by A E M
Beau’s shoulders relaxed and he dropped his arms. “Caramia.” He chuckled and tugged her forward into his arms. They stood quietly, wrapped in each other’s arms. The black sky slowly purpled as the tiniest glimmer of sun peeked above the horizon. “I think that we will be fine.”
“But you don’t know that, Beau.”
“But I believe it, Charlotte. And there are many things in life that are made for believing.” He ran his fingers through her hair slowly. “It must have been hard on you to go from being able to touch and be touched to having to watch not only your every move, but the moves of others as well.”
“I just didn’t want to hurt anybody.”
Beau sighed. “I’m talking about you, Lottie, not everybody else. I know for a fact that it was hard on you. Your face mirrors your emotions.”
Charlotte stepped back and crossed her arms. She turned her head to the side. Pink now warmed the horizon and reached up to swirl with a light blue that blanket across the sky. She reached up and placed her fingers across her lips. Did her face really reflect her feelings? If somebody stared hard enough, long enough, would her secrets show? She dropped her hand and straightened. She turned back to Beau, calmed the muscles in her face and lifted her eyes.
He caught her gaze. “You have been through a lot the last several weeks.”
“So have you.”
“Again, I’m talking about you. It’s okay to do that now and then, you know.” Beau teased her hair and kissed her head.
“You are considerate.” She reached up and stroked his jaw.
“My father taught me a lot by how he treated my mother.”
“Remind me to thank him.” Charlotte placed her hand in his hand. She did want to speak with him about the hard things that were swirling through her mind, but right now wasn’t the moment. “You are right, things have been hard. I’ve been trying to deal with it all, but I’m not always good about it.”
“You will get better at it.” He nodded up at the fluffy mixture of warm and cool colors painted across the morning sky. “Are you ready to finish the trip?”
Charlotte kissed him lightly on his stubbly cheek. “Yes, please.”
Beau blushed when she stepped on the board and stood against him. She batted her eyes and teased. “What is it?”
“Uh, Daisy is just a story.” He blushed deeper. “I’m not sure if it works that way.” He scratched the back of his head. “My Dad and I are pretty tight, but eh, not that tight.”
Charlotte snorted. “Want me to ask him?”
Beau paled, but he fixed her with stern eyes. “Absolutely not, blunt woman. We can figure it out on our own, thank you very much.” He wrapped his arm around her, but he left some space between them this time.
“I can’t believe we are doing this!” Charlotte yelled with delight some time later. She stood up on her toes and took a full breath in. The cold wind at home had been gradually replaced with a gentle warm breeze. “It is practically winter and we are going to the beach!” The shimmering blue green shoreline stretched before them.
Beau tightened his grip on Charlotte. “If I had known that you wanted to visit the beach this much I would have brought you years ago.”
“I don’t believe you.” She flattened back down on the soles of her feet and smirked over at him. “You’ve never shown interest in flying me anywhere.”
“That doesn’t mean I didn’t want to. After I dropped you when we were kids, I figured you never would trust me in the air again.”
“Guess it saved us from getting into more trouble than we did.”
Beau shrugged and laughed. “I guess there is that. We’re here. We won’t have to worry about who sees us. This is my uncle’s property, and it’s protected from danes by magical barriers. He’s traveling or I’d introduce you right now.”
They landed on an empty strip of sandy beach. Waves rolled up and down the shoreline like dough when Basil was rolling it out for cookies or pie. The shoreline was full of noises and movement, yet Charlotte was full of a sense of quiet and stillness that she hadn’t realized she needed.
She sat down, sunk her toes into the cold sand, and welcomed the shiver that coursed through her body. She registered the sound of Beau’s wings folding and the sand shifting as he sat down somewhere, but her eyes remained fixed on point where the liquid blue met the airy blue. How did the sea and the air feel about each other? How did they live life continuously embracing, yet remaining apart? Did they believe it would work, and so it did? Was that how marriage worked? She snuck a look back at Beau. He smiled a half smile back at her, but he didn’t say a word. She smiled back at him. “I love you, Winguard.”
“I love you, soon to be Winguard.”
Charlotte laughed and jumped up. She ran to Beau and kissed him on the head. “Tag. You’re it!”
She squealed as grabbed her leg and pulled her into his lap. He kissed her on the neck. “Tag. You’re it.”
Beau rolled her away and got a head start, but Charlotte caught up with him. She kissed him on the shoulder and darted away. Back and forth they ran until Beau tackled her and kissed her on the foot. “Game’s over.” He tickled her toes. “Do you want to surf the waves a bit?”
Charlotte frowned. “Can we go without being seen?”
Beau rolled his eyes. “You didn’t say one word when I flew you down here. I’ve been doing this my entire life. I know where I can go and not go, Lottie. We won’t be seen.” He placed his windboard down on the water. “Now. Are you ready?”
Beau was as steady on the water as he was in the air. His muscled legs controlled the board, while his wings were like sails. They traveled over the water for a couple of hours, enjoying the warm sun and sharing happy childhood memories. But most of the time they traveled quietly, content in each other’s presence.
