Page 62 of My Eternal Light

Kyrn stepped in and Portia closed the door behind him.

Oron stared, not saying a word.

The queen’s expression was tight. “Explain yourself Kyrn Vi’Evlyer.”

Zadie took in everything she could about the man. For a fae he seemed, unkept. His hair was pulled back but tangled. His clothes looked as though they once had a lot of thought put into them. Now, the cuffs were frayed, and the entire robe looked worn. Worn, yet clean.

Oron sat back down as if his legs could no longer support him.

Kyrn took a half step forward as if to help and stopped himself. “I heard about the posting for a squire for House Eirson. I know I have no right, but I dared to hope that I could have a chance to serve again.”

Darian’s face was twisted in a snarl. “Where in the hell have you been? He had no one from his family!”

Kyrn dropped to his knees in the face of Darian’s rage. “How could I approach him? The family I served betrayed our queen and our people and not only did I not see it coming, I was not able to help him. I could not show my face to him.”

“So, you simply left?” the queen asked frostily.

He nodded, his head hanging. “I did not deserve to stay amongst our people.”

Izzy turned to Ryuu and whispered something. The man nodded and left the room.

“Do you think you can serve House Eirson again? How could we possibly trust you with its children?” the queen demanded.

His head came up and tears began to trickle down his cheeks. “There are children?”

Zadie looked to Kincaid, and he nodded. Either this guy was an amazing actor, or he hadn’t played any part in what happened with the kids.

Motion from the back corner of the room had Zadie turning. Meryn was being led back in with Ryuu.

Blinking she zeroed in on the fae on his knees.

“Whoa.”

Everyone turned to look at her.

The queen straightened. “Do you see anything?”

Meryn walked forward slowly. “Oh.” She stopped when she was standing in front of him. She placed her hands on either side of his face.

Meryn turned to Cas. The fae woman, stepped forward. “Violet. Regret. Emerald green and swirls of yellow. Guilt and hope.”

Meryn looked down at the man. “Fields of purple hyacinths, I know that means regret, but,” she smiled. “There’s hundreds of dragonflies going from flower to flower.” She turned to Ryuu. “I think that’s hope.”

Ryuu nodded looking very proud. “Dragonflies can represent hope, change or new beginnings.”

Meryn turned and walked to her squire wrapping her arms around his waist. “He’s like you were, when we first met.”

Ryuu, with no indication that her affection bothered him in the slightest, held her close. “He was waiting to die.”

“Can he be trusted with the children?” Darian asked, his anger cooled by Meryn’s words.

The smaller woman nodded decisively. “I wouldn’t trust anyone but him. He would die for those kids.”

Kyrn expression hardened. “I will not be fooled a second time.”

The queen looked from Ryuu to Cord. Both men nodded.

“Kyrn Vi’Evlyer, few men ever have the chance at redemption, do not squander yours,” she said, then smiled. “Welcome home.”