by JK Ensley
“The darkness I see doesn’t necessarily mean you die. It could mean your pure light turns to shadows. But you don’t want that either, child. Stay here or turn to darkness, but the choice is yours alone to make. One thing’s for certain. If you go to the south, whether you live or die, you’ll never see Jenevier again.”
“So, my only option is to sit here and wait? That’s the only way I will ever get to see her again?”
“No. That is but one option. There’s also another. But it will change you, child,” Margy warned.
“Will I be able to help Jenevier?”
“Possibly.”
“Will I get to see her again?”
“Yes. But you’ll get to see her if you take the path of a healer, too. And that path won’t change you.”
“Then I choose the second option. I care not how it changes me. I have to do something.”
“Be very careful what you wish upon yourself, child.”
“I do so hate when people say such things. I care not for myself. Tell me. Please.”
Margy scanned the area once more to make sure no one was within hearing distance, then she moved closer to Jezreel.
“There’s a woman what lives up on Waverly Ridge. She knows about the secret room, she does. She’s blessed with vast knowledge in the dark side of the craft. She can tell you how to use what it is you’ve found.”
“Who is she? What’s her name?”
“Halora.”
“And, will she help me?”
“I didn’t say that, child. I can’t see Halora. The whole top of that ridge is dark to me. She’s extremely powerful. And she won’t do nothing for free. You’ll have to pay whatever price she sets. Her wages are high, unimaginably so.”
“I care not the cost. Just tell me how to find her.”
“Very foolish, child.” Margy tsked. “Very foolish indeed.”
“Then why did you even tell me about her if she won’t help?”
“I didn’t say she would, and I didn’t say she wouldn’t. I told you where she lives. I told you what her name is. And I warned you she’d demand payment. The rest is up to you.” She squeezed Jezreel’s hands and moved to whisper in her ear. “She’s a witch. She can teach you the dark craft if you pay her well enough. But you’ll no longer be Jezreel. You’ll no longer be the beloved friend Jenevier wishes to return to.” The older lady stepped back and once again checked to see if anyone else was around. “If you do this thing, child, you’ll sacrifice your whole future and your most treasured friendship. That, in itself, is too high a price.”
“But… you said I’d see her again,” she whispered, despondently.
“I said you’d see her, yes. I never said if you chose the dark path that you girls would be as you were. You’ll be changed, Jezreel. You’ll lose what makes you, well, you. But, I just don’t know. Jenevier’s lovely face keeps wavering in front of me. Like I’m seeing her through running waters.” Margy’s soft eyes were focused on nothing. She spoke as if deep in thought. “Mayhap she’ll be changed as well. I can’t say for sure. Not just yet.” She focused back on Jezreel. “Either way, you’ll not be as you were. Plain as that.”
Jezreel couldn’t speak.
“You know all I know now, child. Choose wisely. Good things come to those who wait.”
The older woman hurried back home, leaving Jezreel standing at the edge of the herb garden, more confused than ever.
Chapter 30
Alzeen
(al-ZEEN)
When Jenevier and Alzeen again reached the rippling stream, the colorful little Pixies were still busy flitting in and out of the ground.
“I hate I damaged their home so.”
“Oh, worry not about them. They always act like that. Pixies can always find something to be mad about and they seem to always be zipping out of the ground like that.”
Jenevier smiled and squeezed his hand. “Never let go of me,” she whispered.
His eyes were wide and innocent when he turned toward her. “I never will. No matter what.” He gave her a quick nod of determination.
“Promise?”
“Promise.” He smiled and held fast to her.
“Well then, let’s see. Before you rescued me, I was heading in that direction.” She pointed past the Pixies and up the nearing hills.
“Is that the way to your chief?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not certain. I just had a feeling it was the right way to go.”
“Then let’s go.”
Alzeen started on ahead, pulling her hand along with him. He made sure to stay clear of the angry Pixies.
“Best not to let them see us again so soon,” he whispered.
She was staring at them, nodding. “I agree.”
The new friends cut through a small patch of trees and started their climb up the hill.
“It’s much steeper than it looks,” she said, kicking leaves aside.
“Yes, it is. I’ve never been up this way before.”
“Never? Why?”
“No. Never had a need to, I suppose.”
“How odd.”
“You think so? Hmm… Why would that seem odd?”
She sort of snorted. “My curiosity would have had me all over this place.”
He chuckled. “Now, that seems odd.”
“How long have you lived here?”
“Why all the questions?”
“Curiosity.” She crinkled up her nose at him. “Tell me. Please.”
This strange, innocent man had not only piqued her rabid curiosity, but had melted her heart as well. She wanted to know more about him, everything about him.
“I can’t remember. Not exactly. Since I was too small to work.”
“Where are you from?”
“I don’t know that either.” He blushed when he caught her intense gaze. “It makes me feel funny when you look at me like that.”
“Does your chief know? Does he know how you came to be here?”
“I should think so. But I’ve never asked him.”
“Why not?”
