by Marnie Cate
“Are you leaving already?” I asked, feeling the panic rise in me.
“I am. I would like you to come with me somewhere,” Meg said.
“Where?”
“Trust me,” Meg smiled. “We won't be gone long. Cole seems a capable enough father to watch the babies for an hour or two.”
Kissing me on the cheek, Cole said, “We will be fine.”
Taking Meg's hand, I said, “Where are we going?”
Instead of answering, a silver glow surrounded us and my bedroom faded away.
Chapter 58
Meg transported us to a bright room with a rainbow on the farthest wall. We walked amongst people I recognized as the Miezitari. The guardians were each holding the hand of people I had never seen before.
“Where are you taking me?” I whispered.
“We are going to see Gram,” Meg said, nonchalantly.
Ahead of us, people walked into the spectral wall and disappeared. When it was our turn in line, we stepped through the multicolored veil. My body felt tingly. All my fears and worries were dissolved from my body. I felt a complete peace run through me as the soft sound of children singing surrounded.
We walked down a long corridor. Meg opened a silver door and we stepped into a home much like my own in Starten. It wasn't like our home… it was almost an exact replica from the colorful couches to the loft bedroom. I could hear the soft clinking of dishes being washed and tiptoed toward the area I knew the kitchen would be in.
“Go to her, Mar,” Meg urged.
I found my grandmother standing at the sink, humming softly. She turned around. Our eyes met and she dropped the plate she was holding.
“Mara?” she whispered. Her light brown eyes glistened with tears.
Without thinking, I ran and threw my arms around her. “Gram, I have missed you so much. I am sorry I couldn't stop her. I couldn't save you.” I cried as she held me tight.
“There will be none of that my sweet girl. You were so brave. Look at you,” she said, breaking away. “You are so grown. You are a woman now and a mother.”
“You would love them so much, Gram,” I said, squeezing her hand. “Mazie is so strong and Finn is such a guardian to his sister. You would be proud of what a great father Cole has been to them.”
“I never doubted he wouldn't be a great dad,” she smiled. Her grin faded. “Wait, how are you here, Mara? You need to leave now. You can't be here.”
“I have brought her to see you,” Meg said, stepping into the room.
My grandmother's eyes widened as she stared at Meg. “You can't be. Meg?”
“Yes, Gram, I am your little dancer, all grown up.” Meg said. To confirm her claim, she did a little twirl and Meg's signature bow.
Sweeping both of us into her arms, Gram hugged us tightly. “My girls.”
When Gram finally released her hold, she led us to the kitchen table where she poured us both a cup of tea. “Wait, I have your favorite tea biscuits.”
“Please sit, Gram. We need to talk,” Meg said, stopping Gram in her tracks.
“You sound serious. Are you going to tell me why you are really here?”
“You have been here for over six years,” Meg said.
“Yes, but I never left you, girls,” she insisted.
“Which is the problem, Gram,” Meg said.
“Problem?”
“You cannot continue to hold onto the mortal world and really live in this realm. Don't you find it odd Gramp looks like he is forty while you have held onto sixty-seven?” Meg asked.
“No, he is a vain old fool. I'm comfortable in this skin. I earned every wrinkle and every gray hair,” Gram insisted.
“Your attempt to live in both worlds is a strain on your tether to this world. You can't protect us from here. You must embrace the Afterlife,” Meg said, touching her cheek.
“She's right, Gram. We need to know you are happy here and one day, we will be with you,” I said, holding back the tears I felt brewing.
“I can't leave you,” Gram said. “You are my heart. You girls were the greatest gift I could have ever received.”
Meg held out a snowball and set it on the table in front of her. “I thought you would say this. Go ahead, pick it up and look inside it.”
Gram carefully picked up the white powder and it began to glow. Images filled the sphere. Miles and Charlie playing in the backyard. When she twisted it, she could see Essie and Elliott playing with the twins. Another turn found Cole washing dishes and doing a silly dance as if no one was watching.
“What is this?” Gram asked, setting it down.
“This is now your only connection to the mortal world. No more living through us, Gram. For your protection, I have blocked your sight out of this realm. You will be able to see the happy moments we share in this globe. I will not allow anymore to be shared until I know you have committed to truly living here,” Meg said.
“You can't….” Gram frowned.
“The girls are right, Maesi,” My grandfather stood in the doorway. “Remember me?”
“I've never forgotten you, Chester.” Gram glared at my grinning grandfather.
“You have been so focused on fixing their world. You are no longer there and you haven't enjoyed one minute of this magnificent realm we live in. The home you fashioned is even the same as what you left. Isn't it time to start fresh?” Gramp insisted.
“I can't leave them,” Gram said.
“Gram, you aren't leaving us,” I said, squeezing her hand. “You have been there for me my entire life. You are still with me every step I take. Nothing will ever replace the love you gave us.”
“Marina is right, mother. Nothing will ever replace the love you gave the girls.” Eliza appeared beside my grandfather.
Gram's eyes filled with tears. “How can I protect you from the darkness lurking?”
“You can't. But, Mara and I are both strong enough to take care of ourselves. The snowball will be here as long as you begin to live in this world,” Meg said. “Will you promise to try?”
“I can't argue with a Goddess, can I?” Gram said with a slight smile.
“I will make sure she lives up to her promise. There is so much to show her here,” Gramp said, sitting down next to Gram and taking her hand. “Come join us Eliza. I heard promises of biscuits.”
“Old fool,” Gram said, leaving the table.
As she returned with the treats, I took them from her and placed them on the table. Wrapping my arms around her, I hugged her tightly, inhaling the familiar scents of vanilla, lavender and cinnamon.
“You are in every word I speak, every step I take. My babies are being loved the way you loved us. Please let go of Starten, Gram. I need you to be here when it is my time to join you.”
