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“Mama!” Xaden beamed, grinning as he looked up as his mother. He was turning eleven years old today, he was such a big boy now. His grin beamed as he looked over at the counter, seeing her whisk cake batter. “When does the party start?—Ooh is that chocolate cake?” He began lightly bouncing on his heels in excitement, big onyx gold-flecked eyes staring at the dark-chocolate.
“Hmm, well, not that I can tell you, but it’s something you’ve been having for ten years.” Talia hummed, looking down at her son. He wasn’t super tall yet, but she had a feeling he’d grow taller than her someday.
The smile she had barely fell, as she looked back at the bowl.
“So it is chocolate cake!” Xaden beamed, and at any second he would be asking for a taste of the batter. Talia has memorized this pattern for years, but she didn’t need him delaying the baking time. So, Talia quickly turned and began pressing ticklish kisses to the top of his head and cheek.
Mwah! Mwah! Mwah! She smooched him until he began giggling.
“Mom! Stop it that tickles!” He laughed, playfully pushing her back. Talia stood straight again as she smiled at him, seeing the happiness in his still youthful face, looking so much like a smaller version of his father, just with her eyes.
She sighed, shaking her head. “Your friends are coming over soon, go help your auntie and cousin set up! Your father will be out to help you two soon, and your uncle will be arriving shortly.” Talia went back to whisking the batter, as Xaden ran out of the kitchen giggling, dressed in his finely tailored navy-blue tunic, the stitching almost like scales.
The moment Xaden left the kitchen, Talia’s smile dropped. How much longer did she need to keep up this act? The woman was miserable. Today she was leaving, and she wanted to bring her only son with her, but at the same time.. She didn’t want a walking reminder of Fen.
Talia pursed her lips, gripping the bowl and whisk tighter.
🍰🍫
“Auntie! Auntie!” Xaden was practically glowing as he ran into the dining room, where Bodhi was half asleep in one of the chairs, and Bodhi’s mother—Auntie Mahari Durran—was taking napkins out of a neat little box.
Xaden counted the amount of plates at each seat. One, two three, four.. Xaden counted at least maybe twenty or so plates. However Xaden wasn’t sure, he counted the same plate twice and missed three plates.
But he’ll know when all the guest show up, he was sure of it.
Auntie Mahari looked up after she placed the box on the table, the polished wood stained red with the black and gold paintings of the Goddess of Love, Loial, sitting atop a rock and gazing off with her soft, loving eyes, her braids long and cascading down her back.
“Oh! Xaden, what a surprise. I thought you were baking with your mother. Oh, well, no harm in joining us! But I have a job for you,” Mahari quickly rushed over to Xaden, and grabbed the next box—same red stain, same goddess, just different pose. It was longer and bigger than the previous. Mahari opened the lid and checked inside, before nodding to herself.
“Since you are becoming a big boy today, I want you to set the cutlery. The spoon goes on the left, the knife and fork go on the right.” Mahari put the box down on the table, open for Xaden to see the shining bronze cutlery they’d be eating with.
He glanced at Bodhi, not knowing if he had done anything or not. But again.. His cousin looked tired, like he had barely slept. Maybe he was decorating the invitations last night, they were more detailed than most Aretian art pieces when he saw them this morning, so maybe Bodhi was tired from that.
Xaden shrugged as he took a fork, spoon, and knife out of the box, and began setting each and every single one with care. The moment a utensil tilted, he immediately straightened it out, and made sure the others were too. He was precise with everything, the spacing, the placement, it was clear the little man wanted everything perfect.
Once Xaden finished, he looked towards the dining room doors and watched as his Uncle walked in. A big grin grew on his face as he ran over, exclaiming happily. “Uncle Abhay!”
Uncle Abhay looked over at Xaden, and grinned back. He bent his knees, arms out wide as Xaden ran into them, the two hugging. Xaden was engulfed by his uncle’s huge arms—Abhay wasn’t a small man, he was quite big, bigger than Fen or Garrick’s dad, and he was definitely funner. “You’re growing so big already!” Abhay chuckled, lifting Xaden as the hug continued. Xaden laughed as his feet left the ground, lightly kicking in the air.
“Put me down, put me down!” Xaden demanded playfully, as Abhay put Xaden down and placed his hands on his hips. Xaden then looked at Abhay’s arm. “What’s that?” he asked as he stared at the black tattoo that wound up his arm, going all the way up to his neck.
“Just a little something to show the love for our province and Goddess,” Abhay shrugged, as Bodhi seemed to jolt fully awake right then. As Abhay turned his arm to show Xaden his new tattoo—almost like a relic with swishes and swirls, written in between inked banned “For Love, We Fight And Sing” in cursive Tyrrish—Bodhi got out of the chair, the legs screeching against the floor, as he bolted straight to his dad.
