The Darkness of Light

by Tammy Farrell

  “What prophecy?” Corbin asked, forcing himself to breathe.

  “Other than my many years on this earth, I was no great Dia. I had no extraordinary powers or purpose. But Ethnea foretold that my son, even as a half-blood, would become the guardian of the Keeper. My son would be the one to watch over the Keeper of the coire. And together, our children would ensure the survival of our kind.”

  Corbin looked back at Mara. “She is the Keeper,” he whispered.

  Mara took in a sharp breath. “I’m not,” she said. “Rowan thought I was, Malcolm thought I was. But I am not.”

  Drake glanced at her and nodded, giving them both a moment to absorb what he said. “You are, Mara.”

  Corbin shook his head. “But why would Ethnea hide your Light? Why would she take your memory? What does that have to do with this?”

  Drake’s eyes brightened. He put a hand on Mara’s shoulder and gently lifted the dagger still clutched in her hand. “This is the coire.”

  Mara raised her eyes and looked from Corbin to Drake. “I’ve had it this entire time?” she asked in a whisper.

  Drake nodded. “Yes. She gave me the dagger and masked my Light so I wouldn’t be drawn by its power. She knew I would regain my Light someday, and she made sure to keep me close. That’s how I ended up in Moorthrop.”

  Corbin put his hand to his head. “How does this ensure the survival of our kind?”

  Drake smiled. “Because the coire not only brings others back from the Otherworld, Corbin—the Keeper can bestow Light on others. From the moment that dagger was in Mara’s hands, the power of the coire came to life within her.” Drake looked to Mara and back at Corbin. “She’s already used its power, even if she didn’t know she was doing it.”

  Mara reached out and took the dagger from Drake. “The exchange of energy between us,” she said. “I’ve given Light to Corbin.”

  “Yes,” Drake replied with a slow nod. “I can see it in Corbin already. His Light is pure now.” He looked at Corbin.“And you will find you can push your abilities much farther than ever before.”

  Corbin braced himself on the arms of his chair. “I am a full Dia now,” he breathed. “She made me a Dia.” He grasped Mara’s hand.

  “I can’t believe it,” Mara said.

  Corbin finally met Mara’s stare. “That explains my new power, the one I discovered in Redlow…” He trailed off as he recalled how he killed the magistrate.

  Drake nodded. “Mara has given you Light because she chose you before she was even aware of it. And as long as Mara protects the Lia Fáil and the power of the coire within her, she can bestow her Light on anyone she chooses.”

  Mara gasped as if suddenly struck by a thought, and she jumped to her feet. The candle in front of her flickered and her eyes widened into a mad stare.

  “What is it?” Corbin asked, feeling the room grow warm. “What is it, Mara?”

  “I am the Keeper,” she said. Her eyes darted towards the window. “I am the Keeper,” she repeated.

  The room was very still for a moment. Corbin and Drake watched Mara sway back and forth, and then in an instant, she darted for the door. Mara was gone before they could even get to their feet.

  Corbin raced to the door and looked back at Drake. “What is she doing?” he pleaded, running after her without hearing Drake’s reply. He leapt down the steps and stuck his head in the doorway of the dining hall. Malcolm was still on the floor. The others looked up at him in surprise. He didn’t wait to explain himself when he heard the thud of the heavy entrance door to Valenia close.

  With Drake right behind him, Corbin sprinted outside, his eyes raking the beach for any sign of Mara in the moonless night when he spotted her, crouched in front of Isa’s grave. “Mara!” he called out and ran towards her, but she didn’t look up. He knew exactly what she was trying to do, but the fear of possible failure swept over him. “Mara, don’t,” he shouted.

  Corbin jumped up to the cliff and when he and Drake were only steps away from her, Drake put a hand on Corbin’s shoulder. “Stop, Corbin,” he urged. They watched in silence while Mara knelt over the little grave. Her hands were open in her lap, her eyes closed and her head turned to the sky. Corbin watched the light materialize in her palms, but this wasn’t like her fire. This was different. It twisted and curved up into the air like smoke and danced around her until it became a wall between them.

