Absolute Magic

by Stephany Wallace

  “I am pleased you figured out the purpose of the bracelet I gifted you, my child.”

  My gaze went to the leather cuff, reminding me of why I was here. "I didn't know. I took a chance, and it paid off."

  She laughed, and it sounded like a million bells getting lost in the wind. “No, my child. The way to me has been inside you all along.”

  I took a deep breath. “I’m here to find a soul, so it can come back to life.”

  The Goddess' light spear materialized, and she stood it on the ground as she began to walk ahead of me. Her gaze reached me from over her shoulder, and I noticed her lips curve, as though she was amused.

  "Will you stand there or join me?" I blinked, and rushed to her side. "That is quite the endeavor, Arthfael," The Goddess added once I reached her, she gave me a side-glance while she continued walking with the staff. "Are you asking for permission, or informing me?"

  I cringed. “I’m not sure what your practices are for bringing someone back to life, or if it is done at all, but I was hoping you would allow it, Mother Goddess.”

  “I see.”

  She stopped right on the hill where some children played, and suddenly I realized that souls surrounded us. Couples joined hands walking ahead of us. Children ran over the flower-covered hill laughing, while others swam in the waterfall. My eyes returned to the Goddess, and she smiled.

  "Can you feel it?" She closed her eyes, and so did I.

  A wave of joy inundated my being. So powerful and so pure I didn’t think it existed anywhere but here. When my eyes opened again, my gaze roamed the pastures acknowledging the paradise we stood on.

  "Why would you want to take a soul away from this?" The Goddess asked, bringing my attention back to her. "They are at peace, waiting for their turn to return to the living. Nevertheless, they must only do so when they are ready for life again. What is your purpose for coming here?"

  I sighed. "My intention is not to disturb the souls at rest, Mother Goddess, only to bring joy to someone who truly needs it. I need to fulfill a dream, and I can't do it on my own."

  “Ah, I see. You seek to bless their love. Cynwrig and Brina’s?”

  I nodded. "I know you did not intend for this to happen, but without a High Priest, they cannot marry. My heart nearly broke as I stared into Brina's tear-filled eyes. I must do this for them."

  "My child," she said, caressing my cheek. "Oh, how I love you so." Her lips curved into an adoring smile. "I blessed their love, the day I split their essence into two and weaved their destiny. They do not require that which they have always possessed."

  Her hand dropped from my skin, and she began to walk again. I followed. "So they are not supposed to get married?"

  "That is not the meaning behind my words," her tone was almost chiding. “They must unite their essence once again through the Handfasting Ceremony, only then they shall become one, allowing their bond to flourish. Yet, there is something you must understand. When a soul comes here, there is much they need to endure in order to heal. Some have been deeply marked by the experiences their life brought them, and a longer stay is necessary for their essence to be cleansed and rid of the pain, hurt, and trauma. To some, it may be a blink of an eye, while to others, it might be a whole existence."

  She once again stopped and turned to face me.

  "Once they have left everything behind and are cleansed and ready, I send them back to begin a new journey, but only if they desire it so. We cannot force our will onto others, Arthfael, regardless of whether we have the power to do so, or not."

  I swallowed, understanding her meaning. “Are you saying I have the power to bring a soul back to life?”

  A mixture of kindness and warning filled her eyes. “If they are ready, and they wish it.” A heavy breath left my lungs as I considered the true ramifications of my ability. “If you can find the essence you seek, I will allow you to take it with you, but only if he desires it so.”

  The Goddess cupped my cheek, leaning into me. My eyes closed as her lips touched my forehead. "Be wise, Arthfael."

  Her whispered words, were all that was left of her as I opened my eyes. Letting out a settling breath, I looked at the souls around me, wondering how was I ever going to find him. Deciding to wing it, I closed my eyes again and pictured him in my mind. Silence suddenly engulfed me, as all the other souls disappeared. When my lids lifted, I was no longer in front of the waterfall. I was inside a small hut, where I had spent the better years of my youth, and the Mòr Sagart stood before me.

