Neveah Box Series (Neveah Box Set Book 5)

by Angie Merriam

  Without hesitation, Shep scooped her up into his arms and ran toward the compound. He was screaming for Fionna and Heren as he rushed inside. He carried Kelsha to her bedchamber and laid her in her bed.

  “It’s going to be all right, Auntie,” he told her before kissing her hand.

  “No, Shep, it’s too early. The baby can’t come yet!” Her voice was strained, and her face was twisted in agony. “It hurts so bad, Shep, please don’t leave. Stay with me,” she begged.

  “I should get Heren,” he began, but she stopped him. “NO, stay!” He knew there was no point in arguing, he didn’t want to leave her alone in pain.

  It wasn’t long before Heren burst through the door. “What happened? Is she okay?” His voice was thick with worry.

  “I don’t know. I heard her scream and found her in the courtyard, covered in blood. I wanted to find you, but she wouldn’t let me leave. She is in a tremendous amount of pain.” Shep could hear the panic in his own voice and couldn’t begin to imagine what Heren was feeling.

  “Heren, is that you?” Kelsha asked, her voice a whisper.

  “Yes, my love, what is going on?” He held her hand in his, tears springing in his eyes.

  “It’s too early. The baby is coming. I can’t stop it, but it’s not time. I’m losing the baby,” she said, her voice laced with pain, both physical and emotional. Her face was covered in tears and sweat, and she let out another horrible scream. “It’s coming,” she screamed as her face twisted in agony.

  The baby came, but didn’t take its first breath. He was small enough to fit in the palm of Shep’s hand. Fionna wiped the blood away and handed the lifeless body to Kelsha. She cried and kissed the baby before handing him to Heren. He stood staring at his son, tears flowing freely from his rugged face. He too kissed the baby before handing him back to Fionna and then layd beside Kelsha. Both of them holding onto one another, as though clinging to their own lives, and openly weeping. Shep and Fionna left the room with the baby.

  They wrapped the baby in a blanket and discussed what to do next. “I don’t have any memories of death, or how to deal with it, Fionna. What are we supposed to do?” Shep asked, clearly heartbroken.

  “Well, we would generally put the body in a family tomb, but I don’t think there is one on the land here. Maybe one should be built.” She suggested.

  “What do we do with the body while one is being built? That is crazy! This baby boy needs to be laid to rest, not left in limbo while we build some sanctuary!” Shep was angry, and this was the first time he had ever raised his voice to Fionna. He didn’t know why, but suddenly every word she spoke, just the look of her, grated his nerves. He was pacing, trying to come up with a plan. How can this place not have a burial site’ He thought. The word burial stuck in his mind. He couldn’t explain why, like it was lurking back there with all the other things he tucked neatly away. They didn’t bury people in Neveah, but that was what would be done with this precious baby.

  “We will bury him. We will lay him in his cradle that Heren built. We will cover the top with wood and bury the baby. We will have a memorial to say goodbye and to honor the little life he never got to have. We will place a little marker above the grave so my aunt and Heren will have a place to visit their beloved child,” Shep finished, breathless but with a sense of direction.

  Shep didn’t wait for Fionna’s response. He didn’t care where her opinion lay in this matter. He would not let that baby waste away while they decided what to do. He was sure his aunt would approve. Within a few hours, Shep turned the cradle into a casket and had a hole dug deep enough to cover the child and keep it from being dug up by animals. He went to find Kelsha and tell her of his plans.

  When he first explained to her the method at which he thought it best to lay her child to rest, she was furious. She screamed and ranted, but in the end relented. She didn’t want her baby’s spirit stuck in this world and knew it had to be laid to rest in order to pass to the other side. She also knew that this was the method used on Earth, and Shep had pulled the memory from the storage in his mind. A storage that was supposed to have remained locked.

