The Discovery

Onicent walked home in silence. His mind was turning over the new information. Alora was hiding something, but what? he wondered. He saw no one on his way back, it seemed everything knew to avoid him now. When he returned home Amos was waiting for him.

"Welcome back father," he said sounding smart.

"No one has disturbed the peace of the castle?"

"All has been silent."

"My wife?"

"Is where she was when you left, still in her room."

Onicent smiled a bit at his son.

"I met your aunt Alora, and I am must suspicious she may be hiding something."

Onicent expected to see surprise on Amos's face, but instant he looked as though something had suddenly made sense.

"Alora has a daughter," Amos said, as if he had trouble believing his own words.

"A daughter? How did you know of this."

"I met a strange girl in the forest. She called me cousin."

"When was this?"

"Sometime ago," Amos said.

"Was anyone else with you."

"The daughter of Dauntice, Sonnis."

Onicent blinked, "what were you doing with Sonnis. Did I not console you to stay clear of her."

"That little witch must have enchanted me," Amos said angrily. "For now that I love Ilo I see no way I could have ever loved Sonnis."

Onicent nodded. He become thoughtful, so Amos claimed Sonnis had enchanted him. While with her they ran into a girl who he claimed was Alora's daughter.

"Why did you not tell me this sooner."

Amos was now confused, "I was sure that you knew of such a girl."

"I did not," Onicent said, he watched Amos look almost amused. Something else stirred in his mind. "If it is true that Alora is the mother, who is the father of this child? Do you know?"

Amos chuckled, "you are."

"I am?" Onicent raised his eyebrows. "I am not looking to be played tricks on."

"But surely you knew. The child is green like you father!"

Having had quite enough of this Onicent brushed past Amos and headed to where he had left his wife. The prison looked undisturbed, though he heard no noise from within. At once with his power he drew away the walls, sinking them back into the floor.

Airabella was standing staring at him. He was momentarily stunned. She was heartbreakingly beautiful. Onicent looked into her face and felt lost within it. Everything of the last minutes was forgotten.

"Airabella..?" he said almost uncertainly.

"You left me alone in this distasteful place," when she spoke it was breathtaking. Onicent almost wanted to kneel before her.

"I'm sorry my love. I came back to free you now." He said pleadingly. It was the worst thing in the world when she refused to meet his eyes. All he wanted was to stare.

"Free me for now long?" She sniffed.

"Forever, if you'll only forgive me." He said, he came forward to try to clasp her hand. That was when something stirred in his mind, he faltered. But she cast her stare over him again and emotion washed over him.

She brought her voice down to a whisper, "I'll forgive you my love, but I want you to forget how I am now. Allow me to walk free of this room and we'll sit together again!"

"I will! I will!" He said. "I remember no longer. I want nothing more than to sit with you!"

Airabella slipped her hand into his. For the first time in awhile she could almost love him.