Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Radiant

"What do you think you were doing!?!" Eragon demanded as he released me to look in my eyes.

"Getting answers, and help," I replied gently, peeling his hands from my face. "Calm down."

"I'm sorry," Eragon finally said. "It's just with...."

"Things have gotten complicated have they," I said before I looked over Eragon's shoulder at Roran. Eragon perked up.

"Come, I'm sure that you want to see everyone," Eragon said before he tugged me over to Roran.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd have said you were a different man, Roran," I said softly. Roran's face was pale, and he had yet said a word.

"Is it true?" Roran finally spoke, his voice hoarse. I shared a look with Eragon.

"If you are referring to my parentage, yes," I replied. "It's true."

"Forgive us if we have a hard time, little lady." A deep voice spoke. I turned my head to see Horst looking at me with kind eyes. "We just don't see him in you."

"You are far too nice to be his daughter," Elain said, coming to a stop next to her husband, my eyes zeroed in on her bulging stomach.

"I see you are about to have another addition," I commented, smiling at Elain. Elain rubbed her hand across her stomach and smiled back.

"We hope for a girl this time,"

"I suppose after two boys, a girl seems reasonable." I laughed. "A thousand blessings on your child, Elain. I wish you both well."

"Thank you, Mal," Elain replied.

"Mal," I looked up at Eragon. "If you were in Urû'Baen, you had to have seen Murtagh."

My smile faded, and I pressed my lips together. It would at least take until sunset for someone to figure out that I wasn't going to return. Tonight was the night that Murtagh and Thorn were supposed to return to the castle.

"Yes, I did," I said as my eyes darted around, anything to not look Eragon in the eyes. He would instantly know something was amiss.

"You two... What exactly happened between the two of you?" I sighed as I scratched my arm.

"We have had a reasonable discussion Eragon. Don't worry about it." I answered him in the vaguest way possible. My mind went to nights in Murtagh's arms and the feelings I had developed but didn't understand.

"We called it." Alethea and Saphira crowed with glee, dragging my attention from Eragon.

"What is that supposed to mean!?!" I snapped back at the two.

"Mal?" I blinked and returned my attention to the real world.

"What is it?"

"Did anything happen to you?" Eragon asked. Plenty happened, I met my father, discovered just how lavish one could live, lost my womanhood, dealt with half-wit suitors. I could go on, but Eragon didn't need to know all of that.

"If you really want to know, I got forced into going to a ball. I would not suggest that you attend one, they are horrible." I told Eragon while I shrugged. "it's all a power play."

"A powerplay?" Eragon repeated. I nodded at him.

"The only thing that matters is who has a voice to my father's ears. They're all willing to do anything to get into a position of power."