When I woke the sun was setting, and my eyes felt swollen and dry. It was five, and I knew Michael would be there with pizza soon. I splashed some cold water on my face and promised myself not to break down again. I had allowed myself a serious moment of weakness, but was done with that now. I had to move forward for the baby and me. I set about packing my clothes into black trash bags. I didn’t have a lot. Enough for two large bags was all. I found boxes on the front porch and figured Michael had left them for me. I packed up my personal things: pictures, books, sketch pads, CDs, and movies. The house in Newberg was fully functional, so I didn’t need things like dishes and towels. I just needed enough to make it feel like home. I removed the paintings from the wall my mother had done. I would hang them in the new house. I also took her journal and sketch pads. I left her room otherwise untouched. When Michael arrived, he carried out the television, DVD player, stereo, the two funky lamps my mother had made, the boxes I packed, as well as my clothes bags. By seven, we were done and eating pizza.
I enjoyed that night with Michael. He promised to visit soon, and I promised to keep him updated on the baby. He knew I would tell him any news of Shep. We didn’t need to discuss that. I slept soundly that night and was ready to go when I woke just before dawn. I didn’t bother with dressing. I could travel in the sweats I had worn to bed. I stepped out the door and said a quiet goodbye to my home. I didn’t know if I would ever be back. I hoped I would be back with Shep, but that was no guarantee. I knew I wouldn’t be back without him.
~Chapter Four~
She woke to the taste of hot mint water assaulting her taste buds. She felt hands holding her head up, cradling her like an infant, yet her eyes would not adjust. She was aware of her heartbeat and her breathing. The familiar in and out, felt like such sweet relief to her. Darkness had surrounded her for what seemed like an eternity, yet she knew she was alive. Heaven was not darkness. She was trapped within herself and believed she would never return. She had begged for death, pleaded to be released, yet she had remained in darkness.
The darkness was slowly fading, and she felt her conscious mind overtaking the subconscious. She still couldn’t feel her limbs. Yet seeing light through the dark, tasting, smelling, and feeling her heart and breath was enough to give her an overwhelming sense of living. Yes, she thought, she was going to live. With the feeling of life, she fell back to sleep, though this time she knew she would awaken.
As she slept, the Fey Shea busied herself getting things ready for Akayleah’s awakening. She had been in and out for days, yet this last awakening showed great signs that she would be fully conscious soon. She would have many questions, and Shea would be ready to answer them.
Soon after Jax poisoned Akayleah, his Fey sent word to her sister in the Dark Forest. She instructed her sister to send a healer and a dragon. Their queen had returned and was in need of their help. Shea didn’t hesitate. She went directly to Jase Mender, James Mender’s brother and master of healing people.
It happened quickly. Jase and Shea had to get Akayleah out of the compound before Jax returned and without being seen by one of his minions. Jase thought she was dead and said as much to Alana. He was sure there was no bringing Akayleah back, but Alana, Jax’s Fey, assured him she was not. She was just in a dark place that left her rendered helpless. Taking the Fey’s word for it, Jase opened Akayleah’s mouth and poured the hot liquid down her throat. She had not stirred or awoken, but she hadn’t choked either and the healer took that as a good sign. He lifted Akayleah in his arms and carried her to the dragon Josiah.
Josiah was a sight to behold. The largest dragon in Neveah, and white as snow, he flew undetected to The Dark Forest. Jase carried her back into the old tree trunk that had once been her home. The creatures that had once been loyal to her, remained loyal, and were ready to help heal her. The trunk had not been touched or entered since she fled with Annika Levannah. Though she was only a self-proclaimed queen, the creatures had a great amount of respect and admiration for Akayleah. She was kind to them and had worked hard to make the forest safe. Now she was home, and they would help heal her.
“Thank you for bringing her back, Jase,” Shea said before removing the veil she wore to cover her face.
“You’re welcome, Shea. Take care of her,” he replied and left her to tend to Akayleah.
