77-Norah Jansen

Natalia was tired.  Her calves ached and her feet bled through her thin slippers but she wouldn’t stop running and screaming for her baby.  Eventually a thinning of the trees heralded the entrance to the Fae village and Natalia’s headlong dash slowed until she was barely moving forward. 

She still didn’t know whether Morath was friend or foe but at this moment she was all that Natalia had and she had no choice.  She walked faster and within minutes was outside the Queen’s chambers.  A guard asked her business and told her to wait.  Natalia moved restlessly from one foot to the other as she waited and then the guard swept open the entry curtain and ushered her inside.

It took a moment for Natalia’s eyes to adjust to the darkness of the chambers after the bright light outside.  When she was finally able to focus she opened her mouth in a screeching roar.  Two guards ran forward to restrain her until Morath stepped down from the throne and ordered them to stand back.   She held the baby in outstretched arms and Natalia ran forward to snatch him, without resistance, from the Queen.

“Why?”

Natalia didn’t look up from her child as she asked the question.

“Why would you do that to me?”

“I was testing you.  With your child’s life at stake I needed to know that you would turn to me and not your human husband.  I cannot put my kingdom at risk just for one person.”

Natalia knew she was being told the truth but instead of relief all she felt was further confusion.  Where did this leave Yoran and Sian? Would she ever see them again?