Chapter 224: A new day

AYLA

"What is going on here?" My mother asked, her eyes fixed on Amara. "What are you doing in my daughter’s chambers?"

This would be the first time they were encountering each other again since everything that had happened happened and the air felt charged with a million and one things and none of them remotely good.

"I was just leaving."Amara straightened.

"That does not answer my question." my mother retorted.

"Mom, Amara came to bring me something." I gestured toward the table. "She brought me a brew for my headaches."

My mother’s gaze moved toward the bowl.

She immediately approached the table and picked it up, examining the liquid carefully before bringing it closer to her nose and sniffing it.

Then she looked at Amara.

"What is this?"

Amara’s expression remained calm.

"As Ayla said, it is a brew to help with her headaches and dizziness."

My mother looked down at the bowl again.

"And what is in it?"

"A mixture of herbs." Amara answered.

"Which herbs?"

I closed my eyes briefly...Oh, goddess.

"Mom."

"One moment, Ayla." she raised her hand, effectively cutting me off.

"There is nothing harmful in it, Brenna."Amara sighed.

"Then you should have no problem drinking it."

"Excuse me?" Amara blinked.

"Take a sip." my mother took a step closer to Amara. "It is harmless, is it not? Then you should have no problem taking a sip of it.

Amara looked at the bowl then she smiled faintly.

"Very well."

She took it from my mother’s hands and without another word, she raised it to her lips and took a long gulp.

I watched in surprise as she lowered the bowl and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

"There."

My mother studied her for several seconds, without speaking.

Her eyes moved over Amara’s face, as though she was waiting for something to happen.

Nothing did and Amara remained standing exactly where she was.

Finally, my mother nodded.

"Well." she folded her arms. "It would seem the brew is harmless after all."

"As I said."Amara smiled tightly.

My mother took the bowl from her then she stepped aside.

"You may leave, witch."

Amara’s expression changed.

I thought she might say something but instead, she looked at me.

I gave her an apologetic look.

"Get some rest, Ayla." she turned and walked toward the door.

My mother watched her every step until Amara opened the door and left, closing it quietly behind her.

"Mom, what was that?"

She placed the bowl on the table.

"What was what?"

I stared at her.

"You know exactly what I mean."

"Ayla, I do not trust that woman." she shrugged. "She worked with Lucius, have you forgotten that? And now she is skulking around the palace and entering your chambers whenever she pleases."

I took a breath.

"Mom, Amara helped me escape Lucius. I am grateful for her help.

My mother stepped closer.

"Ayla, I know you have been through a lot. I know you want to believe that everyone who helped you has your best interests at heart but I have lived long enough to know that people are rarely as simple as they appear."

I looked away.

The irony of my mother’s words were not lost on me.

Only minutes ago, I had been so sure Amara was up to no good and now I was wondering if I had been unfair to the woman.

I was beginning to think I would never have a peaceful moment again.

"Anyway, I hear you have been unwell." my mother said.

"I am fine," I said.

"Are you?"

"Just headaches and a little dizziness. Nothing I cannot handle."

My mother reached out and pressed the back of her hand against my forehead.

"Really?" I laughed.

"Hold still."

I obeyed as she pressed her hand all over my forehead. "Well, you do not feel warm."

"I am better now" I told her. "I could be dying but who knows?"

"Do not joke about that." she snapped sternly.

"Sorry." I muttered.

My mother sighed then she reached up and adjusted a loose strand of my hair. The gesture was so unexpectedly gentle that I found myself going still.

There had been a time when I would have given anything for my mother to look at me this way, to worry about me.

"I really am fine, Mom."

She looked at me for a moment then she nodded.

I glanced toward the window.

It was already quite late.

I turned back to her.

"Speaking of which, you are visiting pretty late."

My mother looked away without answer but I could see her cheeks reddening in that moment.

My mother was blushing!

I was pretty sure it had nothing to do with me and more to do with the question I had just asked.

"Mom?" I neared her. "What have you been up to?"

"Nothing." She cleared her throat.

I raised an eyebrow.

"Then why are you avoiding my eyes?"

"I am not avoiding your eyes." She looked directly at me and I grinned.

"Oh, goddess." she slapped both hands to her cheeks. "Well, I..."

She took a breath.

"Kieran and I had a date."

I froze, my eyes widening.

"A date?"

My mother nodded, her cheeks pink.

"You went on a date!" I gasped.

"Lower your voice." my mother snapped.

I could barely believe what I was hearing.

I knew something was going on between them but I did not think...

An actual date that had my mother grinning like a little girl?

Oh, this was wonderful.

I grabbed my mother’s hands

"Ayla, what are you doing?" She laughed nervously.

I smiled and pulled her toward the bed.

"Sit down, Mom."

"Why?" My mother stared at me, her eyes wide.

"Because you are not leaving this room until I hear every single detail."

I sat beside her, still holding her hands.

My mother shook her head, but she was smiling and the blush on her cheeks had only grown deeper.

I leaned closer.

"Tell me everything."