“An element?” Lucas shrugged.
“Water? Air?” Scarlet added.
“They can’t mend,” I argued back.
“Fire?” Elliot called to me.
“How would Fire mend something?” My sarcasm wasn’t helping, as usual.
“Melt it,” he urged.
“It can’t melt.”
“How did it break?” Lydia chimed.
I shrugged. “I don’t think anyone knows.”
“You can’t heal it,” Elliot spoke. When I faced him, his eyes were those of a man who had just realized something immense. “You’re a seer.”
“Nerissa,” I whispered. “She’s a healer dragon. Do not move,” I said to Cole before I took off toward the forest. Elliot was quick to follow.
A loud shriek came from over us as we looked up to find Dylan in the dark sky. Flying around as if ready to charge, my brother let out another deep roar, followed by a lengthy pillar of fire. I could feel Elliot growl. His body close to mine, rumbling, heating, flickering into scales yet again.
As much as those two called at my attention, I had something else to deal with. I ran like there was nothing else left to do. My feet hit hard and fast, my thighs cold from the brisk night air. Rushing through the trees until I nearly tripped over the woman, I grabbed my lovely aunt Nerissa in all her innocence and uncertainty, and off we went. Dune, of course, came quickly behind.
“What’s happening?” he called to me, nearly out of breath.
“I need her to heal the stone.”
“I haven’t healed in years.”
“Really?” I gasped for air. Somehow, Nerissa was a faster runner than me. All those Cheez-Its. “You’ve been healing the saplings all this time.”
“Right,” she agreed with a giggle.
Faster and faster, we returned to the mother tree just as the stone slid toward the edge of the sap-crusted bark at the opening. The twins were now in a trance; Lucas’ eyes purely golden while Scarlet’s were blindingly silver. They were chanting with Cole, the same words, the same tone. It was happening. The quelling was almost complete.
“Here,” I gave Nerissa the fragment. Stepping up to the amulet, she was careful not to touch any part of the tree. Not the glistening sap that slithered out, not the branches that curled toward her. Finding her footing, Nerissa placed her hands around the air of the stone and closed her eyes. The little shard floated up to where it had broken off years ago just as the tip of the amulet touched the sap. A patient breath, and Nerissa sealed the stone together in a glowing ball of light.
“Yes,” I laughed. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” she beamed.
“Tell Charlotte, now’s the time,” I said to Caleb.
“Already on it,” was his reply. “She’s unfrozen; do it now.”
There was an inaudible, deafening hum as the gaping hole of the tree consumed the stone. A slow swallow, the sticky, tar-like sap that was now rolling out near Cole’s feet, claimed the Elysian stone, quelling the darkness complete. And the world changed before my eyes.
The ground, murky and musty, took on a shade of emerald as life poured onto the soil. And the sky, black as night, flooded in hues of gold, cerulean, and peach before finally settling into a powdery blue. Dull buildings grew light, bricks and fixtures shimmering in the new dawn. And Nerissa, floating in a mess of sparkling light, solidified into view for those around me. Those including Dune.
“My beloved!” he cried as he grabbed her up and spun around. Kissing his face and caressing his hands as they held her close, Nerissa let her tears of joy fall freely.
“Where’s Dylan?” I studied the horizon. “What happened?”
“He’s out cold,” Julian informed me. “And no, I didn’t hurt him.”
“I did,” Elliot lifted his chin. “I knocked him out, and you can hate me for it.”
“I don’t hate you. I just hope he’s himself now.”
“We all do,” Julian added.
“Not just yet,” Dune informed. “Where is he?”
Julian led us over to the wild, overgrown area where my brother was. Dune, kneeling down beside a sleeping Dylan, coaxed the quartz out from his chest. It looked painful for a moment, as Dune rocked back to his heels with a wincing gasp. Regaining his posture, the enchanter then whispered a few words and my brother began to wake.
“Where am I?” he rubbed is head.
“Dylan!” I rushed over to hug him, but quickly turned away when I realized he was naked. “Um, I’m glad you’re finally… you,” I said, turning my back to him.
