Chapter 229: Elias’s grandparents return.
Elias was waiting outside the entrance into her new office premises when she returned. His impressive figure in a thick white cloak looked right in place in the midst of the snow.
Sienna hastened her steps to reach him quicker, new boots crunching the snow as she walked. "We have room inside," she said lightly, with a smile as she approached him. "Did you come to see my wall?"
He lifted his hand slowly, like he was about to pat the top of hood covered head. Instead, he poked her on the forehead, his lips curled to the side. A sure sign that he was unhappy about something. "When I was going out to chase smugglers, I told you where I was heading and what I was going to do. When you set out to confront a gun wielding, possibly crazy woman, all you said was ’out for coffee.’"
She crinkled her nose, "I did have two cups of coffee while saving a woman from a life of lies."
He took her hands, his expression suddenly turning a few shades darker. Sienna could see that he had grim news to share. As long as Cadelaria had not changed her mind about staying at the sea side, she was sure she could handle anything. "Spit it out."
"My grandparents are back."
"Oh."
Elias blinked. Was that her response? ’Oh!’ What did ’Oh’ mean? "They are waiting for us, and we are already late."
Sienna shrugged. "Let’s get it over with. I suppose they are waiting back at my place."
"At the old estate." He said.
Sienna’s heart dropped. The old estate meant rules, stuffy rules that she hated. Curtsy, speak less, chew like you have no teeth, talk like you have never cursed, laugh with your enemies and hug them. She could have spun an excuse to avoid meet, but it would not work.
He turned her around, pushing her in towards the steps of the waiting airship.
**
Elias’s airship flew over the landing grounds of the estate, its thrusters humming with power. Sienna sat stiffly beside her husband, her fingers curled against her lap. The old Sienna had lived on this estate long enough, but never got to see much of it. And her--it was like she was brand new to this place, because she never saw much of it either.
Like this landing ground she never knew existed, with at least twenty different air ships parked like private planes in a private hangar.
Eli had told her a few stories about this estate, how it was the ancestral home where generations of fox lords had lived, ruled and schemed.
Her heart thudded with unease as she wondered if she would be schemed against. If it happened, what would she do? As brave as she was, she couldn’t picture herself chasing after Elias’s grandparents with her pan. It would just seem like she was bullying old people because of her youth.
She hardly noticed when they disembarked, or when Elias took her hand. Sienna barely noticed the servants who waited for them in line, bowing respectfully as they welcomed her and Elias back. She did look at him before they walked through the main doors. His expression was unreadable, but his grip was firm, steadying her as she descended.
Inside, the air smelled faintly of fox sandalwood. The corridors were as wide as she remembered, but now, lined with more portraits of fox ancestors that she was certain had not been there before. Precious antiques had been arranged strategically, small glass shelves on walls had ancient scrolls for guests who loved to read. Some changes had been made after she left. Was it because they thought she would damage their precious things?
"Come," Elias murmured, leading her into a grand hall.
Sienna was half expecting to see the entire council of elders waiting for them. But she was wrong. It was just two men, and some guards.
At the far end of the room, in the center, behind a large oak desk, sat a man in white clothes, his hair somewhere between white and silver, and thick. His eyes were pale crimson, but calm and steady, like a kiln which warmed without burning. His presence was commanding, yet not oppressive.
Lord Marius was there, and he had a kind smile for them, as usual.
Elias took her the bottom of the fifth step which led up to the high seat. "This is my grandfather," he said softly, "Call him Jesse."
Sienna frowned. Just Jesse? Was he yanking her chain?
She bowed awkwardly, unsure of the etiquette needed to follow up. But what she did know was that she was not going to call him Jesse, unless he told her to do so. "My Lord grandfather..." she said, "It is my absolute pleasure to meet you."
Jesse rose with surprising agility for his age, His movements smooth, deliberate. No walking cane, like she imagined. He studied her with a gaze that seemed to pierce through layers she kept hidden, like stacks of blankets.
"You are Sienna," Jesse said, his voice deep, resonant, carrying both authority and gentleness. "The daughter of a falcon, you do have the shape of their eyes and spirit. My grandson chose well."
Sienna’s eyes widened. Was that a compliment? "Yes, Grandfather Jesse."
He smiled faintly, the corners of his lips lifting in a way that softened his stern features. "When I first saw you, there was a desperateness to please that reeked off you from a distance. It seems you grown much since them. I have heard much about the changes in you. Tell me, how fares your falcon kin? How is Coven? And your relationship with the queen, tell me about that?
Old Coven! Did her grandfather know Elias’s grandfather? She blinked, startled. He was not speaking about her falcon side with any disdain, like Cadelaria. He was not treating her like a stain on Elias! Everything he said was without malice, simply direct.
"Err..my relatives are complicated, but all is well," she admitted. "Old Coven is training me in managing my mental strength and he is very fine. The queen and I....we manage. I know what to say and what not to say."
Jesse chuckled, a low rumble. "It is good you manage. That shows strength. The news of your mental strength was a welcome surprise. If you need another teacher, I will be happy to lend a hand. As will all the fox generals of our tribe when they hear the news." He leaned forward. "You are a unique treasure. Like I said, Elias chose well."
Sienna sighed secretly. This was going splendidly. Why had she been nervous in the first place?