After days of restless slumber and being pulled in and out of the darkness, Akayleah opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry at first, but as her eyes wandered the room and became more focused, she realized she was in her tree in The Dark Forest. She first felt relief to be home, then worry invaded her mind as she began to remember why she was back there in the first place. She was unable to lift her head, and could not yet feel her limbs, but her eyes searched for someone. She knew she was not alone. That someone came to stand at her bedside. “Hello, Akayleah!” The sweet voice rang in her ears as she tried to place it. The person was standing just out of her sight. She opened her mouth to speak and realized making the muscles of her mouth move was a challenge, and her raw throat made it difficult to push the sound out.
A small hand reached up to rub her forehead. Finally, the owner of the sweet voice came into view. A wave of emotion rushed over Akayleah as she realized it was her Fey, Shea. Shea had been with Akayleah during time as the queen of The Dark Forest. Shea was the least beautiful of her sisters, but lovely all the same. She did not hold the same power of possession as her sisters either. She was able to be in contact with other creatures without them feeling as though they were connected to her for the rest of their lives.
Shea had felt like an outcast when it was realized that she did not possess the beauty or draw to hold someone captive. She tried to remain with her family, but always felt as though she was on the outside looking in. Her sisters were never malicious to her, though, which made her feel worse. She loved her sisters, but she didn't want to feel like she was living in their glorious shadows. She retreated to The Dark Forest where she could stay well hidden, where she didn’t live in the shadows of her sisters.
She met Akayleah soon after her arrival and the two quickly became friends. Both had left home for the same reasons, feeling as outcasts, and formed a sisterly bond. Shea had been hurt upon Akayleah’s departure, but with her gift of sight, she understood why she had to go. She was back now, and Shea was grateful to have her friend home.
“Shea, is that you?” Akayleah—or Leah as she called herself after going to the Ordinary World—asked, her voice nearly a whisper.
“Yes, it is me. You are back in your tree, and you are safe here. You have been greatly missed, Akayleah.” The Fey smiled at her, and Leah realized how much she had missed Shea. Her curly, caramel colored hair was as wild as it used to be, her olive colored skin bore no wrinkles and her amber eyes still full of mischief and love. She was exactly the same.
“I have missed you greatly, Shea,” she said, trying to form her mouth into a smile.
“I have missed you as well,” Shea replied.
“How did I get here?”
“My sister Alana had been held at Jax’s compound for years. He would consult her when he needed help in his decision making. She saw what he did to you, and sent word to me. I sent a healer to you and he brought you home upon Josiah.” She sounded proud of herself when she finished.
“Josiah carried me here?” Leah had loved Josiah the dragon dearly. She spent many days traveling the lands with him. She had been so quick to leave, to follow Annie, she didn’t think of the friends she left behind. Now here they were, coming to her rescue without a second thought. She was beyond grateful.
“Yes, he carried you home.”
“I still cannot feel my arms or legs.”
“The feeling will come back slowly. Jax gave you a very powerful drug that left you hanging in limbo and paralyzed. It would have killed you eventually. Thankfully the healer got to you in time. You are expected to make a full recovery.”
“That is wonderful, thank you, Shea.” The Fey just s
miled at her. “Is there word of my son?” she asked, almost afraid to hear the answer. This was the question Shea had been waiting for. The news was not good, yet she must tell her friend.
“Yes, he is being held in Jax’s compound,” she said, bracing for Akayleah’s response.
“What? How did that happen? I have to get to him.” She was horrified having her son there, knowing what Jax was capable of.
“You can do no such thing until you are well. Listen to me, Akayleah, Neveah is on the verge of a great war and it’s not Jax who is waging it.” She paused, unsure how to tell her. “It’s your sister,” she said, the words dry and to the point. She stood waiting for Akayleah’s response.
“Kelsha? How? Why?” she asked, confusion etched on her face and in her voice. She wanted so badly to get out of that damned bed and get to her son. She knew she would have to wait. She would need to be strong.
