by Kimbra Swain
“Yeah,” he said. His father who was a love talker had an affair with his mother. She hid the fact from him that he was the offspring of a fairy. He grew up with a domineering man who ended up leaving his mother. William, his real father, still lived in Shady Grove drinking away what was left of his life. Unfortunately, it would take a very long time to drink his life away as a fairy. Prolonging the agony for Levi. At one time, I had hoped to talk some sense into him. He seemed to like me better after it, but it didn’t change his drinking habits.
“Sorry,” I said.
“It’s okay,” he replied.
“You look nice,” I said. I hadn’t seen him in a suit since Dylan’s first funeral.
“He looks handsome,” Winnie said, running up to him. He reached down to pick her up off the ground and she wrapped her arms around his neck. I felt his emotions shift. The strength he’d fortified himself with upstairs was fading with a hug from a child.
“Hang in there,” I said.
“I’m supposed to be telling you that,” he said.
“Exactly. So, get your act together,” I said offering him a half-hearted smile.
“I’m ready to go,” Winnie declared. Levi sat her down, and she ran to the door. “Come on, Momma. I can’t wait to light all the lanterns.”
Astor put on the jacket for his suit which he had borrowed from Tennyson. It was the only one we could find on short notice that would fit him. Tennyson gladly obliged and promised to have a few more made for him.
I gathered Ayden up who looked adorable in his little white shirt and bowtie. Winnie grabbed Levi’s hand and dragged him out the door. We followed along to the truck and took the short drive back to the field where it all happened.
Winnie, bless her little heart, was doing well controlling her fire. It got out of hand sometimes, but when she was focused, she could produce it in a stable environment. The field where Dylan died had filled with the citizens of Shady Grove. Each group of people held a paper lantern with a flaming bird painted on the outside. Winnie loved the cartoon movie with the flying lanterns, and she wanted to have lanterns for Dylan. I couldn’t deny her. Not to mention, how perfect I thought the idea was after she mentioned it.
She skipped to each family, couple, or solo member of the community lighting the fires for the lanterns by her own hand using the gifts her father had given her. Watching her, my heart pounded in my chest. So many intensely sad moments since Dylan died had filled our lives, but this one, I couldn’t have imagined the ache. As darkness fell, the only lights in the field were Dylan’s lights.
Each lantern represented a life he had touched. His warm and giving spirit spread to the entire town. I didn’t know of anyone who didn’t love him. What was left of him now lived on in our children. It was a heavy burden if I thought about it for too long. My responsibility, not only to raise two children, but to raise them without their father in a way that would make him proud. Then there was all the “Queen” stuff. He believed I could do it, and I had to honor his faith in me by giving it my best shot.
Tears streamed down my face, and I didn’t dare hold back. It was time to mourn. Time to remember. Tomorrow, it would be time to fight. I had a fire, too. More than ever before. It was time to take back what was rightfully mine from those who sought to destroy me and my family. No more victims. If someone fell in battle, at least we would be going down fighting. I had a few schemes of my own. Thankfully, I’d made friends with a few schemers. It was time.
Levi stood close by, but not close enough for me to touch. Nestor stood next to me, so I leaned on him. He hugged me close to the side of his body as Winnie finally came up to light our lantern.
“Please don’t stay behind me,” I begged Levi.
“I didn’t want to intrude,” he said.
“If we weren’t standing in the middle of a funeral, I’d jerk a wart on you,” I said.
“Better than jerking a knot in my tail,” he smirked as he moved closer.
Nestor and I held the lantern with Levi joining to my side. Winnie lit the lantern, and I felt the tug as it naturally pulled toward the sky. I held it back as if holding it for another moment, would hold Dylan here for another moment.
“Let it go, Momma,” Winnie said. Aydan wiggled in my arms reaching for the flickering light.
She had instructed everyone to wait until she let her lantern go. She wanted hers to be first. So, reluctantly, I lifted my arm to the sky as the lantern took flight. Aydan’s chubby arms stretched skyward for the light as it moved upward.