“Allow me,” Dune stood and reached out his hands as the land began to rustle. Straight from the bushes and the tall, yellow grass, Dune fashioned clothes for Dylan. I caught a peek at the magic, but then waited a moment before turning around.
“Why are you helping me?” my brother asked Dune as he pulled the dark green shirt over his head. “What is this place?”
Before any of us could explain, I went over and put my arms around him, and held him there as I listened to his heart beat strong and calm. “I missed you,” I mumbled, closing my eyes to take in the moment, the realization that Dylan was alive and he was safe. And that we were all safe. The whole mess was over. Markus was dead, the stone was put to sleep. We could finally relax.
“I missed you too,” he squeezed me.
“You’ve missed a lot,” Elliot and my brother shook hands, then hugged. “This is Isle Lore, the land of the enchanted. Cole quelled the stone,” Elliot said, eyeing the faerie back at the tree with a look of gratitude.
“And you almost killed us,” Julian added, with a slap on Dylan’s back.
“You have me to blame for that,” Dune lowered his head. “I must apologize for all I’ve done to harm you. It isn’t my way to be jealous, but love,” he turned his sight to Nerissa, “can make a person mad.”
“Is this her?” Elliot asked as he stared over my aunt. With a smile, he reached out his hand for her to take. “Nice to finally meet you.”
“Likewise,” she nodded, wrapping him in her arms. “It feels so good to feel!”
“Yes, it does,” Elliot spoke out of breath. We all laughed.
“And, you have a niece,” I said to my brother. His eyes lit up with joy.
“You two? Or was it him?” Dylan’s eyes sharpened over Cole, who, it seemed, was trying to understand what we were talking about.
“She’s mine,” Elliot assured.
“Also, you’re a full-blooded dragon now, I guess,” I glanced to Dune for clarity.
With a nod, the man said, “I can replenish your impurities, if you wish.”
“What does that mean?”
“I would give you back your mortality, your ties to the enchanted realm.”
“The enchanted?” I wondered.
“While you may not be a born enchanter, your mother and her mother are from a line of sacred natural beings. Your blood carries this.”
“Could his children be enchanters?” I begged an answer as my imagination ran wild.
“As could yours.”
“Then I don’t want it,” Dylan was quick to decide.
“Don’t you want to think about this for a while?” I asked him.
Shaking his head, my brother crossed his arms and peered out over the land. “I’m proud to be a dragon, and I want my children to be dragons, too.”
“That’s a bit strong, isn’t it?”
“Not really,” his eyes met mine as the sunlight made him squint. “Before all this, before I knew about you, or you,” he glanced to Elliot briefly, “I knew who I was. What I wanted in life. And now, with all that’s happened to me, at the hands of enchanters, I want nothing to do with them.”
“Charlotte’s an enchantress,” I shook my head. I couldn’t believe his words right now. “And Aunt Cressa.”
“I’m not turning my back on the people I care about,” his brow flicked as he spoke. I could tell the conversation bothered him, but that he needed to b
e clear. “I just don’t want my children to be capable of such power.”
“And you’re not powerful?” I argued. “What will you do someday when your own son turns into a beast and breathes fire down over the neighborhood?”
“Irene, I just don’t want anymore ties to enchanters than I already have,” spoken with a flare of his nose, my brother then trotted off toward the village.
“Give him space,” Elliot advised.
“Here,” Dune handed me the quartz he had removed from his chest. “Be careful with this. If he desires his true nature, he only has to press it to his chest.”
“And if someone else does?”
“The bond would again be forged.”
“Is there another one of these in him right now?” Elliot stepped up beside me to see the stone better.
“There is.”
“Why not take it out?” I asked.
“The stones must be complete, or he will not.”
I was starting to see Dylan’s frustration with enchanters.
“And if he consumes this quartz?” Elliot had the stone in his hands now, studying the cloudy gem in the light.
“The two halves will be complete, and they will disintegrate,” Dune bowed to us as if his work was done. “I wish you the best, Irene,” he smiled to me. Nerissa came to his side, wrapping her arm around his waist.
