Page 197 of Serpent In White
I’m asking Motherwhy…
We’ve been sitting in the ravine for over an hour. My face is tight, eyes burning from all the crying. Tears long since having dried up.
Mother… I know nothing happens by accident. Iknowthat.
But why…?
Why, after what we just realizedtogether, would Rhiannon be taken?
Why, when we discovered we’re meant to be in transformation together?
Rhiannon was just like me in many ways… We bonded; linked ourselves together.
Was this to punish me, Mother? Was this to teach me a lesson?
A raven squawks above my head.
Evil does atone, Your Highness.
My jaw clenches, fingers still brushing through Abdiel’s soft curls. He’s devastated, understandably. I think Drake is, too.
He hasn’t said a word so far.
And I’m… well, I’m confused. Confounded.
I feel… guilty.
“Don’t,” Abdiel whispers, his voice hoarse. “Don’t blame yourself. Either of you.”
He glances at up Drake, who’s propped up against the edge of the gully, dried blood smeared on his chest.
“Mourn, but don’t fear this,” Abdiel mumbles.
I blink down at him, sliding my thumb along his puffy lower lip. His tone is lined with despondence, but he’s still trying to be strong. I hear him doing so, and I just can’t believe how blessed I’ve been to have him.
You’re such a gift, Prince Abdiel.
He leans his head into my touch, exhausted and grieving. My neck rolls toward my Serpent.
Baby… come to me. Please.
I witness him taking in a deep breath before he stands up and wanders over to where Abdiel and I are seated. He plops down at my side, immediately melting himself into me.
“There was… A different version of the future with her in it,” he sighs. “I think we would have liked it.”
I nod. “Me, too.”
And we sit with this, thisnewpresent, a different future, until dark.
Until it’s time to move on… In infinite purpose.
That imperfect order.
We’ve dressed in black.
Today is the day of Rhiannon’s funeral. A funeral none of us thought we would be holding.
It’s just so strange… She was in our lives for such a short time, but she really wedged her way into our hearts.
