Abruptly I was cold. Like, reeeeally cold. And my feet were on ice. I realized a beat behind all the gasps that I wasn't staring down at them anymore, but looking up into my husband's face.
He didn't miss a beat and wrapped me in his arms. I put mine around him and he lifted me off my feet and spun me around. There were cheers and laughter and a few, "Holy Shits" flying everywhere.
And then finally he put me down and I realized—
"I'm naked!"
Everyone laughed. I didn't think it was that funny.
God Mother moved to me—and sammy's your uncle—boom. I had a nice comfy dress on. And shoes. Ha!
"You'll have to learn to sort of make the clothes too. It comes with mastering Apollo's little spell." Dáinn said as he smiled at me. "Welcome sis."
Tas ran up, as did Kyle and Arden and Levi and Dharma and Ivan—everyone surrounded me and I swear I couldn't stop crying. I was home.
I was home!
Well, in a cave, but I was home.
"Wait!" Arden held up her hands. "What about Lizzie?" She looked at God Mother. "The baby!"
"Oh. Yes. Well," God Mother shrugged. "As I told Sam, I miscalculated a few things, and when I saw Thorn was about to go off the deep end and succeed in what I'd been trying to prevent, I made sure Lizzie would be away from what was coming, and kept safe." She smiled at me and Crwys moved in behind me, wrapping his arms around me. "Neither of you have seen her. Are you ready?"
We nodded.
There was a sound like rocks cracking and then the patter of feet around us. I turned to see a dozen or so Boggarts running toward us. It'd been months since I'd seen a single Boggart, so to see this many was a miracle, since I'd believed they were all gone.
And then the biggest of miracles came as none other than Cordelia approached, a baby in her arms. I put my hands to my mouth and stopped myself from screaming. I thought…
I went down on my knees in front of her and she walked right up to me. I sobbed and took them both in my arms. "Oh Cordelia….I thought…when you pulled the arrow out…"
"Knows. Was sicks long times but All Mother fixes me. And I wants to help. I takes care of babies!" She pulled back and presented Lizzie to me.
And for the first time since my death, I held my child, mine and Crwys's baby, in my arms. I looked down at her and saw a miracle. Her reddish hair, the dark lashes against her cheeks. And when she opened her eyes and looked up at me and smiled, I saw my mother there in her face.
And I saw…
I gasped when I looked into Lizzie's eyes.
"Sam?" Kyle said and moved forward. "Is Lizzie okay?"
"Baby fines!" Cordelia protested.
But I was looking at God Mother. She smiled at me and nodded. "You asked me where she was. I couldn't tell you immediately. I wanted you to see for yourself. It was the only way I could give you what you wanted more than anything. And it was the only way she knew she could thank you for giving her life."
Was…was this possible? I looked down into those eyes again and saw recognition. This is why I could hear her, why I could sense her and why she survived the birth and the incubation in an egg. Because the only way a child could be born of a human and a Dragon would be, for that child to be of Arcane birth. This much I realized at that moment.
My Arcana was here.
My child.
"They named her Elizabeth," Crwys said. I had the feeling no one but me had heard God Mother say that. And you know…it was okay. For me to know that about Elizabeth. I think mom would have been pretty okay with it.
God Mother raised her staff and abruptly we were all in the Cleric Office, standing in the basement beside the mirror. The mirror was cracked from the top to the bottom.
"I think that's our cue," Ivan said as he put his good arm around Dharma. "To go home."
FIN
Wickening
There are perfect moments in life, I think. Those we remember and live our lives to repeat.
I no longer thought of things that way. Because my life had become perfect.
At least enough for me.
A month after I returned and Crwys and I had settled into life as parents, and moved into Gypsy Gardens, Arden wanted to have a Wickening, since we hadn't really had any kind of ceremony for Lizzie's miraculous entrance into this world. I'd been Wickened as a kid. It was the Witch's version of a Christening. Only it was more of a way to introduce the child to the community, and the community then in turn, made their individual promises to guard over and protect the child.
The house was decorated a lot like it had been at our wedding. I kinda wondered if she reused some of the same stuff. It didn't matter. It was one of the happiest days of our lives. Friends came from everywhere to see the baby, including Cosgrove who made an appearance, spoke with Crwys and I privately and promised the Witches would no longer stick their nose into our business.
I wanted to believe him, but wasn't sure if that was truth. Didn't care. I was a Dragon. I could pretty much snort black smoke at him out my nose and he'd pee his pants now.
One of the coolest guests to arrive was a friend of Levi's. He introduced himself as Jason Lawrence, a Revenant who lived in Atlanta, Georgia. He wanted to be the second one to see and meet a real Witch and Dragon hybrid. He was also a handsome man who stole my heart when he picked up Lizzie and made her laugh. Everyone gave her presents, but Jason's was the most impressive.
He gave her an inheritance of five million.
FIVE MILLION!!
This kid wasn't ever gonna want for anything. Forget the fact she'd be able to transform into a Dragon.
Not that we were going to tell her about the money until long past her teenage years. No point in stirring that messy caldron.
