Behind him, a fawn has now joined the doe and stands beside her, both now watching us. My gaze flits back to Ivan as he resumes his eulogy.
“If you don’t know who I am, my name is Ivan Lockewood, and I am the Chief Advisor to the High Crown. I had the pleasure of serving the High Family for the last twenty-five years. King Silas and I grew up together, and he was kind enough to offer me a position within his court. I mean this when I say it, but it was truly the highest honor to serve him and know him on an official and a personal level.”
Murmurs of agreement come from the crowd. Ivan’s eyes begin to water, and he stops to take a deep breath, breathing out slowly to maintain his composure.
“He cared deeply about protecting this world, and he considered his position the highest honor. He was passionate about changing our world for the better and actively worked to make it a better place with each day. Queen Adelaide was equally as passionate about making our kingdom a better place. Together, they were responsible for changes in improving the education of our children, improving working conditions for our farmers, and increasing access to healers for all. But within our court, King Silas and Queen Adelaide were most known for their kindness and compassion. Their daughter was a kind soul and would have grown up to be a fair queen. Princess Etta was like family. It was a true pleasure to see her grow up on the grounds and become the female she was destined to be. It’s not fair that we didn’t get to see her grow into a queen.”
His voice wavers, and tears begin to line his eyes.
“They were all taken too soon. Let us take a moment of silence to remember them,” he says softly before bowing his head in silence.
As I bow my own head, my sensitive hearing picks up rustling in the trees, but I keep my head down. Finally, Ivan clears his throat, and we all lift our heads. Behind Ivan, at least a dozen deer are gathered in the trees. They all face us, watchful eyes locked on the three covered bodies. A single stag stands at the center of the herd, his massive antlers cutting through the air. Does and several fawns stand still behind him. The clouds have cleared, and light now filters in through the trees and shines upon the herd.
Ivan steps from the platform and returns to his seat, a single tear cutting down his cheek. Behind us, the soft strum of an acoustic guitar begins to play while a soft, melodic voice begins to sing. Two seats over, Holly sits in silence as tears stream down her face. Elle is stoic beside me, but her eyes are misty, and she refuses to meet my gaze. When the song is over, the guitar continues to strum softly. The officiant returns to the podium and addresses us once more.
“We will now begin the process of carrying the bodies through the woods, where they will be laid for their final rest. We ask that only members of the family and the family’s requested guests accompany them. The family has invited all guests back to the castle for food and drinks. Please follow the path back to the reception area. Thank you for coming. Again, I’m deeply sorry for your loss,” he says.
I sense movement behind me, but I don’t look back. I can’t take my eyes off the stag standing in the forest. It feels like he’s watching me as intensely as I’m watching him. He’s stunning. I’ve never seen a deer his size. Even from here, I can tell he would tower above me. His ivory antlers are a crown of his own. He is royalty in this forest just as much as I am.
Ivan stands and addresses the officiant. “Alright, Samuel, lead the way.” Exhaustion permeates his voice. I stand and look behind us, but we’re the only remaining guests. I feel like I can breathe again.
Samuel sets off down a dirt path, gracefully stepping over fallen branches as he goes. Together, Ivan, Luca, and Elle use their magic to float the bodies through the forest. A twig cracks behind us, and I turn to find the stag following me, his herd behind him.
Together, we march through the forest as one. The earthy smell of dirt and damp leaves grows thicker as we walk deeper and deeper into the ancient woods. The soft sound of running water grows louder, and a shallow stream comes into view, white daisies lining its bank. A small waterfall rushes down a short drop and into a small pond before the stream continues, branching off into smaller streams that continue through the forest.
In front of the pond lay three empty graves, each one marked by a simple cross made of twigs. Each cross is topped with a crown made of branches, wildflowers, and berries. It’s overwhelmingly simple. It’s perfect. The quiet sounds of the stream running, the birds chirping, the breeze rustling the leaves, and the sun now shining through the trees.
It’s a perfect resting place.
After we lower the bodies into the ground, Ivan gets down on his haunches in front of the graves. We all step back to give him some privacy as he says his final goodbyes to the family. After a few minutes, he places a hand on my father’s grave and stands slowly. Holly and Luca step forward, bowing their heads and whispering their goodbyes to each body. Finally, Elle approaches the open graves and tosses a single wildflower into each one before stepping back.
“Can I have a moment alone?” I ask, directing the question to Ivan.
He tears his gaze from the limp bodies resting in the open graves. “Of course. Whenever you’re ready, we’ll be just outside the clearing.”
I pluck a handful of white daisies and distribute them among the three graves, watching as they fall through the air and land in their final resting places. Dress be damned, I sink to the ground in front of my father’s grave.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper. “I’m sorry I didn’t know you. I’m sorry that you were stolen from me before I had the chance to.” I turn to Etta’s small, linen-wrapped frame. “I’m sorry I didn’t know you either. I would have loved a sister. I’m sorry I took your place. I don’t want this,” I confess to the sister I never knew.
A twig cracks. The stag is back, winding through the trees toward me. He approaches me slowly, calmly before coming to lay beside me. When he does, I can’t help the burst of tears.
I cry for the life I’ve lost, the life I worked so hard for.
I cry for the family I never knew.
I cry for the family that betrayed me.
I cry for the future that’s been forced upon me.
I cry for the choices that have been wrenched from me.
I cry for the three people who lay before me, their lives torn from them before it was their time.
I collapse, folding myself against the strength and the warmth of the stag. I cling to him, tears flowing down my face.
Elle finds me asleep, tucked up against the massive stag. She wakes me gently and helps me to my feet.
As we leave the clearing, the stag stands and bows his head toward me. I offer him a smile before I turn and follow Elle out of the forest.
