Chapter 11

After a long journey of over ten hours, Saoirse landed in Poralis. Bjoern Madden and Madeline Myrth were waiting at the gate. As soon as they spotted her, they waved enthusiastically. "Saoirse! Over here!" Now that Saoirse saw her parents after six months, her spirits lifted immediately. She ran toward them and pounced into their embrace. "Dad! Mom! How long have you been waiting?" Bjoern took her luggage, while Madeline hugged her tightly and kissed her. Madeline's voice was laced with evident joy as she replied, "Just over an hour. It wasn't too long. You, on the other hand… You must have been through quite a journey on that long flight." No matter how old Saoirse was, she always felt like a child again whenever she was in her mother's embrace. She couldn't help but act like one. "I have! I'm exhausted! Mom, you'll have to make some delicious food to make up for my fragile heart!" Madeline tapped her nose affectionately, her eyes full of love. "You glutton, just tell me wha