All of the realms sent their representatives, many of the leaders making the trip themselves. Arden had actually made it possible for Medbh and Tzariene to step on the ground without the fear of turning to ash, so they could see the child. They too promised their protection over her.
And when King Riven arrived and blessed Lizzie with beauty and grace, Crwys decided right then the kid was going to learn Judo. And he wasn't letting her out of his sight.
It was nearly eight in the evening when the last guest departed, and there was just us, Arden, Kyle, Jack, Tas, Bastien, Thea, Ivan, Dharma, Levi and Dáinn in the estate. We gathered in the back room, not the one with Arden's throne chair, but the one Arden had made into a downstairs nursery. Lizzie was out like a light and we sat around drinking wine and having tea and coffee, catching up on things. They wanted to hear my whole story so I told them.
But I didn't tell them about Arcana. That was my secret. Mine and God Mother's.
Finally, Arden stood and put her hand out to Dáinn. He'd shaved and wore a nice suit and tie. The two of them made an interesting couple. One I had the feeling that would last a long time. "Guys," Arden said. "Myself, Dáinn, Tas, Thea—all of us here—have put our heads together to come up with the best possible gift we could give Elizabeth. And after…much arguing and," she glanced around. "Tears, we think we have a plan."
"Tears?" I said. "Your idea made you cry?"
"Only because we'll miss you," Kyle said. He sat in the chair next to mine, with Jack leaned over the top. Always close to his lover. "And it's sort of going to kill lots of birds with a single shot."
"Oy…no arrow jokes," Dáinn said and put his hand to his chest. "Crwys, as you know, raising a special child is going to take special circumstances. And Elizabeth is going to have a lot of the two of you in her, as well as her own personality. And being a Dragon, we both know she's going to need lots of room."
"We know you need a home," Arden said. "And I did consider giving you Gypsy Gardens."
I opened my mouth to protest and she held up her finger. "Eh. No."
Dáinn laughed. "Aw but see, I really like this place. And I love the wolves. They're a fine, proud race and they make me happy."
Bastien growled.
"What we're trying
to say is…" Arden smiled. "Dáinn has land in Ireland, near the cliffs where you had buried Sam. In fact, it's your old land, Crwys. He bought it a long time ago and he's been holding it."
"Me thinks you need to build a house out there, where no one can bother you." Dáinn said. "Lots of land to teach her how to fly. Lots of land to farm and live on. Cattle. And privacy. There's also a house already there, with all the modern conveniences, if you don't feel like being a pioneer."
Everyone laughed and Crwys stood, his hand clasped in front of him. "I appreciate the gesture, Dáinn—"
I put my hand on his hip and nodded to his brother—my brother now. "I think we would love it, there." I stood as well and we hugged him and Arden. I could see Crwys was a bit unsure, but Levi held up his hand.
"Crwys, it's time to retire from being a cop. Be a husband and a dad. Be something you've always wanted. And just know, we're all just a thought away." He held his glass up to his partner.
I could see my husband was getting overwhelmed. He was still reeling from the realization I was alive and he had a child. So I clapped for Levi and everyone joined in.
Jack stood. "We also have an announcement," he held up his own glass of wine. "Two nights ago, I asked this wonderful man to marry me."
Everyone gasped.
Kyle smiled. "I said yes."
I was hugging Kyle in an instant, as hard as I could. Then I gave Jack a big squeeze as well. "So…pick a date?"
"We have actually. We want to get married on Mabon. September." And they looked at each other. "At the castle ruins."
"Castle ruins?" I asked.
"The ones in the back yard of your new land." He winked at me. "We want to get married in Ireland."
I felt my own eyes burn as tears welled in them. "Oh Kyle…I think that's wonderful."
"Good, cause Jason Lawrence is footing the bill," Levi said. "It'll be a nice get together for all of us, and a beautiful ceremony for Jack and Kyle."
"Here, here," Dáinn said and held up his glass.
The conversation moved to other things and I sat on the side of the couch with Crwys near me. He talked with Levi and Bastien, as Tas and Thea and Arden cooed over Lizzie in her crib. Kyle and Jack were talking with Ivan and Dharma. And in the small, silent fields of my imagination, I heard the cheers and happiness of my Elementals as they said goodbye to me for the last time.
I sighed.
I was happy.
I was content.
And I, am the Dragon of Dreams
Even of my own.
Glossary
Pronunciations:
Crwys - Cruise
Medbh - Mayv
Sidhe - Shea
Daoine - Dana
Djinn - Gin
Alfheim - Alf-hime
Circe - Seer-See
Houngan - Male Voodoo Priest
Mambo - Female Voodoo Priestess
The Dragons
Apollo/Azazel/Crwys Holliard, Dragon of Fire
Artemis/Tasoula Damali, Dragon of Earth
Dáinn, Dragon of Air
Thea, Dragon of Water
Samantha Hawthorne, Dragon of Spirit (Dreams)
The Ghede Family:
Papa Ghede - the first man who ever died. Likes cheap cigars and apples. He is a psychopomp who meets the dead at the cross roads to guide them. He will not take a life before its time. He knows everything that happens in the world.
