“Her heart,” Mae replied.
That’s what I was going to write.
Cherin hung her head. “Oh no.”
Mae crossed her arms. “I see no reason to delay this any longer.”
“It’s been a stressful day, Mae. I almost lost my son.”
Mae pointed to the journal. “If Niv’s writings are correct, the situation in Selandis is worse than I thought. We don’t have time.”
“Time for what?” Niv asked. Her eyes darted between the three, waiting for someone to speak. She stood and opened her arms in desperation. “What is it?”
“Niv, please sit down,” Cherin said.
She stood defiantly. “No! I’m tired of this. There is something strange going on and I want answers.”
Cherin stood and took hold of Niv’s hands. “Listen, Niv, we wanted to tell you this sooner, but we vowed to protect you. We didn’t—"
“What is it, mom?”
Ren stood next to Cherin and held his wife while she teared. “We are not your birth parents.”
Niv stumbled back from the force of the words. Cherin reached out to her. “I know it’s a lot to take in.”
“We still consider you our child,” Ren added. “Nothing can change that. But it is time you knew the truth.”
Niv pulled away from them and shook her head to cast the bizarre thoughts from her mind. “Why are you doing this to me?”
“It’s true, Niv.”
She stumbled to her father’s leather chair and gripped one of the arms to steady herself. “You are my parents. You have always been my parents. You brought me here from Selandis to protect me.”
“And we did,” Cherin said, reaching for Niv. “But I did not give birth to you.”
Niv shoved her hand away. “No… that can’t be.”
“They speak the truth,” Mae said.
Niv leaned towards Mae. “You knew about this?” She threw her hands up in the air. “Well of course you knew about this. That’s how this has gone, right? Ever since you’ve arrived I’ve learned one secret or another. But this… no, this doesn’t make any sense.” She returned her attention to her parents. “Sorry, mom, dad, I don’t believe you. I don’t know why you would do this, but I am your child.”
“Niv, will you please bring me your quilt?” Mae asked.
“Why?”
Mae looked squarely into her eyes. “Will you trust me?”
She looked at Cherin and Ren, then back to Mae. Her world was spinning out of control and she couldn’t trust anyone in the room, not even herself.
“I don’t…”
“Bring me the quilt.”
She went to her room and removed the quilt from her bed and put it on Mae’s lap. Mae closed her eyes and held her hand above it. Niv watched with bewilderment as the quilt glowed dark blue.
“What are you doing?”
Mae ignored her question. Soon, the glow subsided, and Mae handed it back to her. She took it and held it. It radiated warmth as though it had been in the sun all day.
“Sit down and hold it to your chest.”
She reluctantly did as Mae asked.
“Now close your eyes.”
In the darkness, small points of light appeared.
“Allow your mind to drift. Let the love within the blanket absorb into your thoughts.”
It soon became clear that the pale white dots that emerged from the black were stars. The oaken king constellation was directly overhead, presiding over his chilly throne in the depths of winter. Cold hit her face, but her body was warm, nestled in a tightly wrapped blanket. She felt her mother’s gentle, protective embrace.
“I love you, sweet child.”
A loving kiss graced her forehead. Even as a baby she knew her mother was in deep pain. Her blue eyes watered, and her cheeks quivered as she held back tears. A male presence towered above them. She couldn’t make out much detail in his face, but his hair was straight and brown, and his eyes had a hint of amber. The song of his deep voice cast a projection of strength tempered with wisdom.
“It is time, my love.”
She was pulled away from her mother’s chest and placed into the arms of another woman inside a carriage.
“I will take good care of her, Maeva. An aunt’s love is almost as dear.”
She felt her mother touch her head. “I know you will, Cherin.”
Cherin started to say something else, but Mae interrupted her. “Go now, please. I cannot endure a longer goodbye.”
