Isle of Beasts and Shadows (The Forgotten Isle Saga #1)

Chapter 24

Airella awoke the next morning with a start, feeling the rhythmic movements of the horse beneath her. Startled, she realized she had been leaning against Sirius while unconscious, a wave of gratitude washing over her for his support. As she straightened up, she took a moment to gather her thoughts, reflecting on the events of the previous night.

“About time,” Sirius remarked, breaking the silence that hung between them.

Airella remained silent, her attention drawn to the gentle patter of rain around them. She then noticed the dark cloth that bellowed around her, feeling the softness of the fabric and catching a faint whiff of his lingering scent. Sirius had given her his cloak, a protective gesture that caused her face to grow warm, a blush creeping up as she realized the depth of his kindness. She shook away the feeling and observed the familiar trail they traversed.

Suddenly, an inexplicable sensation swept over Airella, causing her to scan the surrounding tree line for any signs of movement. Though she only caught glimpses of birds darting among the branches, an eerie feeling of being watched persisted for what felt like an eternity. Unable to shake the unease, she mustered the courage to voice her concerns.

“Sirius—”

“I know,” Sirius responded, his voice laced with a hint of growling intensity that hinted at underlying frustration or anger.

Airella’s mind raced to decipher the source of Sirius’s agitation, realizing that only one person had the power to incite such a reaction besides Duran. Confusion clouded her thoughts. How could this be possible? Hadn’t they left everything behind on the island?

“Are you sure we’re heading in the right direction?” Sirius questioned warily, his voice laced with a hint of uncertainty, as he guided the dark horse along the winding trail. Riding was not his favored means of travel, a fact made clear by the absence of any untamed horses roaming the secluded island. With Airella visibly weakened by the effects of the enigmatic drug, Sirius took it upon himself to lead the horse, while she, with a determined look in her eyes, provided him with directions towards her village, nestled on between a great lake and the shoreline, far removed from the imposing castle they had left behind.

“We’re here!” Airella cheered as she gracefully slid off the horse.

Sirius followed suit, his landing a tad less graceful. Airella removed his cloak from her shoulders and quickly handed it to him. He brushed the dirt from it with a sheepish grin. Together, they made their way to the weathered old door of the small cottage.

Just as Airella raised her hand to knock on the door, a raspy voice pierced through the air from inside the cottage, announcing the imminent arrival of its occupant. The aged woman, her hair a faded blonde, swung the door open, her green eyes wide with disbelief as she laid them on Airella.

Sirius observed the unfolding scene, his gaze shifting between the two women. In one swift motion, the woman enveloped Airella in a tight embrace, her voice filled with a mix of relief and overwhelming joy.

“Oh, Airella! We were so worried! It’s a blessing to see you safe and sound,” she exclaimed, her grip almost suffocating Airella.

Struggling to catch her breath amidst the intense hug, Airella managed a smile, her words slightly muffled. “Mother, we need to lie low and seek refuge here for a while.” The weight of their situation hung heavy in the air, shrouding the small cottage in an aura of secrecy and uncertainty.

“Of course. What is going on? Who is this?” Elizabeth looked towards Sirius, her brow furrowing in confusion as he drove his scythe into the hard ground, the metallic clang echoing faintly in the air.

“My name is Sirius,” he stated, a hint of solemnity in his voice, nodding respectfully towards the woman.

His gaze shifted down, landing on a small boy peeking out timidly from behind Airella’s frail mother, his eyes wide with curiosity. Meanwhile, Airella and her mother engaged in a hushed conversation, their words blending into a soft murmur in the background. Airella was catching her mother up to speed, no doubt.

The entire exchange swiftly faded from Sirius’s consciousness as his attention became fixated on the blonde child standing before him. A peculiar sensation washed over him, like a whisper of foreboding brushing against his senses.

In a sudden vision, Sirius witnessed a younger boy, tears glistening in his eyes as he gazed up at a towering, shadowy figure shrouded in mist. The creature’s eyes glowed with a mesmerizing violet hue that seemed to cut through the surrounding darkness. The damp walls of a cavern dripped with cold water, the stale scent of mildew lingering in the air. Empty barrels and a tray of untouched bread and food items lay scattered nearby, while an old, straw-filled bed occupied one corner of the cave.

“Are you afraid?” the figure inquired in a deep, unsettling voice, its words resonating with an otherworldly quality as it circled around the boy.

The young child, around eight years old, shook his head slowly. His pallid skin bore the marks of neglect, a stark contrast against his unkempt, dark black hair that fell in disarray over his shoulders. Malnourishment had left him frail and weak, his yellow eyes reflecting a sense of weariness beyond his years.

“Is that so?” the figure intoned, its misty hand gently resting on the boy’s slender shoulder. “Tell me, are you afraid of Miscreants?” The question hung in the air, its weight suffusing the dimly lit cavern with an aura of uncertainty and dread.

