Page 90 of Enchanted By a Pirate
She giggled as Anton nodded leisurely. "That's what it looks like, pirate, that's what it looks like."
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"Are you certain you want to do this?"
"Absolutely." All the same, Anna hesitated as she stood on the roof tiles in fairy form, staring down at the patio. Next to her sat Chris, who didn't particularly like the height even though he was covered in fairy dust.
"Then hurry up, or else I'll fall from the roof and land in front of her feet, and then your beautiful plan will be ruined."
"I would almost like that to happen. She would love you. Then I could at least face her and say goodbye in person."
"Why don't you just do it?"
Anna looked wistfully down at Nele, who was sitting bent over a piece of cheesecake with cream, barely touching either, reading a book. She kept glancing up and gazing into the distance with a sad expression on her face that pained Anna.
"Because she wouldn't understand why I had to go, and I might not understand anymore either. I mean I could visit her often."
Chris stroked her hair gently with his finger. "You know what powerful magic we used to travel here. It throws both worlds outof balance. If the fairies' magic hadn't been saved because of you, Iris and the others would never have agreed."
Anna sighed. He was right. Unfortunately. At least she had the chance to see her friend one last time. But she would have insisted on that even if the fairies had refused her. In truth, however, Iris and Margerite were so happy that they would probably have fulfilled Anna's every wish at that moment.
"You'll wait here?"
"Aye."
Anna took a deep breath, grabbed the postcard she had conjured up, and swiftly flew it down to the patio. She dropped the card on the pile of mail that was lying on the bench next to Nele and quickly hid behind a clay flower box.
As hoped, Nele noticed the movement. Frowning, she glanced next to her, but she didn't see Anna even though her wings were shimmering in every color. Nele's eyes fell on the postcard. When Anna saw her friend's eyes widen in disbelief, her heart beat faster and faster. Excitedly, she took a tiny step closer so as not to miss any of Nele's reactions.
As if in slow motion, Nele reached for the card and held it with both hands as if she feared it might disappear, as Anna had done. As she read the lines, tears came to her eyes as well as Anna's, who went over in her mind what she had written to her friend as a farewell.
Dearest Nele,
I'm sosorry that I left without saying goodbye. You won't believe it, but I've found my true love, my prince, and I'm sailing into the sunset with him.
I miss you every day and hope to see you again one day. Until then, I hope you stop counting calories and let yourselfbe conquered too. You are a wonderful friend and a special woman. The man who gets you will be incredibly lucky.
I love you very much.
Your Anna
When a tear rolleddown Nele's cheek, Anna was tempted to run over, brush it away, and tell her friend the truth, but that wouldn't make things any easier.
Nele turned the card and looked at the sailing ship depicted on it. It was the Fortuna. Anna left out the pirate flag so her friend wouldn't be afraid for her.
Suddenly, Nele raised her head and looked westward, in the direction of the setting sun. "I will never forget you, Anna," she whispered. Then she picked up the fork and a smile spread across her face. She courageously cut off a large piece of cake, ran her fork through the cream, and put the bite in her mouth with a happy grin.
Anna smiled wistfully and wiped a tear from her cheek. Nele would go her own way. She waited until her friend grabbed a tissue to blow her nose and quickly flew back to Chris.
"All done, love?"
Anna sighed. "All done." She glanced back at her friend one last time and took Chris's hand. "Let's go. It will only get harder."
Chris grinned. "Give me a hand, or else I won't be able to get up."
Anna laughed and Nele looked up. As quick as a flash, Anna whispered a spell so that she and the captain became invisible.
Making swimming movements, Chris did his best to determine the direction. "That was close. Come on, let's fly back to our world. I have prepared something for you."
