God answered all my prayers today." Her voice had gone hoarse with pent up emotions.
Emma swallowed her saliva down. "Mother…" She bit her lip, not knowing how to start. "I want to tell you everything, but can I have a private audience?" She wasn't sure about others but she had become too anxious at Wilyra with people snooping around her.
Bernice jerked her head back. She contemplated Emma's request and found it odd, but she said, "Of course!"
Ivy entered with a tray of various pastries and juices. She placed it on the table in front of them and after bowing, she went away.
Bernice offered Emma the pastries. "First, I want you to eat. Is Angus sleeping? Can I send Ivy up to wake him up?"
"He is too tired. I think we should let him sleep," Emma responded.
"Sure. But how come you brought him with you? I mean Drogo isn't the kind who would allow his children to come to me." Bernice gave her a glass of fresh orange juice.
Emma sighed. She didn't reply immediately and sipped her juice. Bernice fell silent knowing that perhaps this was a very sensitive subject. Once they finished eating, she took Emma to her bedroom. Closing the door, she said, "No one can hear us over here. This is sound proof." With so many dragons around Yizinia, it was essential to have soundproof rooms to cut noises they made all the time if one had to sleep at all.
Emma was amazed that her mother lived in a room that was devoid of luxuries. A double bed adorned a corner with rugs running on all sides. There was a long table with various amber liquids on it and a fire hearth that was glowing as fire crackled in it. There was a small couch and two chairs in front of it. Bernice took Emma to the chairs and made her sit. "I want to hear everything Emma. I have missed you so much that I want to hear about your little adventures that I missed, even if that is as little as catching a fish with bare hands."
Emma laughed softly. She looked at her mother with adoration and started. "Father married Avice after you." She went on to talk about how she was sold to Lord Lazarus to save Angus's life and then all that happened up till now.
Bernice listened to all of it without interrupting her even once. It was almost dark. She had only got up twice to fill her glass with wine.
She had no words on what Emma had suffered for so long. "I am so happy that you've found a mate, Emma." She felt assured but still it wasn't enough after all that Emma said about the political climate of Wilyra. And what Drogo did was simply horrible. In the end, she asked, "Where is Lord Lazarus now?"
"He is in Wilyra and stands trial against something he didn't even do or had a hand in," she cried. "I don't know why King Victor hates his so much!"
"It's simple, Emma. He doesn't want Lazarus to succeed him. In fact, he doesn't want any of his sons to succeed."
"What do I do to help him? He sent me with Nephie to Yizinia, but I am just too worried about him."
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