The Aurora Stone Read Free

for two days. Everything she believed to be true had been torn to shreds. Her sense of self-was now as fragile as a butterfly’s wing, one touch and it would come apart, never to be the same again.
    “Why is this all happening at once?” Eve moaned into her soft pillow, taking the meagre amount of comfort given by its delicate scent of honeysuckle. Peeking over the top of her soft haven, Eve once again gazed upon the faces of the family she was born to but until three days ago, never knew existed.
    I must try; it may help me discover what became of my brother. However, remote this chance may be, if I do not at least try, then regret will surely haunt me for the rest of my days . Having resolved this internal dilemma, Evangeline now had another difficult task. I have to tell Mother.
    An hour and a half of pacing across her room and practicing different deliveries in front of the mirror, Eve was resigned to the fact that however the words left her, it was still going to cause her mother pain. With leaden steps and a heavy heart, she headed downstairs.
    Gwen was pruning her roses when Eve appeared at her side, a look of sadness marred her pretty countenance; yet a spark of determination was also evident in her new luminous eyes. She is leaving. Gwen thought her heart must surely break, without her daughter, she would be alone, as selfish as she felt, Gwen knew once her Evangeline had set her mind to something, there was no swaying her.
    Eve had prepared herself as best she could for the inevitable, she took a deep breath, “Mother I...”
    “You have decided to take up the quest.” Gwen interrupted her, “I could tell just by looking at you, Sweetheart; you have always been easy to read.” Eve opened her mouth then closed it again, taken completely aback, for a few moments all she was capable of doing was staring at her mother.
    “How did you... I … I’m sorry to leave you and our home, but truthfully, to not take up the quest that the prophecy has set before me when there could be a chance, however, small that it could shed some light on the disappearance of my…other family, my brother. Mother, please understand, I must try.”
    “You are strong willed just like your father, he would be so very proud of the woman you have become, and so am I. Though I will worry every second and miss you more than I can express. Darling, you must follow your heart wherever it may lead you.” Tears glistening in her grey eyes, Gwen held her daughter in an embrace she hoped conveyed all the love she was unable to express eloquently in words. Holding her beloved Eve at arm’s length she put on her best reassuring smile.
    “Come on, I will help you prepare.”
    Together they packed a large leather satchel with everything one could possibly need on a quest. These included the wooden box Gwen had given her a few days previously; its contents returned to it. Gwen also added some food, money, and herbs to make simple medicines. Her father had shown her how to prepare them before he died. Eve also had her toughest shoes ready and her warmest cloak.
    I am as ready as I’ll ever be. Glancing around her room, sadness enveloped her heart, this room; this house was all she had ever known. Though she felt melancholy, Eve’s sense of adventure was fighting to burst to the surface. After all, it is not every day one gets to fulfil an ancient prophecy.
    Gwen was determined that their final dinner together for a while, she refused to believe it was forever ; should be a memorable one. She had carefully prepared their favourite dishes, even baking a glorious cake decorated with sugared rose petals, picked from her own blooms. Lastly, she retrieved the silk wrapped gift she had for Eve and placed it to the right of her plate. Gwen stepped back to admire her efforts, pleased with what she had achieved it was time to call Eve down.

    When Eve saw the effort her mother had gone to, it was difficult of hold back the tears, everything looked so