He bumped into Xaden, throwing his arms around Abhay as he hugged him. Abhay grunted as Bodhi’s head smacked right into his stomach, before letting out another chuckle. “Hi, kiddo. Heard you stayed up late last night when your mom said to go to sleep.” He said, as Xaden scowled at Bodhi, before going back to admire Abhay’s tattoo.
“I didn’t mean to, I just wanted to make sure my present for Xaden was perfect.” Bodhi said quietly, as Abhay ruffled his dark, coily hair.
“Aht aht, I said we could perfect it earlier this morning you little trouble maker,” Mahari looked over at her son, nephew, and her husband while placing down the napkins, halfway done now—with the same habit of Xaden, needing it perfect. “Growing boys need their sleep too.”
“Not too much, Mahari, he’s just trying to make sure his favourite cousin has the biggest, bestest, and most wonderful birthday ever!” Abhay lifted Bodhi into a hug, embracing his son with a small spin. Xaden looked up at the two, now beginning to pout.
He is the birthday boy, but he didn’t get a spin? Favouritism!
“Xaden, how about you go check the door? See if Garrick is here yet, and you, him, and Bodhi can go play?” Mahari asked after setting the last napkin, bringing her onyx braid over her shoulder, tucking loose strands behind her tawny-bronze ear.
Abhay put Bodhi down, and looked back down the hallway. “I don’t think the Tavis’s will be here. Mairi’s maybe, but not the Tavis’s. They got some business with the..” Abhay paused, before beginning to snap his fingers, trying to remember. “That family either had an H or G in their name.”
Bodhi parted his lips to speak, before Xaden got there first. “Gamlyn’s?” He blurted the question, tilting his head curiously. Bodhi’s mouth shut immediately, frowning as he glanced at Xaden out of the corner of his eye.
“Yes. Yes, the Gamlyn’s. Thank you little man, gods you are shaping up to be such a good Duke for Tyrrendor already!” Abhay smiled at Xaden, his snapping stopping. Xaden beamed, before he grabbed Bodhi’s hand—unaware of his cousin’s sadness—as he dragged him down the hallway. “Anyways the Tavis’s have some business with the Gamlyn’s, over some property. No clue why, and don’t want to know why.”
Mahari nodded, watching the boys run off, before pushing in the chair Bodhi had been sleeping in. “Grey’s family has some nice farming land, so maybe it’s to see if the Gamlyn’s can get some land or not. We’re coming up to a time where we do need farmers, anyways.” She shrugged, walking over to Abhay. “But the Mairi’s have some business too, I think. But I think that’s just Kristen. Isaac is probably bringing the children over right now.”
“Oh? What business?” Abhay gently grabbing Mahari’s waist, looking into her sandy-brown eyes.
With a sigh, as Mahari placed her hands on Abhay’s chest, gently gripping at the fabric of his tunic, she began to whisper. “Allegedly, Kristen has managed to get on Graham Aetos’s nerves. That’s all I know.” Mahari looked around Abhay, watching as Xaden gripped onto the door knob, looking back at Bodhi as the two boys were deep in conversation.
Abhay pressed his lips together, as he looked back. “Then the boys are either probably opening the doors to nothing.. But maybe then we can kick ‘em outside. Get them playing, there’s no need to be inside when you can just play.”
Mahari rolled her eyes, as Xaden looked towards the door.
🍰🍫
“But no one knocked, Xaden.” Bodhi said, arching his brows as Xaden twisted the knob. Xaden rolled his eyes, glancing back at Bodhi.
“I just know someone’s outside, stop doubting me!” Xaden exclaimed, as Bodhi crossed his arms, his frown becoming a tiny scowl.
“What if it’s a big, mean scary venin? And it eats birthday boys?” Bodhi asked, as Xaden began opening the door, before abruptly pausing, the door open a crack. Xaden thought of an answer, then looked back at Bodhi again.
“Then you’re next!” He said, as he pulled the door open quickly. The only thing the two saw at first was someone wearing dark purple, like venin do in the stories. They both let out a yell at the same time, as the woman turned around, eyes wide before she covered her mouth, masking a laugh.
“Oh, sorry boys. Didn’t mean to scare you.” Tracila’s shoulders shook, as her eldest, Katrina, looked around her at the two. “Was just making sure my girls had everything they needed. Can we come in?”
Xaden’s gaze flickered to Katrina, then back at Tracila as he adjusted his tunic, and made sure his slicked-back curls were neat, as he stepped aside, lightly bowing as he gestured for Tracila and her daughters to come inside.