Suddenly, the sky was filled with the silent lanterns lifting towards the Heavens. Our tribute to Dylan floated upward to show the world around us that someone important had passed through our lives. He had changed my life completely. Instead of running from place to place, I’d found a home and a family. A purpose.
Nestor tugged tighter as my lip trembled. Aydan patted my face as if he knew Momma was hurting. Levi stood in my shadow ready to catch me if I fell. My knees wobbled, but I shook my head refusing to give in.
Kadence Rayburn led her now blind father to the center of the circle. A dark cloth covered where his eyes used to be. Kady blamed herself for the damage and had moved back in with him. Caleb had as well to help them both. I was impressed with his generous spirit. Matthew assured his daughter that everything that happened to him was his own fault. However, I silently took the blame too. I felt like I could have done more. Should have done more.
Matthew’s Druid voice filled the field as if we were in his church.
“Kady tells me that the lights lifting to the sky are beautiful. I wish I could see them, but I know that it is a fitting tribute to our friend, Dylan Riggs. He was a light and a fire for all of us in this town. He came here with his own agenda, but soon made friends and fell in love. His family standing before us is a tribute to the legacy that he lived and leaves behind. Grace, Winnie, and Aydan, you’re a part of us just as he was. We give you our deepest sympathies and open our hearts to you. Whatever you have need of, please ask. We are here for you. If it weren’t for you, Dylan would have never called Shady Grove home. We are proud that he was one of us until the very end. May the four corners bless you and keep you,” he said.
“Bless you and keep you,” many members of the town repeated.
Matthew had asked me if I wanted to speak, and I told him that this was to be about him. Not about me. He waited for a moment to see if I had changed my mind, but I remained silent except for the sniffles. Kadence then, led him over to where we stood. He shook Nestor and Levi’s hands, then kissed the back of mine. Winnie hugged him around his legs.
“If you need anything, Grace, I’m willing to listen. It seems my ears work quite well,” he said with a smile. He had told me when we talked about the memorial that he had found a new hope in his blindness. I couldn’t understand it, but he seemed to be at peace. I offered to turn him, but he refused. He believed he was living his destiny, no matter how cruel it had turned out to be.
One by one the members of the community came to offer condolences. Occasionally, I’d look to the sky to keep an eye on the lanterns as they faded into the distance. Switching to my sight, each fire flamed with supernatural light.
“Look at them through your sight,” I said to Levi.
“I see them. They are magnificent,” he said. I could feel his sorrow. Sometimes I thought perhaps it was worse than my own. He knew all the logical reasons why things turned out the way they did, but he still searched his thoughts trying to find an alternate solution. Bless it. I didn’t understand why other than he wanted me to be happy again. I wanted the same for him, but I knew that meant that I would have to find some joy in our lives. Other than my children, it was hard.
Somewhere in my heart, I knew that my life would continue, but it would be a long time before I was truly happy. Right now, I was just hanging on.
When we returned home, you would have thought the Baptist Church was having dinner on the grounds. The kitchen and dining room w
ere covered up with homemade dishes. The house filled with some of our closest friends who picked through the food, but mostly stood around talking about Dylan. Nestor sat on the couch with Aydan playing with toys while Winnie, Mark, and some of the other kids from school played outside with Bramble and Briar. Rufus had decided to hide upstairs. Deacon had appointed himself the outside guard and stood watching the children play in his dirty overalls.
Astor stood in the corner of the dining room with Ella, Mayor Jenkins, and Chaz. The lion hung on his knight as if he were a coat on a hanger. That train of thought led me in the wrong direction, so I focused back on the group. They seemed to be getting along very well. I was happy to see it. I had worried so much about Astor and his finding a purpose. He’d been giving me great advice along with the rest of my war council as we started to make plans to take back Winter from Brockton, my Uncle.
“Do you need anything?” Amanda asked.