“It was said that Jax murdered Annika Levannah and James Mender, but most Neveahians believe it was Kelsha. Denali was there and saw the anguish Jax wore when he discovered the bodies. He went to Kelsha, ready to kill her himself when Shep stepped in, stopping Jax for good.” Shea hoped this was enough to pacify Akayleah. She needed her rest. Shea knew Akayleah, though. She knew she would not rest until all her questions were answered. Shea saw the sadness that washed over Akayleah’s face when she mentioned Annika Levannah’s death and watched as she tucked her hurt away to focus on the present.
“Okay, but that doesn't tell me why Shep is at the compound. He killed Jax? Really? Wow, he must be a wreck,” she said more to herself than to Shea. Leah knew her boy. Shep was a strong man, both physically and mentally, but he was no killer. Knowing he killed his blood father would torment his mind, even if he had acted on instinct and for the right reason. Another thought occurred to her. “Where is Lilly?” she asked. She hadn't heard Shea mention Lilly and felt a wave of panic.
“Shep left Lilly. He willingly followed Kelsha. No one knows why. The girl was broken and unconscious for days. When she finally woke, it was discovered that she is with child. She made the choice to leave Neveah. We have word that Shep is being held in the dungeon of Jax’s compound and Kelsha is now in charge of things.”
“Dear God, what is she doing?” Leah couldn’t believe her ears. Shep left Lilly? What the hell was her son doing? She reasoned he must have a plan. He must have good reason for leaving Lilly, because her son would never desert his family, unless there was a damn good reason. She wondered if Shep knew of Lilly's pregnancy when he left her. I'm going to be a grandmother. She thought silently and felt a tiny pinch in her heart. She couldn't help but feel a bit of excitement among all the turmoil she was feeling. She knew now was not the time and tucked the excitement neatly in her heart. Shep was going to be a father. Leah had every intention of bringing him home to his family, home to her. She was lost in thought and had to return her attention to Shea when she realized she was talking.
“We don’t know, but it gets worse,” she said.
“How can it get any worse?”
“Kelsha is pregnant as well, with the child of Jax. That gives her full control of Jax’s estate. It seems she is stepping in to take his place. Also, Shep believes you are dead. He saw your lifeless body and vowed to make Jax pay. It seems he kept his promise.”
Leah felt sick to her stomach. She had to get to her son. She had to stop her sister. She felt some relief knowing Lilly was home. She hoped she would be safer there. The idea of being a grandmother made her heart burst with joy. That baby would need his father, and Leah made a silent vow to get her son back. First things first, she had to regain feeling and control of her arms and legs.
“How long before I can feel my arms and legs?” she asked Shea.
“Well, you have improved quickly and you being awake is a great sign. It’s hard to say exactly, but maybe another night or two,” Shea replied, thinking it may take longer, but didn’t want to put a damper on her spirits.
“That’s not good enough. I need to get out of this bed, help me sit up,” she demanded, though her tone was not harsh.
Shea tried to discourage her. “Akayleah, it’s too soon, you just regained consciousness! Surely you can’t even think of moving right now! You can’t even feel your body.” Her words were coming fast and were laced with worry.
Leah stopped her. “Look, I don’t have time to waste. If you help me sit up and I get my blood flowing maybe I can regain some feeling sooner. I have nothing to lose, right Shea?”
“Right, but Akayleah—”
“I appreciate your concern, but please just help me up. Oh, and please just call me Leah,” she said and smiled up at Shea.
“Okay, Leah, come on, let’s try to sit up.” With that Shea cradled the back of Leah’s head and gently lifted her up. Once she was in the upright position, the Fey supported Leah’s weight, a great feat given the size difference.
Slowly, Leah’s toes began to tingle, and she smiled at Shea. “I can feel my toes,” she whispered. Shea was amazed as she watched her old friend heal so quickly. The healer had told her it would be days before Leah would regain use of her entire body.