  The burial began just as the sun was falling. The last rays of the day created a wonderful prism of light that reflected off the stones Shep had collected. He had arranged them, lovingly, in the shape of a heart on top of the grave. It was just Kelsha, Heren, Shep and Fionna. Kelsha couldn’t bear to see anyone else. The four stood staring blankly at the grave. Shep was the first to speak. “It’s a shame I didn’t get to know you, little guy. I had great plans for you. You are in a safe place now, though. You will be happy. Just know you were loved greatly even before we knew you,” he finished as a sob caught in his throat.

  Fionna said a few words next, then Heren. When it was Kelsha’s turn to speak, she seemed to wait for a long while. When she finally spoke, the words were strained and sobs were held back.

  “My dear baby boy, I blame myself for this, you know. I have done many terrible things in my life, but you were the one good thing I’ve done. I will always feel you move inside me, and I will miss you forever,” she finished, afraid to say too much. She looked over at Shep, her nephew. He had been so wonderful to her. She was often amazed at how quickly he adapted to this life and reminded herself that she had done the right thing. He was happy with Fionna, and she was happy with him. She released him from Lilly, and he seemed better for it. She was grateful to have him there, her only family.

  Shep was taken back when Kelsha spoke to him next. “You know, Shep, we were going to name him in your honor. He was to be called Shep Heren and so will be from this day forward. I cannot begin to thank you for all you have done, nephew. I am grateful you are here.” Shep smiled through the tears at her. No other words needed to be spoken.

  ~Chapter Ten~

  Leah spent her days and nights getting her body back. She worked hard not only to build her muscles up but also to connect them to her brain. She found it hard in the beginning to tell her body to do even the simplest things, like brush her hair. Her body was fully functional now, and it was strong.

  The creatures and Specials of The Dark Forest were pleased to have their queen home. There was no doubt Leah held their allegiance. She sometimes felt a wave of guilt knowing she would one day leave Neveah to return home to her husband. She missed Michael terribly and longed for the day she would see him again. Her first priority was her son. She could not go home without him.

  Time not spent training was spent making plans. She received regular updates from the Fey that lived in the attic of the compound. She was Leah’s eyes and ears. The set-up was perfect because Kelsha had no idea the Fey was there. Leah was aware that her son's mind had been swept clean, and he now believed he was married to another woman. She also knew there was a way to break down the wall that kept his memories neatly hidden. She would break down that wall, but she had to get to him first.

  It was greatly understood that Shep stood for Kelsha. He fought for her, trained for her, and was always at her beck and call. Some had questioned the true nature of their relationship, and had voiced those thoughts to Leah. She denied the accusations that Shep and Kelsha were lovers, insisting her son would never do such a thing. She didn’t trust Kelsha, though, and sometimes doubt crept into her mind. It was those times that Leah knew she would have no problem killing her sister.

  A large amount of time had passed, and Leah felt she was strong enough to face Kelsha and get her son back. She had a large number of followers and knew that would take Kelsha by surprise. Leah had been informed that all the Specials of Antiope migrated to the compound, forming a new little town of sorts. She also knew Shep had been training them to be soldiers. Leah had trained her followers as well.

  She stayed in close contact with the Levannahs and looked forward to Denali's visits. He always brought word of Lilly and the baby. Knowing they were safe gave Leah strength to fight. She was anxious to end this war, so she could go home to her family.

  Denali
brought news of Lilly his last visit, stating she was getting close to meeting her baby. Leah had to act soon. She planned to storm the compound in two days’ time. She figured Kelsha to have around one hundred fifty followers. Leah had more. All of those that had gathered to fight Jax the first time were ready and waiting to stop Kelsha. Leah wanted her son back. The people of Neveah wanted their land back, and they all knew that would never happen with Kelsha. Leah also had her people of the forest. Those who had been too afraid to leave the first time, unsure who to stand for, now stood for her, and not a day went by that she didn’t remind them how grateful she was to them.