  Corbin tried to take a step forward, but Drake grabbed him by the shoulder. “Let her try,” he said.

  Corbin held his breath as the smoky light expanded at his feet, and a mist started to close in on him until he could see nothing but the fog. He wanted to break through it and go to Mara, fearing he would lose her to the Otherworld. Just then, a tremendous flash of light burst into the air and a fierce gust of wind made Corbin stumble back. “Mara!” he yelled over the roar of wind and light. He pushed against it, fighting his way closer to her. He couldn’t see a thing; he could only feel his father’s hands trying to drag him back. But Corbin broke free, and just as he inched his way closer to Mara, the wind and mist died down, and he fell forward onto the ground.

  Corbin pushed himself up and in the calmness around them, he stared at Mara, blinking several times to make sure he could believe what he was seeing. She was on her knees in the same position, but Isa was in her arms. Corbin blinked again, speechless, and looked at Drake. “This can’t be real,” he said, looking back at Mara and Isa.

  Drake put a hand on Corbin’s shoulder and helped him to his feet. “I think it is, son.”

  “Isa?” Corbin took a tentative step forward and swallowed the immense lump in his throat. “Isa?” he whispered again.

  Isa lifted her head from Mara’s shoulder and her bouncing brown curls danced around her face. She smiled a brilliant white grin. “Corbin!” she exclaimed in her high-pitched voice. She let go of Mara and dashed towards him, jumping into his arms as she had always done. “Corbin!” she said again, kissing his cheek over and over. She pulled back and looked at him with her large amber eyes. “I’ve been to the strangest place, Corbin. Wait until I tell you about it! Do you have my horses? Can you make me some more? I want some with wings this time.” She giggled and placed a kiss on his nose.

  Corbin finally took in a breath, realizing she wouldn’t disappear in an instant. “I will make you a whole army of horses if that’s what you want.” He held her tight and rested her head on his shoulder. “I’ve missed you so much,” he said, his voice quivering. He exhaled as tears came to his eyes and turned to Mara. She got to her feet slowly and looked at him with a smile on her face, tears running down her cheeks. “I am the Keeper,” she whispered.

  Corbin held out his free arm for Mara. She appeared exhausted, but the Light in her eyes was strong. She walked up and Corbin wrapped his arm around her. “You are,” he said. “Thank you. Thank you for bringing Isa back.”

  Isa giggled again and wiggled for Corbin to put her down. Her little feet hit the ground and her eyes landed on Drake. “Who is that?” she asked, pointing at him.

  Drake smiled and bowed as though she were a queen. “My name is Drake, my little lady. I am Corbin’s father.”

  Isa gasped and looked at Corbin. “You have a papa now?”

  Corbin nodded with a smile. “I do.”

  Isa turned back to Drake. “My papa isn’t here anymore. I was sad to leave him behind, but he wanted me to go. He said I belonged here.”

  Drake nodded. “Well, I am happy to make your acquaintance.” He took her hand in his and kissed it, making Isa laugh.

  Corbin took a deep breath and squeezed Mara in his arms. “Are you all right?” he asked.

  She looked up at him; her expression was calm, and a smile crossed her lips. “Yes,” she said. “I think I am.” She let go of Corbin, walked over to Drake and picked Isa up. “How can I ever thank you?” she asked him.

  Drake smiled at her and touched her cheek affectionately. “I am the one who should be grateful to you,” he said.


  Mara nodded and turned back to Corbin. “I am going to take Isa inside. Will you make sure everything is secure?” she asked.

  Corbin knew she was referring to Malcolm. He nodded and watched her carry Isa down the beach. When she was gone, Corbin turned to Drake with a frown. This was the happiest moment in his life, but there was still a looming darkness amongst them. “What are we to do with Malcolm, then? We can’t just let him loose.”

  Drake’s eyes glistened. “I think I know what to do with him.”

  “And what’s that?” Corbin asked, intrigued by his father’s expression.

  “Did you know that sidhes like Valenia weren’t originally created to keep mortals out, but rather, to keep the Dia in?” He shot Corbin a cunning smile.

