The pale path we were on led right into the heart of the temple, where it circled a central pillar of crystal before it went on to bisect the temple completely. The heart was where I was headed; to the spirit crystal that sparkled with violet light. Set around the circular path that surrounded this crystal, were four more columns which stood guard like fairy knights; one column for each of the remaining elements.
The fire column was filled with a carnelian-crimson light and the base of it was surrounded by flames. Water held cerulean shimmers within its facets while rain fell steadily around it. Air was known by its buttery golden glow and the swirl of wind which constantly circled it. Then there was Earth; full of a mossy oak illumination and adorned with the curling clutch of vines.
I glanced at these elemental crystals but spared them only a moment before I went straight to the center one which represented Spirit; the fifth element. I placed my palms to the stone and prayed for Danu to come to us and fulfill her promise to the witches.
Tristan and Sarah were still staring about them in wonder when Danu appeared; a hazy feminine shape with a blurry face. She formed within the central pillar first and then stepped free of the crystal to stand before us. I saw my eyes in her shifting face but I knew it would be different for the others. Danu's eyes always became her viewer's. It was her way of showing how connected she was to her children.
Conri, Tiernan, and I were already on our knees when the Beckoning witches realized that Danu was among us. Then they knelt too, staring at Danu like they couldn't truly believe she was there. Cat ran up to the goddess and sat beside her, just happy to be near her, and Danu laid her glittering hand upon Cat's head.
“Hello, Catriona,” the Goddess spoke and Cat gave her a joyful yip in response. “Hello, Tristan,” Danu lifted her gaze and smiled at the male witch. “Are you ready to claim your place?”
“I am,” he said immediately.
“Then come here,” she held her hand out to him.
Tristan stood and rushed over to Danu. She placed her hands to Tristan's temples and a blinding light poured from her palms and into him. He went rigid as the light filled him and then began to shine through him, casting a glow over the ground like a halo. The Goddess remained serene; her hazy mouth smiling sweetly.
When she pulled her hands away, the light faded and we all gaped at what remained. Tristan no longer looked like a dullahan. He had grown several inches and his muscles had thickened slightly, giving him the sleek physique of an Olympic swimmer. His shoulder-length hair had darkened from oak to ebony and his skin had paled to a pearly sheen. His face was healthy again but a little longer; with a regal nose and high cheekbones. Beneath his noble brow were a pair of glittering violet eyes; the exact same color as the light within the Spirit column.
“Welcome, Councilman Tristan Lightheart,” Danu said solemnly. “Your trust in me has served you well and so I reward it with the dream you most desired. I've made you into a sidhe of Fairy.”
“I'm a sidhe?” Tristan lifted his hands to his beautiful face.
“Your spirit has chosen your mór magic for you,” Danu went on. “You were not born to be a warrior but a scholar and a healer. So you shall be. You bear a new magic; the lightheart. With it you will heal the most damaged of hearts and lighten the heaviest souls. You'll bring comfort to those without hope and peace to those who know only rage. You will be my vessel of compassion for my children.”
“I'm honored,” Tristan knelt and Danu laid her hand on him gently.
“But, I didn't know I could choose this,” Sarah whispered.
“Faith must be rewarded,” Danu said simply. “You chose duty to your people instead of love for me,” she held up a hand when Sarah started to protest. “I'm not judging you, Sarah. You made a valid choice and an honorable one. I will uphold our bargain and grant you the return of your old form.”
Danu held her hand out to Sarah. The witch stood slowly and moved forward as Tristan stood and moved back. Sarah knelt and looked up into Danu's face, all of her fear and anxiety leaving her as she gazed upon the Goddess. Then Danu put her hands on Sarah's head and light once more emanated from the Goddess' fingers. Sarah was filled as Tristan had been and when Danu stepped back, the magic faded from Sarah and revealed her to be as she once was.
Sarah bowed her head, “Thank you, Danu.”
“I will miss you, Daughter,” Danu laid her hand on Sarah's head and a brief glow lit Sarah's temples. “But I send you away with a little gift to remember me by.”
Then Danu turned to me.
“Goddess,” I bowed my head briefly. “Thank you for helping us. For sending Uisdean to see us safely out of Fairy.”
“He was a little reluctant,” she laughed and it echoed off the crystals like tinkling glass. “I saw that in his heart. But he agreed immediately anyway. He has always been a good son, loyal to me and Fairy. I hope that someday he will show you the softer aspects of his nature.”
“That's okay,” I shook my head. “I'm good without knowing his softer side.”
Danu laughed again. “You have put limits on your love, Seren,” she chided. “Let your heart grow and go where it wills.”
“Well, some places its gone are a little restrictive about where else I let it wander,” I shot a teasing look in Tiernan's direction but he was staring at the Goddess like she was giving him his results from a STD test.
“There are many paths to love,” Danu gave Tiernan a wink. “And many ways to experience it. Trust that Seren knows which paths to take to strengthen her heart without breaking yours.”
“Thank you,” I said, still feeling a bit guilty for kissing Raza.
“And, Seren,” Danu set her penetrating stare on me, which just so happened to be my own stare. “Watch your step. Navigating love and life can be dangerous and you are heading into rough waters.”
“I'll try my best,” I grimaced.
“Don't look so worried,” her blurry lips lifted in a smile. “I'll be walking the path beside you.”