  "Nels," I whispered in shock. I had found him.

  “Mo mhac.” He said enfolding me in his arms.

  I didn't expect the emotion that took hold of me, yet the tears caught in my throat. We pulled out of the hug, and as my hand lifted to grasp his shoulder, I noticed I was no longer wearing a t-shirt and jeans. Long linen sleeves covered my arms. I wore brown wool pants, with soft hand-stitched boots, just as the last time I had been in this hut with him. My hair was long once again, falling over my shoulders with braids among its lose strands.

  “Nels,” I repeated, my gaze focusing on him. He stood with his white robe just as I remembered him.

  “I’ve waited for the day I would see you embrace your destiny, Art. I’m glad you are here, son.”

  “You knew I’d be the next Anam Sealgair?”

  He laughed. “Oh no. I don’t think anyone could have ever seen that coming.” He chuckled, sitting down on the chair behind him. “But I knew there was something great inside you, just waiting for a chance to shine.”

  I smiled and sat next to him. “I need you, Mòr Sagart. Briana and Cyn need you. They want to get married, but they are the only High Priests we have. I want you to marry them. I spoke to the Goddess, and she said if I could find you, I could bring you back with me. You can live again, Nels.” The words rushed out of me before I could even realize what I was saying. “You can come with me and be with Bri. It would mean so much to her to have you in her life again, and you can actua…”

  I trailed off when I noticed the panic that poured from his eyes. Pain and fear rippled through him, and I was harshly reminded that it wasn't Nels I was talking to. It was his soul. A soul, who spent two thousand years running from the Romans, and fought every day to keep his granddaughter safe. One, who had been forced to renounce to his Goddess and nature just to make sure Bri wasn't found. The soul of a man who looked over his shoulder with every breath, praying he could protect her, and who still carried the torture of witnessing the death of those he loved more than once. The Goddess' words resounded in my mind.

  "We cannot force our will onto others, Arthfael. Regardless of whether we have the power to do so, or not…"

  “Do I have to go back?” Nels asked, with trembling hands.

  I looked into his aged eyes and placed my hands on his. "No, you don't have to go back, Nels. But you could, if you wanted it."

  He nodded as the tears spilled from his eyes. “I’m sorry, son. I’m not ready. I can’t…”

  "I know. It's okay, I promise."

  My chest tightened seeing the broken man in front of me. I scolded myself for causing his soul distress. If anyone deserved the peace and bliss the Blessed Isles offered, it was he. I couldn't take this away from him. After what he had suffered during the last two thousand years, only the Goddess knew how long it would take for his essence to heal. His lips suddenly stretched wide into a brilliant smile and he looked at me. The tears disappeared as though they had never been there. That was the magic of this place. True peace, for those who deserved it.

  “Tell me about my Brina. She’s become such a beautiful woman. I’m so proud of her.”

  I smiled. “She’s happy. She misses you, but she’s well. My brother makes her happy.”

  He sighed content, and looked out the window. "Yes he does, and she brings much-needed joy to his essence. Now that she's accepted her destiny, and after they become one, they will flourish even more." His gaze returned to mine, and it filled with purpos
e. "They don't need a High Priest to be married."

  “But I thought…”

  "Well, none of you are as wise as I am." He grinned, and I chuckled. "They don't need a High Priest, but they do need someone who is at a higher spiritual level than they are. It is rare to find someone with greater mystical awareness than a High Priest, but not impossible."

  I frowned while he looked at me expectantly. I tried to think of who could be that person but came up empty.

  “Perhaps someone from a race with an ancient connection to magic, and who has a link to the universe,” he added as though waiting for me to guess. “Maybe one as old as time itself…”

  My frown deepened, and Nels sighed, exasperated. "A Fae, son. Fairies are the guardians of the universe. They hold all knowledge and all magic. A Fae can marry them."

  I gasped, standing up. “The Princes.”

  He stood as well, chuckling. "Yes, anyone from the royal family will do. Not just any Fae. It has to be royalty. So either The Winter Court Princes, or the Summer Queen, even her Princess."

