Destiny Redeemed

by Gabrielle Bisset

  “Thea?”

  Turning to Amon, she slowly shook her head. “I’m sorry. I can’t help him.”

  “Gethen, no. We’ll get you back to your people and they’ll know what to do,” Amon said, his voice panicked.

  Reaching under his body, he began to lift him from the ground, but Gethen stopped him with his hand on Amon’s chest. “No, this is where I die.”

  “No. No. Not if I can do anything about it,” he said, refusing to accept the truth before him.

  “Amon, I don’t have much time. The poison works fast. I need you to listen to me. I’m so proud of you. You’ve been like a son to me.”

  “Stop. Don’t do this.”

  “I’ve loved you like no other in your world or mine. Don’t make the same mistakes of your past. You’ve been given another chance.”

  His life fading quickly, Gethen turned to look at Thea. “Take care of him.”

  With one last look at Amon, Gethen said goodbye. “Amon, it has been the joy of my life to know you.”

  Amon saw his friend’s time had run out. He cried out his name, his voice strangled as the Sidhe exhaled one last time. Dropping his head to rest on his chest, Amon silently said goodbye to his servant of lifetimes and friend like no other in his time on Earth.

  Thea wrapped her arms around Amon’s shoulders and held him as his body shuddered in sorrow. “I’m so sorry, Amon.”

  Thankful that at least he’d be able to fulfill Gethen’s wish to return home, Amon carefully lifted him in his arms and cradled his friend as he had done when he’d rescued him from Nil. Without a word, he turned and began the sad journey to return Gethen to his people.

  With Thea at his side, step by step, Amon made his way to the entrance of the Sidhe kingdom, the darkness growing as they walked deeper and deeper into the forest. The sounds of the world around them changed to frightening, ominous noises, and Thea clutched Amon’s arm.

  “What’s happening?”

  “The world of the Sidhe is nearby. What you hear are the sounds of those who guard the gateway between our world and the Sidhe’s. Don’t be afraid. They mean no harm to us. Only to those who would attack the Sidhe.”

  Amon led her to the darkest part of the woods, where no light shone on their path. Surrounded by eerie sounds that seemed to come from creatures straight from Hell, Thea held onto him tightly as around them changed to as dark as midnight.

  Even the trees seemed menacing, their limbs catching on their clothes, as if to prevent them from finally reaching the entrance to Gethen’s world. But Amon continued, undeterred by the whip of branches against his face and arms as he held Gethen close to his body to shield him from the trees’ attacks. With her face buried in Amon’s side, Thea followed his lead, only lifting her head when he stopped walking.

  “We’re here.”

  Ahead of them lay an entrance hidden in the hedge. Behind the leafy camouflage appeared stone steps illuminated by a soft light that bathed everything in its pale white rays.

  “Watch your step and stay next to me,” Amon said turning to her.

  *

  Thea couldn’t imagine where the stairway led. Were they walking down into the earth? Was the Sidhe realm entered through a cave?

  As they walked, she began to see faces peer out from the brush that lined the stairs. As she met their gazes, each possessing the same deep green eyes as Gethen, they quickly disappeared.

  “Don’t be frightened. They mean no harm. We’re strangers here, so they’re naturally curious.”

  “Amon,” she whispered as they reached the last stair. “Their eyes... they’re all like Gethen’s.”

  “The sign of the Sidhe.”

  Thea studied with wonder the world they’d entered. Ahead of them was a dazzling castle that seemed to shimmer in the light. To the left and right of them were fields and forests full of lush grass and flowers and dotted with much smaller homes than the castle that dominated the stunning landscape. A stream ran from right to left immediately in front of them, requiring them to cross a small bridge if they intended to make the trip to the castle.

  As she watched, the colors of the Sidhe kingdom seemed to become more vivid right before her eyes. The greens of the plants and trees seemed more alive than any she’d ever seen in the world outside. Everything in front of her appeared as if an artist had painted it.