Brave Ghede - Watchman of the graveyard. He keeps the dead in and the living out.
Baron Samedi - Loa of the dead. He is the head of the Ghede family. Known for debauchery, loves smoking and drinking and loves his rum and cigars.
Erzulie - Love, beauty, dancing, she is the darker side of the mother. Many faces. Many lives.
Language:
I am not an expert in Cajun or French, nor am I fluent. But I always had it in my head that while Vampires in New Orleans was a very well thought out trope, Werewolves in the Bayou was just as important. So this is my own blend of the two.
Pischouette Mal Pris - Little girl's in a bad situation
D'accord - Agreement
Chérie - Darling
Ma petite - My little one (feminine)
Frére - Brother
Soeur - Sister
Chiot - Pup
Loup de chiot - Wolf pup
Diable du feu - Fire devil
Trés bien, mon ami - Very well, my friend
Tayeau - Hound
Diable - Devil
Tayeau petite - Small hound, insult; small dog
Trés belle - Very beautiful
Mon frére - My brother
Homme mort - Dead man.
Je regrette - I regret
Bonne nuit - Good night
Jai faim - I’m hungry
Mère - Mother
Je sais pa - I don’t know
M’selle - Miss, young lady
Le couer - The heart
Êtes-vous bien? - Are you okay?
Sa fait pas rien - It doesn’t matter
Ce qui - What
Pour quoi - Why
Definitions:
Magical Parliament - A grouping of thirteen High Witches chosen from all over the world to regulate magic use and the teaching of magic so as to avoid revealing a Witch's presence to the Cowen world. There are more than thirteen High Witches at any given time, but only thirteen are chosen to serve in Parliament.
Demon Realms - Worlds that exist outside and yet beside the Material Plane. Other names used for these realms are the Mental, Astral, Abysmal, Ethereal, Peripheral, and sometimes Alfheim.
Mother's Tracker - The Parliament once granted tracking rights to some Elder Witches, especially those with Elemental Gifts. The last Tracker to officially receive this right was Samantha's mother, Elizabeth Hawthorne. The right gave them the ability to see, hear, taste, and smell trails left behind by a named target. This is the magic Eliza used to track Dionysus and made it impossible for the Leviathan to escape Eliza's abilities.
Elemental Witch - A God Mother's child who possess all five of the Elemental Gifts; Earth, Air, Water, Fire, and Spirit. The combination of the Elements make the use of Spirit possible, though small instances can be achieved with little training. Elementals use their own energy to power their magic as they transmute the magic inherent in the Material Plane into power.
Dianic Witch - A God Mother's child who does not possess any of the Elemental Gifts. Dianics are given Gifts such as second sight, telekinesis, telepathy, aural visions, clairvoyance, and psychometry.
Elder Witch - A title given to any Witch possessing three Gifts, one usually required to be Elemental, who serves on the local councils under a High Witch.
Magical Sight / Other Sight - The ability to see magic. All Witches possess this ability, but not all Cowens do. Those that can are usually slightly touched with a Dianic Gift.
Circle - Cutting the Circle is the Witch's ability to cut a circle into the Earth, thus creating sacred space for ritual.
Drawing Down the Moon - The ability of a Witch to join with the God Mother through Her blood in their veins. The phrase is also used by Dianic Witches when referring to creating sacred space.
Athame - Usually a black-handled knife. The Witch's ceremonial knife. Represents the Witch's will.
Warlock - Often thought to be the term given to male witches. It's not. This is a state of banishment, when a Witch's connection to their magic is removed.
Hierarchy:
Cowens – Non-Magical folk.
Dianic Witches - God Mother's children possessing only Dianic gifts, such as telekinesis and psychometry.
Hedge Witch - God Mother's children whose Gifts contain an inherent, working knowledge of all of the Gaia's plants. They possess a very latent touch of all the Elements but not enough to wield them. They generate their magic through these combinations of herbs.
Elemental Witches - God Mother's children who possess all five of the Elemental Gifts.
Elder Witch - God Mother's
children who possess at least one Elemental Gift but have dedicated themselves to their craft and their fellow Witches for the betterment of all of the God Mother's children.
High Witch - A position voted upon; a position of leadership, and not one to take lightly. In order to be a high Witch, a God Mother's child must have at least two of the Elemental Gifts and one Dianic.
Cyber Witch - God Mother’s children who exhibit the ability to join with and manipulate the World Wide Web, not excluding any and all peripherals connected to the web by either cable or wireless networks.
Copyright © 2017 by Phaedra Weldon
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Published by Caldwell Press
Cover Design © 2016 by Lou Harper
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About the Author
Phaedra Weldon is a writer and mother of one. Born in Florida, Phaedra was raised in the lush, green southern tropic of Georgia. She grew up on southern ghost stories told while eating marshmallows around campfires, or on the back of pick-up trucks in the middle of cornfields on chilly October nights. Phaedra currently lives in the South with her daughter.
For more information
Elemental Dreams: An Urban Fantasy Series (The Eldritch Files Book 9) Page 15
