Shep went to find his mother. He was ready to go and really had no need to wait. By the date on the letter he had found, Lilly traveled through the portal only yesterday. According to his mother, time there was different than time here. Although a day’s time passed here it would only seem a few hours to Lilly, so theoretically he could be with Lilly in a few hours. By the calculations in his head, anyway, and only if the portal thing worked. Shep was putting all his faith and trust in his mother, who had never failed him before. He hoped and prayed she wouldn’t fail him this time.
“I’m ready mom,” he said when he found her waiting at the base of the staircase. Though he had explored the main floor, he had not found the courage to climb the stairs. He knew Lilly had slept up there, alone, and had yet to find the nerve to go up there. The essence of her was so strong it pained him, and he knew the urge to get to her would be stronger up there.
“Ok, Shep, let’s go,” his mother urged. She climbed the stairs to the second floor and followed the hallway to another set of stairs that led them to the library. He could feel Lilly all over this room.
“Well, what now? Looks like a room of books to me.” He was getting anxious now and the pull to find her was overwhelming. He couldn’t explain his feelings to his mother, but he knew he had to get to her now. He watched her approach a wall of books. She pushed the shelf to the side. There was no wall supporting the shelf, instead a dark empty room. He pulled his flashlight out, shining it into the room. His mother walked in before him and turned, urging him inside. His heart was pounding in his chest. The pull of the room was great and any doubt he had in his mother’s story was immediately erased. He walked carefully into the room. His flashlight hit the floor as his mother grabbed his hands. The room began to spin before Shep passed out.
~Chapter Nine~
When my grandmother finished her story, I was shocked and angry. I had been given a wealth of information. Most I could have lived without ever knowing. I understood well why my mother never shared her past life with me. It was an attempt to keep us safe. What I couldn’t understand is how she could just leave with this man without so much as a question. Why would she insist I come alone? My mother had always been so smart, and up to this point very careful. My grandmother explained to me their theory on the matter. Jax had gone to my mother as James, my father, and convinced her he was alive and well. She would have been so shocked and elated to see him that she would have never thought to question him. Jax was not only able to shape shift, but he could be very convincing and charming when the need arose.
Since then, he had taken my willing mother back through the portal to Neveah, disguised as my father. He was now holding my mother at his compound which was at the edge of the Dark Forest at the far north side of Neveah. He kept her locked in a room high above the ground and guarded at all times. My grandparents had spies working for Jax and there had been conflicting reports regarding my mother’s health. While most reported her as healthy and unharmed, others reported hearing screams of agony and pain coming from her room. They knew well that Jax could and would hurt my mother, if she gave him a reason.
It was at least a three day journey by foot for someone who was unfamiliar with the land. That someone was me. My grandmother explained I possessed the power to heal, like my father James. “You Lilly have the most powerful kind of healing,” my grandmother told me. “You heal with your heart, mind, soul, and touch. Some can only heal animals, some only people, others can only heal specific parts of the body or certain illnesses. But you, you can do it all. You have taken your father’s power. He was a complete healer as well. You also have your mother’s power and are able to calm people. You are special Lilly. Most are born with a single ability.” She spoke the words with a confidence that made me believe I would be able to help my mother. That somehow I would be able to save her. If I can find her, get past the army of creatures Jax had built, and get past Jax, then maybe I could save her.
Then what, I thought to myself. Jax was preparing for war against the Lord and Lady Levannah in hopes of running the land. He would have to be stopped as well. Was that part of my duty or my destiny? I sat in the large room on a giant pillow absorbing the words of my grandmother for what must have been a long time. I truly had no idea what I was going to do. I knew I would try to get to my mother. That was not in question, but how? How was I to rally troops, defeat a monster, and fight a war? This was all overwhelming, and I found myself wishing Shep was here. I shouldn’t have listened to my mother. I should have brought him with me.