  Gasping, she turned to Amon. “It’s so beautiful! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful place in all my lifetimes.”

  Sadly, he answered, “I wish you could have seen it through Gethen’s eyes. He would’ve been so happy to finally return home.”

  Thea saw the sorrow in his eyes when he looked down at the man he held in his arms. And the guilt.

  Men, women, and children slowly began to appear from the homes nearby and stood silently looking at them. Their eyes traveled from Amon, to Thea, and finally came to rest on Gethen’s peaceful face. Each person’s expression registered the same sadness Amon’s possessed, as if each one had lost a dear friend.

  “Amon, what should we do?” she asked as they watched each Sidhe react to the death of one of their own.

  “Nothing,” he said as he walked toward the bridge. “We can’t understand their sadness.”

  Thea knew he was mistaken. He wore the same sad face as each of the Sidhe, felt the loss of Gethen as deeply as any of his kind. Each robotic step he took spoke volumes about the grief he was suffering.

  They made their way up toward the castle as the Sidhe followed them in an informal funeral procession. Their sadness permeated the air, and Thea noted the contradiction between the almost joyful beauty that surrounded them and the heavy sorrow they expressed in their slow walk behind them. As they got closer to the castle, Amon explained where they were going and why, never taking his eyes from the sight in front of him.

  “Gethen was part of the royal court of the Sidhe. For generations, his family has served the kings and queens that rule over his people. Before he was exiled, he was matched with the king’s youngest daughter. Years older than her, he never had the chance at the life he was destined for because he was lured by love into our world.”

  “What do you mean ‘lured by love’?”

  “I told you the Sidhe were very seductive creatures, but there is one type of female that can seduce them—Aeveren women. Gethen met an Aeveren woman and fell in love with her. But she was someone’s destined one and couldn’t give herself to him.”

  Amon abruptly stopped talking and adjusted his friend in his arms. Thea sensed what he needed to say next troubled him.

  “What happened, Amon?”

  “He couldn’t deal with losing her.” After a pause, he continued. “He killed her.”

  Amon’s guilt for his part in Victoria Adams’ death filled every word he spoke.

  “When it was found that he’d done this twice before, he was banished from his world. The Sidhe king didn’t want to bring the wrath of the Aeveren Council to his people, so instead he chose to send Gethen away.”

  Thea thought about the man who she’d known as Gethen—the man who’d threatened her when she’d first arrived at Amon’s house—the loyal friend. But she also thought of the man who’d willingly chosen to leave the only life he’d known for centuries to give Amon a chance at happiness and the man who’d helped him rescue her from the Soren headquarters. The idea that the same man was someone who’d murdered three women seemed almost impossible.

  “How did he find you?”

  “I found him. The night he killed the last woman, I found him next to her body just as she vanished. He put up no fight and asked me to take him to our people to be punished. Instead, I took him to the king we’re going to now and agreed to be responsible for him until he’d earned his way home.”

  They continued to the castle in silence, and as he stopped to face the king and his court, Thea knew Amon was preparing to say the words to explain Gethen’s death. The Sidhe king stepped forward to meet them, his eyes firmly focused on his
fallen kinsman. Almost as tall as Amon, he wore his long, jet black hair over his shoulders that seemed to hunch at the recognition of the man in Amon’s arms.

  “Who brings this long exiled son home?”

  Dropping his head in respect, Amon answered, “The one who promised to return him.”

  “What is your name, Aeveren?”

  “I was known as Riordan Blake when I took him, but now I’m called Amon Kalins.”

  “Welcome, Amon Kalins. We thank you for bringing our son home,” the king said lifting his gaze to Amon’s.

  Amon answered, his voice laced with guilt. “I don’t deserve thanks. It’s because of my actions that he died, as if I killed him myself, King Nasire.”

  The Sidhe king studied Amon’s face for a long moment and shook his head. “Do not blame yourself for Gethen’s death. I know your thoughts, Aeveren, but you are mistaken. You saved him when he had nowhere to go and no friend in this world. You gave him a life.”