Katrina pressed her lips into a thin line as she looked else where, the three stepping inside. She never understood why little boys were like this, but it was whatever.
“Why, thank you Xaden. Already shaping up to take your father’s place I see.” Tracila hummed, the present she carried slim and long, tucked right against her side, as Mahari waved to Tracila and began walking over.
As Katrina followed her mother, carrying a bigger present, she felt someone bump into her leg. Her mouth formed a small ‘o,’ as she looked back to see her little sister, Imogen, following close behind her. Katrina huffed, lightly pushing Imogen back by the shoulder. “Imogen, you need to socialize tonight. Stop following me!” She exclaimed, as Imogen shook her head and tried to move closer to Katrina’s side again. “Imogen! Sweet Amari, you are so annoying!”
“Now who said you were joining the adults, Katrina?” Tracila’s voice caused Katrina and Imogen to pause, as they both looking over at their mother. “You know what, give me the presents. I’ll put them with the rest.” Tracila gestured for the two hand over the gifts they carried.
“But, Mom—”
“Don’t test me today.” Tracila cut Katrina off. Katrina huffed, as her and Imogen walked over to their mother—Imogen passing over a gift basket, the inside hidden by the basket lid—before Tracila shoo’d them off. “Go interact with the boys. And Imogen, actually socialize. Don’t just pick at your nails and nod along.”
Imogen quickly looked down at the ground, clutching at the fabric of her pants, rose-gold hair almost immediately falling over her face. Katrina rolled her eyes hard, glancing at Imogen.
“Push your hair back.” She ordered, as Imogen looked up and pushed the hair out of her eyes. While it wasn’t long, it definitely made up for the lack of length in thickness.
Xaden closed the door, before he dragged Bodhi over to Katrina and Imogen, mainly Katrina. “Do you want to play dragons?” Xaden asked. “You can be the Princess.”
Katrina just stared, before sighing and nodding. “Sure, I’ll play dragons with you—Imogen, you’re not being a tower.” Her gaze snapped over to Imogen.
“But we don’t have enough people, Xaden!” Bodhi pointed out, as he gestured to the four of them. You can’t play dragons with four people. You need four dragons, one Princess, one tower, and six Knights at the minimum.
“We can play a smaller version!” Xaden lightly stomped, as Bodhi shook his head, scrunching his nose at him.
“We can’t! We need five people to play the smaller version!” Bodhi shot back, as Xaden’s expression soured.
“Yes we can!” Xaden turned to face Bodhi, and the scene was beginning to look like an argument was about to start. Katrina glanced down the hall, looking at the dining room doors, where her mother and Mahari had disappeared behind with Abhay, before getting an idea.
Katrina took a few steps away from the boys and Imogen, before opening her hands wide and curling her fingers, hunching over. “Oh no! A big, mean, scary wyvern is coming your way, and you’re only safe once you get outside!” Katrina lightly gasped, before baring her teeth and making growling sounds. The three didn’t budge at first, before she growled louder, the growl hoarse and almost like a dragon’s.
Xaden and Bodhi jumped, before the two turned towards the front door and began running. Imogen swallowed, before running after them, the three running outside as Katrina chased after them, giving up the hunch once Imogen was out the door. She slipped out behind Imogen, as the fresh air hit them, making some strands lightly loosen on Xaden’s slicked back curls.
Imogen paused, looking back at Katrina. “What now?” She asked quietly.
“You go socialize and play like a normal ten year old.” Katrina shrugged, as her gaze snapped over to a family of blondes, the Mairi’s. Liam was the first she saw, as he stopped and looked over at Xaden, then excitedly running over, the back of his tunic untucked like a little duck tail.
“XADEN XADEN XADEN!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” He practically shouted, almost dropping his present in the process. Xaden wrapped his arms around Liam, the two embracing. Liam was a hyper child, no doubt about it, the most hyper nine year old most have seen. He was a little ball of energy with a passion for arts and crafts.
“Hi Liam!” Xaden returned the energy, toned down just enough so it wouldn’t mess up his hair or make his clothes less neat. Sloane and Isaac Mairi arrived shortly after, Isaac carrying two gifts, likely carrying the present Sloane chose for Xaden.
“Liam, how about you give me your present, and you and Sloane can play?” Isaac suggested, as Liam quickly let go of Xaden and ran over to his father, handing him the present. “Also, tuck in the back of your shirt. You don’t wanna look like a duck, do you?”
Liam quickly tucked the back of his tunic into his trousers, before turning around and running back over to Xaden and the others, Sloane following in tow, wearing a nice blue dress with flower embroidery designs, her hair done up in two braided pigtails.
