Chapter Sixteen

Wynne Continued
Wynne stood there uncomfortably for a moment as she waited for Bronwyn to reply. She couldn't help but to expect disappointment at whatever answer the queen would be able to provide her with. This may be a world of magic, but not everything was magical. One couldn't always get what they wished for; even if they could, it came at a price.
Bronwyn's response came slowly, almost too slowly. Wynne's skin was crawling, her anxiety making her itchy. She'd begun to dig her nails into her palms subconsciously. The action made pain shoot through her arms, but she barely noticed it. She was more focused on the words about to fall from Bronwyn's mouth.
"The archives might tell us if there were any children lost to the human realm around the time you were born. And scholars could easily test you for any traces of magic that are solely your own, instead of something you've picked up merely from being in this realm. They would also be able to recognize the signs of true mate ship better than I. But I'm afraid I have some potentially bad news for you.." Bronwyn looked woebegotten as she answered some of Wynne's multitude of questions, finally getting to the most important one. "I do not know if you'll be able to return there. That is not my area of expertise. Honestly, to the best of my knowledge you're the first instance of someone being brought into the realm, instead of being taken out. "
Wynne tried to hide the sorrow from her features, plastering a feeble smile upon her face. Some good answers were better than none, after all. Arandir had finally returned to her side when Bronwyn had started to speak again. He gently tapped at Wynne's shoulder, silently asking permission to touch her. After Wynne had given him a small nod, the man pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. After a few shaky breaths, Wynne quelled her inner turmoil and seperated herself from Arandir. "When might it be possible for me to visit the archives? " Wynne asked Bronwyn, as she intertwined her fingers with Arandirs.
"I'll take you to visit them tomorrow. As for now, there are other matters for me to attend to, and I'm sure you both need rest. " Came the old Queen's reply, smiling softly at the two as she dismissed them; calling servants to aid them with their rooms.
Nerys POV
Having listened at the door for so long, Nerys felt her body slowly becoming stiff; difficult for her to move, to stretch and bend properly. She had listened the entire time that the strange woman had spoke to Bronwyn, and been deeply moved by her story. The Wild Hunt brought her to Loslosach? Nerys found herself hoping that there wasn't lasting damage to the woman from the Hunt's often too cruel ways. The Hunt didn't have any allegiance, their only goal was to ride with the Huntsman, to exact whatever vengeance the god Fergrian wished. It seemed the Hunt scooping her up and dropping her among their world was an accident.

Waiting at that wooden door, Nerys had realized that the scents she had been following were now coming from the throne room; and growing stronger with each passing second. What was causing it, she couldn't quite pinpoint. When Bronwyn had made her final reply, seemingly dismissing their guest for the night, Nerys made her plan. She had to find out what those scents were, and who those people were.
At the first light of day, she planned to retrieve a hearty breakfast from the kitchens. She would find out from those there where the Queen had placed the couple, and she would deliver their breakfast herself. Whatever it would take to meet them, and discover if those scents were merely something they brought, or if they were emanating from the couple themselves.
Nerys knew the stories of the matebond. She knew that it often gave a person's mate a scent peculiar to them. She also knew that for Sidhe with an affinity for water, and the water creatures they watched over, often had two. Nerys had given up hope of finding her mates long ago, after the matebond had begun to fade and wither away from their world. And the woman inside the throne room? She said something about finding her mate.
Those words had rekindled a spark of hope in Nerys for herself. For the future. If these were her mates, then maybe peace was coming to Loslosach much sooner than she though. But first, she would have to know for sure. And then there was the matter of finding a way for her to no longer be trapped; confined to Winterbridge while her people were in desperate trouble, and she longed for the sea. The smell of the salty sea air, and the sand under her feet.
She was determined now. To meet her mates, to return to Autumnhaven. To reunite with her family, and stop the looming war. And if it turned out that that woman was one of her mates, she was determined to help her with whatever she needed as well. Even if that meant traveling to the human world with her when they managed to find her a way home. Being trapped herself, Nerys wouldn't abide by keeping her mate somewhere she didn't wish to be. But for now, it was time for her to return to her room and rest. She couldn't complete any of her goals if she was exhausted.
**I am so sorry for the wait! I meant to have this chapter out nearly three days ago, and I've been caught up in family business, as well as struggling through a writer's block. Thank you for your patience, and as always lovelies, I hope you enjoyed this newest chapter! I hope you had a fantastic Wednesday, and all is well with you!