Chapter 152: Nereida’s Journey
Their vow renewal done, Nereida and Aella were escorted to the banquet hall by an honour guard, their children following. Soon the guests would be brought to the banquet hall to eat dinner and dance, and the endless parade of well-wishers would come forward. Nereida felt like a giddy child as she hung on to her wife’s arm. Aella was breathtaking in her fine uniform, her hair done and devotion shining in her eyes. It was worth the socialization that they would soon be forced into.
“Gifts,” Basiano declared. “Before the masses arrive and shower you with congratulations and gifts of their own, your families have things they wish to give you in private.”
Nereida grinned at her brother, and, with an exaggerated whisper, she asked if he was gifting Aella something purple. Aella flushed red to her hairline, and Basiano laughed, a deep, wonderful belly laugh.
“That is between Aella and I,” he quipped, and Aella looked as if she were trying to escape into the floor itself. Queen Creusa looked from Basiano to Aella, and when no explanation was forthcoming, she looked to Matthias. But the golden-haired Admiral shrugged.
“Daughter,” her mother was pushed forward by a servant. She embraced Nereida, and then Aella, who stood stiff and ill at ease. “New daughter. I gift to you my vacation cabin, where you wintered with your family, so that should you return, you have a home of your own that is not within walls that once held you against your will.” Queen Creusa stiffened at that description, her discomfort clear.
“Thank you, mom,” Nereida whispered, kissing her mother’s head. “I love you.”
“And I you, no matter where your heart takes you.”
Basiano and Queen Cruesa stepped up together.
“Mothers outrank even queens,” Queen Cruesa said with a knowing smile. Nereida’s mother lifted her glass in acknowledgement.
“We drew straws,” Basiano said with a grin. “I’m afraid, little sister, that I drew the short straw.” Queen Cruesa motioned to Matthias, and the man sprang to attention, bringing with him a small parcel. He carefully, almost reverently, handed it to Aella. She pulled the bright paper back slowly, undoing the ribbons with gentle care, until she revealed the present itself: a ship in a bottle. Both Nereida and her wife peered into the bottle. The name “Dragon’s Tooth” was painted on the tiny little ship in tiny letters.
“Beautiful craftsmanship,” Aella marvelled. “Thank you cousin.”
“Oh, sweet Aella, this is merely the placeholder.” The Queen smiled, watching Aella for a reaction. Nereida gasped, grasping first what the Queen was giving her. When Aella did not do more than look up, quizzical, the Queen continued in a soft voice. “She’s yours, cousin, for whatever grand adventure you must go on next.”
“She… the… Tooth?” Aella made a strangled noise as she tried to get more words out.
“You are not a pirate any longer. The ship is yours by right, for as long as you live, or until you pass it to your heir.” Queen Cruesa smiled softly. “No strings, cousin.”
“Th.. thank you!” Aella only barely managed to get any kind of word out.
“And I’d like to add my gift, if King Basiano will indulge me,” Matthias interrupted. He paused, waiting for permission. Basiano chuckled and nodded. “It is to come with you, on your mad little quest, and spend my days as a mere officer on your crew, until the quest is complete.” He grinned like a mad fool. “Spikey Griz’ll take the Knave and remain behind to make sure her Majesty’s returned home safe.” He winked at Nereida. “Always good to have a friend at the table, is it not?” She laughed.
“I’d be delighted,” she told him truthfully. Aella gaped at him like a fish pulled from the water, before her usual grumbly self managed to peek through.
“If you must,” she sighed. He shook her hand.
“Oh, cousin,” he declared, pulling Aella into a hug that left her squawking in indignation, “we will have such a grand time.”
Basiano came to Aella’s rescue, shooing Matthias away.
“My gift to you both is two fold,” he declared. “First, officially, as King, I have set aside lands for your children to inherit one day, should they wish. You, Nereida, will own not only the vacation home, but Grandfather’s Lighthouse Keep up the coast and all coastal land will be the purview of your descendants forever.” He smiled at her, a small, almost lost and sad smile. His eyes shone with tears. “Just…come to visit. And… my gift to you, as your brother, as someone who sees what you are trying… even if I cannot, yet, forgive…” He breathed out, and just handed Aella a formal document. Nereida looked over her shoulder, trying to understand what she was seeing.
“Caleb’s commission….” Aella breathed. “You… are giving him to my service?”
“For five years. If he wants his honour returned, he goes with you, for five years. Or… he goes to his parents.” He looked uncomfortable, airing their dirty laundry before Queen Creusa, and Nereida almost called him out on it. But he was Bassi, and he was hurting.
“I’ll speak to him,” Aella said. “Thank you.”
“I’ve not forgiven him.” His words were quiet, so quiet. “But… I can at least understand. I need time.” Nereida nodded, her heart aching, but she did not question or push further.