  Relief washed over me, and I was glad this trip had given me the chance to help Bri and my brother. "Thank you, Mòr Sagart.”

  He hugged me and once again his warmth traveled through me. I sighed content and leaned back. “Will you do something for me, son?” He asked, hopeful.

  “Anything.”

  “Please give a message to my Little Bee. Tell her I didn’t fail my duties. I taught her everything she needed to know to become the High Priestess she’s meant to be. Tell to trust herself, and when she can’t find the answers she needs, to sing my lullaby.”

  I smiled, hugging him one last time. “I will.”

  * * *

  Gasps resounded around the room, and I chuckled seeing Bri, Lia and the others staring at me in astonishment. "This is fun." Lia smacked my chest, and I laughed sitting on the bed. Gripping her waist, I brought her down onto my lap. "I love you," I whispered in her ear then looked at the others. "So I pass out while I travel there. It’s not a big deal… Ouch!” I rubbed my stomach after Lia’s elbow attack. “What was that for?”

  She glared at me. “You didn’t pass out, you doofus. You disappeared.”

  “I what?”

  "Yes. One second you were there and the other you were gone," Bri answered this time, and I swallowed.

  “Shit. You mean I physically traveled there. To the Blessed Isles?? I was actually there this time?”

  Everyone nodded, and I swallowed again. Damn. That was a twist I didn't expect. My gaze dropped to the leather cuff on my wrist. This thing was more powerful than I had given it credit.

  “Did you speak to the Goddess?”

  “What did you find out?” Bri and Lia asked at the same time.

  I looked at Bri wondering if this was the best time to tell her about her grandfather. I was afraid it would destroy her if she found out that I had a chance to bring him back, but he chose to stay. I knew she wouldn't understand his decision. Taking a deep breath, I decided that information was for me to keep, and that his message was meant for her to receive alone.

  I nodded. "I spoke to the Goddess, she said she had blessed your love the moment she created you both." Bri's lips curved into an emotional smile and her eyes shone. "I also learned that you don't need a High Priest to marry you." Everyone gasped. I chuckled. "But, you do need someone with a great understanding of magic and a higher spiritual level than yours. Someone connected to the universe, as old as time itself."

  “The Fae Princes!” Everyone shouted at once and I groaned.

  "Seriously? You all guessed that on the first try?" They frowned, and I grunted. "Never mind."

  BRINA

  * * *

  The relief that traveled through me was so powerful it brought me to tears. "Thank you, Art," I whispered while I also thanked our Goddess. I hugged him the moment he stood. Thanks to him, the dream I held so desperately in my heart would come true. All I wanted was to marry Cyn. The rest we would figure out together.

  “Okay, now that the crisis has been averted, we need you to go.” Lia grabbed Art’s arm and pulled him towards the door.

  “Oh, come on! How is that fair? I saved the wedding and still get kicked out?”

  I laughed as Art protested but walked to the door with Lia. "Yep. Bye, don't let the door hit you in the ass." She slammed the door in his face, and everyone laughed.

  I chuckled. "You are evil, woman." Lia grinned, batting her eyelashes at me while I marched to the door. I swung it open and found Art still standing on the other side. "You are welcome to stay if you want to. I'd love for you to help us plan the wedding."

  “Yes!” Art shouted fist pumping the air and walked in.

  "Aaah!" I squealed as he picked me up, throwing me over his shoulder and walked towards the table.

  "Let's plan this wedding, people!" He shouted, while I reluctantly looked at his ass. My hair swayed, almost sweeping the floor with each step.

  "Fine!" Lia stepped closer, just as Art turned me upright again, and sat me on the table. I chuckled, fixing my hair. "But just a warning, Chewie. We are going to discuss the bachelorette party too, so no whining when we start talking about strippers."

  Chapter 3. Preparations

  BRINA

  That’s my name, don’t wear it out.

  * * *

  The next two weeks passed in a blur.