  The king motioned to men who hurried to attend to him. “Take our fallen son’s body to be prepared for his farewell.”

  The attendants reached for Gethen’s body but Amon refused to release him, stonily staring at each to back away. Thea’s heart felt heavy at the sight of the man she loved consumed by grief.

  “You must let him go now, Aeveren. He must be readied to travel to the Summerlands.”

  Reluctantly, Amon nodded and carefully placed Gethen’s body into the waiting arms of one of the men, who somberly took him away. His arms down at his sides, Amon squeezed Thea’s hand as they watched them take his friend.

  “Come,” the king commanded to them and his court. “We will welcome our visitors.”

  Thea watched as Amon looked down toward the direction the men had taken with Gethen, his blue eyes full of sorrow. Her heart broke seeing him so utterly devastated.

  “Sweetie, let’s go,” she said quietly as she began to follow the group after the king.

  Amon said nothing as he turned to walk with her into the castle. Thea stood in awe of the great hall that welcomed them as they entered. An enormous ceiling towered over their heads, and two massive wood chandeliers hung in the center of the room, each one holding twelve candles flickering light. A twenty-five foot long table sat underneath them and was hastily being filled with enough food for the king and all the mourners.

  “Please sit and join us for the celebration,” the king offered as he guided Thea and Amon to each take a seat.

  Amon sat quietly looking off in the distance, and Thea explained, “I’m sorry, King Nasire. Amon’s not much for celebrating now.”

  The king took his seat at the end of the table near them as the rest of his court milled about. “Aeveren, there is no reason for mourning. Gethen lived a full life of many years. If you had not taken him all those years ago, he would have faced judgment by your leaders, which would have meant a much harder life. Whatever you believe you did, remember the gift you gave him.”

  “If I hadn’t kept him when I should have let him return... he wouldn’t be dead now.”

  “Do not do this to yourself. Your friend lived many years in your world. I believe they were happy ones, if your grief is any indication of his life.”

  Amon hung his head. “My grief is only an indication of my regret.”

  “I am sorry for your loss, but it fills my heart that our son meant so much to you. That itself is the tale of a life well-lived. May we all be missed as much when we are called home.”

  The king patted Amon’s hand before joining his people in the celebration of Gethen’s life. Thea watched as they feasted on delicacies and shared memories of their time with him, but Amon remained quiet, unable to escape his thoughts.

  A woman older than most of the others approached them and stood silently looking at Amon, the woman’s green eyes kind and sympathetic as they stared down at him.

  “Thank you for bringing him home to his people.”

  Amon made a slight smile and nodded.

  “My son never found happiness in our world. Did he find it in yours?” she asked in a voice full of hope.

  Thea realized this was Gethen’s mother asking if her son had been happy in exile.

  “I believe he did,” Amon said, his face showing how unsure he was if his answer was honest.

  The woman turned to Thea. “Did you know my son?”

  Nodding, she smiled. “I did. I only had the pleasure of knowing him for a short time, but I know he loved Amon like a son.”

  “Did he have any children?” she asked him.

  “No,” he said slowly shaking his head.

  “Then I’m glad he had you.”

  After Gethen’s mother returned to the rest of the court, Amon and Thea sat quietly watching the Sidhe show their respect. As he held her hand, he leaned over to kiss her. “Thank you.”

  Thea smiled. “He really did see you as a son. I never knew him as anything but your friend, but I think he loved you as a father would a son.”

  *

  As those around him rejoiced in Gethen’s life, Amon thought about what the King and Gethen’s mother had said. Gethen had always been more friend than servant, but he’d forced him to do many things that made him complicit in his misdeeds. Had he been happy doing as he commanded? With regret, he admitted to himself that the thought had never crossed his mind.

  And what of the other parts of Gethen’s life? He’d never spent much time with one woman, never married or settled down, never had any children. His life for hundreds of years had been entirely devoted to Amon.