Egaz came to the rescue, bouncing forward with their gifts; tiny necklaces they had woven out of embroidery threads with the help of their grandmother, one for each mother. Epelda and Jules gifted them pearls on silver chains, the pearls from the seabed where Jules had grown up. Her brothers Leevan and Ango, gifted them gold and provisions for their journey. Caleb hung back in the shadows, clearly unsure if he was welcome, if he was family. His children, torn between their fathers, avoided both men and simply played with their cousins, dancing as the musicians began to play. Others trickled in, nobles and crew alike. Ignoring some of the older nobles, who sniffed in disdain at being ignored, Nereida tore across the floor to Evander and Dymion. She threw her arms around Evander, who grunted in surprise. He pulled back a little, his smile at war with his teary eyes.
“Touchy-feely princess,” he greeted. “I missed bein’ mauled by ya.” She laughed, a weight lifting from her shoulders. He looked fine, no worse for wear. She hugged Dymion next, the short gnome grinning ear to ear.
“Tell them boys that I tended the garden for them,” Dymion’s voice was rough with emotions.
“I will,” she promised softly. “Unless you want to tell them yourself?” The boys were bounding over, dancing forgotten.
Before dinner was served, a line formed to bring gifts to Nereida and Aella. She stood beside her wife, smiling until her face hurt, as nobles came to deliver presents, boxes and boxes of things to help a starting household. One woman, a noble from the northern community, gifted them wooden toys for their children. Another gave them silk sheets, another yards and yards of high quality fabric so they could get new clothing made and yet another gave them a heavy box of silverware. Nereida thanked them all sincerely, though she could tell Aella was fading fast. This was too much for her wife. Still, she pressed on for Nereida’s sake.
Caleb’s parents approached, bowing low. They offered their congratulations in cold voices, the smiles painted on their faces not reaching their eyes. They handed her a wrapped box, and turned to leave without waiting for her or Aella to open it. Nereida placed it on a pile of other wrapped gifts, knowing she did not have the time to unwrap everything if they wanted to have dinner before children started to complain. The two nobles did not even spare a glance at their son, before they left the event, their fancy cloaks billowing back in a wind that Nereida could not feel.
It was the only blemish to an otherwise perfect evening. The food was amazing, and the cooks had done a wonderful job toning down the spice for those who were unused to it. Caleb sat with Dymion and Evander, the three men were chatting and seemed to get along. Epelda and Jules sat at the head table, the young siren man looking ill at ease even as he smiled shyly at any who approached. The first dance Nereida shared with Aella, a soft waltz. Their bodies pressed together as Aella led, and the world melted away for a few precious minutes. Then the dancing began for others. Nereida retreated to the table where she could watch her sons dance. They lacked the grace and restraint of their cousins, but their joy was infectious, and soon all the young children were dancing with wild abandon instead of using precise steps. A few of the very old nobles, as if moved by memories of their youth, joined the children, laughing as they did.
Matthias came to request a dance, bowing with a flourish. Nereida said yes, of course, because she truly did like the man. But he laughed.
“Not with you, beautiful,” he replied. “Admiral? I’ll let you lead.” He twinkled at her and she grumbled, but she went just the same. Nereida giggled, watching her wife on the dance floor, a grumpy expression on her face while her eyes shone with amusement. Nereida danced with each of her brothers. They held her tight, each of them, their bodies warm. They were happy, if only for the moment, though Basiano’s eyes shone with tears, and he didn’t speak when they danced. Nereida told them each that she loved them, and that she would visit when she could. She danced with Caleb, despite his protests that being seen with him would hurt her brothers.
“You are still family,” she whispered to him fiercely. “And even if they can’t see it, if I don’t dance with you, it will get people talking. No one wants that, no one needs that. I’ll dance with the other spouses too, but you are the only one who was my friend before you were my in-law. Come on.” He relented, and some of the tension melted from him as they moved to the floor. For a few moments, he got to be family, and she smiled at him.
“I’m glad we are friends again,” she whispered to him as the song ended. He looked down at her with surprise, his mouth open, his eyes wide. She didn’t expand on that, but left to go dance with Jules, making a statement that he was family too. The poor boy had never danced on land before this night, and they had, somehow, neglected to instruct him. So he stepped on her toes, stepped on his own toes and nearly managed to fall. She smiled at him, promising lessons if he wanted to learn “for later” and she was rewarded with him flushing a soft violet colour.
“Go back to her, son,” she urged softly. “Invite your wife to dance.” He stammered thanks, still purple, and hurried back to Epelda’s side.
Aella only danced twice more, dancing with Egaz and Alejo. Both boys giggled as she patiently taught them how to follow.
“Dancing is good footwork practice,” she told Alejo. The boy lit up at that, and allowed his step mother to dance with him. Egaz needed no prodding, and he grabbed Aella’s hand and tried to lead her in his half-made-up dance routine. Nereida giggled watching them, her heart soaring. The joy settled on her like a warm blanket. The party went to the wee hours, and Nereida was ready to drop by the time they left. She and Aella finally retreated to their room, the boys and Epelda having left hours earlier. Aella helped her out of her dress, gently, slowly, and then the two of them collapsed into their bed, making love gently, slowly, until they fell asleep tangled together beneath warm sheets. This had been the perfect night.