Page 9 of Light and Shadow
His beautiful mouth pulls down at the corners, and sorrow fills his eyes. He sits forward, his elbows on his knees, and watches me with those big blue eyes, now full of pity. “What about Ashley and Greg? There were a lot of folks at the pub last night who seemed to genuinely care about you.”
“Ashley is a good friend. Greg is okay. He and I dated in high school, but we stayed friends, and he’s come and fixed things in my house when I need a handyman.” I get up. “I didn’t sleep well last night, and it’s been a big day. I’m going to take a nap and have a good cry. Thank you for what you did. I’ll help you if you give me a few days to get Mom settled.”
I have no idea why I’m so emotional, but I barely get the words out before the tears come, so I make a dash for my bedroom and shut the door. I mean, maybe I do know why. My mother was just miraculously snatched from the brink of deathand given back her health. That’s worth a few tears. I cry into my pillow to muffle the sobs.
The door opens, and a moment later, strong arms wrap around me. “I didn’t heal Maggie to manipulate you, Harper.” His warm breath tickles the back of my ear. “I need you. My people need you. If I were a stronger man, I’d leave you here to have a full life without danger. I’m not that strong. My destiny is to find the first of three and bring her to the Watcher’s Gate. My entire reason for being is completing this task. Can you forgive me?”
It’s been so long since someone held me, I’d forgotten how good it is to be cared for. Between giving my mother back her health and this embrace, I would risk everything for him. I cover his hand with mine on my abdomen. “Let me rest like this, and we’ll call it even.”
He pulls me tight to his chest, my head resting on his biceps. His voice is like a dream. “Sleep, Harper. Nothing will harm you while I watch.”
It sounded like a vow made to a princess. My eyelids grow heavy. Lying like this is perfection. I feel safe and cared for, and can’t remember ever feeling this way before.
“Mom, are you sure you’re going to be alright here?” In the week since she was released from the hospice, she’s put on a pound or two, which makes me so happy.
“I’m fine. You need to help Aaran. Your grandmother always said there was a special purpose for a child who came as such a miracle.” My mother was almost forty when she finally gotpregnant. All the doctors said she couldn’t conceive, but then I came along when no one was expecting it.
“I remember, but I don’t think this is what Grandma had in mind. I mean, I’m going to Canada because an elf says that’s where we can open a portal into another world.” The more I say it, the more nuts it sounds.
Mom’s laugh is like the best music. It feels like a decade since I heard that sound. “My mother was wise in the ways of magic. Maybe if I’d paid more attention, and been less resistant, you would have learned more from her.”
“You were just trying to protect me.” I look around the condo. “Are you sure you’ll be alright here all alone?”
“I’m hardly alone. Josephine is a mile away, and Wanda is only two. They’re going to stop in daily and check on me, whether I want them to or not.” My mom’s two oldest friends have been there for us through everything, dad’s death and cancer. Of course, they’ll take care of Mom while I take an extended leave of absence for personal reasons.
Those were the words I said to my boss when I told him I’d be gone for a while and would let him know when I could return. If I return. My nerves kick in big time. “What do I know about saving worlds? Less than nothing.”
“You’ll be exactly what you’re meant to be, my sweet girl.” Mom cups my cheeks like she did when I was a kid. She kisses my forehead, and the soft smell of her perfume reminds me of simpler times.
The door opens wide, and Aaran walks in with my mom’s best friends.
“Look at the hunk we found in the parking lot,” Wanda says bawdily. She’s five-foot-nothing and wears her silver hair in a bob that looks a little like an old-time football helmet. She has warm tanned skin and shining brown eyes that see more than they let on, and she has Aaran in her clutches.
Josephine is more demure on the outside but just as fun-loving inside. She grips Aaran’s other arm. “Now we know why you’re running away from home. If this was my prize, I’d be taking him far away from here too.” She gives her wedge hairstyle a flip.
It took a full day for Aaran to recover from what he did for Mom, but he’s been strong and helpful ever since. Grinning at the two women, he pats Josephine’s hand. “I’ll take good care of Harper, and you see that Maggie is well.”
They both let go of Aaran and rush to Mom’s side. Wanda grabs me around the waist and kisses my cheek. “Maggie is a miracle, just like our Harper.
Mom takes my hand and pulls me aside. She digs in her pocket. “I had this resized for you.” She slides a simple gold band over the middle finger of my right hand.
I stare at the plain ring. “Was this Dad’s?”
Dashing a tear away, she hugs me. “I’ve held on to it for too long. You should have a part of him, of us. Remember we love you.”
“When did you have time to do this?” I spin the ring around my finger. It’s heavy and thick, but the size is perfect.
“I think it suits you.” She smiles, and the light catches her eyes.
Somehow I know she’s going to be alright. I feel it deep inside me. Life radiates from her, where weeks ago, we were waiting for the end. No one has ever given me a greater gift and no one ever could. “Thank you. I love it.”
After another round of hugs and kisses, I manage to keep from crying and get out the front door. It took me two weeks to talk to my boss, Ashley, and a few other people about running off with Aaran. I had no idea settling one’s affairs was such a big job. I put Mom’s name on all my accounts, so she’ll be well taken care of if I don’t make it back. She tried to refuse, but I insisted. Cashand my credit card will get us to St. John’s. After that, I’ll have to rely on Aaran. If there even is an after that. This entire thing is madness.
“You are screaming your thoughts.” Aaran holds his ears.
Nothing surprises me anymore. I’m traveling with an elf, so… “You’re reading my thoughts again? That seems very rude.”
“It would be rude if you didn’t scream them. Though, I can understand why you think this crazy.” He bought himself a backpack and is inspecting all the zippers where he’s tucked away a hoard of survival supplies. The man loves Walmart. I thought I would never get him out of the camping section.