Isaac then went over to the door of the Riorson house, presents carried in one arm, glancing back as the group began deciding what game they wanted to play, with Sloane voicing her opinions like a little aristocrat.
🍰🍫
“Hey? Where’s my kid?” Fen asked as he walked into the dining room, brow raised in confusion as he looked at his sister Mahari, Abhay, Tracila, and now Isaac who just walked in past him carrying presents.
“Outside, playing. You know, the things kids should be doing.” Abhay said, as Mahari guided Isaac over to the table where all of Xaden’s presents were. “What, you and Mahari never did that as kids?” He snorted.
“Oh, fuck off.” Fen scoffed, rolling his eyes dramatically before looking over at Isaac. “When’s Kristen coming?”
“She said she’d take at least thirty minutes, but we have plenty of time right? Birthday starts at like.. Eleven-forty, and it’s only nine-twenty right now.” Isaac said, as he and Mahari walked back to the small group. “Why? You need to talk to her about something?”
“Yes, but.. I guess it can wait after the party.” Fen grumbled, as a soft whistle caught his ear; Talia’s bird-like whistle for when she needed to pull Fen aside for something. “I’ll be right back—amuse yourselves.” Fen said, before quickly exiting the dining room. Tracila raised a brow, as the four watched Fen walk off to the kitchen in the next room.
“Since when did she learn to whistle?” Tracila asked, the rest shrugging in response.
Fen entered the kitchen, closing the door behind him as he walked over to the kitchen counter, where Talia was now preparing the icing for Xaden’s cake. “What?” He asked.
“I need you to quit it with this war bullshit.” Talia said flatly, not looking up from the bowl as she mashed blackberries in a bowl. “You’re going to drag him into this, your only son, and he’s going to be ruined.” She continued, making sure every little lump and bump was mashed away.
“War bullsh—? Talia, this isn’t war, not really. This is me making sure our son and my people, and the rest of Amelekis, are safe and protected from the threat of venin. I cannot let the truth be hidden, Talia. I am trying to protect the people!” Fen gestured with both his hands in a round, half circle.
“Your son needs a father.” Talia shot back, finally looking up from what she was doing.
“I am his fucking father! I am his father, I just need to deal with a few things first, but I’ve been a father to him ever since he was born!” Fen exclaimed, Talia now narrowing her eyes at Fen, the glare enough to pierce someone.
“You are barely present in his life, you don’t even show up for supper, you rarely show up for bedtime. You are absent.” Talia’s tone was cold, as she gripped the edges of the counter, her loose blood-red sleeves falling down her dark-olive arm.
“Talia, the boy is growing up, so I can’t be there for every bedtime. Soon, he will want to be alone when bedtime hits. One day, he’ll understand why I wasn’t there, because it was for his own good! Do you understand that trying to protect the people takes up most of your time?” Fen tilted his head, furrowing his brows.
“You might as well bring your son into this war!” Talia snapped, turning to fully face Fen now, eyes intense as she glared at him. “Your only son will be ruined by this, Fen!” Talia began to white-knuckle the counter edge, her voice raising.
“I have no other choice, Talia. I’d do anything for my son, but I’m not letting my people die. I’m not letting the people of Amelekis die.” Fen’s voice dropped low, narrowing his eyes right back at Talia. “I promise you, I want to be there for my son, but I need to get these plans out of the way first.”
The two stared at each other in silence, before Talia looked away first. “And then you’ll be more absent than ever.” She said at last, the only thing she’d say to him.
Fen clenched his jaw, before walking out of the kitchen, closing the door behind him once again. Talia stared at the counter surface in the quiet, contemplating if she really wanted to leave Xaden behind. He was a kind and brave boy, but he was the only heir to Tyrrendor, and she couldn’t just take an heir.
But he was the heir to Tyrrendor, and already trying to be like his father. Talia didn’t need a walking reminder of Fen, didn’t want a walking reminder of Fen, and in short time, Xaden would likely be a mini-fen. Talia shook her head.
She wasn’t staying here, and wasn’t staying for some damn party either. Or, at least, wasn’t staying long enough to have conversations with others.
Talia ignored as kitchen staff of the house began to enter, moving to the other side of the kitchen to begin working on dinner.
🍰🍫
The group had tripled several minutes later, all playing dragons at Xaden’s wish. Of course, he was a Knight, and the game had been changed enough for Navarrian fairytale accuracy. The mean dragons were now the wyverns.
“I’ll rescue you fair maiden!” Xaden shouted, piggybacking one of the older kids as the group began to engage in playful war, except for the tower and Princess, who had switched roles. The Princess was now Imogen, and the tower was now Katrina.