The boy shook his head again in silence, a gesture that had become almost second nature to him. He slowly looked down at his shoeless feet, feeling the rough ground beneath them. All that he wore was a worn-out pair of black trousers, the fabric frayed at the edges from years of use.

His mother had disappeared just months after he was born, leaving behind a void he could never fill, and he had never known who his father was. He only had access to small amounts of food, just enough to survive, and learned to talk by listening to various conversations he had overheard in the past, absorbing words and phrases like a sponge. Moreover, he lacked any education and, above all, he lacked any emotions. He was nothing but a boy who lacked the knowledge of how to cry. Although, deep within him, he found a simmering hatred for his parents. How could they have just abandoned him to this harsh world? The unknown answer to this question was the only thing that drove this child to continue on with living.

“You are something else, boy,” the shadowy figure laughed with a voice that sent shivers down the boy’s spine. The young boy watched as the figure hovered in front of him, a dark silhouette against the dim light.

“What’s your name?” The frail boy watched the creature with wide and curious eyes, trying to make sense of the strange encounter. The black mist shifted closer to him, tendrils reaching out like wisps of smoke.

“My name is Conivx,” the figure declared in a low, ominous tone, “but you, Alikad... can just call me Father.”

Sirius shook his head, his mind racing with confusion and uncertainty, as he turned to face Airella. Her expression had shown that she had just asked him a question, her eyes reflecting concern and curiosity. What type of vision had just washed over him? Unfortunately for Sirius, he had recalled none of the fragments of his childhood, a mystery that haunted him to this day.

The image of the peculiar child and the enigmatic figure known as Father lingered in his thoughts, casting a shadow of doubt over his memories. The child in the vision resembled a young dark-haired Sirius, and the connection felt inexplicably strong. However, Sirius couldn’t help but wonder why this peculiar child was with Father, and what role they played in the intricate tapestry of his past.

“Well, Sirius? Are you coming in?” She waved her hand, the gentle breeze ruffling her hair as she sought to draw his attention.

“Yes, sorry.” Sirius shook himself from his reverie, his eyes meeting Airella’s before he made his way towards her and the entrance of the quaint little house.

Airella couldn’t recall a time she had seen him lost in thought like that before. Perhaps the weight of their newfound responsibilities in this unfamiliar kingdom was weighing on him.

In that moment, Arii dashed into Airella’s outstretched arms, his youthful exuberance palpable. “I’ve missed you so much, Airella. It’s been forever since I last saw you—now I’m twelve!” Airella couldn’t help but smile at the boy’s infectious energy. “I know, you’ve grown so much!” Her fingers combed through his sandy blonde locks, noting the striking resemblance between his emerald eyes and her right one. They shared a depth that seemed to mirror the boundless nature of the sea.

Unlike Airella, Arii appeared entirely ordinary, much like their mother. His features bore no hint of the mysterious lineage that ran through Airella’s blood, yet his presence was a comfort to her.

“Please, make yourself at home. Any friend of Airella’s is a friend of ours.” Elizabeth’s frail form radiated warmth as she ushered a stunned Sirius further into the living area. “You can call me Elizabeth,” she introduced herself with a soft smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Thank you,” Sirius replied, his voice quiet yet tinged with curiosity. His gaze, a striking gold against his pale complexion, held a glint of intrigue, though his expression remained impassive, betraying little of his inner thoughts.

“I’m absolutely overjoyed to have you back here, dear. You wouldn’t believe how much money we’ve received from Aramore since you’ve been gone,” Elizabeth exclaimed with a smile, her eyes lighting up as she gestured towards Airella.

“Enough for your medication?” Airella asked curiously, a glimmer of hope shining in her eyes.

“Oh, yes.” Her mother gleamed with gratefulness. In that moment, Airella felt a heavy burden lifted off her chest. Airella felt such a relief to know that she had successfully achieved her primary goal at the start of her journey.

As the day slowly transitioned into evening, Airella took her time to narrate every single detail of her adventures to Arii and her mother. Both of them listened intently, their faces reflecting a mix of awe and curiosity, as if she were weaving an enchanting tale for them.

Airella spared no detail, recounting her encounters with Zol, Sirius, Duran, Jonathan, and Father. With each word, she painted a vivid picture of her journey, ensuring she didn’t leave out a single moment.

As the narrative approached its conclusion, a bittersweet feeling settled in Airella’s heart. She gently touched the glass necklace that held Jonathan’s soul, a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made along the way. Determined to honor his memory, she shared every detail about him with Arii and her mother, their gazes shifting towards Sirius after the tale was told.

“No way,” Arii exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief as he leaped up from his seated position on the ground, leaning in towards Sirius with curiosity and excitement. “Are you really a Miscreant?”

“Well, yes,” Sirius hesitated, his eyes fixed on Airella. “I prefer the term reaper.”

“Are you going to eat us?” Arii’s voice was a mix of curiosity and fear as he leaned in closer towards Sirius.