Cherin nodded and the carriage moved. The vision faded, and Niv returned to the present. Her eyes watered, and her body shook with emotion. She gazed into Mae’s eyes. In that moment, she saw her again, for the first time, as though there had been no previous meeting. The spell had been broken, its secrets disclosed, and both hearts were laid bare.
“It’s true. You’re my mother.”
Chapter 6
“Nivvy, wake up you dreamy head. It’s almost lunch!”
A freckled forehead and a smattering of red curls graced the bottom pane of her window.
“You’re not gonna sleep all day.”
Niv groaned, hoping she would give up and let her sleep.
“That’s it, I’m coming to get you.” There was a thud, then a rustling of leaves. “I’m alright. Ick! That stump is wet.”
She heard complaining as she made her way to the front door. Seconds later, the bed shook and Niv’s entire field of vision was overwhelmed with curly red hair.
“Get up you lazy head!”
Niv stared into determined green eyes. “Frasie, it’s too early.”
“It’s noon. There was breakfast on the table.”
“Was?”
Frasie produced a hunk of bread garnished haphazardly with butter and jam. She took a bite and smiled. “Was.”
“You’re eating my breakfast?”
Frasie laughed. “I’m eating my lunch.” She hovered the bread in front of Niv’s face, then slowly pulled it away. “It can be your breakfast. Just follow your nose.”
“Frasie, I can’t sit up. You’re on top of me.”
“Good point.” Frasie sat cross-legged on the bed and continued taunting her with food.
“You’re not going to stop until I sit up, are you?”
Frasie stuffed another bite in her mouth and shook her head.
“I didn’t sleep well last night,” she said.
Frasie handed the bread to her. “Yea, I heard Jarris got into a fight with a tree.” She imitated a fist fight but stopped when she failed to get a response.
“He almost died.”
“Your dad told me. I’m glad you were there to save him.”
“There’s more. He’s not my dad.”
Frasie chuckled. “Did a tree branch hit you on the head, too? I promise you he is. He even laughed at me when I slipped on that tree stump near your window.” She studied Niv’s expression carefully. “You aren’t kidding, are you?”
Niv looked at her quilt. “My mother made this.”
“Of course she did.”
“My real mother.”
Frasie felt Niv’s forehead. “Hmm. Get dressed, Nivvy. We’re going on a walk.”
“Is anyone else home besides Jarris and I?”
“Your dad is in the barn. I don’t know where your mother is. She must have walked because your wagon is here.”
“They took Mae’s wagon.”
“Who’s Mae?”
Niv bunched the quilt in her hands. “She sewed this. I don’t want to leave Jarris alone.”
She walked into Jarris’s room, Fraise in tow. Jarris was sitting up in his bed, reading. She sat down next to him and Frasie sat on the opposite side.
“Hey you two,” Jarris said.
“How are you feeling? Do you need anything?” Niv asked.
“I’m fine. Mom brought me lunch. I’m sore, but not in as much pain.”
“See, Nivvy – some people eat their meals at the proper time.”
Jarris clos
ed his book and set it on his lap. “Mom and dad explained things to me.”
“About Mae?”
“I don’t believe it.”
“It’s true, I promise,” she replied.
Jarris sighed deeply and grabbed his side in pain. “How could they do this to you?”
Niv took his hand. “I don’t know. They thought they were doing the right thing. I’m not sure if that’s an excuse or not.”
“Well, it doesn’t change a thing for me. You are still my big sister, Niv.”
She smiled. “Of course. Nothing will ever change that.”
“Either all of this is real, or you both are playing an awful joke on me.”
“I promise it’s no joke,” Niv replied.
“So, then, who are Cherin and Ren?” Frasie asked.
“My aunt and uncle.”
“Jarris, will you be alright by yourself for a while? Your sister and I need to talk.”
“Of course,” he replied. “I walked this morning. I’ll be fine, I’m just sore.”
“Are you sure?” Niv asked.
“I have a book to read.” He pointed a novel titled Dispatches from the Proctor Wars on the nightstand.
