Page 25 of Light and Shadow
There’s no choice but to release her, though I want to hold her for a lifetime or more.
“She is lovely.” Selina offers me a cup of cider. “I have never seen a human before. I expected them to look more like Nainsi’s mate.” She nods toward the burly dark-haired fisherman.
“Humans are even more diverse than elves, Selina.” I keep an eye on Harper as she tries the fish pie.
“Are they all as brave and noble as the two here tonight?” Selina drinks, and as Jax joins us, she wraps her arm through his.
“I was only there for a few weeks, but I would say they are some brave and some cowardly, some noble and some ignoble. They are as varied as the snowflakes in winter.” I love the way Harper’s nose wrinkles when she doesn’t like the sour wine an elder gives her to try.
“And evil? Are there those who are evil among them?” Jax looks toward the woods that border the land to the east.
I search where he’s looking but see nothing. When I was at Harper’s home, I watched her television each day. It was full of news of such things. “I didn’t meet anyone who felt dark, but I heard stories of murder and chaos in the human world. Not dissimilar to Domhan.”
Jax’s eyes are sharp, and his jaw ticks. “But here we have elves like me who sense the evil in another.”
Patting his arm, Selina soothes, but says, “And yet, with all our abilities, we didn’t stop Venora from becoming a monster, or the people who followed her from being turned into shadow demons. Do not judge the human world, Jax. We know little of it other than they lack magic.”
Not swayed, Jax continues, “Yet I feel the magic in this woman Aaran brought. It is strong.”
“She is in the light.” I shouldn’t have to defend Harper. Even if I did, it shouldn’t feel so ferocious.
Selina steps in front of her husband and presses a hand to his chest. “Do not insult our guests.”
Jax nods once in acceptance.
Turning toward me, Selina’s eyes are bright and sympathetic. “Harper is neither light nor dark. I feel her magic as keenly as Jax does. You would too if you would allow yourself to see.”
“I was sent to find her and bring her here. I’ve seen her magic as she used it to save my life and kill a shadow demon. She is in the light.” I force my hands to relax so I’m not threatening the leader of an elven community. My heart is pounding, and I take a step back as well.
With a soft smile, Selina shows why she is the leader here. “No one is accusing this chosen one of anything, Aaran. We are only noting that she could be turned to darkness, as it too lives within her. I find her charming and true, but her magic isa rainbow of light with all the colors showing. Surely you have seen that.”
Remembering the first time Harper’s aura appeared in the hotel mirror, I can’t deny that there were dark hues as well as light. “I have seen.”
“Then we must pray that her character is as strong as her magic.” Jax’s stance has relaxed, and he wraps an arm around Selina’s waist.
“I believe in Harper Craig. I have staked my life on it.” My heart tightens as I watch her close her eyes in rapture over a sweet bite of dessert.
Harper
The party is still going on late into the night. The bonfire has been fed, and sparks roar into the darkness.
The planets and moon appear smaller and sit higher in the sky. Another has risen, and I’m told that’s another moon. It looks similar to Earth’s moon, and I can’t help admiring other similarities between my world and Aaran’s. This place and these people have burrowed under my skin and into my heart in such a short time that I can hardly breathe from the responsibility of their lives.
Suddenly the party feels too crowded, too close.
Walking out of the circle of firelight, I head for the trees and some peace. I need to think. The orbiting celestial bodies and stars give plenty of light, and soon I’m sitting alone on a boulder with only the trees for company.
What if I’m the weakest link in this impossible chain? What if it’s my fault these people die, or worse, are turned into shadow demons? I’m clumsy and a devout procrastinator. My closets are a mess, and I rarely fold my clothes before I stuff them in a drawer. How am I the savior for these people?
My breath is coming harder and faster, and my head gets light. Leaning forward, I put my head between my knees. “Breathe, Harper. Don’t pass out alone in the woods of a strange world.”
“It would make things easier if you did, as you say, pass out.” A woman’s stern voice cuts the silence.
I stand and put my hands up as if I have some kind of weapon.
A portal with no swirl or wind is open in the trees, and in front of it is a woman with raven hair and large hazel eyes. “You look very ordinary to be a prophecy.”
“Who are you?” I step back, but my calves hit the boulder.