Katrina wasn’t putting up with Imogen’s lack of socialness.
Imogen twiddled her thumbs, gripped the fabric of her pants, and waited quietly for the play-war to be over. Katrina, who slightly crouched down with her arms wide to act as a tower, lost all amusement she had as she saw Imogen barely playing.
“Shout back or something.” Katrina hissed in a hushed whisper to Imogen. Imogen swallowed hard, glancing at Katrina then back at the play-war.
“But I don’t want to..” Imogen whispered back, her eyes locking onto Xaden as he slashed the wyverns with an imaginary sword, backing the sound effects with his mouth. Swish! Slaassshhhh! Wooooshhh!
“Imogen,” Katrina started, before Xaden suddenly fell off the older kid he was piggy backing, hitting the grass hard. Everyone stopped, as Imogen moved without thinking, about to run over to Xaden, but stopped by Katrina’s arm.
“Crap—buddy, are you okay?” The older kid he was piggybacking crouched down, as Xaden slowly sat up, groaning quietly in pain. Xaden rubbed his arm, as Katrina quickly rushed over to check on it.
“Lift your arm—can you?” She asked, as Xaden slowly lifted his arm, and without asking, rolled his shoulder and wrist, then splayed his fingers wide. “Okay, good.. Does it hurt?”
“A little.” Xaden said through gritted teeth, nose scrunched and eyes squeezed shut. As he slowly opened his eyes, he tapped the older kid he was piggybacking. “You dropped me, that means you are now a dead dragon!” That playful energy then came back, as the older kid’s eyes widened in shock.
“But dragon rider’s dismount from their dragons all the time!” He gasped dramatically.
“They don’t manage to go flying over their head, Darren.” Katrina rolled her eyes at him, before going back over to Imogen and getting back into her position as tower, the play-war beginning to slowly start again as Darren went to go sit on the side.
“ow.. Don’t worry Princess! I will alway get back up again!” Xaden proclaimed, before fighting another wyvern.
Imogen shyly nodded, as she waited quietly for the game to begin wrapping up. She watched as the wyverns began to lessen, the kids who played as wyvern sitting out on the side, before the knights and dragons began taking down the tower—bam! whack! shwam! boom!
Katrina then stood straight up quickly to go walk off to the side, Imogen startling and stumbling backwards.
Xaden was there shockingly fast, grabbing onto Imogen’s arm to catch her. Imogen stared her wide, pale green eyes at Xaden, as he stood her up straight.
“You are now rescued, fair maiden!” Xaden loudly declared, hands on his hips, smiling proudly at Imogen, who.. Was not very reactive or interactive.
“O-okay.” She stammered, turning Xaden’s proud smile into a frown faster than he could blink. Katrina, on the side, dragged her hands down her face. How could Imogen even be related to her or Tracila? The two are social butterflies and Imogen looks like she’s always a second away from malfunctioning during social interaction.
“Kids! Birthday time!” Auntie Mahari peeked her head out the door, calling for them to come inside, before heading back in.
Xaden looked down at himself as older kids began guiding the littler ones to the door and inside the house, and Xaden realized he was anything but neat looking. “Oh no!” He began brushing any grass and dirt off him. “I can’t go inside like this, I have grass on my ass!”
“HEY! Where did you learn to say that?” Katrina immediately exclaimed as she walked over, about to get Imogen, Xaden, Bodhi and Garrick inside.
“You!” Xaden admitted, as he got all the grass and dirt off him, then re-tucked his tunic into his fancy black trousers, and began making sure his hair was still slicked back. Katrina paled for a moment, before shaking her head and dragging Xaden along to get inside.
“Don’t copy my language, you’re eleven, I’m seventeen. You’re not old enough to be cussing like a dragon rider.” Katrina scolded, as the five entered the warmth of the Riorson house, as Xaden, Bodhi, and Garrick began running to the dining room. Katrina then looked down at Imogen.
“You need to start interacting more. You can’t be this socially-awkward and introverted forever. You need to come out of your shell at some point.” Katrina crossed her arms, as the two walked towards the dining room.
Imogen shook her head, her response quiet. “It’s too hard to talk to people.”
“Not really.” Katrina shot back, before the two entered the dining room, walking over to their mother and taking a seat on both sides of Tracila.
“Thank you all for coming, it means so much to me, and far more to Xaden, more than you guys will ever know.” Fen’s voice almost boomed through the dining room, as he pulled the seat at the head of the table out. “And since Xaden is one step closer each year to becoming a Duke, this year I thought he should sit at the head for his birthday, so now all eyes could be on him.” Fen smiled, as he gestured for Xaden to sit at the head.