  Mara didn’t want to go to him. So why did she feel like she had to? Why couldn’t she just leave the next day with the others and forget the wretched creature that would now haunt Valenia for as long as he lived?

  She loathed the thought that his life was now connected to hers. She would rather see him dead. But she trusted Drake. And since Malcolm was now mortal, she would be bound to this world by his mortal years. The only way for Mara to live was if she bestowed the years of a Dia on Malcolm while denying him any power. That would be simple, she thought. With the power of the coire inside her, she could do it.

  Mara didn’t hide this new awareness of what she was from the others. She should have; at least that’s what all the Keepers before her had done. But they were all gone, and as far as she knew, she was the most powerful creature on earth. Gods be damned—she could do what she wanted. And she would.

  After getting over the shock of seeing Isa alive again, she decided she would bless the others with the gift of Light, should they want it, of course. But she believed they would. Annora deserved to be a true Dia, as did Ailwen, Barrett, and even Gareth. They risked their lives for her and saved her life – more than once. They would be the new breed of Dia, not created to rule the world, but rather, charged with protecting it from those who wished to control it.

  Mara hadn’t told the others of her plans just yet. She would wait until they were settled in their new home and then she would give them all the gift of Light. What a wonderful day that would be. They needed something wonderful. They needed to feel hopeful. She needed to feel hopeful.

  Now she felt a sense of relief and a poignant calm that she welcomed in favor of the fear and anxiety that had been her previous existence.

  Mara checked in on Isa, who was fast asleep. She stroked her soft cheek and placed a kiss on her forehead. Having Isa back was like a dream. And it made the horrors of the last few months easier to accept. It added meaning to the whole ordeal.

  After checking in on Isa, Mara walked down the hall and up the steps to the door of Rowan’s chamber. It was now a cell for the wretch. Barrett sat guard outside, even though Mara insisted there was no need for such precautions. She’d made sure Malcolm couldn’t get out of the room until they were far from Valenia. And the warrior Eli, having survived his injuries, was now glamoured into being Malcolm’s servant. Together they would live out their days, trapped in the place that had once been a refuge, and was now a prison.

  Barrett looked up at her with his bright, smiling eyes. “Is everything all right?” he asked tenderly. Mara had grown to admire Barrett. She could see in his mind he truly was a kind man.

  She smiled and put a hand on his arm. “Yes, Barrett, everything is fine.” She looked to the door. “I need to go in there.”

  Barrett seemed hesitant. Mara could see in his thoughts that he didn’t want her to do it. The others didn’t know the full extent of what Malcolm had done to her, but they had their suspicions, and she resolved to let them remain as such.

  “Don’t worry, Barrett. I can handle him. I promise.”

  He pushed his lips to one side and then conceded. “Very well, but I will be right here if you need me. And don’t listen to his ramblings. We’ll be done with him soon enough.”

  “Of course,” she said as she opened the door and stepped into the darkness.

  The large window that would have let in the moonlight was now fully closed over with rock as though a window was never there at all. Several candles were strewn about the room, but none were lit.

  Mara saw the outline sitting in the corner, and could hear his breath quicken the closer she got. From the table, she lifted a candle and lit it, letting the soft yellow light reveal her face to him. She needed no such aid to see him because her eyes were keen and she could peer through even the blackest night.

  As Mara walked closer to Malcolm, he shrunk away from her. His mind was chaotic, and his thoughts were confused. That wasn’t part of the spell she’d placed on him - he’d done that to himself.

  Mara lit the other candles and sat down across from him. His hair was still fair and his features still impish, but his eyes were dark, and he no longer radiated the Light from within. He was utterly and miserably mortal, just as she thought he should be.

  She sat there staring at Malcolm with her cold eyes for a long while with no hint of fear creeping into her mind.

  “What do you want?” he finally asked in a growl.

  “I haven’t come to hurt you, if that’s what you believe,” Mara said.

  She could see he tried to calm his nerves. “What more could you do to me?”