“Why would I?” He bumped his shoulder with hers as they walked. “Who cares where they used to be? Now’s all that matters.”
She playfully bumped him back. “Don’t you wish to know where you came from, where you belong, who your people are?”
“No. I belong here and I’m happy. Why would I want to leave?”
“But… they beat you.”
“Only when I disobey. And I don’t do that anymore. Not since I was very small.”
Alzeen had stopped walking. Jenevier could see the pain of those memories clearly written across his face. He was the purest, most angelic person she had ever met. He was like a big, beautiful, trusting child. And she wanted, with all her heart, just to protect him.
“I wish I had known you were here, Alzeen.”
“Why’s that?” He focused back on her face.
“I would have found you. I would have been your friend. And, I would never have let anyone hurt you. No matter what.”
She touched his face and smiled lovingly at him. He vibrantly mirrored her expression.
“Well, you’re here now.” He beamed with pure joy. “So it was all worth it.”
Jenevier’s heart swelled. She instantly loved this curious man as if she’d known him her whole life. It was like a magical kind of just knowing. His frank honesty and unadulterated innocence filled a void inside her she didn’t even know was there. She knew in this very moment, Alzeen would be her dear friend, forever. She could never let him go back where he came from. She felt this beautiful, strange man had been sent to her so that he could finally know a truly perfect and loving friendship, one as pure as she had known with Jezreel her whole life. For the first time, she didn’t mind being cursed by the demented Prince. That black mark had brought her to Alzeen. And she realized she would have suffered through anything just to know him.
“Can I kiss you?”
“No, Alzeen.” She s
ighed, holding in a snicker.
“But I think you like me.” He yanked playfully on one of her curls. “You keep looking at me all dreamy like.”
She lightly pinched his side in retaliation. “I do like you. And don’t pull my hair.”
“So, can I kiss you?”
“No.”
“Do you think perhaps one day you will lay with me?”
“No.” She laughed at his honest, simple question.
“Maybe?” he pressed.
“No, Alzeen, not maybe.”
“How do you know?” He crossed his arms and pouted. “Perhaps one day you will love me.”
Jenevier laughed. “It’s too late for that. Besides, I can love you and still not lay with you. There are all different kinds of love.”
“I love you,” he whispered.
Alzeen had stopped walking again and was holding fast to her hand, forcing her to stop as well.
She turned to him and touched his cheek. “Alzeen, you are one of the purest, most blameless people I have ever met. I never knew there were souls as perfect as yours roaming about Ashgard. You make me smile and feel alive inside. You are as handsome as any royal Prince and as brave as any majestic knight. I would never do anything to hurt you. I’ve only just met you, but I already treasure you in my heart. And…” She smiled softly. “I know I always will.”
“So, you love me.” He smiled proudly.
Jenevier laughed. “I suppose in a way… yes, I do.”
“I knew it! Perhaps one day you will ask me to lay with you.”
“We shall see, Alzeen. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
The smile that lit up his face made her heart flutter.
Oh dear, this may not be as easy as I had thought. Especially if he keeps smiling like that. He is absolutely adorable.
She took in their surroundings while still smiling, musing at the abnormal conversation she was having with her new friend.
“Does it ever get dark here?” she wondered aloud. “Does the sun never set?”
“No. There’s no darkness here,” he said casually.
Jenevier was astonished. “B-but when do you sleep?”
“When I get tired. Why? Are you tired?”
“I could use a little rest, yes. Especially by the time we get up to the top of this,” she said, pointing up ahead.
*****
The two companions had trudged on until they came to the crest of the hill. All that lay out before them, were more hills.
Jenevier laughed. He looked at her curiously.
“What’s funny?”
“This.” She waved her arms out at the many rolling hills.
He tilted his head to the side, quizzically. “Why is that funny?”
“It just is, Alzeen. I don’t know. My luck would have it no other way. Fate wishes me upon a laborious path, I suppose.”
He cocked one eyebrow up and twisted his mouth to the side. “I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I.” She sighed. “Fate hates me. Or, perhaps I am just weary.”
Alzeen pointed down below them. “When we reach the valley, there’ll be shade. You can rest there.”
She snorted. “Wonderful. Now, if I could but roll down there.”
“Why? Why would you want to roll? You’ll muss your hair.”
She laughed again at his childlike perceptions. She could tell he didn’t understand her sarcasm.
“Because, Alzeen, my weary legs may not carry me all the way.”
“Then I will.”
He quickly scooped her up in his arms and started down the steep slope.
“Alzeen! Put me down. I was only teasing. It was but jest.”
“But… you’re tired. Right?”
“Yes, but I can walk.” She squirmed in his arms.
“And I can carry you as well.”
“I’m too heavy to carry all that way. You’ll be exhausted.”
“No, you’re not. It’s like carrying a baby lamb. Besides, you smell really good, too. I wanna just take a big bite out of you.”
He smiled and playfully snapped his teeth at her.
“Someone has already done that to me today. I do not wish for another one, thank you kindly.”
