"Thank you for saving me," Rosewing told us all. "If it hadn't been for your bravery, I'd be a mummy in that grotto of death by now."
"As if we'd ever have let those creeps do that to my darling daughter," Tracey declared heatedly.
"I know," Rosewing said lovingly, turning to Tracey and holding her hands. "Thank you for being my mother, Mother. I couldn't wish for anyone better. I love you."
"And thank you for being my daughter," Tracey replied, her eyes filling. "I'm looking forward to all the times we’ll spend together."
"Bear that in mind when I misbehave," Rosewing declared, with a cheeky smile. "I can remember not being the easiest child to raise."
"We'll cope," Tracey stated, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand. "It'll be worth it just to see you as you are now."
"Bless you all," Rosewing affirmed, blowing us a kiss and beginning to fade away. "I love each and every one of you. You have my eternal gratitude."
"Goodbye, my darling daughter," Tracey whispered emotionally. "I'll see you later, years from now."
Chapter 30
And that's how it all ended. We settled back into our daily routine of raising our baby, in the expectant hope of seeing her grow into the stunning adult we had witnessed. It was something I looked forward to very much. Very much indeed.
END
Sample Chapters from ‘Night Things (10)’
Chapter 1
I'd had enough of running around the countryside getting into trouble. All I wanted was a peaceful life to raise my daughter, Rosewing, and to be with my two fairy lovers, Thorn and Tracey. Was a quiet life too much to ask? You wouldn't think so, would you? It should be the basic right of everyone, but noooo, my days descended into one disruptive adventure after another. Okay, so it made life interesting and our group had done a lot of good and saved some lives, so I guess it wasn't all bad. Maybe I was getting old or something and at the stage of starting to complain about my life. Wasn't that what happened as you aged? The phrase ‘old and cranky’ was well-known, and must have come from somewhere.
However, back to the present, old age or not. Rosewing seemed to be sprouting up overnight. The fairy growth rate was phenomenal. She couldn’t be called a ‘baby’ anymore by any stretch of the imagination. Her wings were developing quite nicely (as well as other um …. areas), and she spent a lot of time fluttering them and demanding to know when she’d be allowed to fly.
"Soon, my darling," Tracey would soothe. "You don't want to strain your wings before you're ready."
"But I want to fly now!" Rosewing would insist, radiating impatience from every pore.
"You'll fly when the time is right," Tracey told her. "I’ll teach you myself."
"But all my friends are flying already," she wailed to me, making me smile for the human similarity of her complaint (simply substitute ‘drive’ for ‘fly’). "Why do I have to be the only one who can’t?"
"Because you're smarter than they are," I confided. "While they’re out there risking life and limb, you're safely on the ground, strengthening your wings in preparation. Believe me, sweetheart, when the time comes, you’ll outfly them all."
"Do you really think so?" she questioned hopefully.
"I know so," I announced. "How could you miss? Your Aunt Thorn is one of the best flyers in the settlement, and she’ll give you some extra pointers after your mother teaches you the basics. And I'll be yelling encouragement down on the ground, because that's all I know how to do."
"Oh Daddy, you're such a silly!" Rosewing giggled.
"But that's not all," I continued, warming to the subject. "Your Uncle Nix can teach you how to track and hunt. You can also learn the fundamentals of unarmed combat from him if you want to. And Aunt Quina is a great healer. She can teach you all sorts of useful things. Your Aunt Trix is a wizard at surviving in the wilderness, and Zen can teach you how to scratch yourself and chase after rabbits." I made an all encompassing gesture with my hands. "So you see, sweetheart, you're a very lucky girl to be in a position to learn all of these things. You’re unique and never have to be just one of the pack." I took her in a hug. "And besides," I whispered, "you're my little girl and that makes you the most precious thing in all the world."
"I know," she whispered back, snuggling into my embrace. "I am the luckiest girl in the world, and never think I don't appreciate it." Tracey came upon the scene and smiled lovingly at us both.
"Is this a father-daughter moment?" she questioned.
"You could say that," I murmured, winking at her.
"Daddy said that Zen could teach me how to scratch myself and chase rabbits," Rosewing smirked, from the shelter of my arms.
"He said what?" Tracey exclaimed.
"Just kidding," I protested. "I simply outlined the benefits of being a member of this family, eccentric as it is may be. We may be weird, but we do have certain skills to pass on to the younger generation. Zen’s rabbit chasing ability is just one of the many talents we possess."
"You're such a wombat, Stephen," Tracey sighed, rolling her eyes. "Rosewing, my darling, you should know better than to listen to your father."