“Arii,” Elizabeth scolded, swiftly grabbing the mischievous child by the ear. Airella couldn’t help but stifle a laugh, finding the situation more amusing than alarming. Despite the lingering doubts, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Sirius, with his human-like demeanor, was more than just a mere soul-eating Miscreant. He had so much compassion and an open heart, unlike any of the other Miscreants that lurked on the isle.

“Though you are quite the handsome one. So mysterious.” Airella’s mother chimed in with a hint of playfulness.

“Mother.” Airella’s cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and amusement at her mother’s antics. She took a quick look to see Sirius’s reaction, but his expression was unmoving.

Elizabeth chuckled, glancing at the darkening sky. “I’m just making fun. Would you look at the time? It’s nearly sundown,” she remarked, signaling the end of their conversation and the impending arrival of nightfall.

“Can I practice with that?” Arii pointed at Sirius’s scythe, his eyes wide with curiosity and a hint of mischief.

“Arii, that wouldn’t be a good idea. Why don’t you go get ready for bed?” Airella responded, her voice tinged with a touch of concern as she watched him dash off to another room. She couldn’t help but recall the countless times he had sneaked into their father’s weaponry cabinet; it seemed like a natural inclination for him.

“Mother, Sirius and I can’t stay long. We’ll leave first thing in the morning, and you and Arii have to come with us. This will be the first place the soldiers will search once they realize we’re no longer in Aramore. It’s not safe here anymore,” Airella disclosed, her expression a mix of determination and worry.

Elizabeth paused, lips pursed as if she already had sensed this moment was coming. “I understand, dear. We’ll pack what we can carry and leave with you first thing in the morning.” Elizabeth replied, her smile warm and reassuring. “No matter what happens, I just want you to know I love you so much. I know your father is watching over you and feels the same way.” With those words, she enveloped Airella in a tight hug, conveying her love and protection.

“I love you too,” Airella murmured, savoring the embrace before gently pulling away. A sense of foreboding lingered in her heart, a feeling that this peaceful moment might be the last for a while. “I have a question,” she began slowly, her eyes searching her mother’s face. Her voice carried curiosity tinged with a hint of longing as she asked, “Why didn’t you ever tell me about Father and what he really meant to this kingdom?”

Elizabeth stepped back with a sudden moment of shock, her heart skipping a beat in response to her daughter’s question. Reflecting on the past, Elizabeth admitted, “I wasn’t always proud of the things he had done. He wasn’t the epitome of perfection. My priority was ensuring you had the best childhood possible. I’m sorry.” Despite her remorse, Elizabeth couldn’t help but notice the protective quality of Dawnbreaker by Airella’s side, a silent guardian as Lysander had foreseen.

Airella, grappling with mixed emotions, cast a fleeting glance at her sheathed axe. Feeling unsettled, she murmured, “I think I’ll turn in for the night. Goodnight,” managing a gentle smile after planting a soft kiss on her mother’s cheek.

“Sleep well, dear,” Elizabeth reciprocated, her gaze following Airella as she made her way to her room. The weight of her insufficient explanation lingered heavily, a promise to her late husband binding her tongue from revealing the complete truth.

Airella turned to Sirius, who had been engrossed in the family portraits, and motioned towards her room. “This way,” she breathed.

Opening the door, a wave of nostalgia washed over her, the familiarity of her surroundings comforting her soul. Settling on her bed, she savored the sense of homecoming, cherishing every detail of the room, the house, the village, and its skeptical residents. As she glanced up, she noticed Sirius lingering in the doorway.

“You must be tired. Do you want to share the bed with me?” she asked shyly, her voice barely above a whisper. Hastily covering her head with a blanket, she stuttered, “I mean, it’s either the bed or the floor.”

Sirius’s eyes widened in surprise, his heart skipping a beat at the unexpected proposition.

“Nothing strange, just an offer for a more comfortable rest,” Airella clarified, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She couldn’t deny the fluttering in her heart, the unspoken hope that he might accept her offer.

After a moment’s hesitation, Sirius’s expression softened. “I’ll manage,” he replied calmly, though the tension in the room was palpable. He opted to sit on the floor, trying to mask his own racing thoughts.

Airella turned away, pulling the blanket tighter around her. The room fell into a hushed stillness, each second stretching into an eternity. Minutes later, she sensed the mattress dip unevenly, signaling Sirius’s quiet acceptance as he settled down beside her.

Their breaths intermingled in the silence, the proximity igniting sparks of unspoken emotions. Airella’s heart pounded in her chest, and she dared to peek from beneath the blanket. Sirius lay beside her, his gaze tender and filled with a depth of feeling that took her breath away.

She reached out tentatively, her fingers brushing his. He responded by entwining his fingers with hers, the simple touch conveying a world of unspoken promises. In that moment, surrounded by the familiar comfort of her room and the warmth of his presence, Airella felt a sense of belonging she had never known before.

As they drifted into a peaceful slumber, their hearts beat in unison, the beginning of a deeper connection forged in the quiet intimacy of a shared bed.