“Do you believe me now?” I demanded, searching everyone’s faces as I spoke. “We are running out of time. Naira is dying. Herra is starting a war. If anyone else wants to doubt what I say, feel free to leave. I don’t have the time to try and convince everyone what is and what is not. You either believe me or you don’t. If you don’t, I advise you to be very sure you’re on the right side.”
The group watched me stand.
“I’m going to talk to Naira. I don’t want any of you in the room with me. Do you understand?” As if on cue, everyone nodded.
I left them and made my way to my parent’s room. Naira’s bedroom was only accessible through theirs, and as I reached for her door, I felt my heart skip a beat. Here I was, The Link, and I was nervous about approaching my little sister. Grasping the handle, I turned it and stepped through.
Shirley sat in a rocking chair at the edge of Naira’s bed, knitting an orange sweater. As I walked in, she smiled faintly, raising a finger to her lips for me to be quiet.
Naira resembled a spider – her arms and legs too long for her torso. Her hair had grown past her knees and Shirley had formed it into a lovely braid.
I stood at the foot of her sunk-in bed and crossed my arms. What in the world am I going to do? My head began to pound.
“Shirley,” I whispered, “will you make sure no one comes into the room or touches us?”
She nodded.
“Don’t touch us either, do you understand?” I stressed.
“Yes,” she said.
“Thank you,” I slipped off my shoes and crawled alongside Naira. Lying down beside her, I laced my fingers over my stomach. Her bed was comfortable, apart from the fact that she must have been running a temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit. I ran a scan. Oh, 107. Nice.
Tired, my eyes closed and I fought the urge to drift to sleep. I’m so tired, I’d love to sleep. Now was not the time. Focus on limbo and bringing Naira. I concentrated on my breathing, slowing it down, pulling in long, deep breaths. My energy circled me and focused on the others in the room. It was different than last time – their presence was amplified. Shirley and Naira were obviously there, but for a moment, there was someone else. Who was that?
The outline of something large hovered by the bed, but as soon as I saw it, it was gone. Its presence was distracting, but helping Naira outweighed everything.
It took me several minutes, but eventually, the ringing began in my ears and blackness overtook me. Within seconds, I began to float and I stepped over my body and stood at the end of the bed. What I saw almost made me scream.
Something huge sat hunched next to Naira. Enormous, white wings fell to its sides, taking up nearly the entire width of the room. They rose and fell with its breathing.
“Who are you?” I demanded, readying myself for an attack. The thing stood slowly, undulating until it reached its full height – over six feet tall. When its wings stretched away from its body, I could tell it was a man, clothed in only white linen pants with a lime green sash wrapped about his waist. A horizontal scar took up half his right shoulder blade and above it, strange markings were burned into his skin. His massive wings folded in on themselves tightly and he turned.
The light was blinding and I raised my hands, throwing a shield around myself. When it finally cleared, I was left staring into the face of an impressive looking angel. His light brown hair floated in the air as if he were underwater. Extremely muscled, his back and side muscles were so large, his arms actually rested on them. Intense grey blue eyes bore into mine. Everything about him suggested power, even his stance.
“I am Paul.” His voice shook me to my core.
“Paul?”
“Paul David.”
“Why are you here?” I asked, trying to remember that I was The Link and not a little girl.
He looked down at Naira.
“You’ve come to take her away?” I surmised, holding my non-existent breath.
“Not yet,” he said.
“Are you her angel?” I asked.
He looked me up and down. “I am.”
“If you’re not going to take her, why are you here?”
Paul didn’t answer.
“I won’t let her die,” I said and Paul dropped his chin, his eyes intent on me.
“That is not for you to decide.” His voice lowered. “One is not allowed to meddle with the dying.”
It was a phrase I had heard all too often. “How would you explain that to doctors? To healers?” I asked and the angel almost smiled.
“If it is not what He wants, it will not be.” He said simply.
I felt helpless. “Does He make deals?” I sighed in desperation, already knowing the answer. It made him smile.
“No.”
Though I already knew the answer, my heart sank just the same. I sat on the floor and stared at Naira’s body. “Why did this happen? She was just a little girl a few months ago.”
Paul shifted his stance. “I don’t presume to know His will.”
What a typical answer.
“There’s never been a Link that’s had a sibling. She’s been ‘destined’ to die at the age of fifteen, you know.”
He didn’t answer but he walked around the bed and stood next to me.
“I’m Morgan.” I wasn’t sure what else to say.
“I know,” he said. “You’re The Link for your species. You’re Naira’s sister.”
“Yeah,”
“You don’t seem surprised to see an angel.”
“I’ve seen you guys before.” I smiled up at him and he frowned.
“Is that so?”
“I’ve met my angel.”
Paul’s face lightened, the darkness of his mood changed. “Oh, she’s special.”
“Is that so?” I mimicked him and he glanced sideways at me. “What’s her name?” I asked.
“I can’t tell you her name – she’s higher than I. But, you’re in good hands.”
“And what about my sister? Is she in good hands?”
His eyes were inquisitive as he watched me. “I’d like to think so.”
