broken reign: madonna and child;
“Elphie!”
The water was heavy. If she didn’t rise to the surface soon, if she didn’t start swimming, the pressure would surely get to her. She opened her eyes to see the watery depths welcoming her. The coldness beckoned her, but she couldn’t leave the life she had above. Something inside her would not allow it.
Someone grabbed her by the waist and pulled from the water’s grasp. Then, a hand collided with Elpida’s face, knocking her into the warm sand. Her wet hair clung to her skin and her black dress. She was shivering now, not because she was cold, but because of what was going to be said.
“I’m sorry.” She said hoarsely, “I forgot I was out here, Cathe.”
“I forgot?” said the other. Elpida did not dare to look up at her yet. Keeping quiet, Elpida knew Catherine was furious. “You of all people cannot afford to say such a thing. Do you know who you are? Or did you forget that too?”
“No, Cathe. I…”
“Catherine, stop it.” said their mother, “I will talk to your sister.”
Catherine left without a word, but Elpida could feel a scornful gaze upon her. Alasdaira approached her firstborn daughter carefully. She kneeled before her daughter and placed both hands on Elpida’s shoulders. Elpida forced herself to look up.
Alasdaira’s eyes were greyer than blue these days. Her hair was lighter shade of black, almost graying too quickly for a woman her age. Elpida cupped her mother’s cheek before she fell into her mother’s embrace.
“I remembered.”
“I know, child.” Her mother said, “That moment must have scarred you for life. I am sorry for living you alone that day, but I-”
“She asked for your power. It is your duty not to deny your strength when Jasmine requests it. You are a protector by name and right, Mother. And I will be too.” Elpida replied. It would be her duty soon. Alasdaira was dying. It was evident in her very movements. The Lady Protector had returned from the previous Hallowed Eve with many injuries. It was surprising that she was still walking, but still, her death could not be evaded.
Elpida would assume her title then.
“No,” Alasdaira whispered. “Not only a protector.”
The water was heavy. If she didn’t rise to the surface soon, if she didn’t start swimming, the pressure would surely get to her. She opened her eyes to see the watery depths welcoming her. The coldness beckoned her, but she couldn’t leave the life she had above. Something inside her would not allow it.
Someone grabbed her by the waist and pulled from the water’s grasp. Then, a hand collided with Elpida’s face, knocking her into the warm sand. Her wet hair clung to her skin and her black dress. She was shivering now, not because she was cold, but because of what was going to be said.
“I’m sorry.” She said hoarsely, “I forgot I was out here, Cathe.”
“I forgot?” said the other. Elpida did not dare to look up at her yet. Keeping quiet, Elpida knew Catherine was furious. “You of all people cannot afford to say such a thing. Do you know who you are? Or did you forget that too?”
“No, Cathe. I…”
“Catherine, stop it.” said their mother, “I will talk to your sister.”
Catherine left without a word, but Elpida could feel a scornful gaze upon her. Alasdaira approached her firstborn daughter carefully. She kneeled before her daughter and placed both hands on Elpida’s shoulders. Elpida forced herself to look up.
Alasdaira’s eyes were greyer than blue these days. Her hair was lighter shade of black, almost graying too quickly for a woman her age. Elpida cupped her mother’s cheek before she fell into her mother’s embrace.
“I remembered.”
“I know, child.” Her mother said, “That moment must have scarred you for life. I am sorry for living you alone that day, but I-”
“She asked for your power. It is your duty not to deny your strength when Jasmine requests it. You are a protector by name and right, Mother. And I will be too.” Elpida replied. It would be her duty soon. Alasdaira was dying. It was evident in her very movements. The Lady Protector had returned from the previous Hallowed Eve with many injuries. It was surprising that she was still walking, but still, her death could not be evaded.
Elpida would assume her title then.
“No,” Alasdaira whispered. “Not only a protector.”