Enchanted ever after, p.33
Enchanted Ever After, page 33
"You took Lathyr with you to the Great Pearl," the Water King said. As always, his fingers intertwined with his queen's, but his whole manner seemed to have changed.
"Yes," Kiri said. She blinked. He even seemed less crude, more thoughtful, and that she wouldn't have anticipated. She'd judged him and stuck him in a little cubbyhole and now he defied her expectations.
"I remember the pearl," the queen said softly, her eyes going dreamy as she gazed at her husband. "You took me."
He met his wife's eyes and stared into them. "Yes, I did, and I never regretted it."
She lifted his fingers to her lips and kissed them, a gleam came to her eyes. "Though I don't think you remember the Pearl as often as you should, or the lesson it teaches," she chided.
Boundless love for all creatures? Live in the moment? Or lessons that would be revealed later, too? "Lesson?" Kiri whispered.
The queen looked at her. "I think one lesson might be the same, but others are unique to the individual."
Kiri tried an underwater courteous tail swirl. It went well. She smiled.
The Water King grumbled. To Kiri's ears it sounded as if he'd started the punctuation as a belch, then decided to change it. "We are pleased you met the Great Pearl," he said. "Demonstrating your magical power and your acceptability as nobles and being included in the royal line. It also pleases me that a relative of my lady's has proven to be as strong as she and as clever." He looked straight at Lathyr.
Who, of course, bowed with multiple graceful gestures. "Thank you."
"And in succeeding with the royal water quest, you will be awarded lands commensurate with your new status. That doesn't mean, however, that you are our heirs." He glared at them, but Kiri didn't feel any inimical intimidation from the man. "We fully intend to leave Earth for a more magically rich dimension when the gate is opened."
The queen smiled and hummed with pleasure.
"What?" Kiri asked.
"We have garnered all the magic we can here on Earth and deserve a richer magical realm," Marin Greendepths said. "The Eight's current primary project is to create a permanent gate to other dimensions—richer magical dimensions where we—"
"Both we Lightfolk and we humans," the queen interrupted.
The king grumped, then continued "Can interact with others. Where magic can flow through."
"A permanent dimensional gate," Lathyr breathed. He squeezed Kiri, and she sensed, like her, curiosity nipped at him, but he loved this planet more than power.
The king smiled with satisfaction. "With the bubbles of magic that were released earlier this year, we Eight have enough magic to build a temporary gate so a true gate creator can come through and establish a permanent one here on Earth to other dimensions."
Kiri could only think "Wow” and decided it might be too human to say.
The Water King continued, "The Seamonts remain our heirs. They showed well during the fight with the great Dark one and its execution," the king said matter-of-factly." He glanced at Lathyr. "Unlike Whitefroth of the North American Continent, who deserted us. She has been removed from her rank, though she has been allowed to remain in the Great Lakes."
"A wise decision," Lathyr said.
Marin Greendepths turned his gaze back on Kiri and Lathyr, waved a hand. "It is time for the Seamonts to stay with us and learn our rules and traditions. You Squall-Tricurrents are hereby confirmed as our heirs after the Seamonts. Every quest has a reward. For succeeding with that of the Great Pearl, and becoming royal, you receive a major estate. We hereby convey to you this minor Water Palace here in the Puerto Rico Trench." He clicked his tongue. "As the humans call it."
Even without physical contact, Kiri sensed the quick leap of Lathyr's heart. "Very gracious, Your Majesty," Lathyr said.
"Thank you," Kiri managed, her own voice sounding breathless as visions of the gorgeous glass palace flashed through her mind. And fairly close to the States, if not Denver. "Thank you, thank you." She repeated the words three times, the way Lightfolk preferred.
The Water Queen beamed. "You are most welcome."
They stood and Kiri did the bow-thing again and it felt a lot easier and more graceful in water.
A naiader showed up and opened the door for the royals, then departed after the couple.
"Wow," said Kiri.
Lathyr said, "According to Waterfolk traditions, you took me with you on a quest. We fought together, we bled together, we loved together. We are mates."
Kiri grabbed a strand of his floating hair and tugged his face down to kiss him. "Fine with me."
She reached out and traced his pattern, the angles and curves, the small dots that showed his special air nature mixed with mer. He shuddered under her hands and returned the gesture until her mind blew apart and they joined in rapture.
Later, she swam to the door of the tank, recalled the spell to drain it. She changed to two-legged form, then human as the water level lowered, all the while holding Lathyr's hand. They stepped through the opening as human. Breathing deeply of the pleasingly fragrant air, she said, "Just think, all of this is ours."