“No, everyone has been great. We will never eat all of this food,” I said. “You’re welcome to take some of it to the wolves. How many are there now?”
Amanda kept me informed of the shifters as they moved into town. The wolf population had grown exponentially. We still had a few bears, the Purcells, and a unique were-possum. However, Levi, my secretary, hadn’t informed me of any new arrivals lately. Levi read all my emails because he knew I never did. He elbowed me as we stood talking to Amanda and Mark.
“There are 28 in all now. Plus, the Santiagos, and the Purcells. Kwaski hasn’t been able to get in contact with any of his kin, so he’s still our only possum. We’ve had a family of panthers move in this past week. Is there a point where you don’t want anyone here?” she asked.
“No, I don’t want to shut anyone out. I suppose at some point we might run out of land, but not anytime soon,” I said.
“We aren’t worried about space. I’m only concerned about policing them,” Troy said. “I have a handle on the wolves. If we start getting an influx of beings that aren’t our kind, I’m not sure my alpha status will hold them.”
“We will be cautious with everyone, but welcoming. That’s the way we do things,” I said. “It leaves the door open for Brock to make a move in that department, but I don’t want to shut anyone out.”
“I’m watching the new comers too closely. He won’t get in that way,” Amanda said confidently.
“Thank you, Amanda,” I said.
“Just doing my job, ma’am,” she said with a smile. It wasn’t so long ago that she wouldn’t have smiled at me. Her skills for organization were invaluable, and our children were BFFs. We needed to get along. I’m glad that we finally did.
They moved away from me, as I felt Levi step closer.
“You are the strongest woman I’ve ever known,” he said.
“You haven’t known many women,” I replied.
“I watched my mother battle cancer with dignity, Grace. Don’t knock the compliment,” he said.
Turning to face him, his dark eyes met mine.
“I’m sorry,” I muttered.
“Don’t be. You’re just being you,” he dismissed it.
Before we could say anything else, Jenny walked up, but Tennyson remained across the room with his eyes on us. Since reconnecting with him, Jenny had updated her wardrobe. She looked like a mob boss’ wife. High dollar dress and shoes and she pulled it off perfectly.
“You have plenty of people here if you need anything. We are going to slip out,” she said.
“Sure. You’re right. I’m almost ready for some quiet,” I said.
She hugged me tightly. “Whatever you need, just call. You know that we have your back,” she said. I had told her about my experience with Wendy and the crystal ball. She said the conversation I had seen was real and exact. It was nice to know that there were at least a few people I could absolutely count on. Tennyson’s connections in the Otherworld were providing us with the right kind of information for a takeover. Unfortunately, none of the news was good. It was going to take a huge effort, and I wasn’t sure how many in town were willing to join the fight.
“Thanks, Jenny,” I said. She backed away, winked at Levi, then rejoined Tennyson. He gave me a nod across the room, and they slipped out.
“Grace, have a drink,” Betty said, handing me a glass. It was short with just a couple of cubes of ice and a dark liquid. Perfect. I took a sip, allowing the burn to race down my throat.
“When should I expect Winnie?” Luther asked.
“Huh?” I said.
“I forgot to tell her,” Levi said.
“Oh, I would like to offer my help with Winnie. We are fire beings. She will respond to me, if you will allow it,” Luther explained.
“Luther, I can’t ask you to step in like that,” I said.
“Grace, we are family, remember? I want to help. Besides, I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it for Dylan,” he smiled. The devil knew I couldn’t deny him now.
“Very well. When would you like to start?” I asked.
“As soon as possible before she burns the house down,” he said.
“Yes, please,” I replied.
“We can set it up later. Just let us know,” Betty said.
“Sure,” I replied, as Aydan giggled at Nestor across the room. I watched them playing. Aydan was having a grand time with all the attention. I could feel Winnie outside playing with the children. Her warmth now reminded me every moment of Dylan. My children were my life now. Everything I did from this moment on was about them. My own desires, hopes, and dreams had long faded but were now replaced with hopes and dreams for them. Even though Winnie struggled with her new abilities, I knew one day she would be the same shining beacon her father was. And even though, in less than 5 years, Aydan would be a full-grown adult, I was going to cherish every moment between now and then.
