I was in her orchard. Crimson apples hung heavy on the branches of her sacred trees. The scent of ripening fruit clung to my nose. Grass was soft beneath me, but a little too vivid for my eyes. Everything was. A technicolor world turned up a few notches on the bright scale.
“Relax, you're safe here,” Danu said.
“As opposed to somewhere else?” I frowned, trying to remember how I'd gotten there.
“You're being taken care of,” Danu assured me. “If you'd just trust in me more, this would be so much easier, Seren.”
“Danu, what do you want?”
“For you to be happy,” Danu smiled serenely.
“No, I mean, what do you want right now? Why am I here?”
“You're here so that your mind doesn't slip into a coma while your body is saved,” she said. “I was afraid there wouldn't be enough time.”
“Coma?” I frowned, and then remembered. “I was shot.”
“Elf-shot,” Danu nodded sadly. “So much anger among my children. Would that I could find a better way.”
“Better way to do what?” I narrowed my eyes on her. “What are you up to now?”
“This is precisely what I mean,” she waved a hazy hand at my suspicious face.
Danu's body tended to shift through the races of her children when she appeared on her own. Her eyes were the only feature to remain stationary, and even then, you didn't get a glimpse of the Goddess' true face. Because the eyes you saw were always your own.
“I must guide you without making you feel like you're being led,” Danu rolled her eyes... er, my eyes.
“Tell me your end game,” I growled. “Then I'll trust you.”
“I cannot,” she shrugged. “You would dig your heels in and refuse to allow it. All I ask, is that you think about whatyouwant, Seren. Every time you believe I'm forcing your hand, ask yourself if my goal coincides with yours. And be truthful with yourself. Don't let any preconceived notions sway you. Don't let my wishes sway you. Simply listen to your own heart. I have no sway over hearts.”
“What about the Call of Danu?”
“That has nothing to do with love,” Danu sighed. “Though sometimes it results in it. You know yourself enough to sense when you're being manipulated. You must concede that I may be able to lead you towards love, but I cannot make you feel it.”
“Fair enough,” I agreed. “I will try to be as honest with myself as possible.”
“I'm going to hold you to that,” Danu smirked. “Remember my words when the hard decisions come. When your human side says one thing, but your fey nature demands another. I will help you as best I can, with other wild natures which need taming.”
“I hate it when you get cryptic,” I huffed.
“You used to be in awe of me,” she shook her head sadly. “You liked the way I spoke.”
“That was before I got to know you better,” I smirked. My smile faded as I saw the real hurt in her eyes. “I didn't mean that,” I laid my hand on her blurry knee. “I know you care for all of your children, and you try to do your best by them. And I also know that you've especially tried to do your best by me.”
“Thank you, Seren,” she smiled, and even through the mist of shifting features, it radiated clearly. “I'm glad my brother didn't turn you completely against me.”
“Anu saved me too,” I said. “I still need to work this all out. But I know that in your own ways, the both of you love me.”
“We do,” she nodded. “I can concede that about him. Unfortunately, he is unable to see what is best for you in my world.”
“Your world...” I blinked. “Wait a minute, I was in Anu's domain when I was shot. How are you here?”
“Ah,” Danu lifted her head as if she were watching something over my shoulder. “They're waiting for you. Give my love to Raza, Tiernan, and Killian.”
Danu faded, her Sacred Grove fading with her, but I felt her touch on my cheek long after she'd gone.
Chapter Five
