The Uzan Crystal
Page 38
She was apprehensive. She noticed that she was gripping the reigns as if they were her life line. She silently scolded herself and tried with much difficulty to relax a little. She felt as if she were a prisoner on her way to the gallows with no escape. She had already picked the two scenarios, one of which would happen when she told Airic and they kept replaying in her head. Either he would tell her that she did her best and he couldn't have asked for more and he'll forgive her or he'll be so crushed, even angry he will ask her to leave him be. At this point she really didn't know which one would happen, but she was expecting the worst.
She rounded the last bend and the estate came into view. Her stomach flip flopped with anxiety. As she rode closer to the estate she could see a figure standing at the gate with his familiar cloak and walking staff. His face was covered so she wasn't able to see his expression. He stood there, unmoving as she approached. She was trying to hold back the tears, but without much success. They felt like little slivers of ice on her skin as the cold air chilled them. She wiped at her cheeks but the tears didn't stop. When she was a few feet away she reigned in her horse and dismounted. Airic still stood unmoving. It would have been better if he had started to yell or something. Certainly he must know something.
She pulled the pouch from her waist and approached him. He still wasn't moving, not saying a word. She stopped before him and all she could do was open the pouch and pour the crystal shards into the palm of her hand. As if that would explain everything. The only words she could manage between her sobs were, "I'm sorry." She couldn't bear to look at him. She stared at the ground through her tears.
She felt him take the hand that still held the crystal and he turned it over to let the shards fall to the ground, then he pulled her into his embrace. "There isn't anything to be sorry for," he soothed.
"Yes there is. I've failed," she cried.
"No, you haven't," he replied as he gripped her shoulders and stepped away. She watched as he untied his cloak and let it fall to the ground. There he stood in front of her. Not the Airic of old, but Airic from the painting."
"What!" she cried in wonder. "But the crystal, it was shattered!"
"I'm not sure myself, but whatever happened, it released me from my own prison and gave me back my youth," he explained, smiling at her astonishment. "You should have seen the reactions of Marlin and Yarma when they saw me transform." He reached out and pulled Angelina close and wrapped his arms around her. He bent his face close to hers and whispered, "I've been waiting a long time for you to come home," before his lips met hers.
That's how her companions found them when they finally made their trek along the drive.
"Well," exclaimed Sir Taz in surprise, "I guess things worked out after all." He looked at Lord Farley and Sir Asen. They all smiled.
"Yep, they sure did," replied Lady Elise in astonishment as her eyes filled with tears. She was very happy that things had worked for Angelina and for herself she might add. She looked over at Merk who was sharing her smile and he reached out and took her hand in his.
"I'm so happy for her," Kimber sniffled as she wiped her eyes with a brightly colored handkerchief."
"You know what they say," commented Thaddious with a wink as the group turned his way, "all's well that ends well."
"It's not the end yet," interrupted Sir Matthew. "When we all have had a few drinks of ale to celebrate, then we can say it's the end."
"Sounds good to me," agreed Lord Ackbar. "Let's get out of the cold and inside near a nice warm fire where we can relax in soft comfortable chairs."
The group dismounted, interrupting Angelina and Airic's reunion and headed toward the estate.
"You will tell me all about your adventure, won't you," prompted Airic as he led them into the estate, his hand firmly clasping Angelina's. "And don't leave anything out. I love a good story."
THE END