  Guilt overwhelmed Amon as the memory of his time with Gethen paraded through his mind. If he had been a son to him, then Gethen had acted as parents often do, overlooking their children’s faults out of love. And what had he given Gethen in return?

  When the feast was over, the king and his court, along with Amon and Thea, walked in procession to the outside courtyard where Gethen lay on a funeral pyre. The sight of him lifeless with his hands folded on his stomach made Amon’s breath catch in his chest.

  As priestesses chanted and called on the gods of the Sidhe to safeguard Gethen on his journey to the Summerlands, the mourners stood silently as his funeral pyre was set aflame. A single drummer beat gently on his drum, rhythmically ushering Gethen’s soul to its next home.

  Amon stood stiffly watching the flames leap higher, overtaking his friend’s body and obscuring it from view. The sight made his chest tighten, and he leaned against Thea as he said his final silent goodbye.

  King Nasire returned to once again thank him for taking care of one of his people for so many years. “We owe you a debt of gratitude, Amon Kalins.”

  Long after the king, his court, and the throng of mourners filed out of the courtyard, Amon stood facing the funeral pyre, staring straight ahead, his eyes staring at the spot where Gethen had laid.

  Thea gently touched his arm. “Amon, he’s with his people now. He’s home.”

  Amon silently nodded, and as they left the Sidhe king’s castle and began their long walk to their world, neither said a word, unable to move past their loss.

  Hours later, as Thea lay beside him, her head on his chest as she slept, Amon promised himself that he’d be the man he should’ve been all along. Whatever he’d thought life was supposed to be, he understood now what Gethen had been trying to tell him.

  His past had hurt everyone around him. He had to make sure his present and future were different.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Amon woke after a mostly sleepless night and silently reached his mind toward Gethen’s but sensed only emptiness. The realization he was gone—not like when Amon was in Nil but truly gone from his life—squeezed his heart like a vice.

  Next to him, Thea slept facing him with her hands folded under her head. He was struck by how innocent she looked and cringed at the thought of how guilty he was for so many things. As a healer, she was good and kind, someone fellow Aeveren looked to for help to make their lives better. How did he deserv
e her?

  Gethen had been right. Everyone had to deal with their past at some point. He’d been foolish to believe it would stay in the past. Gethen had been right about something else too. He’d been given another chance to fix the past instead of using the opportunity to find more ways to live his life at the expense of others. He owed it to those he loved to use that chance wisely.

  As he thought about what life had in store, he absentmindedly stroked Thea’s hair, waking her. She began to stir, and he leaned his head down to meet hers.

  “Good morning, angel.”

  Half asleep, she snuggled close to his body and murmured, “Good morning. You okay?”

  Amon inhaled deeply and kissed the top of her head. “I’m okay.”

  “Good,” she cooed kissing the side of his neck.

  “I have a lot I want to do today, so it’s time to get your sleepy self out of bed.”

  She rolled onto her back and smoothed the hair from her face to look at him. “Like what?”

  He’d spent hours thinking about how he needed to turn his life around and what to do as a first step. It had to be something big. Considering his decision, he announced, “I want to sell two of my homes—this one and the one in Tuscany.”

  “I understand why you’d want to leave this house, but what’s wrong with the Italian house?”

  Amon knew she silently questioned what the urgency was to sell the house in Tuscany. “That has nothing to do with Gethen. That house reminds me of a past I need to leave behind.”

  Sitting up, she tapped his nose with her forefinger. “I don’t think I like it when you read my thoughts. It’s like when someone finishes your sentences for you. It’s irritating.”

  Amon loved that she was one of the few people he’d ever met who thought to chastise him. And he knew she was right.

  Leaning toward her, he touched his forehead to hers and looked up into her eyes. “Point taken, Althea. How about if I promise not to do it again? Will I be forgiven?”

  Thea turned her head and kissed him. “Of course. But I expect you’ll be breaking that promise if I’m ever in danger?”