I realized after a few moments that all voices had stopped talking. They had stopped convincing me and left me alone to think. I hadn’t realized I was alone until my grandmother came back in the room. “Lilly, come with me, I will introduce you to the people of the house and then show you to your room. I am sure you have a lot to think about, and you look rather tired.” She reached down and gently lifted me up. I followed without muttering a word.
She led me to the dining hall where many residents of Neveah were seated around a large, round table. Seated at the far side was a man, around the age of my grandmother with hair the same color of silver, but cropped short to his head. His eyes were crystal blue and his skin pale. I couldn’t tell if it was naturally pale or had gone that way after growing ill from worry. His eyes met mine, and I could feel the sadness they held, much like my grandmother. He stood and spoke to my grandmother, “Have you told her then?” He asked in a voice so deep and raspy I thought maybe he hadn’t spoken or drank anything in a very long time.
“Yes, I have told her most. The rest she will have to learn as she goes,” she replied.
He moved around the table to stand in front of me. “She does look like her, does she not?” He asked.
“Yes, she does. Now let’s get her introduced to everyone and then she needs to rest.” My grandmother’s voice was firm but loving.
The silver headed man sat back in his seat. My grandmother proceeded with the introductions, “Everyone, as you well know by now, this is our granddaughter Lilly May, daughter of Annika. She has traveled from the Ordinary World in search of her mother. Please help us welcome her home. She is a bit weary of the situation, which is to be expected.” I flushed at this, looking down at my feet. I thought I had hid my feelings pretty well, but this woman had seen right through me.
She began introductions starting with the silver haired man, and proceeded around the table. “This is your grandfather, Lord Adair. Denali is your uncle, he is your mother’s younger brother. That’s Renny and Diallo, guardians of this manor. You know Serephina. Next to her are Avery and Avelon, the rulers of the elves. Then we have Caliope, Eudora, Hadrian and Merrik all are part of the tree fairies. They are fighters and live to protect Neveah. Over in the corner are Brontes and Hannah, leaders of the giants. There is a family of giants at each of the four corners of Neveah. The northern giants are perched atop the mountain and they are keeping watch on Jax. Their names are Cyrus and Abigail. They couldn’t be here tonight. They haven’t left their home above Jax’s compound since your mother’s capture. This is Viviana , the sister of your father. She is able to heal many creatures by touch, just not humans and is set to marry our Denali as soon as your mother is home and peace is restored.” The pretty girl smiled up at me, and I smiled back.
I looked around the room in an attempt to memorize all these creatures. Renny and Diallo looked like twins with blond, curly hair that skimmed their shoulders, with strong facial features and were large and muscular though they didn’t appear dangerous in the least. They smiled largely at me revealing sparkling white teeth. Avery and Avelon reminded me of Serephina, with the same round eyes and bow lips. They appeared older though, and Avery had short spiky hair the color of slate, while Avelon’s hair reached her shoulders and bounced up in tight ringlets the color of pink cotton candy. The tree fighters were only a foot tall but all wore fierce looks on their faces. They all shared dark brown eyes and dark skin. Hadrian and Merrik were the
boys in the group and wore their brown hair shorter but messy while the girls, Caliope and Eudora both had long, wavy brown hair that was tied back with a leather strap. Though none of the fighter fairies looked like twins, they shared a strong resemblance. I assumed they were siblings. Brontes and Hannah were the giants, and I was not likely to forget them any time soon. Even in the enormous room, with towering ceilings, they had to stoop to stand up. They were both beautiful despite their size. Brontes’ face was gentle and framed by red, shaggy hair while Hannah wore her black hair long and straight. Her face was also gentle yet beautiful in a way hard to describe.
Lastly, I focused on Denali and Viviana. Denali shared an overwhelming resemblance with his father. Strong features yet very handsome. His hair was blond and worn short. His eyes were a piercing blue that seemed to look right through me. Viviana was beautiful with her red hair and gentle features. Her eyes, the color green, were watching me with understanding and curiosity. These last two, my aunt and uncle, reminded me so much of my mother and me. Viviana approached me, and without speaking wrapped her long arms tightly around me. I could feel her tears on my shoulder. I hugged her back, and felt the warmth of family.