“Jarris is reading a book?” Frasie asked. “Are you sure he’s alright?”
Niv embraced Jarris, taking care not to cause any pain. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Niv. Now go, you two.”
Frasie took her hand and escorted her back to her room. She noticed that Cherin had laundered her green dress and placed it in her wardrobe.
“Why did they keep it secret?” Frasie asked.
“I don’t know. They said it was to protect me.”
“From what?”
The front door closed. “I’ll tell you later.”
She hurriedly finished dressing, then the two headed to the main room. Cherin and Mae were unloading a box of supplies from town.
“Good morning, Niv,” Cherin said.
“Good morning.”
“Have you eaten? I’ll make something for lunch if you want.”
She stood near the door and motioned for Frasie to join her.
“Are you Mae?” Frasie asked.
“I am, child. And who are you?”
Frasie brushed a curl from her face. “My name is Frasie.”
“I’m pleased to meet you,” Mae replied. “You have a fiery spirit.”
“Of course!” Frasie proudly declared. “And you have the most beautiful blue dress.” She took some of the loose fabric and held it up to the light. “It sparkles. It’s so pretty. I love this shade of blue.” She looked carefully at Mae’s face. “You have Nivvy’s eyes.” She closed her eyes and strained. “No, I’m sorry, that wasn’t right, Nivvy isn’t your mother. No, you are Niv’s mother, so she has your eyes. I got that mixed up. How silly of me. You know, I—"
Niv opened the door. “Frasie, let’s take that walk.”
As Frasie dashed towards the door, her eyes remained transfixed on Mae. “It was nice meeting you.”
When Niv shut the door, she temporarily blocked out a reminder of the upheaval in her life. It was just her and her best friend Frasie, which is precisely what she needed. Ren was at the far edge of the field in front of their home, but he didn’t notice them. She used the opportunity avoid further conversation and proceeded to her favorite clearing in the woods.
“Want to go to the ocean?” Frasie asked. “Might help get your mind off of all of this.”
She thought of their usual picnic spot on the rocky shores of the western sea and considered Frasie’s suggestion, but the gray, cold sand wasn’t quite her idea of an escape.
“Normally I would, but… I need something more comforting. My best friend and my favorite stump will do nicely.”
While they walked, she explained what had happened the past few days and what she had learned about Maeva, Vorea, her abilities, the accuracy of her journal writing, and the events that led to her sequestration in the Jeweled Woods. Frasie listened with her usual patient, supportive demeanor, but her eyes grew wide when Niv described the magic she used to save Jarris and her newfound telepathic abilities.
When they reached the clearing around her stump, Frasie took a few steps away from her and closed her eyes. She scrunched her nose and strained.
“What are you doing?” Niv asked.
“Trying to send you a message in my mind. Now hush!”
Niv didn’t think it would work but allowed her to try. She heard nothing. “I think you have to have the ability.”
“You can hear your mom and… well, Cherin and Mae, right? Is it because they both have magic, or because they’re your family.”
“Mae made it a point to say that everyone could use magic. There are just some who have more of a talent for it than others.”
“You’re family to me, Nivvy. Try again. Listen really, really closely. I’m going to yell inside my head, alright?”
Niv chuckled. “Alright.”
Frasie’s face contorted as she poured every ounce of her mental energy into transmitting a message. Niv listened closely.
Frasie hung her head in disappointment. “Nothing, huh?”
“No, sorry.”
“Maybe Mae can help me.”
She took a deep breath and turned from Frasie. “I’m not ready to talk to her. I’ve had nothing but secrets and unexplained events for the past few days. I didn’t ask for any of this.”
“Nivvy, this isn’t bad. Well, alright, maybe the Vorea thing is, but you can heal people and talk to others with your mind! I would love to be able to do that.”
She sat on the ground, her back against the stump. “Yes, but my parents lied to me. What am I saying? They’re not even my parents. I don’t know who I am anymore.”