Xaden’s mouth went agape, gold-flecked onyx eyes wider than tea-cup saucers, his heart beginning to pound loudly with excitement and as equally as much anxiety. He was going to be sitting in his father’s seat today, and have all eyes on him as if he was the Duke of Tyrrendor.
After a few moments of sitting at the chair right to the left of the head, he composed himself, and slowly pushed the chair back, standing up as he walked the short distance over to the head of the table. Xaden turned to face everyone, and sat down, as Fen pushed the chair forward, stopping when Xaden was now properly as tucked in as everyone else.
Xaden swallowed hard, before the room burst out in applause, and the small cheer. “He’s already a Duke!” Fen contributed, as he ruffled Xaden’s hair and pressed a kiss to the top of his head, before taking the seat Xaden was originally sitting in.
As Xaden looked around, a large smile stretched across his face, looking like he was the sun. Glowing, beaming with happiness, feeling warm inside as the anxiety slowly faded. He then looked over at Fen, leaning close and whispering. “Where’s Mom?” He asked.
“Finishing up the icing on your cake.” He answered back, before he whistled, towards the dining room doors, as countless butlers filed in and began placing food at the table, delicious smells coming from all the dishes. Xaden stared in awe, able to see them all down the table. Hearty meat and lamb stews, Lucerish haggis and golden-roasted chicken with honey drizzle, beet and all green salads, ratatouille and jambalaya and much more—every and anything that made Xaden want to drool.
“Does the cake look good so far?” Xaden asked, looking towards his dad as everyone began getting their food, Xaden going for the hearty meat and Lucerish haggis. “Is it blue? I heard grandpa’s dragon was blue and—”
“Oh calm down, I have no clue what the cake looks like, son.” Fen chuckled, shaking his head as he reached for the skewered deer meat, then looked over at Mahari. “Can you pass the jambalaya?” Fen asked, Mahari then nodding and passing over the dish. Fen took it, then placed a good portion onto his plate with the serving spoon, then handed it back to Mahari.
Xaden dramatically sighed, as Xaden picked up his spoon and began eating his hearty stew, savouring each bite. As he ate, he occasionally glanced towards the dining room’s doors, wondering when his mom would walk in to join them for dinner. He wasn’t as concerned with the cake as his mother’s presence. He then glanced at the empty chair to his right, where Talia would be sitting right now.
Fen noticed, of course. But he didn’t know how to get Xaden to get his focus off his mother, and onto the presence of the rest of his family and friends. Fen quietly sighed, as everyone continued to eat, conversation being made around the table.
Twenty-or-so minutes later, everyone was either done or full, as Xaden’s gaze immediately snapped towards the doors as he heard the quiet, faint humming of his mother. Conversation around the table began to quiet once Talia walked in with the cake, her hum becoming a bit louder, the song clear—the Tyrrish birthday song, or better known as Loial’s blessing.
Xaden then looked at the cake she was carrying, a soft baby blue with navy blue violets piped along the sides and top, with ivory clouds beside them. Xaden’s jaw dropped at the sight, as Talia placed the cake in front of him, a pleasant smile on her face as her hum came to a soft end.
“Only the best cake in all of Tyrrendor for my baby boy.” Talia said, before pressing a kiss right to the top of Xaden’s head, lightly ruffling his hair, just enough so it wouldn’t be messed up.
Xaden gave a shy, scrunched up smile as he looked up at his mother, then his father, then at the cake, staring at the message written in frosting on the very top, surrounded by the small black and gold candles.
Happy Birthday Xaden, the dearest boy all of Tyrrendor could have.
Xaden felt slight heat behind his eyes the longer he stared at the message, the now-singing of the Tyrrish birthday song becoming background noise. One little tear escaped the corner of his eye, as he quickly wiped it away. No, he had to stay composed, no matter how heart-felt the message was. He couldn’t just burst out crying, he just couldn’t.
His heart pounded, as the heat behind his eyes and the forming tears became increasingly more difficult to hold back and ignore.
“Okay baby, time to make a wish.” Talia said softly, snapping Xaden out of it. He looked up, and noticed how everyone’s expressions became concerned. He quickly looked down and squeezed his eyes shut, hearing his father’s loud shush.
He took the time to think of what he really wanted, something that would benefit not only him but everyone else in Tyrrendor and all of Amelekis. Xaden took a deep breath—in through his nose, out through his mouth.
I wish for no more war and for peace and unity to exist between Navarre and Poromiel and the Isles.
Xaden then opened his eyes and blew out the candles, as everyone around him clapped, no questions of what he wished for—not wanting to possibly jinx it.