"I beg your pardon," I objected. "She should always listen to me. My many years of staying sane in this household are at her disposal." I turned to my daughter and tweaked her nose. "And believe me, munchkin," I told her, "it hasn't been easy. I'm surrounded by weirdos and miscreants all the time. Apart from your mother, of course," I hastily added.
"Nice save," Tracey murmured, coming over to us and brushing back the curls from her daughter’s forehead. "Your father is totally insane, sweetheart," she said, "but I wouldn't have him any other way. We should both be thankful."
"Not as much as me," I replied, kissing Tracey on the cheek, and drawing her into the hug. "I have two of the most beautiful girls in existence right here and there’s nothing else I want out of life."
"Don't fall for his flattery," Tracey warned Rosewing. "He doesn't mean a word of it."
"That's where you're wrong," I corrected, kissing her again. "I meant every syllable. My only regret is that the usual words aren't sufficient. I'll have to invent some new ones to cover it. Let's see now …… how about ‘superfabulosity’? I'd rate you both as off the charts on that one."
"Now you're being extra silly," Rosewing chuckled, playfully slapping my arm. "But that is a good word. Superfabulosity? I love it. I'll have to try it out on my friends."
"I'm surprised you have any left if you keep telling them about your father," Tracey murmured, smiling at me. "They'll think you're weird."
"Oh, they think that already," Rosewing asserted, pushing away from me. "When I talk about Daddy, they sigh and roll their eyes."
"What are we going to do with these young whippersnappers?" I asked Tracey despairingly. "They have no respect for their elders. How are they going to survive without our knowledge and experience? Frankly, I blame their mothers."
"You horrible toad!" Tracey squealed, pulling herself from my arms. "It's the father’s fault! All they do is laze around the house, taking up space."
"Have you ever heard such blatant misrepresentation and fraudulent nonsense in all your life?" I asked Rosewing, pulling Tracey back into my embrace. "Don't listen to your mother, sweetie. She's obviously drunk."
Rosewing laughed merrily and it was a sound I'd loved to hear. She had a delightful laugh – all sparkle, spangle and silver bells. I sighed. She was growing up so fast that I sometimes wished the process would slow down a little so I could savor it all the more. My internal soliloquy was interrupted by the butterfly touch of Tracey’s gentle fingers on my cheek.
"Was that a sigh, beloved?" she murmured softly.
"Just a thought about how quickly time is passing," I explained. "My little girl’s life is flashing before my eyes and it won't be long before she leaves the nest. Where have all the years gone? It seems only the other day that she learned to walk and rode around on Zen."
"We can't do much about it," Tracey comforte
d, resting her head against my chest. "That's the way life is. All we can manage is to do the best we can and make the most of each moment."
"You're right, of course," I agreed, tightening my grip on the two most important things in my life. "I should be grateful for what I have – the most gorgeous lover in existence in the world's most beautiful daughter. Who could ask for anything more?"
"Oh, you!" Tracey and Rosewing said simultaneously.
Chapter 2
We went to breakfast after that and met the rest of the family. Quina was cooking something on the stove and Zen sat beside her, ever hopeful for some food to somehow fall out of the pan onto the floor. His eternal optimism was touching. Thorn busied herself setting the table and Trix bustled around conveying food condiments from the cupboard. All in all, a reassuring domestic scene and one that never failed to reassure me. Everything felt so right. Was I absurdly privileged or what? I always had this irrational fear that one day a patronizing celestial headwaiter would come up to me and hand me the bill.
"Here you are, Sir. One stunning and loving wife; one beautiful daughter; marvellous friends and a fascinating life. And let's not forget your second lover. Now, how do you intend to pay for all of this? No cheques, please!"
We sat down for breakfast and talked about what to do for the day. I had hoped for a lazy morning but that didn’t eventuate. Soon after finishing breakfast there came a knock at the door. Thorn went to answer it and returned with a most remarkable guest, in the form of a dwarf – a most unusual sight because they rarely ventured far from their caves. This made me curious because it was almost unprecedented in my experience. It must have been something fairly momentous to bring a dwarf this far from his home.
"I'll come straight to the point," our visitor boldly announced. "My name is Balis and I have come on behalf of his Majesty, the King. He requests your presence, if you'd be so kind."
"This is rather unusual," Thorn commented. "Did his Majesty say what he wants from us?"
Balis shrugged a non-committal way. "His Majesty did not confide in me at this present time," he answered diplomatically, "but he did suggest that the matter is urgent."
"I guess we should go then," Thorn declared, looking around at us all for confirmation. "Did he say who was to attend?"
"Not specifically," Balis answered, then he grinned. "But going on previous reports, I'd say that the usual group of troublemakers might be welcomed. "
"Well, I never!" Tracey huffed, pretending to be outraged. "Lucky for you that I'm a lady, Balis, otherwise I'd be inclined to slap you."