  I had gladly given my title of Bridezilla to my delightful older brother, aka Art, aka Soul Hunter, aka Wedding Planner Extraordinaire. Now it was up to Lia to handle her man, because he had taken this wedding ten times more seriously than I anticipated, and to be honest, ain't nobody got time for that.

  All I wanted was to marry Cyn. How we got there, what I wore, or what kind of flowers we had among the candles—which apparently had to be a particular scent to enhance the union—was not really my business. I had never been one of those little girls who dreamed of their wedding day, and planned every last detail. Instead, I was brewing potions, flying with fairies, and looking for a dragon who could aid me in my quest to save the long-lost kingdom, or whatever other story Grandpa had brought me from the library demanded.

  Grandpa.

  I took a deep breath as his memory filled my chest with warmth and longing. Thinking of him didn’t bring me pain anymore—which was within itself, a joyous thing. I felt love, happiness, and peace because I knew that where he was—In the Blessed Isles—that was precisely what he felt. Peace.

  “Please confess, it is the thought of me that has brought such delightful smile upon your lips. Is it not, my Goddess?”

  A delicious shudder ran down my spine as Cyn's breath caressed my neck, bringing my attention back to the present. My lips stretched even wider as he wrapped his arms around my waist. "Actually, I was thinking of another man."

  He tensed behind me. I repressed a chuckle, and forced my face to relax. Holding my shoulders, he turned me around, and when I saw the look in his eyes, I couldn't stop from laughing. His expression was a poem. "I was thinking of Grandpa." My arms wrapped around Cyn's neck as he relaxed and narrowed his eyes at me playfully.

  “Do you enjoy making a man suffer, my Goddess?”

  I grinned while he tightened his hold on my waist. “Sometimes.”

  His lips closed over mine, surprising me. Cyn wasn't usually into public displays of affection, and we were standing in the middle of what would be the ceremony space for the wedding—the Warrior training grounds. His lips moved on mine slow, yet hungrily, and he pressed me against his body while everyone there dragged chairs, built arches—which would later be filled with flowers—and placed tables and lanterns all around us. What I could only describe as ancient catcalls, broke out around us when the Warriors noticed our embrace. Leaning back, Cyn chuckled and nibbled on my lower lip once more before he turned around.

  “You would be wise to respect your High Priests,” he called out amused.

  “Oh, yeah. Show her how it’s done, Druid style!" Art yelled, an
d I lost it. Ronan, Jarvis, and the other guys he had working with him on the space laughed. Whistling, and making some other gestures that made my cheeks blush, the guys returned to their duties.

  I chuckled, shaking my head as my gaze returned to Cyn. For a moment, I just looked at him, mesmerized. His eyes roamed the space, and the pure look of delight in him was enough to make me speechless. I understood then why this wedding was so important for Art. He loved me, yes, and we had become incredibly close, but he wasn't doing this for me. He was doing it for his brother. The one who spent so many years trapped in a prison of his making. Filled with pain, guilt, and the weight of a world, which had been incredibly cruel to his people.

  “I agree. You should show me how it’s done, Druid style.”

  Cyn cleared his throat as his eyes focused on mine. "I suppose there are a few things I could reveal to you about our ways." I grinned, his eyes sparkled with mischief. I loved the new facets of him. "Perhaps we should continue this discussion in our hut." His hand reached for the white strand that fell over my shoulder, and he wrapped it around his finger. Leaning in, he smelled my hair and kissed my neck.

  “Geez, get a room already.”

  Lia stood next to us, in a cute white t-shirt and pink cotton shorts. It was the middle of August, and if it wasn't for my strappy dresses, I didn't know how I would have survived the rainforest's heat and humidity.

  My best friend's eyes sparkled, looking up at Cyn with a knowing gleam in her gaze. "Hair fetish. Nice." I chuckled. Cyn groaned and pulled away. "I didn't figure you for a kinky Druid." His forehead wrinkled, and we laughed. "By the way, I'm taking your bride-to-be with me tonight, and she'll sleep in my hut until the wedding. Art will stay with you in the meantime."

  Cyn’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets. “Why? What is the purpose of this?!"