“Now that the birthday boy has made a wish, lets dig in!” Talia proudly announced, before quickly clarifying. “I also made two cakes, so everyone can have a piece.” She put her hands on her hips, before everyone went back to their conversations, waiting for cake, or going back to eating some of their leftover food.
Talia cut a slice of cake for Xaden—one that featured his name, and the piped violet. Xaden beamed, grabbing his fork as Talia set the cake down on his plate. He immediately dug in, the chocolatey flavours quite literally melting on his tongue. Xaden looked up and down the table as he ate, as he noticed Imogen looking at him.
Imogen quickly looked down at her own plate, and Xaden squinted. Why was she looking at him in the first place? Did she have a crush, or was she just trying to think of something to say or ask to him? Xaden shook his head, as he went back to eating.
🍰🍫
Talia pressed her lips together, nose scrunching as she lightly touched her hand to her head. “Ohh. My head is killing me, I’m so sorry I’ll be right back, I just need to grab some medicine.” Talia sighed, as she began to push out her seat.
Fen narrowed his eyes at her, knowing damn well those symptoms were fake, but not knowing why she’d fake-out of Xaden’s birthday dinner. “Talia—don’t. Stay here, I can go get them for you.” Fen said, his tone coming out harsher than he intended. He quickly cleared his throat, shaking his head. “What if you end up getting dizzy, then get hurt?”
“Oh, I’ll be fine, Fen. I’m closer to the door anyways,” Talia spoke softly, as Xaden glanced between the two. “Plus, you have to catch up with some of your friends and family, right? You haven’t been out of your office for a bit. Some catch up with Xaden is needed.” She sounded so reasonable—and she was—as she pushed her chair out and stood up, walking out of the dining room.
Fen furrowed his brows, about to get up from his own chair before Xaden spoke.
“Why have you been so kept up in your office?” Xaden asked innocently, his voice muffled with the cake in his mouth. “Is it really really really important business?” He asked again.
Fen paused, before pushing his own chair back in and continuing to stay at the table. “Yes, Xaden. Really important business, for the better future of you, your mom, and all of Amelekis, but I promise I’ll be done with it soon, and everything will go back to normal in no time.” Fen explained with a nod, before raising a brow at Xaden.
“However.. What’s up with you and school? Haven’t been hearing much about that at bedtime.” Fen asked, as Xaden took another bite of cake and thought about his answer.
“We’ve been learning about the history of Tyrrendor and how Loial made it the land of the songs and love. It’s really boring, though. We haven’t gotten to the good stuff, just how Tyrrendor was before Loial became a goddess.” Xaden shrugged, as Fen gave him a funny look.
“It’s not boring, it’s to show you how Tyrrendor changed after Loial made the difference it needed.” Fen huffed out a laugh, as Xaden finished his cake, swallowing the last bit.
“I’m gonna go help Mom,” Xaden said, pushing out his chair and standing up, walking towards the dining room doors. Fen’s eyes widened, as he was about to open his mouth, before Xaden spoke first. “I’ll be right back!” He shot over his shoulder, before walking into the hallway, now alone.
Xaden pushed up his tunic’s sleeve as he walked down the hallway, imagining how Uncle Abhay’s tattoo would look on him. It would without a doubt, look awesome, but Xaden was unsure if it would fit him, since he wasn’t likely to grow up looking like Uncle Abhay. Xaden pursed his lips, looking up and seeing the front doors swing shut. What the—?
He immediately ran down the hallway, reaching for the knob and opening the door, seeing his mother outside. Why was she outside? She needed medicine, which was in the powder room or her and Fen’s bathroom.
“Mom?” He called out, rushing outside and quickly catching up to Talia.
Talia quickly looked behind her, shock staining her face. “Xaden? Go back inside.” The shock immediately fell from her face, ordering him to go. When Xaden didn’t, she snapped her fingers and pointed to the doors. “Go. Now.”
“But it’s my birthday today, and you said you needed medicine. Why are you out here?” He arched his brows, a frown appearing on his face as he tried to figure out the logic, as his gaze drifted down to the bag she had in her hand. “And why do you have—”
“I said go inside, Xaden! Now!” Talia shouted, startling Xaden as he took a step back. Wide, onyx gold-flecked eyes stared up at his mother, seeing the cold, furious expression on her face. She never shouted at him before, she never looked at him like that before. Why was she now?
“But it’s my birthday—Mom you can’t.. Are you leaving? You can’t go—you can’t leave!” Xaden grabbed her wrist, as she immediately shoved it off. He felt a piece of his heart break as his Mother just rejected his touch. “Mom?” He asked, as the clouds overhead began to darken, the rain beginning to spit lightly.