  She gathered the people two nights before her intended departure day. There were at least fifty creatures there, all with different gifts and abilities. They all stood under the canopy of towering trees, a large burning fire giving them light. Leah explained the importance of stopping Kelsha, of how dangerous she was. She reminded them it was Kelsha who should be feared, not the Levannah family. If peace and balance was to be restored to Neveah, they must all work together, and they must be successful. She warned them of Kelsha’s numbers. She warned them it would not be easy, but they would do it, together.

  It was decided Leah would travel to the compound aboard Josiah, the white dragon. Shea, the Fey, would travel with her, as well as Samuel, the healer and Rayne, who was a woman with the face of a wolf. Her body was stunning, and her wolf face fierce. She would offer them great protection should any problems arise. Leah hoped to bring her son back along with Alana, Shea’s sister and essentially her savior. Had it not been for Alana, she would have died in that compound. She had been held in that attic far too long. It was time to reunite the sisters.

  Leah had been disheartened when she heard that Heren, the mind sweeper had swept Shep’s mind. She also knew that it was nearly impossible to clean one’s mind completely. Memories could be pushed away, locked up in a secret compartment, but that compartment could be unlocked. Leah felt confident that Shep would leave with her. Even if the remembrance was not instant, the connection would be. Leah didn’t think a connection between a mother and her son could be severed.

  Leah watched Shep for hours in the courtyard. She felt her heart break as she watched him with another woman. She waited for that woman to leave him alone before she approached him. “Hello, Shep,” she said carefully, trying to read his expression. He looked up at her and appeared startled. There was a distance in his dark eyes, a void that Kelsha had created. She wanted to weep openly for her son, but knew that had to wait. She had to get him away from the compound.

  “Do I know you?” he asked, his voice full of apprehension.

  “Yes. You must come with me, and I promise to explain everything. I need you to trust me.” He was staring at her, still no expression shown in his eyes. She stared deep into those dark voids, trying desperately to connect to his soul. He had to trust her, to follow her.

  “No! I will not go anywhere with you,” he replied and turned to walk away. She intended to follow him, make him believe her, but Shea stopped her.

  “Leah, we must go. We will have to come back for him,” she ordered lightly. Once safely away from the compound, Shea turned to Leah, “It’s Lilly. Calista has sent me a vision. It seems she is going to have some difficulty with the baby. She could die if someone doesn’t get to her.” Shea’s words hung in the air as she tried to read Leah’s expression.

  Leah felt a jolt of shock at the thought of something happening to Lilly or her grandchild. She had focused all her attention on Shep, thinking Lilly was safe back on Earth. “How much time do I have?” Leah asked, already moving swiftly to her dragon.

  “With the difference in time movement, you need to get to the portal as soon as possible if you are to make it in time,” Shea replied. Without another word, Leah and Josiah were soaring through the air, destined for the Levannah house.

  It felt as though the flight took a lifetime to make. Once grounded, Leah sprinted into the house where she found Eirene Levannah standing in the entryway. She had been expecting her.

  “Oh, thank goodness you made it, Leah, there isn’t much time. One of us would have gone, but we are naïve to the ways of Earth and would not know what to do once we arrived.” The older woman was breathless, and her voice was laced with fear and guilt at not being able to help her granddaughter.

  "Does Calista know what’s going to happen?" Leah asked as she hurried up the stairs toward the portal room.

  “All she sees is Lilly lying unconscious, and then her vision goes black. She is very worried,” Eirene said as she followed Leah into the room.

  The wall was already open, ready and waiting for Leah. She turned toward Lady Levannah. “I will help her, please try not to worry,” she said. Eirene Levannah smiled at Leah, tears threatening to leap into her eyes.

  “I know you will help her. Please, kiss her for me.”

  “Of course.” Leah walked into the portal room, and Eirene slid the wall back into place.

  When Leah pushed the wall open, the room in front of her was dark. She stepped carefully into the darkness and felt for the light switch. She found the door knob first and quickly opened the door. There was a tiny ray of light from the second floor hallway, and she let it guide her down the stairs. Judging from the darkness, Leah thought it must be late, so she searched the bedrooms first. After not finding Lilly in the bedrooms, she rushed down the stairs. She hastily went from room to room. She felt the panic rise in her throat when she found Lilly in the front sitting room beneath a small Christmas tree. She was on the floor and covered in blood from her waist down.