"We do not need to make haste to claim the royal apartments."
She chuckled. "No, I don't think either of us will become as arrogant as the Greendepths. Though I haven't noticed you being as…obedient…as you were."
"I am not. We can make our own way, should we care to, in the sea or on land or in between."
Sighing, she said, "You're right."
"Humans have special parties for declaring a mate."
Kiri blinked. "Weddings?"
"Yes. I would like a wedding. In Mystic Circle. Before Winter."
"All right." They discussed the date as they walked to one of the dry rooms in their suite, something she thought the guardians might have furnished especially for them. When they claimed their official chambers, there'd have to be dry portions. She glanced at Lathyr, relaxed her shoulders, knew her expression showed vulnerability. Bracing herself, she said, "Weddings usually include families. Both sides of my family don't talk to each other."
He just looked at her, then took her hand and led her to a room she hadn't been in yet. "Jenni and Aric gifted us with a computer room."
"Nice." Under her breath she muttered, "Get notifying my family over with. Fast."
"And we have a piece of furniture like your friends sat on." He gestured to a love seat, then fiddled with a mobile computer desk and the laptop on it. He booted up the video conferencing program and pulled Kiri down next to him.
To her astonishment, she easily reached her father and he agreed to give her away and her half-siblings sounded excited to come.
Her mother agreed to attend, too. Probably to show off her new, rich husband, but that was okay. Her half-sister wanted to be a bridesmaid, so Kiri said yes.
She turned to Lathyr, stunned. "You didn't use magic, did you?"
He kissed her hand. "No."
"I didn't use magic?"
"No. But you are royal. You carry that in you. People will want to please you."
"Huh. That was just weird." She leaned into him. "I want to call Shannon and Averill."
"Of course." Once again Shannon and Averill answered quickly. Kiri's friend laughed when she saw them. "You two look cozy."
"We're getting married! The invitations will be going out in a couple of weeks for a ceremony in Mystic Circle."
Averill toyed with Shannon's fingers. "In the park?"
"I'd have liked that, but it isn't big enough for all the people who are coming. The ceremony will take place on the Castle grounds. Dad will be giving me away and he and my stepmom and my half-brothers will be there. So will Mom and my stepdad and my half-sister."
Shannon's brows went up in nearly comical surprise. "I don't think I've ever seen them all together."
"I don't think they ever have been," Kiri said. She glanced at her love. "Lathyr insists."
"They should act like civilized people," Shannon said.
Averill laughed, then winked at Kiri. "I always thought I'd give you away."
"We'd talked about it," Kiri agreed. "Shannon, you have to be matron of honor."
"Oh, yeah!" Shannon jumped up and Kiri only saw her swaying torso for a bit.
"On other news, we're going to stay in Puerto Rico." Kiri was still too new a merfem to live in the middle of a continent, even if she and Lathyr didn't have duties. They'd stay in the oceanic trench, but not something Kiri could tell her friends. "Enough about us. We can catch up later. Do you have any news?"
Shannon nodded. "We've decided on a water birth."
Kiri's eyes gleamed. "I bet I can help with that."
Averill gusted out a breath. "Good. We were always a little wary of asking you to be with us in the birthing room. Didn't know if you really wanted to help."
Kiri nodded. "I can do this." She squeezed Lathyr's fingers. He hadn't so much as twitched.
"I've been at several births," he murmured. "You can do this."
"I know," Kiri said. "I can't wait to see you and tell you everything." She would, someday. She might even talk about everything—after all what else were friends for?
Subjects like the fact that change was scary, but she'd wanted to be more.
And she was. More than human.
More than one, part of a couple.
She'd learned so much, all the way to her cells. Change was scary and inevitable and could be embraced. Respect of others was important but confidence in yourself even more. Life without loving friends was not worth living.
Becoming magical didn't mean she was allowed to leave her human faults and fears behind, it meant dealing with them.
But she had love now to help her with that, and with becoming magical for the rest of her life.
Epilogue
IN THE PROLOGUE OF TRANSFORMATION (and Downtown Denver, Colorado) 5 1/2 weeks later, November, Thanksgiving Day
"What do you think?" Jenni swung an arm around Kiri's shoulders as they stood on the hill in the Prologue to Transformation. "Do you think you can be happy here? Working on the game and the pocket dimension?"
The panorama showed much more subtlety than the nearly cartoonish, garish colors Kiri had first seen with Lathyr. Each realm looked more defined, more real – because of Kiri's experiences and input over the last five and a half weeks. Narrowing her eyes, she sensed the realms – all right – Fire had less imprint of her than the others. Because she'd failed so spectacularly? Hadn't affected it as much as the others? Her defeat had been minor? She shrugged. Someone else would have to form that realm a little better. Another human – one with the potential to become a djinn.
