But there is no denying the Fates. No denying what she must do or who she is. And certainly no denying Mother Gaia.
He bends down, placing kisses on both of my tear-stained cheeks before turning to our daughter, still sleeping bundled in a wool blanket next to me.
His hands find their way to my shoulders, pressing gently into the knots forming there. “What have you named her?”
“Elora,” I whisper and run my fingers through her fuzzy golden hair, smiling up at him. “She looks like you.”
His handsome face greets me back, but it’s lined with something more serious and my stomach clenches at what’s coming.
“Come with me.” His grip on my shoulders tightens. “The two of you will be safe, whatever happens with the Fates we can deal with it.”
I bite my lip to stifle a cry. Or a laugh at his absurd proposition. It isn’t the first time he’s asked me to leave Valebridge, but I do believe it will be the last.
“I can’t leave, you know that. I’ll keep her safe.” I rest my hand atop his, still placed on my shoulder. “You don’t need to worry?—”
“Of course, I need to worry.” He backs away. “I worry for her.” He glances at Elora, then back at me. “I worry foryou.”
He steps closer again and cups his hands on either side of my face. His kiss is gentle. Laced with so many promises neither of us can keep.
I pull reluctantly away from him. “We’re the safest here, in Valebridge,” I say. “This is where Enchantresses belong, and this is where we’ll stay. Whatever happens that leads to…” I can’t say it. I’ve Seen it, but I can’t say it.
My death.
“Whatever happens, if we need to flee, we’ll know where to find refuge. We know where to find you.”
His eyes soften, but his mouth is a hard line. He doesn’t want to leave without us, but there isn’t any way for us to go. It’s forbidden for Enchantresses to leave Valebridge and after Celia and her boy left, I never heard from her again. I have no idea where to find her and couldn’t risk leaving with Elora so young. My only duty now is to keep her safe. Keep heralive. And staying in the place I know best is the only way to do just that.
“I understand.” He bends down to place a gentle kiss on our daughter’s head. “Do you know who will guide her?” He swallows, maybe hoping to hide the crack in his voice, but I hear it clear as day. He’s scared.
I am too.
Smiling, I run my finger down her velvety, rosy cheek. “Wolves, I think.”
He chuckles, his fingers lightly dancing over her forehead. “Our little susi.” His use of the word lights a fire in me. Hearing him speak Scandavi has always been a reminder that he has no real ties to Teravie, but he stayed.
For me.
Then for her.
And now he’s losing us both. Perhaps the heartbreak will be the final push to get him to return home. A silver lining, if I can call it that.
“Be well, Elwyn.” He kisses me again, long and slow.
Heat rises to my cheeks, and I’m grateful for his lips against mine to stifle the cry that begs to be let out. As he pulls away, I swallow the lump in my throat.
“I’ll think of you,bothof you, every day.” His whispered promise heats my skin, his forehead pressed against mine. “Every night.” Another kiss. “You know where to find me.”
My heart cracks, but still, I don’t move. Don’t scream at him to stay as he inches for the door. Don’t cry as his back finally turns and the door clicks shut. My arms are unsteady, my bodyshakes and convulses, but as Elora coos from beside me, all worry for what my future holds is lost. I smile at her before scooping her back into my arms and placing her against my bare chest.
I don’t know when my death will happen; all I know is that it’s imminent. That Elora and Celia’s boy, Sorin, will find each other and what they’ll need to do is a worry for another day.
As I hold my baby in my arms, knowing what she is, who she is, I’m overcome with nothing but pride.
Death can wait, for tonight is about rejoicing in the miracle of life.
One
Elora