I was feeling a little overwhelmed, and was grateful when Serephina and my grandmother brought me to my room, leaving me alone to think. They both knew I had absorbed a lot and would need to sort things out before leaving to find my mother. I didn’t need long to decide I would gladly, and more than willingly, give all I possessed to find and help my mother. I stood in front of the full length mirror, wondering what I had gotten into, and knowing I really didn’t care. As I watched myself, it struck me how odd I must look amongst these people.
I wore my jeans and Bon Jovi shirt, while they were adorned by beautiful gowns. My face was plain and my hair was dull, while their skin was smooth and glowing. I swear you could see their aura glowing off of them. I wondered if everyone in Neveah had glowing auras. I wondered if they were aware they were glowing. I shrugged off the thoughts, they were irrelevant. I was who I was, and being more than ordinary didn’t change that.
I grabbed a brush off the dressing table and ran it through my tangled hair. I was startled to feel the bristles move. Before I could move the brush away the bristles began massaging my scalp. It felt fantastic and instantly relaxed me. I must have sat there for a while because a light knock on the door broke me out of my trance. “Lilly, may I come in?” I recognized my grandmother’s voice and went to the door. “Of course, I was just brushing my hair,” I said smiling. She smiled back showing her beautiful white teeth.
“That was your mother’s magic brush you know? She would spend hours brushing her hair, many times falling asleep while it massaged her head.” She smiled at the memory. The love for her daughter was shown clearly on her face.
“You know, this room has been untouched since she fled Neveah. I am sure you would fit her clothes. Please help yourself to anything in this room. That is what she would want,” she offered, smiling at me.
“Thank you ma’am,” I replied.
“Oh, Lilly please call me Meme. That’s our word of affection for grandmothers here.” Her eyes smiled at me this time. “Thank you Meme,” I replied again, only this time I hugged her whispering, “I will do my best to find her and bring her home to us.” She squeezed me back and spoke so softly I almost didn’t hear her. “I know you will Lilly. I hope you both come back safe.” She backed away, looking at me, a tear in her eyes. No other words had to be said. We both knew I was heading into danger.
There had been a question nagging me since the story was told and introductions were made. “Meme, if you don’t mind me asking, what happened to Mr. and Mrs. Androni? I noticed they were not among those in the dining hall.” I had hoped I wasn’t overstepping my boundaries with the question, but having known the friendship they had shared, I couldn’t help but wonder what had happened. Meme let out a sigh before going over to the bed and sitting down.
“Well, word of what had transpired in the Dark Forest traveled quickly in Neveah. Selene was torn apart about what her son had done. Aldon carried a great amount of guilt. They had never seen a hint of evilness in their son, what parent does?” She smiled weakly before going on. “Your Poppy and I tried to be there for them. We insisted we didn’t believe them to be in any way responsible for what Jax had done, yet they just couldn’t get past the horror of what their son had become. They fled Neveah, shortly after your mother. We have not heard from them since. We don’t believe them to be with Jax, as we have heard no word of them in years,” she finished, looking tortured. It was clear she missed her friends dearly, and I almost felt sorry for asking, but felt that bit of information may be important for me to know. I sat next to her, taking her hand in mine. “I’m sorry Meme,” was all I said. The more I heard of this man, the more I couldn’t wait to get to my mother.
I would not take a direct line to them though. No, I was to roam the lands of Neveah, trying to rally the people to stand beside me should a fight come to pass. I was to visit many villages and homes. I was so unsure how I would be received, after all I was raised with Ordinaries. Although people of Neveah were generally very warm, caring people, they may be rather leery of me. Most of them had only heard about the Ordinaries in stories, if they had heard about them at all. Only very few had actually encountered one. My grandmother tried to squash my fears of rejection. “You are special too Lilly. Don’t forget that.” I sighed but gave no reply.
