Rigel and Lerna left Pegasii the next day as Tania asked them to stay for another night.
Pegasii was slowly building itself and despite what the citizens had gone through, there were small celebrations everywhere. People would light up bonfires and narrate their stories about how they fought with the Nyxers or they are still haunted by the ghosts of the dead. Most of the stories were fake, but the ambience created, kept people glued and the gossip mill running.
Along with Tania and Eltanin, Rigel and Lerna took the tour of the capital under disguise. It was a wonderful experience. They even sat down with a group of gossip mongers and thoroughly enjoyed the stories. One of them even claimed to have seen the king and how he saved him. Eltanin had a tough time stifling his laugh while Tania encouraged the man to speak more.
The next day when Lerna was leaving, she said to Tania, "I know it's a long shot, but I want Rigel to look after the Hydra Kingdom as well. That place would be in shambles and it needs a lot of reforms. Do you think Eltanin will help us?"
Tania placed her hands on her shoulders and squeezed them lightly. "I will talk to him. But right now he is too busy with getting Pegasii back to life. Maybe a year or two later?"
"Of course, I understand," Lerna said immediately. "It's just that I am--" she pursed her lips and turned her face away, unable to speak her emotions.
"I know that you are concerned about it, Lerna, but give time to yourself, okay?"
Lerna nodded. She hugged Tania and then walked with her to the carriage that was waiting for her where Rigel and Eltanin were talking about something. Fafnir and Tabit too were standing and talking to Rigel. Rigel hugged his sister and clasped Fafnir's forearms in a friendly gesture.
"Tabit," said Rigel. "You've always given me right advice and I want you to be alongside Fafnir in building up Pegasii back."
"I will try my best, brother," she said with a gleam in her eyes and excitement buzzing in her chest. "Eltanin has entrusted me with something so important, and I am going to give everything that I have to Pegasii till needed."
Rigel hugged his sister and stroked her hair. "I expect nothing less."
Tania's heart ached when she saw them leaving. Eltanin wrapped his arm around her shoulder and tugged her close to him. Rigel had helped him a lot. More than a brother would.
"I want to meet mother," Tania said as they walked in the palace. Kinshra had confined herself in her room and her health was deteriorating. Lord Krail had asked her to come with him to Kral, but she had refused. She wanted to stay in the same bedchamber as she used to with Biham.
"Yes, love," Eltanin said and pressed a kiss on her temple. "I have to go and be with Fafnir and Tabit. I will join you there."
She sucked in a sharp breath. Eltanin had told her that he intended to put Tabit in charge of several portfolios. She was the princess of Orion and was not only well educated she was well versed in politics.
"That's fine Elty. I will see you soon." Saying that she headed towards her mother's chamber while Eltanin walked to the court hall where Fafnir and Tabit were already going.
On her way over there, she noticed that Eltanin had still deployed a lot of guards in the palace.
Kinshra was lying on her bed with her arm thrown over her eyes. Flora was making garlands.
"Lady Tania," Flora said with a smile as she stopped.
Kinshra turned her face to look at her daughter. She got up and Tania came to sit by her side. "How are you feeling, mother?" she said.
Kinshra chuckled. Over the few days, she had started looking older than she was. Her skin was pale and she had become thinner. "I am doing well, Tania."
"Why are you making these garlands?" Tania asked, pointing at Flora and all the roses that were strewn around her.
"I will be taking these to Biham's tomb..."
Tania felt an ache in her chest and nodded. "Okay, I will also come with you."
They sat together in silence for a long time. Kinshra went back to lying while Tania joined Flora. "Why aren't you using magic, Flora?" she asked.
"There is nothing much to do, Lady Tania. Making these garlands with my hands would give me pleasure," Flora replied as she sewed a red rose after a white one.
Tania gave her a smile. "I understand." She knew that Flora wanted to stay near her mother nowadays. Suddenly, an idea came to her. She turned her face to Kinshra and said, "Mother, why don't you come to Draka with us. There's so much to do."
Kinshra shook her head. "No Tania. I will stay here, but you must go back. I know that you and Eltanin have overstayed in Pegasii."
"I am not leaving you at all!" Tania grunted. "Eltanin can go but I will stay by your side."
Kinshra gave her a fond look. "I wish I had more time to spend with you..."
Tania got up and came to lie next to her mother. She hugged her and brought a wing over them to cocoon her. "I am so glad that I found you, mother. I wouldn't have imagined that I had parents..."
"Shhh..." Kinshra said. "Let's not go there."
Eltanin stayed in Pegasii for the next one week and he was extremely busy during that time. Tania would spend her time with Kinshra. Her health was going down fast. She had lost the zeal to live.
The faes were working together with the werewolves to reconstruct Pegasii. Things were looking up. Eltanin had to go back to Draka and faes created a portal for him to reach sooner. When he returned a week later, he went straight to Kinshra's chamber.