I could feel the tension in her body release. “I will be here for you, my sweet girl. Do you know how proud I am of all of you? Your strength amazes me. You have become the butterfly Elliott always said you would be.”
“I love you, Gram,” I said, squeezing her tighter.
Meg touched me on the shoulder and whispered in my ear. “It is time, Mara.”
Before another word could be spoken, the warmth of Gram's hug left me and I was standing under the picnic tree behind my home in Starten.
Sitting on the ground, I sighed.
“She needed to move on, Mara and you do too. Forget the pain, the things you lost. The darkness feeds off pain. Find joy in your new little family and let them be the light that fills you.”
“I will, Meg. I will be a strong mother. I will be the woman Gram raised me to be,” I said. The sky around us filled with the colors of the elementals surrounding us.
Meg's Winter
Standing on the snow of my new home, I considered the distance. Danu and Brighid stood on each side of me. Before me was a forest of trees in various stages of change and thick mountain ranges. I could see the faint outline of Snowystra's ice castle.
“I can't believe I am going to be the Winter? Are
you sure I am up for this?” I questioned, biting my lip.
“Meg, you are the Winter. There is no question about it. You have shown us that you are ready by the way you handled Ladarsha. I have no doubt, Meg. You are ready. You will be confronted many times by the Mrak but you will continue to use your strong instinct. An instinct which will only grow stronger,” Danu said.
“What if I mess up?”
“Oh, you will not be infallible. As you know, we all make mistakes but over time you will learn when it is right to interfere… especially with the mortal lives,” Danu said, squeezing my hand.
“And you will have regrets for not interfering sooner,” Brighid said, taking my other hand.
“We will leave you to explore your realm. Remember every change you make, no matter how minor, creates a ripple in the universe. Some will have little or no effect, while other can create momentous rifts.”
“How will I know the effect I make?” I asked. “I want to change the realm of time in this world. I want time to be fluid for my guests. I want my family to be welcome and your children. The Elementals and the Curuxatyni are also important parts of my life.”
“A very wise decision,” Danu said.
“How do I…?” I started to say and stopped myself. I knew the answer already. Holding my hand out in front of me, I waved it. “Frozen Time, I release you. Join the continuum of time around you.”
The air rippled in front of me and the change was made.
“Are there any other changes you would like to make but are afraid?” Danu asked.
“No, I feel confident in what needs to happen. Thank you both so much. I know I will need your guidance and support to do this,” I said.
“And we will be nearby,” Danu said, kissing me on both cheeks.
“Enjoy your realm. Soon, we will need you to return to the Council to discuss the future dealings with the Mrak. But, I think a day or two of being familiar with your home is more than fair. And, I see you have your first visitor,” Brighid said. Her smile was bright and mischievous.
“Is it ok for him to be here?” I asked. The sun was shining and his hair glowed a golden color.
“Meg, you are the Goddess of Winter. You answer to no one,” Danu said.
“If you are making decisions from your heart, I can't believe you will go wrong,” Brighid said. With those words, the Goddesses faded away and I was left alone with Dunn.
“Meg,” Dunn said. “Is it ok I came? I felt like you needed me.”
“I am glad you're here,” I said. “The first thing I would like to do is tour this area. Can you guide me?”
“I can.”
“Should we walk or should I transport us there?”
“I would like to walk with you. That is if you don't mind.”
I smiled at him. “I was hoping you would say just that.”
Taking my hand into his, he said, “Meg, I am sorry I told you we couldn't be together. I just….”
“I know why you did it. You were right. I was too young to fall in love and be in a serious relationship,” I said, squeezing his hand.
“Oh, ok.” Dunn's face fell.
“I was too young, Dunn,” I said, stepping closer to him.
“But, you aren't anymore?” he asked, closing the distance between us.
“No, I am quite ready for love now.” I smiled and touched his face.
Before anything else could be said, Dunn kissed me. The electricity from our kiss stole my breath away. No matter what I would face as the Winter, I knew I would never be alone with Dunn by my side.
Epilogue
“You failed again, Cedric. You have given me no choice.”
The glow of the candlelight flickered on a man's blue-black hair as he loomed over Cedric, raising fists adorned with gold rings. Bands for pain not adornment. The cracking sound of flesh hitting bone echoed as he struck Cedric again.
“No, please. Give me another chance. Please tell him I deserve another chance, mother,” Cedric begged. His broken and bruised face dripped blood.
The silver haired woman stepped out of the shadows and glared at her son. “My son has always been a fool, Amaro,” she said coldly. She traced her long nails along the side of the attacker's ruggedly handsome face. “But, my impulsive offspring's mistakes have resulted in a delightful surprise. You want Marina Stone? You think her power is the answer? Circumstances have changed. I am told sweet Eliza has been keeping a secret from Cedric all these years.”
Cedric's eyes widened in anger. “You lie. How dare you speak about Eliza. You don't know her. You have always been jealous of her,” he sneered.
Ignoring him, she continued. “Eliza lied. The girl is not Stone's daughter. Meg Stone is a Drygen. My granddaughter is the Winter.”
Amaro's expression grew dark. A cruel smile spread across his face. “This information might be very useful. Yes, very useful. This may be the key to bringing Marina to me. How I have grown to love my fiery beauty.”
“There is nothing special about Marina.”
“Don't be jealous, my treasure. Remember you rejected me for love.”
“She will never follow you,” Blanche hissed.
Oh, you are wrong," Amaro said. “She responds to me. The Shah always ignited her passion. A small taste of her desire is what I need. I could feel how much she craves the strength and power I have when I occupied her pitiful husband. Marina will be mine again. We will use her sister to bring her to me. You will deliver her to me. She holds the key to my rising.”
The End
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