“Oh, beautiful lady, you would enjoy my bite very much. I promise. Let me just nibble you a little. Hmm?” He winked at her. “I won’t leave marks. That is, unless you want me to.”
Jenevier giggled and then gave up. She sighed as she laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes. She wasn’t going to argue with him. She truly was exhausted. The long night of riding, the horrible old dog, the nausea—it had all been so draining.
“…Alzeen,” she whispered softly.
She was asleep before they even reached the valley.
Chapter 31
Alastyn
(ah-LASS-tin)
When Alastyn finally broke his adoring embrace, his mother wiped away his tears.
“I missed you so much, Mama.”
“I missed you so much, too.” She sighed. “My precious little boy has grown into such a handsome young man. And I missed it all.”
“I thought about you every day.”
“And I you, my beautiful son. Nothing can shatter a mother’s heart like the loss of a child, especially one such as you.” She kissed his forehead and then both cheeks. “You’ve done well with him Markus, quite well indeed.”
“I’m ashamed to say that isn’t so, Alissa. I have been a terribly selfish father. I was so wrapped up in my own grief… I never took the time to see his pain. I didn’t notice that my only son was suffering even more than I was. How could I be so blind?”
“Come now, Father. All things are well with us again… Mother has been miraculously returned to us.”
Alastyn’s constant tears were burning his eyes. He swallowed hard, turning away.
“Enough tears. Let us enjoy now what has been stolen from our past.” Alissa smiled happily. “I haven’t cooked in ages. Let’s see if I still know how.”
She giggled, clapping her hands together before reaching for her apron. Their mingled laughter and love could easily be heard outside the now happy little home. They all joined in with the cooking, the eating, and the wonderful conversation. No bad memories were dredged up and no lost moments interfered with their present joy.
Alissa leaned over and bumped her shoulder against Alastyn’s. “So, my ferociously handsome son, is there but one special lady claiming that brave heart of yours?” She winked at him as she took another sip of tea. “Or are there many?”
The laughter instantly died away.
“What?” She looked to Markus and then quickly back to her son. “What’s wrong? What has happened?” She ran her fingers through his long raven curls. “Tell me, my son. Let me into that big, beautiful heart of yours.”
Alastyn remained speechless. Alissa turned her questioning gaze to Markus.
“…Husband?”
“The pain is too fresh, dear wife. The wound, too new.”
Alissa turned back to her son and placed her gentle, loving hand upon his. He was trembling.
“Alastyn, I know you have been deprived of the kind of love and experience only a mother can provide. But I’m here now, son. This is the very type of thing mothers can fix.”
“I truly hope so, Mama.” Alastyn started out slowly. “I had only just met her at the death celebration. The one held for her Aunt Marlise… but a couple nights ago.”
Alissa abruptly turned to Markus. “Marlise is dead?”
“The Quickening,” he softly replied.
Alastyn sniffed before continuing with his sorrowful tale.
“She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Well, besides you, Mama.”
Mother and son shared a quick, tender smile.
“Oh, Mama, she took my breath away—made my heart race.”
“She was the first?”
He blushed. “Yes.”
“She was Marlise’s niece,” Markus added
. “From over in Moorglen. She came to tend her in her last days.”
“You mean, her little sister? Alethia’s baby girl? Wow, all grown up already.”
Alissa was lost in remembrance for one single precious moment. Then she jerked her attention back to Markus.
“Wait… Was? You said the girl was her niece.”
All were silent then. She was frantically searching their moistened eyes for a clue.
Markus broke the silence. “Merodach was here.”
Alissa visibly tensed at the name. “No,” she whispered.
“Yes. Oh, Mama, she was so beautiful—dancing there with all those flowers in her hair. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She looked so happy, so free.”
His favorite kind, she thought.
“I watched her all night. Her smile was like the sunrise and her hair was as spun gold. I loved her immediately, Mama. When we could finally talk, when I could finally touch her… her scent nearly drove me mad.” He sighed. “I will never again be so intoxicated by a mere aroma, an enchantingly delicious aroma. When I but touched her, lightning shot through my veins. I wanted to kiss her so badly. She told me that when she first looked into my eyes, I stole her soul away and she floated amongst the stars. She was so free with her thoughts and feelings. She gave me her heart, entrusted me with its care. I can scarce breathe now just thinking about it. My soul shattered within me when I opened that door… and found her gone.”
Alissa lovingly rubbed her son’s arm as he recounted the vision of his first love. Her heart was breaking with his. She knew all too well what the young maiden was going through while her son sat here and mourned her. What she witnessed now was but a tiny glimpse of the pain and heartbreak Markus had suffered all those years ago.
She looked at her husband and mouthed the words, “I love you.”
“So, at the end of the evening, when everyone was bidding Jenevier best wishes…” He paused.
“He kissed her hand,” Alissa said.
Alastyn nodded. “Yes.”
“Jenevier is a lovely name. I would very much like to meet the enchanting maiden who stole my dazzling son’s heart so completely. Perhaps one day she will be allowed to return to you. Don’t give up hope, dear one. He let me go.”