The afternoon sun brought a surprise. A mermaid with short, orange hair leapt out of the water next to them. Beau slowed to a stop. Soon six males and six females surrounded them. Charlotte recognized one of them from the Alliance meeting and another from them visiting the castle now and then. One of the twelve had lived and worked with them several summers ago.
The merman in the front of the group swam forward. “Greetings. My name is Edmund. My brothers and sisters and I bring a message from our father, Triton.”
“Greetings.” Beau said. “What is your message?”
The orange haired mermaid swam up to Charlotte and handed her a pale green glass bottle with a stopper in the top. “My father speaks fondly of you, Charlotte. May I ask how you are so that I may let him know?”
“We have heard that you have undergone a powerful transformation.” Edmund added.
“That’s how Father found you,” said one of the younger mermaids. “Your body is changing the temperature of the water you touch. It is a small effect, but noticeable by my father. He sent out a scout earlier to find out what was changing the temperature.”
“But surely I was only changing a very tiny amount of water.” Charlotte said.
“It is a little more difficult to explain than only a change of temperature.” Edmund explained. “But with everything that has happened lately, we have been on high alert.”
Charlotte took the bottle carefully from the girl; not daring to breathe until she knew that she had safely whisked it away and the girl was unharmed. “I understand. Tell Triton that I am well and look forward to speaking to him again in person.”
“I’m afraid we must leave you now until such a time that we may visit longer. You may read the message, but please deliver it afterwards to Zorach or Lodestar.”
Thank you.” Beau shook hands with Edmund. “I wish your family well.”
“Thank you.” They all said in unison, as if they had spent part of their childhood practicing how to speak together. They were gone with twelve splashes.
Charlotte yanked the stopper out of the bottle and pulled the message out.
To My Friends of the Alliance:
It has come
to my attention that even now I have traitors in my midst. I send this concern to you by my children, for I understand that some of my letters have not reached you. I will not be able to visit again for a short time while I deal with the situation here. I have learned that there are traitors dispersed everywhere and that there are many strongholds across the country where this evil master of theirs is gathering items he needs to overtake us all. Please be cautious.
Yours in Alliance, King Triton.
Charlotte handed the message to Beau. “I’ll give this to Zorach as soon as we get back.”
“When do you want to go back?”
“Never. Let’s move down here, get simple jobs, and live at the beach.” She sat back and laid her head on Beau’s shoulder. “Doesn’t that sound nice?”
“It sounds like a waste of training.”
Charlotte scrunched up her nose. “This is why Zorach always favors you.”
“Zorach favors me because I don’t mouth off.” He stood and reached down. “Let’s get back to shore. My uncle was supposed to leave us a picnic basket for lunch.”
The sand was warm between Charlotte’s toes now. They walked inland, hand in hand. Beau whistled one of the tunes he had sung to Charlotte that morning. It was a song about love and nests and it made her giggle again, even though he only whistled it this time. Beau only grinned and whistled louder. She wrapped her hands around his free hand and smiled back.
Tucked away in some trees a short distance from the beach was a small cottage. It was nothing more than one large room with a small bathroom, but it was clean and dry and in the middle of the large room was a worn quilt and a picnic basket filled with cheese and crackers and fruit and vegetables and bottled water. They ate and laughed and told each other secrets and stories from the last few years. Afterwards they walked along the beach.
“I don’t want this day to end.” Charlotte admitted. The message bottle dangled from her fingers, swaying back and forth as she walked.
“Neither do I.”
Charlotte ran her fingers down Beau’s arm. “I don’t want to forget what it feels like to have someone touch me. I don’t want to forget what it feels like to touch other people.” She settled her fingers into the palm of his hand. “Do you think someday others will be able to be near me like you are now?”
“The part of me that wants you to be happy thinks it’s merely a matter of time. The part of me that wants me to be happy doesn’t want to share.”
“You’re awful!” Charlotte laughed.
“I’m only telling the truth.”
Charlotte tapped the bottle against her thigh. She kicked at the sand and tugged at Beau’s hand. “Beau, don’t go tomorrow.”
He tugged back at her hand and stopped them both. “Explain.”
Charlotte blinked back a tear. “I’ve lost a lot of people I love recently and I don’t want to add you to that list.”
Beau sighed. “Lottie.”
“Beau, you are the only person who can touch me. I can’t lose you.”
“Charlotte.” Beau took the message bottle from her hand and tossed it by the windboard. “This isn’t how we work and you know it.”
“Please.”
“No, Caramia.” Beau wrapped his arms around her and placed his head on her head.
Charlotte buried her face in his neck. “Dear Beau. I’m afraid.”
“Dear Charlotte. We’ll be afraid together.” He tipped her face up and kissed her. When he finished, he whispered in her ear, “Dear Charlotte, a man forgets fear exists while kissing you.”
16
Steps Forward
Isaac held his wife to his side.
In her arms was the child the never thought they would have.
“She will need a name.” He finally said through his tears. “A strong name.”
“Charlotte.” Audrey said without hesitation.
He cupped the baby’s head. “Welcome, Charlotte.”