  “I’ve done no more to you than what you did to me,” she said evenly.

  “But I wouldn’t have left you like this,” he spat. “I only wanted you. I loved you. And now you’re condemning me to a life like this?”

  “A life with you would have been equally as miserable for me, Malcolm.”

  Malcolm jerked his head away from her. “Then you’ve won. Have you come to gloat?”

  Mara sighed. “No. I’ve come to tell you that while I despise you, I have misjudged you.”

  Malcolm wrinkled his brow and looked at her questioningly. “Misjudged?”

  She continued, “From what I can make of your muddled mind, I can see that you didn’t intend to kill Rowan. You were telling the truth. And I can also see that your intent to stop me from leaving was initially driven by love. But I loathe you because it was a selfish love. That’s all you know how to do, Malcolm—love people selfishly.”

  Malcolm’s face darkened. “Then I am what I am. Are you done insulting me now?”

  Mara shook her head. “I am not insulting you. I am telling you the truth. The reason I say I misjudged you is because I didn’t understand how you could become so wicked, but now I do understand.”

  “And why is that?” Malcolm asked, rolling his eyes.

  “It’s the power of the Light,” she said. “I was only a new Dia when you took it from me. I didn’t know its strength. And now that I have it back, and Rowan’s…and yours…I can feel the pull of it and the weight of its power. It would be easier for me to give in to it, than to control it. It can be truly dark. So you see, I don’t entirely fault you anymore. I know you became what you did because you were too weak to handle the Light.”

  Malcolm smirked. “And you believe you are strong enough?”

  “Yes.” She paused and watched him. “Despite your best efforts, Malcolm, I am unbroken. And I am strong. I choose to be as such. You chose to be weak, which is why I am here and you are there.”

  Malcolm gave a soft laugh. “Well then, all is set to right. Now be gone and stop bothering me.”

  Mara stood up. “I was once told that my stubbornness would bring me nothing but loneliness and sorrow. I realize that now, and I suggest you heed the same warning.”

  “I will be sure to do that, princess.” Malcolm looked away.

  “Good,” Mara said, getting to her feet. “But there’s one more thing I must do before I leave you.”

  “And what is that?” he asked.

  She took a step closer to him, observing the fear in his eyes. “I have to make certain you don’t die as a mortal, being that our souls are now connected.” Before M
alcolm had a chance to object she reached out and touched his chest with her long white finger. She held it there while a thin layer of light spread over his entire body, just like when he cast the spell on her cloak. Malcolm was stunned for a moment and then relaxed as the light faded.

  “What have you done?” he asked, looking himself over.

  “I’ve given you years, Malcolm. Many, many years on this earth in that form. Now you will have to spend as many years as I will, with the scars of what’s been done. So in a way you’ve gotten what you wanted. We are now eternally bound together. And that’s all I can give you.”

  Mara could see the old anger rising in Malcolm as his face darkened into a scowl.

  “I should have killed you,” he muttered.

  Mara nodded, got to her feet and walked back to the door. “On that point, Malcolm, you are right.”

  Barrett looked relieved when Mara stepped out and closed the door behind her. “You can go to sleep now, Barrett. He won’t be getting out of there tonight, I promise.”

  Barrett nodded. “If it’s all the same to you, I’d prefer to sleep here, just in case.”

  Mara smiled. “Very well, then.”

  She walked down the main hall and stopped at the wooden crates piled against the wall. They were filled with all the scrolls and texts Rowan saved. Drake was the Guardian of the legends now, and he would also watch over the new Dia once Mara created them. On top of the pile sat a thick book of vellum bound in sheepskin. She opened the cover and thumbed through the blank pages. The legends of the Dia hadn’t been recorded in some time, and so she asked Drake to preserve the stories once they were settled in their new home. He had five hundred years of knowledge to record, and of course the story of the Keeper’s daughter to tell.

  While she knew that their kind would never again rule any kingdom of their own, they would no longer live in the darkness of their Light. They would survive, and in their written legends they would continue to bear witness to the power of the long forsaken gods that still roamed amongst the mortals.