Page 83 of Wind and Water
Elspeth gasps.
Momma says, “What’s that, a city?”
“It’s hell, Momma.” My throat is so tight, I almost don’t manage the short sentence.
Her hand over her mouth, Momma’s eyes fill with tears. “Don’t you have to be dead to go to hell?”
“Evidently, not in this world. Though there were plenty down there who were not alive as we define it.” Tears spill down my cheeks, and I can’t seem to stop them, even though I don’t want to cry in front of Liam’s family. They’ll think I’m a weakling. They’ll think I’m not strong enough to be Liam’s wife, or mate, or whatever they call it here.
At some point, a human woman with brown hair and kind green eyes joins us. She gently takes my hand. “I’m Harper Craig. I came here from New Jersey. You need some time.”
She leads me up the stairs away from the group. When we enter a long hallway, the voices from below begin talking all at once. “They’ll work it out, Wren.”
“Maybe I should have stayed and fought whatever fight Liam’s in.” I drag my feet.
Harper stops and squeezes my hand. “You can go back, but don’t you think you’ve been through enough for now? Let Liam work on his parents. You can have a soak in the most luxurioustub you’ve probably ever seen, then a long nap.” She opens a door on the right.
Harper is wearing black leggings and a white tunic. She’s only a few inches taller than me, and from what I’ve seen, that makes us both pretty short by elf standards.
“I had a duffel bag before we were taken. It had a pair of jeans and a few shirts in it.” I hesitate. “But what you’re wearing looks more comfortable.”
Nodding, she says, “They have nice things here.” She points to the gowns hanging on the front of a wardrobe. Beautiful things with lace in luscious colors of green, yellow, and orange, all colors that suit Harper’s complexion.
“Is this your room?” I back up to the door.
The way she laughs and takes my hand makes me like her immediately. “I moved into Aaran’s room almost from the first night, but the staff insists on keeping my clothes here. They’re still arranging your room, but you looked ready to fall to pieces down there, and this one is not really in use.”
“Then you and Aaran are lovers?” I should have used more tact, but I’m too tired for it.
Harper blushes. “We’re committed to each other in all ways. From the way Liam stared at you, I’m guessing it’s much the same with the two of you.”
I nod, and emotions well in my throat. “I need a good cry before I take that bath, Harper. Do you think you could keep whoever is going to fuss over me away for about an hour?”
Pulling me into a hug. “You got it, sister. When we have time, I’ll tell you about the horrors of my trip here. Maybe it will make you feel better. Though, I didn’t get sucked into hell.”
“I’m glad you didn’t.”
She points to the bed. “It’s a great place to cry. Believe me, I shed my fair share of tears here. Through that door is a bathroom where you’ll think you’ve gone to heaven. I’ll seethat when they do come to fuss over you, they have some very comfortable elven clothes for you to change into.”
“Thank you.”
She waves a hand. “We humans have to stick together. Besides, I already love your mother to pieces. I’m sure we’re going to be good friends.”
Unable to push words out past the lump in my throat, I force a weak smile and nod.
Once Harper leaves, I lie on the large bed with its pale-peach duvet and lace trimmings, press my face into a downy pillow, and cry so hard my back hurts. It pours out of me, and I can’t make it stop.
Liam’s mind touches mine, but I push him away.
For some reason, now that I’m safe, I can’t hold it together.
The door opens and closes. Momma’s soft fingers run through my hair. “It’s alright, baby girl. You just get it all out.”
“I didn’t want you to see me like this.” My voice lacks the strength and toughness I expect from a Texas woman.
She rubs my back. “Liam said he could feel that you’re upset. He wanted to come to you, but I told him that sometimes a girl needs her momma.”
I nod, and fresh tears come. It’s a miracle that there’s any more water in me to make tears.
