“ I... I... I can’t breathe,” I said between gasps, fearing a full-on panic attack. So much for being a warrior.
“You’re doing it again.” Weylyn pulled me into a tight embrace.
“Doing…”
“I can see you, Keira. Over analyzing every move. Tonight, you must invoke strength and confidence and use that to your advantage.”
“Confidence? Is that what I’m feeling?”
“You will. Don’t over think it. Just be who you are, Morrigan. You must not back down if you get scared. There will be many who want to challenge you. Punish you for being so beautiful, so clever and brave. They will be without mercy. So remember why.”
“Why?” I was frustrated with him. “Tell me why, I have no idea.”
“It is because you are better than they are. And they know it. You are a Goddess. You rule over petty magic creatures. Even high fairies. You are their Queen. You must treat them like your subjects. Treasured. Respected. But beneath you true station.”
“...Really? I mean, you think I’m...”
“A Goddess? I am certain of it.” With his arm around me, he turned me back toward the clearing, and the others. “Above all, remember you are not alone. We are here with you, and won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”
He was always intoxicating to be around, but in this moment, Weylyn was inspiring. He had reminded me how I was changing, and who I had become. I guess I just needed to hear it. I’m a fucking Goddess, hear me roar. I pushed down the apprehension and focused on the present. “Thank you,” I said, barely more than a whisper.
“Always darling, always.” His low and husky voice thrilled me.
I leaned in gently and kissed Weylyn’s warm lips. I wished time could stop, but we pulled apart a few seconds later and stared at each other. He took my hand as we walked back to the others.
The group gathered around a slab of wood, which had mysteriously appeared on the side of the green grassy mound. It was the size and shape of a door, faded red, dull and spotted with years of weather damage. There was no handle, no lock, nothing that you could grip to open any real door.
“Katie? Is this a door?” I asked quizzically.
“It is,” she replied. “Just waiting for you.” Katie placed both hands on the worn red wood. Strange symbols appeared along the edges, as a peculiar, pulsing power radiated from it. The symbols began to glow a bright green, and Katie removed her hands. She took a step back, and the door opened on its own. “Voilȧ,” Katie said proudly.
“Let’s go,” said Orin, as he and Patrick headed through the strange door. Weylyn and Brann were right behind, with Keegan trailing closely.
“Keira,” Katie grabbed my hand. “Before we go through, there’s something else you need to know.”
“What?”
“Magic flows freely in the otherworld. So when we arrive, my glamour will be in effect. You know how you can always feel your magic inside you somewhere?”
“Right. Like a warm sensation, kind of a low buzzing.”
“Well let’s just say when we go through that door, it’s going to kick your magical vibrator into crazy strong mode.” She grabbed my hand and we walked straight through the door.
◆◆◆
Katie and I emerged into a new universe. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the light, but as things shimmered into sharp focus, I saw everything. I was looking at a new world, with a new set of eyes. It was a world set in an eternally fresh summer, drifting in on a spring wind. I could feel the magic in the air, it ran wild through this world. I felt a surge of energy course through my veins, stirring an involuntary shiver. The white gold light streaking through the trees illuminated the innumerable shades of green around me. The trees rose, towering in their best verdant hues, with flowers scattered about in brilliant pinks, reds, blues, and violets. The medley of forest sounds was an orchestra, playing an enchanting symphony. Leaves danced, and the winds whispered their praises.
“Come on, we don’t want to be late,” Katie said, pulling at my hand as we walked down the dirt path.
“Where are the guys?”
“They probably went ahead, doing their ‘guardly’ duties,” Katie said.
“Um, doesn’t that mean they should be guarding me?”
“Oh Keira,” she let out a hearty laugh. “You’re so funny, you make me laugh.” But the look on my face stopped her. “Oh. You’re being serious.”
“Yep.” I deadpan. “Very serious. If I’m going to be this regal, I need to know where my men are.”
“Your men,” Katie laughs.
I gently hip check her to the side, as we continue walking up the little hill. “You know what I mean.”
“Right. You can protect yourself. So, they are making sure it’s safe for you when we arrive, which is just about now.”
We crested the top of the hill. Looking down, I was stunned at the chateau below, nestled between two green hills. I tried to imagine how many of my ‘mansions’ from Edna could fit inside. Fifty? A hundred? Perfectly trimmed hedges, exploding floral blooms, a precisely manicured lawn as perfect as a putting green at the Masters.
As we arrived, different types of fairies and elves were making their way inside for the celebration. Some fairies flew in on wings soft as petals, transparent and delicate as a dragonfly. They were definitely not like Tinkerbell. They were tall, elegant creatures, whose skin sparkled in the sunlight. The lady’s dresses were grand and flowing, in every shade I could think of. The men wore bespoke suits, light colored and tailored to perfection, so stylish they made GQ look like a 4-H Club magazine. Mixed amongst the fairies was an assortment of other creatures, most of which I remembered from my “Magical Creatures 101” lessons with Brann. Elves, gnomes, pixies, and Dyrad’s galore. Color and joy radiated from their faces as they swirled into the party.
The