“Eat here tonight, sleep here tonight. You can leave in the morning. Meal time is in one hour. I will see you in the dining hall.” And with that she was gone. I giggled a little to myself thinking how similar the Special Ones were to the Ordinaries. I just hoped the Special Ones were more accepting of strangers than the Ordinaries.
~Chapter Ten~
I spent a good portion of the next hour playing dress up with my mother’s things. I was amazed by all the beautiful gowns that hung in her closet. Nothing like the jeans and t-shirts she sported back home. My mother had always seemed like such a no fuss kind of girl. Not afraid of getting her hands dirty. I had never, in my eighteen years, seen my mother dress up. A few articles were calling my name, so I pulled them gently from the closet and laid them on the bed.
The first one I tried on was made of plush, violet velvet. The sleeves were long and the neck was high. The skirt was full while the bodice held me in tight. The violet dress was trimmed with silver ribbon and the back was held together with satin buttons. I did a few turns in front of the mirror, feeling like a princess, before I decided it was too fancy and pulled it off. The next dress was candy apple red and sleeveless. It was tight from my cleavage to my feet. The fabric was held together by black criss crossing ribbon that trailed the back of the dress down to my waist. A little too provocative I thought, and felt a little embarrassed that my mother had worn it, but wished Shep could have been there to see me in it. I missed him greatly, and decided to use my desire to go back to him as motivation to find my mother and go home as soon as possible.
I pulled the dress off, pushing Shep from my thoughts. Next was a pair of pants made of cotton that were fitted in the waist but hung freely to my feet. They were a dark brown and had a red top to match. The top hung past my waist and reached up to my neck. The sleeves were short and buttons adorned the front. I found a pair of brown boots in the closet and decided this is what I would wear on the journey to my mother. I reasoned the people of Neveah may be more accepting if I looked more the part, and my jeans and t-shirt just didn’t fit in. I tried on a silk dress that was really no more than fabric that draped over my shoulders falling to the floor. It was navy blue and the waist was cinched together with a gold rope. I loved it, simple yet elegant and chose this one to wear to dinner.
Once dressed, I sat at my mother’s dressing table and braided my hair, securing it with a gold ribbon. I dabbed my finger in her pink powder and rubbed a tiny bit on my cheeks and lips. I slipped on a pair of gold sandals and checked myself
one last time in the mirror. Wearing my mother’s clothes and being in her room made me feel close to her. Gave me strength to do what I was so afraid of doing.
The end of my hour was nearing, so I decided to make my way to the dining hall. Before I reached the door there was a knock. It was a little louder and clumsier than my grandmother’s had been. ‘Must be Serephina’ I thought. “I’ll be right down Serephina,” I called out. The little elf was sweet, but I just wanted to spend these last few moments alone. I knew I would be surrounded by people and things every waking moment as soon as I stepped out of my mother’s room.
I was trying to savor my moment alone a bit longer when the knock came louder, more aggressive. I tried to speak without irritation. “I said I will be right down.” Again, the knock came louder. This time I was frightened. What if this was Jax coming to get me? What if he already had my grandmother and Serephina? My heart kicked up a notch and beads of sweat were gracing my entire body. I scolded myself for being paranoid. The knock came one more time. I took a deep breath and touched the handle, knowing I had no way out, even if he was on the other side. I had to face him eventually and would do it now with confidence.
I jerked the door open prepared to scold whoever stood on the other side. “Just what the hell do you think you’re doing banging,” I stopped and froze, mid-sentence. I looked up into those eyes that I knew so well. “Hey Lilly, did ya miss me?” He was beaming at me. “Shep? Is that you? Wait, how are you here? You’re Ordinary, how did you make it here? How did you know where I was?” The questions were tumbling out of my mouth, and before he could speak a thought struck me, what if this was Jax skin walking as Shep? Oh God, I was panicking again. This man looked so much like my Shep. My mother had thought that too, I was sure, and look where she is now. I backed away, sure I was being fooled.
Neveah Box Series (Neveah Box Set Book 5) Page 8