  Leah fought back the rush of tears. Lilly was still breathing, and her heart was beating in a good rhythm. A stroke of luck helped her find the keys on the little table by the door, and she carefully lifted Lilly, cradling her body close, and hurried to the truck. Leah was unfamiliar with Newberg, but knew the town was small and a hospital should not be hard to find.

  Once she got to the bottom of the hill she saw the first hospital sign. She followed the signs, pushing the truck to its limits. She spoke soothingly to Lilly the entire way. “It’s Leah, Lilly. I am here and you’re going to be all right. Hang on, baby girl, we are almost there. Stay with me, Lilly.” The tears had yet to flow, but the moment she saw the nurses rush Lilly into emergency surgery, Leah collapsed, body trembling and let the dam break and the tears flow.

  ~Chapter Eleven~

  Shep kept the visit from the strange lady to himself. Something about the woman shook him to the core, but he didn’t know why. He couldn’t remember ever seeing her before, yet she seemed so familiar to him. He combed through his brain, trying to place her, but came up short. He considered telling Fionna of the visit, but something told him not to. He went about his day, as though he had never been interrupted.

  Shep was very worried about Kelsha. She had locked herself in her room since the burial of her baby. Everyone agreed to give her space and allow her to mourn on her own. Even so, Shep couldn’t help but worry. She was the only family he knew and felt very protective of her. At the start of every day, he would quietly knock on her door and wait to hear the sound of life on the other side. The other side always remained silent. Had it not been for Heren's insistence that she was indeed alive, he would have forced himself in that room.

  Shep filled his days training an army for a war he knew was coming, but didn't completely comprehend. He knew Kelsha would be pleased to see the progress they were making. She was always giddy with excitement when she observed the progress her people had made. If only she would leave her sanctuary. There was almost nothing Shep wanted more than to see Kelsha smile again. As much as he wanted her happy, the visit from the strange lady continued to take residence in the front of his mind.

  While he drilled the Specials on one drill or another, he was thinking of the woman. She was so familiar to him, yet he couldn’t find a spot for her in his mind. He had no visual memory of her. How could he be so preoccupied with a woman he had no
recollection of? He continued seeing images of her face, a familiar face. He began seeing similarities of his own face in the memory of the woman. He shook his head, trying to get the vision out of his mind. The mind he felt was slipping away.

  He yearned to tell someone of the encounter. He yearned for someone, anyone, to tell him the identity of the woman. He most wanted to ask Kelsha if she knew who the mysterious lady was. He had a feeling she would know, but she was a prisoner in her own pain. He couldn't bring himself to approach her about his own problems when she was so wounded.

  Shep kept his feelings and worries to himself and tried to focus on training the Specials by day and being a husband to Fionna at night. A task he was finding harder and harder to commit to. While the days were haunted by the mysterious visitor, his nights were haunted by another woman. His dreams were not of his wife, as they should have been. Instead, he would dream of the fire woman. A woman whose face he had yet to see, but he could feel her soul deep in his bones.

  The dreams of the woman had been coming for a long time, but they were more like a movie scene that replayed over and over. He was drawn to her, but still disconnected. Now, when she visited his dreams, he felt connected. Before, she always stood in the distance, her back to him, and he had been content with watching her from a distance. Now, he had an overwhelming desire to go to her, to touch her. He passed it off as stress from training the Specials, especially the women. In the days since the visitor intruded on his life, the dreams became more personal.

  The woman, whom had never spoken before, was suddenly calling out to him. In his dreams, she knew him. She needed him, yet he could never reach her. One night, after making love to Fionna, the dreams intensified. Suddenly, he was no longer just watching the girl, but going to her. The need to save her, to touch her was overwhelming. After that night, he looked forward to meeting her in his dreams, and dreaded going to bed with Fionna.