“Where will you go?” I asked Nerissa. “What are you going to do now that you can leave?”
Her blue eyes sparkled then, bending into crescents as she smiled innocently. “I just want to live. I have no idea where I’ll end up, but I will visit you. I promise.”
“And my dad.”
Nerissa nodded. “I want to see him, and I will. But I need to know myself before I return home.”
“And you?” Elliot asked Dune. I think we were all eager to know that the enchanter would eb somewhere far from us. Even if he had amended himself, his power was too much to handle, and we all needed space.
“I plan to replenish the springs,” he said with a smile. “They’ll take time, and plenty of effort, but I’ll have them restored to their glory.”
I hugged Nerissa one last time before she and Dune walked off together toward the village. Maybe, since Isle Lore was again beautiful, the enchanted would come and live in their ancestral home like they had before. Enjoying the land and the fruits. Being able to use their magic at will. It was a dreamy realization.
“Irene, something’s wrong,” Caleb came toward us.
“With Charlotte?”
He shook his head. “With Samira.”
Running down the field, through the meadow of flowers and toward the trees, I let the sound of my heart come rushing to my ears. Elliot and Caleb came with me, and together we met up with Charlotte at the edge. Things were different now. The world felt right. Safe. Clean, crisp air filled my lungs as the warmth of the sun lifted over us. It was truly a gorgeous world to see, one that I was proud to help revive.
“Hey,” Tristan joined us just inside the forest. To call it a forest, though, wasn’t quite accurate. The trees that were once there, standing tall and firm, had all begun to dissipate into pillars of golden dust. Shimmering and floating into the breeze, these saplings and aged monuments of nature were finally able to find freedom. “Follow me,” Tristan waved us over. Leading us deeper toward a winding section of the stream, Tristan stopped to the sight of his brother. Cradling Samira, Lorcan rocked the woman as her head fell back against his elbow. I could hear the man cry, hear his sobs of regret. There wasn’t much we could do at this point, except hope that Lorcan would be kind in his revenge.
“Brother?” Tristan spoke delicately as he approached Lorcan. “I’m here for you.” Putting his hand on Lorcan’s shoulder, Tristan gripped tight to show his support. Lorcan, however, was a mess. Shoving Tristan back as he reached out, a spear of ice so sharp it tore at the shirt Tristan wore, Lorcan faced us with sullen red eyes. He hadn’t let go of Samira, who lay there without a breath or an aura.
“Lorcan, I’m so sorry,” I offered.
“I don’t want your apologies!” The blade lengthened as Tristan scuffled back.
“What do you want? Because, if she’s gone, there’s nothing more we can do here.” I wanted to give him hope, but we all knew there was a possibility of this outcome when we first agreed to pursue the quelling.
“You’re right,” he sulked as he looked down over Samira. I took a couple steps closer to see the woman, but his anger frightened me back. Elliot, stepping in front of me, put his arm out to protect me from the ice crystals that were now growing upward along the grass. Pointed like needles, the little spears would quickly cause harm—and lead to yet another bond to the unstable King of the Faeries. “You cannot do anything more here. Leave,” he brushed her wavy locks back from her face and kissed her dull skin. “Leave!”
“She isn’t gone,” Elliot spoke up after a moment of thought. “She’s here, I can feel her.”
“Like, as a spirit?” I questioned him in a whisper.
“No,” firmly put. “Her energy is still here, still holding on.”
I went to Lorcan as quick as I could and knelt beside him. “May I?” With a nod, he allowed me to take hold of Samira’s hand. Within seconds, I could hear her, feel her warmth. “She’s not gone,” I informed, eager to help the woman finally wake. “Can you do something?” I asked Elliot. Without a word, he was at my side, taking hold of Samira’s other hand.
“I need you to let go,” he said to me. I released Samira and stepped back. “You too,” he said to Lorcan.
“I won’t leave her,” he refused.
“I’m not asking you to. Just set her down so that I won't hurt you.”
Lorcan studied Elliot for a second, his eyes dancing around for some hint of trust. Kissing her, brushing her hair back once more, Lorcan looked right at his brother as if to ask whether it was the right thing to do or not.
