“I have never answered your prayers because you were born too far away for me to hear you,” I said with the powerful voice of Danu. All of the fairies dropped to their knees, even Raza knelt, wide eyed and reverent. Cat though, yipped happily and bounded over to sit by my side.
“Hello, Sweetling,” I said and stroked Cat's muzzle gently.
Sarah stopped crying and looked up at me in shock. I don't know what she saw in my eyes but it was enough to convince her that her goddess stood before her at last. The witches gathered close, staring at me like I was their savior. Then they got to their knees as Sarah lifted to hers.
“Goddess?” She asked.
“I am Danu, sister of Anu, Goddess of the Fey,” I intoned in a voice that seemed to vibrate out through the world, touching everything as it went. “I am bonded to this realm, unable to cross into my brother's domain, or I would have answered your call. I would have answered all of you.”
“Danu,” Aidan whispered in wonder.
“Ah, the bargest magic runs true,” I said, I meanshesaid through me. “You are a miracle to me. All of you are. I am overwhelmed with joy to meet you, little lost ones. Even as I mourn the death of my raven mocker daughter.”
All I could think was; well damn, the witches were right. They did have a goddess, they just didn't know how to reach her. Danu continued, speaking over my internal dialogue.
“You were born in the world of humans, the world of Anu,” she went on. “So it is to be expected that you don't appreciate fey features, as we do here,” she/we reached down and stroked Sarah's sunken cheek. “You are still beautiful to me; a dangerous beauty. But I feel your pain. Both for what you've done and who you've become. So I will give you a choice. Both of you,” I/she looked to Tristan. “You may stay here, with me in Fairy, and I will take you to live on my sacred isle. Or I will reverse the changes in you and you may become what you were. You will go home to the realm of humans, never to return to Fairy.”
“And never to see you again,” Sarah concluded and Danu nodded.
“If you were ever to return, the change would occur again and it would be permanent,” Danu said.
Sarah looked down at herself, pensively stroking a finger over her mottled skin. Then she looked over to Tristan, who was staring at me/Danu like he never wanted to stop. Sarah sighed and closed her eyes tight. Then she took a deep breath and opened them.
“I'll stay,” Tristan said before Sarah could speak.
“Tristan,” Sarah gasped. “You'll never see your family again. You'll stay this way forever,” she waved a hand at him.
“I don't care how I look,” he shrugged. His eyes, like little glass marbles, remained focused on Danu/me. “You can tell my family that I've devoted myself to the Goddess. How could I possibly go back when she stands before me and offers me a place at her side?”
“I will return for you when you finish your mission,” Danu smiled at Tristan. “Now, Sarah. What is your decision?”
“I can't stay here,” Sarah said sadly. “I can't be this,” she held her arms out. “I'm a Vex. I must protect my people. I have to think of them. And myself. I'm sorry.”
“Can you accept what you've done here?” Danu waved a hand towards the body of Jennifer Wasutke.
“I will take responsibility for it but that's another reason why I must return,” Sarah said calmly. “Please, change me back.”
“I will,” Danu promised her. “But first, I want you to understand where you come from,whoyou come from, and you need to learn to control the magic that has birthed you. This new body will help you do that.”
Sarah bowed her head in acceptance.
“When I return for Tristan, I will change you back,” we laid a hand on Sarah's head. “Until then, know that I watch over you and you are loved, for all of your strengths and all of your weaknesses,” we looked to the other witches and laid a hand on each of them. “Go with my blessing and free those who have been stolen from you.” Then we turned to Raza and went to him, holding our hands out to him. He took our hands tightly, staring up at us like we were something miraculous. “My son,” Danu whispered and caressed the angles of his face. “So beautiful, so proud, and so sad. But I felt hope return to your heart when you first spoke to Seren.”
“She told me you had returned,” Raza smiled. “And I prayed that she was right.”
“I know,” Danu smirked. “I heard you but you weren't ready to hear me.”
“I was listening,” he swore adamantly.
“Action and acceptance are very different things,” Danu said gently. “You were ready here,” we tapped his forehead, “but not here,” we laid a hand over his heart. “Now you are ready.”
“Danu,” Raza whispered. “You have made my heart beat again.”
“It will always beat,” we smiled and lowered our lips to his cheek to whisper, “and it will always be mine.” Then we straightened to say louder. “But I'm willing to share it. Just be wary of giving it away too soon. Time is a tricky thing and must be handled carefully. One step in the right direction but placed at the wrong time, will only bring chaos. Be patient.”
“I will,” he breathed. “But, Danu, my son...”
“Is safe,” we smiled brightly and Raza's shoulders dropped in relief. “I have looked after the wild birds who have finally come home to roost.Allof them,” we glanced at the witches. “But I can only do so much. You must free them and I will help you where I can. Know that I am with you always.”