Within minutes, Leah was slowly moving her legs, then her arms. She sat on the edge of the bed, reaching, stretching and twisting. She could feel her muscles come to life under her skin. She could feel the blood flow in and out of every muscle, joint and bone. After she felt her body warm up, she attempted to stand. Shea was quick to jump in. “Wait, you are not strong enough. You’re going to end up in a heap on the floor.” Before she could go on chastising her, Leah gently told the Fey to be calm. With one hand grasped firmly on the bedpost and the other safe in the hand of Shea, Leah slowly stood. Leah felt a sweet pain radiate through her legs as they bore the weight of her body. The limbs were shaky but stood firmly. Leah’s heart was pounding beneath her breastbone, and she felt a rush of blood swarm her head. For a moment, she thought she would faint, but she stood her ground against her protesting body.
She waited for the feeling of faintness to pass and told her legs to be still. After the shaking slowed and her head became clear, she took one small step, then another. Before long, she was walking on her skinny legs around the space in her tree trunk. Shea watched in amazement as Leah regained the use of her limbs in such a short amount of time.
“Wow, Leah, you’re amazing. I mean really, such determination. I don’t know what to say. I can’t believe what I am seeing.” Shea was beyond words and stood staring in admiration as Leah ambled around the room.
She smiled at Shea, simply saying, “What you are seeing, dear friend, is a mother who needs to get to her son, a heartbroken woman who has to avenge the death of her best friend, a grandmother who wants to see the birth of that baby, and a wife who misses her husband greatly and wants to go home. I can’t go home without Shep. I have to fix this mess.” She finished with tears in her eyes.
This woman, whom had named herself Queen of The Dark Forest, may now be a mother, wife, grandmother and call the Ordinary World her home, but she was the same woman. She was ready to fight for what she loved, what she believed in, and she boiled over with a passion that was tangible. Shea had always admired Leah, but now she had a new found respect for her old friend.
“I will stand with you, Leah,” was all she said and Leah knew she meant it. “Thank you Shea,” she replied and the two women began making plans.
~Chapter Five~
It was bittersweet leaving Keno. It was my home and I was going to miss it greatly, but I felt an overwhelming pull to the house in Newberg. So overwhelming, in fact, it dulled the pain of leaving my home. Knowing that this time I was driving toward Shep rather than away, made leaving that much easier. Being in the house kept me close to Shep, and in all honesty, close to Neveah. Though I didn’t want to live in Neveah, or give birth there, I wanted to be close. I wanted to be there when Shep came through that portal. I also knew, in the back of my mind, if someone came bearing bad news of Shep or Neveah, I wanted
to be readily available to travel back.
I pushed any bad thoughts into the darker depths of my mind and focused on getting to Newberg. The trip seemed to take an eternity and when I finally pulled into that driveway, I let out a huge sigh of relief. It was near dusk, and the sky was growing weary. I thought a summer storm was on the way and hurried to unload the truck. I was just ready to unload the television when I heard a car coming up the driveway.
I stood with my mace in one hand and a pocket knife in the other. The house was in a remote location, no close neighbors, and I wasn’t expecting company. I couldn’t imagine who it could be. I braced myself, debating whether or not I should run or fight. I had just decided to run for it when I realized it was Aldon Androni. I visibly kept my guard up, but relaxed slightly inside.
“Hello, Lilly,” he said, smiling.
“Hello, Mr. Androni. To what do I owe this surprise?” I asked.
“Forgive me for just dropping in, but I was in Portland, clearing out your father’s condo and thought you might want his things. He didn’t have much in the way of material items, but I thought you would like to have what he did own.” He informed me, sadness deep in his dark eyes.
“Thank you, uhhh, would you like to come in? I was just unloading some things I brought back with me.”
“Sure, let me help you with the TV! You shouldn’t be carrying heavy things like that.” He lifted the set out and followed me into the house. Once inside, with the TV in its new home, we made our way to the kitchen. I grabbed a few drinks and sat across the table from him. He had a large duffle bag that was full of my father’s belongings. He began removing them, one by one.
There was a picture of my mother and me, a bundle of letters he had written to my mother but never sent, a diamond ring and various paintings. Most of them were of the landscape of Neveah, but a few were of a city, Portland, I assumed. I was almost to the bottom of the pile of paintings when I came across one of my mother. She was very young and clearly still in Neveah.
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