Charlotte traced the outline of the sea swallow on the stained glass window. She rested her finger in the scratch in the white plumage and closed her eyes. This was it. This was the last chance her parents had to step back in and save the day. Would her father stride across the crunchy grass of the autumn lawns, take up his weathered backpack, and take her place? Would he wink at her from his kind, creased eyes and nod his head at her before pushing his glasses back up his nose and reminding her that adventuring was his game? Would her mother return with a smile, slip off her high heels, and effortlessly slide on her hiking boots? Would she kiss Charlotte on the cheek and join Isaac at his side? Would she wave goodbye as if she were in a parade before slipping her hand in her husband’s hand and leaving her daughter safe at home?
Charlotte opened her eyes and breathed in the smells of books and leather of the library. Her father’s backpack rested against the window. Her heart and mind had collapsed into her gut. Her parents were not going to save the day. Her focus returned to the scene on the back lawn. Lodestar had come and gone. Zorach stood in the middle of the group, arms crossed in front of his chest, mouth tight and eyes hard. Alcott, Evangeline, Faunus, and Beau were all standing around Zorach, each in front of a pile of gifts. It was an ancient custom to give each person something at the beginning of such a venture, and Lodestar had insisted that they follow custom. Charlotte looked at each face. There had been bickering, but Charlotte hadn’t heard any of it.
“I don’t know what to call you.” The haughty voice said from the double doors.
“Nobody does.” Charlotte slung the backpack across her right shoulder.
“I have heard you called many things.” Lodestar snipped.
Charlotte let it go.
“But I have yet to settle on what you are to me.”
“Do I have to be something to you?”
“Child, we are all something to each other. Aren’t I something to you?”
Charlotte clamped her mouth shut. She took a several deep breaths before looking directly into Lodestar’s eyes. “What precisely are you wanting from me?” She inquired kindly, yet firmly.
Lodestar jerked her head back slightly and took a step back. She turned her gaze away and dissected the room slowly, and then settled her gaze back on Charlotte. She softened her eyes for the slightest second before the shine and sharpness returned. “I won’t know until I find it.”
Charlotte shrugged. Unitaurs.
“Now, come. You. It’s time to take steps forward.”
Charlotte listened to the clip clop of Lodestar’s hooves as she took the longest possible route through the castle to the back lawns, kissing the castle goodbye with her eyes as they walked. It was silent and still, and in a moment of premature homesickness, Charlotte let a tear slip. She stumbled in surprise, reached out, and nearly touched Lodestar’s flank. She cringed and pulled away at the last moment, cradling the hand in her other hand as if she had burned her herself.
“You don’t know what to call yourself, either.” Lodestar said softly.
Charlotte stared down at the mosaic begonia under her foot. She traced the orange petals with her toe and remembered thinking that this part of the hallway was a stone garden when she was a child.
Lodestar cleared her throat. “You and I are alike in that way. Others give names freely. But you and I, we have expensive taste in names. They are names fought for and earned.” She stopped walking. “I will find a name for you someday, and someday you will find a name for you. For now, use the names that others give you. The good ones. They will feed you until you have your own. Every now and then you will meet others like us and someday you will have a collection of names to serve you. Some free. Some earned. Some given wisely for a purpose. But make sure they serve you, and not the other way around. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” Charlotte said.
“You will understand more later.” Lodestar said crisply with a tilt of her chin.
Charlotte continued her silent goodbyes to the castle until at last Lodestar pushed open the door
s to the back lawns. The air was crisp with cold and warm with the scent of leather. Charlotte gave each team member a canteen and a package of jerky. She received a thick cloak from Faunus, an engraved knife from Alcott, a bow and quiver of arrows from Evangeline, a sword from Zorach, a compass from Lodestar, and lightweight leather armor from Beau. Gifts came from outside of the team as well. Rhett supplied tents, and Sebastian made them each first aid kit, and Josef gave them each an enchanted backpack like Isaac’s.
“Now,” announced Lodestar, “We go forth into the unknown. Evangeline will maintain a shield that we may walk in and not be seen by dane eyes. Make sure you stay within the shield.”
“Why are we walking?” Faunus rolled his eyes. “I’d prefer a motorcycle, but we could take a bus or something. Didn’t this place have a one of those?”
“It was blown up along with the garage.” Charlotte pointed out.
“We could get a rental van.”
“Lodestar and I would never fit in a dane vehicle.” Zorach huffed.
“Horse Trailers?” Faunus smirked.
Zorach reached down, grabbed Faunus by his jacket, and pulled him up to his eye level. “You would look good on a spit.” He shook his once before setting him back down.
Faunus shrugged back into his jacket and combed his fingers through his hair. He cracked a half smile at Zorach. “It was a suggestion. Fauna and I once crossed the country in the back of a dane truck. It wasn’t all that bad.”
“The Maguard is tracing all magic across the country.” Alcott said. “We generally do not trace magic, but we have reason to believe that the enemy has been tracing it for some time. This trip needs to be as untraceable as possible.”
“My shield will be untraceable.” Evangeline added as Faunus opened his mouth. He lifted his pierced eyebrows instead and started walking.