“What did I just say? GO!” She pointed to the doors again, as she began quickly walking away, hoping that Xaden would just listen.
“But mom—please!” He begged, following after Talia, thinking that maybe he could change her mind. Every time Xaden caught up and tried to reach out, Talia managed to speed up and slip out of his grasp. “Mom!”
Just at that time, Imogen slipped outside after trying to find Xaden, and hearing the commotion beyond the doors. She froze, seeing him chase his mother, who was far more colder than she was earlier.
“Mom please just stay!” Xaden pleaded, as he quickly wrapped his arms around her waist in a hug, trying to force himself not to cry, feeling Talia trying to get his arms off her. He only held on tighter, thinking that maybe Talia would remember that he was her only child, that she was his mother. He squeezed his eyes shut, taking a deep breath, hoping that Talia would snap out of what he thought was an evil trance.
Talia shoved him back.
Xaden gasped as he stumbled backwards, nearly falling on his rear, the heat behind his eyes hot and prickly as his heart jumped up to his throat. His mother just shoved him.
Talia gave Xaden a cold look, then turning away and walking off, her movement swift. Xaden processed the near-glare, before he began to try running after her once more. “Mom!” He cried, before tripping over his shoes, his knees hitting the stone path hard, pain shooting up his legs.
Imogen didn’t even give it any thought, as she quickly ran over to Xaden as he called out for his mother, the guilt hitting her hard as he cried more and more.
“Mom please! MOM! PLEASE STAY! IT’S MY BIRTHDAY, DON’T LEAVE ME!” He sobbed loudly, as Imogen dropped down at his side and hugged him, while also holding him back to a degree. “MAMA PLEASE!” He screamed this time, his voice cracking on the last few letters as he reached out for Talia, her figure becoming smaller and smaller.
Xaden’s sobs eventually grew louder and louder as Imogen attempted comfort, zoning out halfway as she kept hugging him, and stroking his hair. Xaden gripped onto Imogen’s arm tight, as he slowly curled up into a ball against her, the side of his body over her lap and head nearly pressing against the stone.
The rain began pouring harder, Imogen snapping out of it as droplets of rain hit her head. She looked down at Xaden, and tried to soothe him of his tears, beginning to rub his back, but his sobs only grew far louder.
Fen rushed out the doors with Uncle Abhay and Auntie Mahari, Tracila coming along—the four having noticed that Xaden and Imogen were missing from the table far longer than necessary, and immediately having entered protective mode once they heard the loud cries outside.
The four paused, taking in the scene of Xaden looking smaller than ever against Imogen, the cries seemingly coming from him.
“Xaden,” Fen said, before bolting over to his son, falling to his knees beside his son, and gently taking him from Imogen. “Xaden, son what happened?” Fen asked, nearly cradling Xaden against him as Xaden’s face began to slightly redden.
“SHE LEFT ME! SHE LEFT!” Xaden shouted, Fen wincing at the volume before stroking Xaden’s hair. Fen quietly took in what he said, pressing a kiss to the top of Xaden’s head as that fake-out excuse Talia used clicked. She was never intending on coming back, and she decided to execute this on Xaden’s eleventh birthday.
Fen held Xaden tighter, before picking him up and walking him back to the house in silence—except for Xaden’s sobs—as the rain poured down on everyone outside. Xaden clutched onto Fen’s tunic, white-knuckling it as tears streamed down his face in a continuous flow, snot running down to his lips. It became so hard to breathe, so hard to even think straight except for two thoughts only.
She left me. It’s my fault.
Xaden gasped as he woke up, sweating bullets as he stared ahead blankly with wide eyes. He swallowed hard as he blinked, his eyes adjusting to the darkness as he wiped his forehead. He looked around, before staring off at the end of his bed.
It was just a dream. A cruel nightmare… It was just a cruel nightmare..
Xaden sniffled, feeling the tears prick at his eyes again. He begin wiping away nothing, laying back down and rolling onto his side.
It’s just a cruel nightmare. You moved on.. It’s just a nightmare. He repeated to himself, pulling the blankets up closer to his head, slowly curling up under the sheets. You’re fine, Xaden. You’re fine.
He sniffled once more, as tears escaped the corners of his eyes, rolling down his face and onto his pillow, Xaden’s shoulders shaking. He should be over this, it’s been years since his Mother left. Why should he care? If she didn’t care, he shouldn’t either.. But why did he? Was it his nearing birthday? Or was it something he just couldn’t identify?
Xaden turned his face into the pillows, his cries silent and soft as the one thought resurfaced as it does every year,
it’s your fault.