Frasie sat next to her. “Nivvy, you won’t know who you are until you leave these woods.”
She relaxed her muscles as she took in Frasie’s wisdom.
“You have told me for years that you are ready to explore the world. Now you learn you have magic and perfect excuse to visit Selandis, and you’re upset.”
Niv smiled. “You’re right.”
Frasie nodded affirmatively. “I know. I understand why you are angry with Cherin and Ren. They could have told you and still kept you safe.” She frowned. “Come to think of it, I’m irritated at them, too.”
She put her hand on Frasie’s shoulder. “What would I do without you?”
“Sleep all day,” Frasie replied.
She chuckled. “I haven’t slept much for the past two days. I only fall asleep after the sun rises.”
“And then I come and wreck that, huh?”
“It’s alright. You didn’t know.”
Frasie stood and extended her hand to Niv. “There’s only one person who can help you figure out what all of this means.”
She took Frasie’s hand. “Thank you, Frasie. Let’s go.”
Chapter 7
Niv and Frasie saw Mae in the garden on the side of the house. She greeted them with a warm smile. “It is a lovely day, isn’t it?”
“It is,” Frasie replied.
“A nice break in the rain,” Niv said.
“Indeed.” Mae pointed at a pepper plant. “The rain makes the vegetables grow beautifully. But too much of a good thing…”
“My father says with all the rain we’ve had this year he reckons they’ll be able to build a dock in Brenloh,” Frasie said.
Mae chuckled. “I don’t doubt it.” She turned to them and extended her arms. “Something tells me you two didn’t come out here to talk about the weather.”
“We have a lot to talk about,” Niv said. She reached for Frasie’s hand. “My friend helped me work out some things.”
Mae smiled. “Cherin and I were more than sisters. We were best friends. We did everything together. I understand.”
Frasie gently pulled her hand from her. “Don’t get me wrong, Mae, I love talking to you, I really do.” Frasie opened her mouth to continue
but stopped. “But you don’t need me for this, Nivvy.”
She still shook on the inside with nervous energy, but her best friend’s words helped her steel herself. “You’re right.”
Her best friend’s strong embrace filled her with further confidence. “I’m going to raid Cherin’s pantry and pester Jarris. In that order, of course.” She took a few steps then wagged her finger at Mae. “Don’t ever leave Nivvy again, alright?”
Frasie’s directness caught Niv’s breath. Mae looked directly into her eyes. “You have my promise.”
“Good enough,” Frasie replied. “See you two later.”
Frasie skipped all the way to the house.
“She’s…”
“A bundle of energy,” Mae added. “And a fierce advocate for you.”
“I’ve known her since I was five. She’s my sister.” She took a step toward Mae. “I shouldn’t be afraid to talk to you.”
“You feel however you feel,” Mae replied. “Did you know I’m afraid to talk to you, too?”
“You are?”
“Most certainly.” Mae walked slowly through the garden. The scents of sage and rosemary from the herbs a few rows over created a pleasing aroma. They were a fond reminder of Cherin’s cooking. “I had a lot to ponder on my journey here. I know so little about my own daughter. But scarcely a moment went by when I wasn’t thinking of you. I wondered what I would say and if you would even tolerate me.”
“Well of course I—"
“There is no of course about any of this,” Mae interrupted. “This is not a normal situation. I did what I had to do to protect you, but that doesn’t mean it was right. I abandoned you, Niv. Do not dismiss this, and do not let it go. At least not yet.”
Mae’s directness surprised her. “Do you want me to be upset with you?”
“For a suitable period, yes. You must give yourself time to process what has happened. In time, I hope you and I will be the best of friends.” Mae stopped and gently held her shoulders. “Until then, you feel how you feel. Yell. Give me sarcastic teenage backtalk, and—”
“I’m twenty,” she interrupted. “And I’m angry with my parents - I mean, with Cherin and Ren.”
“They love you dearly.”
“But you are my mother.”
Niv'leana Page 3