“If you’re here it means she doesn’t have much time left.”
“Not necessarily,” he mumbled and stopped, seeming irritated with himself.
“What’s wrong?” I asked and he moved away, the tips of his wings dragging on the floor.
“Nothing, I misspoke.”
“If she’s not supposed to go yet, what are you doing here?” I pressed, watching him shift uncomfortably.
“I just watch over her.”
“Why?” Something was up. Paul stopped moving and stared me down.
“To make sure she’s safe.”
“To make sure she’s safe,” I repeated, considering his words carefully. It sounded like something Thayde would do and the answer hit me like a ton of bricks. “Do you love her?”
“Of course I love her,” he answered, “all angels love the ones they protect!”
“That’s not what I mean and you know it!” I pushed myself to my feet and pointed at Naira. “She’s a child!”
He hesitated.
“She’s only four!” My voice raised and his fists clenched.
“She’s nearly twenty-five.” He said in a cold voice.
“What?”
“She’s not a Human, Morgan. She’s a Mermaid. You’re here to take her into limbo, right?”
All I could do was nod.
“Then do it. Watch what happens.” He moved to the corner of the wall and crossed his arms, waiting.
My nerves threatened to leap right out of my skin. Backing away from Paul, I resumed my position at the end of the bed where Naira lay in her pitiful state. Closing my eyes, I tried to ignore Paul’s bulky presence in the corner and focus on bringing Naira through. It didn’t take but a few seconds before Naira was floating above her body and stepped down beside me.
Only, it wasn’t the Naira I knew. This was a much older Naira. She was taller than I, by a good four inche
s with long blonde hair that fell in thick waves past her knees. Huge green eyes stared at me and she smiled brilliantly. The person who stood in front of me was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.
“Morgan!” Throwing her arms around me, she almost lifted me off my feet. “I was hoping you’d put me here. I’ve only been in limbo twice. I knew you’d never get to see me like this.” She released me.
“Naira,” I didn’t know what to say. I was lost for words. She had to be at least twenty five years old – an age she would never reach in my lifetime. I searched her eyes. She looked so happy it made an ache pull through my heart and tears brim.
“Is it strange seeing me like this?” She asked.
“Being in limbo is weird enough, but to see you older than me is,” I couldn’t find the adjective.
“Freaky?” She suggested, making me laugh. “You never told me how cool it is being in limbo! It’s much better than being stuck in that bed!”
My smile disappeared. “You can’t stay like this. It’s killing you.”
She let go of my hand. “I know I’m dying.”
A nervous smile darted across her face and she looked about. Upon seeing Paul, she ran to him. When he held his arms out to her, she fell into them and his arms and wings folded around her. For a moment, she disappeared from sight.
Dear God, they’re in love!
Paul’s wings unwrapped and returned to their place behind him. Before releasing him, Naira stood on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on the side of his face. Turning, she took his hand in hers and pulled him toward me.
“Morgan, this is Paul David. Paul, this is my sister, Morgan.”
“We’ve met,” he said, a smile tugging the side of his mouth and his eyes narrowing slightly.
“Yes, we have.” I said, feeling more than a little surprised.
“Paul is my angel,” she continued.
“I know,”
“He protects me,”
“I see that,”
“I love him.”
Oh boy…
“A bird may love a fish,” I began, quoting a line from the movie Ever After, “but where would they live together?”
Naira scowled. “I saw that film too,” she said. “And the answer is: you just need to give me wings.”
I hadn’t been expecting such a well thought out response – I was unprepared.
“Naira,” Paul began, but she placed a hand against his chest.
“No Paul, I would like an answer. After all, we are sisters. So what do you say, Morgan? Can you give me wings?” She flashed me her brilliant smile and rubbed one foot over the other, awaiting my decision.
I stared at the floor for a moment considering my options. The past rulers did not rush into anything for a reason. They didn’t go around granting wishes like fairies. They weren’t wish granters and neither was I, no matter who the person was. I’d do anything for her, however, it wasn’t my place to make Naira an angel; that was God’s decision. I regarded my sister, now older than I, in all actuality.
“No.” I said.
I watched her crumple in devastation, my heart dropping. “Why?” She objected. “Why won’t you do this for me?”
“Naira,” Paul tried to intervene, but Naira ignored him.
“I don’t understand. You told me you loved me – how could you not want me to have this one wish? It’s just one wish!”
“I can’t,” I began, and she exploded into helpless tears. Paul held her as she began to yell at me. I took a step back, observing how careful he was with her.
“What’s wrong with you? You have all this power and you won’t help me? I love him Morgan – I want to be with him. Please grant me my wish!” Naira cried.
“I can’t,” I started again, but she was too distraught to reason with and she continued to cry.
“You found your love and you got to have him! It’s not fair – I want to be with Paul! You could do this for me. You’re just being selfish. You have infinite power! Please do this for me! Why won’t you do this for me?”
I remained where I was until she stopped yelling and turned her back on me, finding comfort in Paul’s arms. He rubbed her back as she cried, watching me under the hood of his eyes.
