“No. It’s just a lifesaving skill humans use. I think it was what got you breathing again, but I don’t know where that light came from. Maybe it was your own essence?”
“Was it similar to the light that shone when you arrived in Aeritis?” Garnel asked.
“No. It wasn’t as bright. That seemed to be an all-consuming light. This wasn’t as intense,” Avery stated. Her brows furrowed as she remembered the light that struck her during the bear attack. A flash of Morgan entered her mind. Morgan being dragged away by that bear. Fuck. She couldn’t think about her sister. Not while she’s trying to have a conversation.
“I guess it does not matter how you saved me. What matters is that you did. Kyla and I are eternally grateful for you,” Garnel said.
Avery felt the awkwardness rise again. She didn’t know how to accept his thanks for something that she didn’t control. She chewed nervously on her bottom lip. Avery did not want to stay here any longer. That creeping sense of needing to be alone sneaked back up on her.
“I should let you get some rest. I’m so happy to see you recovering. I’ll see you again soon,” Avery replied as she stood to leave.
“I’ll tell Kyla you came by,” Garnel said. At that, Avery closed the door and walked down the hall.
Avery wasn’t sure where Mira was at in the healing center, or if she was even still there. She needed help to find the ancient fae’s room, but the building was silent. The wood floors echoed with each of Avery’s steps, and she was ready to give up when she saw a Bayberry woman in the hall. Like Hyacinth, this woman had bits of twigs and leaves twisted into her hair. Her amber sackcloth dress contained pockets brimming with herbs, tinctures, and small metal devices.
“Can I help you, dear?” the woman asked in a lyrical, soothing voice.
“I am looking for the Latian woman, Mira. I thought she was brought here with the other injured Latians,” Avery said.
“Oh yes, but I should warn you. She is in the first shift towards entering her rest. Her granddaughter, or maybe great-granddaughter, is with her. I can see if they are interested in having visitors.”
“I don’t want to disturb them. But I told Mira I would visit her.”
“Why don’t you wait in our reception room downstairs, and I will see what they say,” the healer said as she directed Avery to the reception room.
The soft, plush material of the couch made Avery feel drowsy as she looked around the room. The space was made to feel welcoming, with the Bayberry’s inclination to decorate with natural elements and an emphasis on incorporating useful plants into the decor. Avery recognized several plants that could be utilized in healing, and some unusual ones that she didn’t know.
After a few minutes, the healer returned with Rue. Rue’s face brightened as she saw Avery. Her warm smile calmed any anxiety that Avery felt about bothering Rue and her grandmother.
“Avery! It’s so kind of you to call on us,” Rue said as she placed her hand on Avery’s shoulder, giving it a soft squeeze.
“I hope Mira is doing okay. I promised I would check on her once I was settled in Bayberry.”
Rue’s smile faded. “It’s a time of celebration in a fae’s life. My grandmother is entering her rest. It’s when we slowly begin to give up our essence to Althea at the end of our lives. This first shift is just her slowing down, becoming less cognizant of what is going on around her.”
Avery couldn’t help but catch her breath in the back of her throat. “I’m so sorry to hear that she is dying.”
The puzzled expression on Rue’s face caught Avery by surprise. Did she say something wrong?
The healer spoke up before Rue could reply, “What Rue means is that Mira is entering the final stage of life for the fae. We go into a near-comatose state called our rest. The last part of our essence slowly drains from our bodies, and we use that as our final life force. There are periods of lucidity until eventually we do pass. It can take many years before a fae passes into Arcadia. This is when our souls leave our bodies for the afterlife. To enter our final rest is a great honor for a fae. It is what all of our kind pray for. A long life lived in fulfillment to the Goddess Althea.”
Rue looked at the healer with a bittersweet gleam in her eyes. “It’s a time to celebrate, but I long for the rest of our family to join grandmother and honor her passage into her rest. I pray to Althea that they arrive in Bayberry quickly.”
At least Avery could reassure Rue that her family was on the way. “Don’t worry. Savine told me that everyone else should arrive later today or tomorrow. Mira will have her family with her soon.”
“That’s good news!” Rue replied. “I was worried they would encounter more loyalists on the journey to Latiah.”
The upcoming battle entered Avery’s mind, but she didn’t dare share that information with Rue. There was one thing, though, that Avery did need to ask. “Rue, with your grandmother resting and Kyla staying near Garnel, I was wondering if you could help me with my training? I don’t want to undo the work Kyla and I have started. Plus, after the attack the other night, I feel like I need to train harder than ever,” Avery said. She knew what she’d be facing next week, with Savine’s crazy idea to keep her close to him in a battle. There was no way she was going to take any chances at not being prepared this time.
“Does the commander know you’re asking a lowly guard to help you train? I’m so young, I don’t know what he would say,” Rue replied, looking down at her feet as she spoke.
The healer smiled gently at Rue and spoke, “Dear, in times like these it is often the unlikeliest of us who can make the greatest impact on a life. Look at Avery. A human sent into our realm finally helped your grandmother find the peace she searched for.”
Rue’s warm honey eyes seemed to glow a bit. “I suppose you’re right. If the commander didn’t step into his role, my people may not be here today. He’s not old for a fae, and he’s had to work so hard to gain support for his cause. But he’s changing our lives. Just look at all he has done to protect my people.”
Avery wondered what Rue meant by that, especially when she saw the pride beam in the healer’s eyes. But she didn’t question what Rue meant by her people not being here today.
“That he has. The Goddess has blessed us with his good service,” the healer replied.