And I was going to the Otherworld not just to take my inheritance, but, as Cletus would say, open a fat can of whoop ass. One of those bulk-sized cans.
“Grace?” Betty said.
“I’m sorry. I zoned out. What did you say?” I asked.
“Get some rest, honey. If you need anything, we are close by,” she said with a smile, then tugged Luther away.
I turned away from the crowd heading toward the back door. When I stepped out on the porch the air was cool. The children were running around the yard chasing fireflies, and for once, Winnie wasn’t the flying fire. They were actually chasing bugs. I watched their simple game until a mosquito bit the tar out of my arm.
I smacked my hand down on my arm smashing the bastard. “Serves you right,” I hissed.
“Y’all come inside. It’s swarming skeeters out here,” I called out to the kids. They came running like a herd of pigs. Whooping and hollering. Laughing and playing. I held the door for them as they all went inside. Looking in at all of my friends and family, my heart was warmed, but a coldness sealed my mind. Instead of going back inside, I pulled power from my tattoo to shield myself from the tiny flying vampires and made my way to the swing set.
The wonderous sounds of people fellowshipping in my home drifted out of the walls. I sat down in a swing watching the warm lights in the house, and the shadows of the people passing the windows. With a small movement of power, I saw my bard appear on the back porch.
“Let’s talk about it,” I said. We hadn’t talked about Dylan’s revelation about the wedding dream. It bothered Levi. I could only assume that he knew what Dylan had dreamed because Dylan told him. I didn’t want it hanging over us. Not to say it didn’t bother me, it just made things very awkward between us. I couldn’t ignore the feelings I had for Levi, but more than anything, my heart was secondary now. It was in too many pieces to be what he needed.
“It’s not necessary. Don’t stay out here too long,” he said.
“Levi, I want to. Maybe I need to,” I said.
Instead of skipping over to me, he stuck his hands deep into his pockets and trudged over to me like he was walking through mud. He’d shed the
tie and jacket from earlier. The man before me wasn’t the same as when he came to Shady Grove. He wasn’t the same man that went into the Otherworld and fought Dylan in his hysteria. He wasn’t the same man since Dylan died on that field.
He took a seat on the swing next to me, and for a few moments, we sat in silence watching the fireflies. I saw Finley peek out one of the curtains. I waved at him, and he ducked back inside. Hopefully, he took that as “leave us the hell alone.” Which is what I meant.
“He told you,” I said.
“He did,” Levi said. “The future isn’t written though. How many times did he dream that the two of you would get married before he lied about it?”
“I’m not sure,” I said. “What he dreamed doesn’t concern me as much as the impact that it has on us.”
“You told your father that we were solid,” he said.
“We are. Dylan’s dream doesn’t change that,” I said.
We rocked back and forth on the swings. The katydids filled the air with their song, along with the low croaking of frogs. The night songs of the Southern countryside. It made me sad knowing that my goal to take back the Otherworld would more than likely take me away from this. Shady Grove was home, and it always would be.
The silence wore too long for Levi and his anxiety kicked up. “Grace, I don’t assume anything. You know how I feel about you, but I’m not an idiot. He died. I killed him. In fact, I should have done it down in the Otherworld as he asked me to do, but I wasn’t man enough to do it then. Coming home to you was my only consolation after all of that. You have a kingdom to take and one to rule. I’m not an idiot.”
“Yes, you are,” I said. “Dublin. Yes, you are.”
“Damn you, Grace,” he huffed standing up to leave me alone, but he stopped in his tracks dropping his shoulders and head to the ground.
I eased up out of the swing, walking around to face him. If my heart wasn’t in a billion pieces, I’d reassure him like he deserved to be reassured.
Placing my hand on his scarred cheek, I turned his eyes to mine.