“You have nothing else to lose,” Tristan consoled.
Lorcan shuddered as he tried to take a deep breath. Laying Samira’s body upon the grass, beautiful green grass that was both aromatic and healthy, Lorcan slid his touch from the woman he loved. Before blinking away the sorrow, he lost a few tears that now fell onto Samira’s skin. One final kiss to her forehead, and Lorcan had completely let her go.
I had faith in my Lord, even though he was a creature of darkness. Something about his kindness, his honor… I just knew he’d do whatever he could to save Samira and the truce of our legion.
“Help me,” Elliot eyed Tristan as he knelt beside Samira.
Without hesitation, Tristan got to Samira’s other side and knelt. Lorcan and I backed up a little, but nothing was taking our attention from what was about to happen. Elliot, with his eyes closed, leaned over and waved at the open air above Samira. After a few seconds of heavy concentration and complete silence, that dark gray mist of Elliot’s nature came seeping out from his skin. Flowing over Samira’s body, the mist hovered without touching her skin. I could see the burden in Elliot’s demeanor as he fought to keep control. His back rigid, his jaw tight. Lorcan leaned forward as though he needed to save his beloved, but he paused. I could hear him breathing heavily in the steady silence around us, see him twitching out the corner of my eye.
Tristan lifted his hands out like Elliot had and waved over the space above the mist. Engaging in the same level of concentration, although, with less strain than Elliot had shown, the faerie released a golden, airy cloud over Samira. Lorcan and I leaned forward to see what would happen next. The mist traveled around Samira’s body in a slow churning motion as I realized the woman’s aura was beginning to take shape. Tristan held steady until the mist started to fade from sight. I wasn’t sure if Elliot was starting to give out or if his part was over. Either way, Tristan now took control of the revival. The golden cloud encased Samira like a glove, covering every inch of her there on the grass. Her body began to glow, and her aura sharpened in plain sight. Elliot leaned back to
his palms from exhaustion, but Tristan pressed on. Forging the cloud tighter around Samira, her body soon became one with the design. And with a final burst of glowing amber light, as Samira took a deep gasping breath, Tristan was finished.
Lorcan didn’t waste a second getting to her side. Pulling her up into his arms, he brushed her hair from her eyes as they began to open. Several steep breaths later, and the woman eyed Lorcan with grateful cries. He was a mess still, but now there was happiness in his tears. Holding Samira tight in his arms, Lorcan kissed her face and arms and hands. And she, a glowing faerie with beautiful toffee waves and deep blue, sparkling eyes, draped her arms over him and succumbed to his love.
LIGHT, LOVE, MAGIC
“Hey, Cole, the fire’s dimming,” Scarlet called to the faerie.
With a coy smile, Cole turned and snapped his fingers and the flames enlarged.
“Careful,” I warned, holding Amaya in my arms near the warmth. “Don’t make me get up.” Cole laughed.
“Want another marshmallow?” Elliot, sitting at my side with the gooey, sugary stuff all over his fingertips, asked. He was so adorable then with messy hair and innocent eyes. I shrugged with a smile. “What?”
“I still can’t believe you’ve never done this.”
“There’s a lot I haven’t done.”
“I bet.”
“I have hot dogs!” my aunt, gleeful as ever, came out to the backyard with Erik close behind. It wasn’t hard to see the blush in her cheeks, the rosiness that had developed during the few moments she was in the house. “Oh, Charlotte, grab the ketchup, will you?”
“And the mustard,” my brother shouted. Sitting adjacent from Elliot and me, Dylan had his arm wrapped over Ruby’s shoulder. “You ever going to let her walk around?” he glared to me with a grin.
“I’m worried about the fire,” I said fast, but that wasn’t the truth. In the year since our return from Isle Lore, I had barely let Amaya out of my sight, let alone my arms. Motherhood wasn’t easy, but it suited me. I wanted nothing more than to enjoy every second of my daughter’s life.
Witherstone- Wings of My Legion Page 24