“It’s okay darling,” he mumbled into her neck. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not,” she whimpered, “I’m never going to see you again.”
I was torn. Putting Naira in limbo was a decision I had made based on Hadassah and Aletheia’s advice. I needed to know if she wished to remain in limbo as her body died. I knew she would prefer this time alone with Paul, however, there was also the time with my family to consider. If she remained in limbo, they wouldn’t have the chance to say goodbye. That is, not unless I put them in limbo as well.
“Naira,” I chose my words carefully. “I can’t make you an angel because that is not a power I possess. Only God can do that.”
She sniffed, but held still in Paul’s embrace while she listened.
“Your body is dying. You don’t have many days left. I brought you into limbo to ask if you wanted to stay in limbo where you can’t feel pain, or if you’d prefer to be with your family when the time comes.”
My throat constricted, making me choke on my words. “Being in limbo will speed up your death though. That’s the downside to being in it. So I have to ask you, what is it that you want to do? Do you want to stay in limbo with Paul?”
She nodded, keeping her back to me.
“Okay,” I wiped tears away with my both of my hands. “If I can do it, I’m going to bring Mom and Tammer through with me to say goodbye, would you like that?”
At the mention of our parents, she turned to me.
“You’d do that?”
“Of course I would!” I sniffed. “You’re my baby sister. I love you.”
“I don’t want to leave Paul, but I do want to see Mom and Dad again.”
“What happens when Naira is ready to go home?” I asked and Paul shook his head.
“I can’t tell you that.”
Another typical response.
“Can you tell me that you’ll be with her?”
“I will take her home.”
That was it. Naira had decided. She was going to stay with the one she loved and die while in limbo. I was going to have to return to my family and let them know.
“I have to go now.” I said. Naira didn’t move from Paul, though he whispered into her ear that she should give me a hug. I just smiled at them. “The next time you see me, I hope to have Mom and Dad with me.”
When she didn’t respond, I sighed and motioned to Paul. “Take care of her while I’m gone?”
“I will,” his arms tightened around Naira. “This is the only time I’ll have with her. Unless He decides otherwise.” His voice was strained.
“I take it He doesn’t do that a lot.”
Paul’s jaw tightened as if he was holding something back. He didn’t say a word.
“Good bye,” I whispered to them both and closed my eyes. The last image I had was of Paul David standing behind my sister, his arms about her waist. She leaned into him, letting her face rest against his neck. They were a beautiful couple. It made my heart break to know they would only be together at best for a few more days.
Leaving limbo was a drag. Literally – I had to drag myself from it. Invisible weights were attached to my body and I fought to release myself from them. While I struggled, the steady creak of Shirley’s rocking chair teased me from the other side. When I was finally able to open my eyes, my breath came in heaves as I sucked it in. I was a mummy, entombed for centuries, finally experiencing fresh air again. Shirley stopped rocking long enough to make sure I was okay.
No, I’m not okay! I wanted to yell, but I just smiled as if all was well. I was exhausted and being in limbo had made the whole day never-ending. Compounded was the fact that it had been two days combined into one for Thayde and me. All I wanted to do was sleep. My body was finished.
Staggering through the bedroom I grasped the doorway weakly. All conversation ceased as everyone looked to me. Thayde was at my side in an instant.
“Morgan, you need to get some sleep. No more – you’re done.” In one fluid move, he lifted me into his strong arms and I didn’t object. “We’ll see you in the morning,” he announced and strode through the doors.
“I knew this was a mistake,” he complained as he made his way to my old room. “Today has been way too strenuous.”
“I’m okay, babe,” I began and he cut me off.
“My job is to protect you – even if it’s from yourself. You don’t know when to quit. I do.”
I closed my eyes and listened to his heartbeat. It was strong and quick, keeping beat with his steps.
“You are going to sleep with me in the bath.” Thayde stopped, fumbling with the door.
The door?
“I called a guy to have it replaced. They’re pretty fast when you offer double the price to have it fixed right away.” He said, pushing it open.
Once inside, he lay me on my bed and locked the door. Hastily, he made his way to my bathroom and I listened to him turn on the bath and adjust the temperature. A few moments later, he was striding back across my room, his dark eyes bluer than ever.
“Let’s go.” His warm hand surrounded mine and again, he whisked me into his arms. I wasn’t going to argue. It was nice, especially since our honeymoon was cut short. Even thinking about it made me feel guilty though as the thought of Naira on her deathbed lingered in my mind.
“Let’s not think about that at the moment, Morgan. Let’s just get you some sleep.”
Thayde sat me beside the giant tub sunk in the floor of the bathroom. The beautiful custom-made bathtub was a miniature pool with a sectioned off area for relaxing. What I loved about it was the healing gel that lined the sides. It held the body and allowed our kind to heal while asleep. The waterfall faucets on all four sides filled the bath quickly, pouring several gallons into it per second.
Thayde stood, grasping the bottom of his shirt and pulled it over the top of his head in one single move. The way he eased out of his clothes was as so fluid and sexy. Watching his muscles flow and work together was breathtaking. He dropped the shirt to the floor and looked down at me.
Forever Page 6