Balis chuckled. "Just teasing," he conceded. "You're all quite famous, you know. Even among our race you’ve become legends. We tell our children of your exploits."
"Really?" Tracey questioned, puffing up a little with pride. "Do you really tell stories about us?"
"Definitely," Balis confirmed. "Everybody knows the Fabulous Five."
"Fabulous Five?" I exclaimed, astonished. "What sort of nonsense is this?"
"It's true," Balis confirmed, spreading his hands. "There's you, Arugohumna, Trix, Nix and Quina. That's five, unless I'm mistaken.
"Hey, what about Zen?" Trix demanded. "He's as much a part of the team as anyone."
"And me?" Tracey questioned indignantly. "What about me? Shouldn't I be in there somewhere?"
"Okay, so there's seven," Balis admitted, defeated. "I didn't mean to miss anyone out, but of course you realise that now have to find another name for you all. ‘The Fabulous Five’ won't work anymore."
"The Sexy Seven," Trix suggested, winking at us.
"I should think not!" Tracey gasped, scandalised.
"The name’s not important," Quina smiled. "But I think we should go and visit his Majesty, don't you?"
"Of course," Balis agreed smartly, pulling himself to attention. "If you’re agreeable, we could go right now."
"Why not?" Thorn shrugged.
"Can I come, too?" Rosewing asked.
"I'm afraid not, sweetheart," Tracey told her. "You have to stay home with me."
"It's not fair!" Rosewing sulked. "I never get to do anything fun around here!"
"You can go when you’re little older," Tracey soothed. "First of all you have to learn how to fly. After that, then we'll see."
"It had better not take too long," Rosewing threatened, her wings fluttering in agitation. "I'm not going to wait around forever."
"Ah, the inevitable impatience of youth," I sighed, tickling her under the chin.
"Stop that!" she insisted, giggling. "I'm not a baby anymore, Daddy."
"Something I’m all too aware of, sweetie," I told her, a little sadly. "You're getting to be a big girl now. You’re already too big for your favourite piggyback rides. I suppose I'll have to carry Zen around instead."
Rosewing laughed outright at the image in her mind. "Daddy, you're so silly!" she scoffed.
"I was sensible before I met your mother," I whispered to her, "so just you be careful, eh? You don't want to end up like me, do you?"
"Stephen!" Tracey squawked, punching my arm. "You horrible thing! Take that back at once!"
"I can't," I confessed, rubbing my arm. "It's on the public record now and can't be erased. Sorry about that."
"You're all mad," Quina proclaimed, looking around at us and then glancing at Balis. "Don't be too hard on them. It's probably genetic. You go numb to it after awhile."
"I'll bear that in mind," Balis grinned.
Books by Steve Elliott:
* The Snurglepuss Doorway
* Vampire? (Part 1)
* Alien? (Part 2)
* Timing It
* Hog Mama
* Thief
*Depression World
* Picture Perfect
* Society Tart
*Betrayal
* Earth Angel
* Double Trouble
*Multiples
‘Soul Mate’ Series:
* Childhood.1(a)
*Dreaming.1(b)
* Rescue.2
* Lioness.3
* Wedding Woes.4
* Crossroads.5
*Daughter.6
* Endings & Beginnings.7
*Grandchild.8
*Final Chapter.9
‘Underground Kingdom’ Series:
*Crystal Thief (1)
* Dangerous Desires (2)
* Trix (3)
* Zenith (4)
* Pitfall (5)
* The Vile (6)
* Revenge (7)
* Retribution (8)
* Rosewing (9)
* Night Things (10)
* Blood Stone (11)
‘Diama the Destroyer’ Series:
* Diama the Destroyer (Vol.1)
* Sacrifice (Vol.2)
* Wizard (Vol.3)
* Finders Keepers (Vol.4)
* Sword of Destiny (Vol.5)
* Known Strangers (Vol.6)
* Deception (Vol.7)
* Time After Time (Vol.8)
* Return (Vol.9)
* Friend or Foe? (Vol.10)
* The Missing Mayor (Vol.11)
* Jigsaw (Vol.12)
* A New Beginning (Vol.13)
‘Vampire Curse’ Series:
* Vampire Curse
* Vampire Friendly
* The Orb of Rule
* The Haunted Portal
* Seeking Petals
* Tiger Doorway
* Hidden Motives
*Sings the Morning
* The Cave
* Blossom
* The Dagger of Serios
* Sky
* Fractal Finality
‘Survival’ Series
* Survival
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Rosewing (9) (The Underground Kingdom) Page 9