But now the realms appeared solid and real – more muted because they were in colors of reality – not just bright green hills signifying the Earth realm, but muted shades of green and brown. A slight growth of clover semi-revealed the huge black smear across the land where she'd defeated the Dark one. She'd – they'd – continue to work on that. Yet she also understood that spring had come to the Earth realm, bringing with it trees displaying a soft fuzz of pink and white blossoms, reflecting Southern Hemisphere seasons. As she stared, she found a mountain range – and could sense the Earth Palace within it, stretching from deep below the ground to a dizzying summit at high altitude.
A nearly invisible gold and silver spiral staircase of air ascended from the Valley of the Winds to the Castle in the Clouds where the King and Queen of Air ruled.
No realm was as defined as Water. A bubbling spring decanted into a rushing stream, that rolled into a river along to the lake and then into the ocean...all shades of blue and green held within each droplet. And in the depths, Kiri could dimly see the spires of the shell towers of the Water Palace.
"Do you think you could be happy here?" Jenni repeated.
"Oh, yeah." Kiri turned and hugged the other woman – the always warmer djinn-human woman – her friend and mentor. "It’s great to be able to access the whole experience again instead of the standard computer program. Yes, I can be happy here, shaping this place and this game."
"Good!" Jenni sniffed and Kiri heard the fast and quiet hiss of tears evaporate on djinn skin. "We have a good, solid start on a development team that will work with you in your palace,” Jenni said. She emphasized “palace,” and Kiri sensed great satisfaction from her friend—that a human scored an important Water Palace. “I’m nagging the elf guardian, Pavan, to make a portal in your royal suite to here.”
Kiri took a deep breath in and out…not a yoga breath, a mer bilung breath. She turned to her friend, met Jenni’s eyes. “You know I’m no longer human, Jenni. I never will be, I truly changed, and my new magical nature is acting on me.”
Jenni set one hand on Kiri’s shoulder. “I know, but you grew up human and that is the basis of your nature, as well as being an American who believes in equality for all. As more people with that background become Lightfolk, we will all change, and hopefully change the rigid social structure, too.”
They stared at the realms together and there came a quiet splash of a wave. Lathyr materialized to stand beside them.
"Looks good," he said with a hint of possessiveness. Kiri smiled. He'd become a fan of the “game,” walking the paths she did, adding his own ideas to the realms from his centuries of experiences.
“Yes,” Kiri and Jenni said at the same time. Kiri cleared her throat. "Though I don't think we should allow another Dark one in here.”
“I believe the Guardians have set wards against evil Dark ones entering this dimension,” Jenni said.
“Excellent,” Lathyr said. “We should leave soon for the Castle in Mystic Circle. I wish to ensure everything is just right for the Thanksgiving Celebration for our friends.” He paused. “I would not be surprised to see one or two of the Eight this evening, after all non-Lightfolk friends leave. And, of course, both Guardians will visit.”
Kiri choked on thin air and coughed.
Jenni pounded her back.
“Still not used to having a bunch of royals around,” Kiri muttered.
Lathyr wrapped an arm around her waist. His clothes indicated a sophisticated European gentleman, along with, now, a hint of nobility he adopted to fit in with their current class. Dressing that way, and his very manner, let her know he wanted everything about Thanksgiving to be perfect, for friends and others. Most importantly for Kiri was that Shannon and Averill were coming.
“We’ll be fine,” Kiri said. She wore barely-broken-in sweats of teal.
“Ah.” Lathyr stepped away, his arm sliding from her waist until his hand caught hers. “Do you want to stay here? Redecorate the Water Palace?” He paused. “Visit the Elven Royals in their Air palace.”
“No,” she said, twining her fingers with his tightly. She didn’t even glance at the Castle in the Air. Jenni and Pavan had modeled all the royals after their real counterparts. “This game, no matter how fun and challenging…is just a reflection of our life.” She glanced up at him, smiled as tenderness welled through her. “I much prefer my life with you, my mate. And my friends.”
“Our lives have changed,” he agreed. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I believe our lives changed for the better the moment we met. We have just manifested our true potential.”
Kiri felt her eyes widen.
Lathyr bent and brushed a kiss on her lips. “We have challenging careers and…duties. We have a beautiful home. But most of all, we have each other and a fabulous life together. I love you.”
She dropped his hand and flung herself into his arms, felt herself crushed close to the one she loved the most in the world, could not live without. “I love you, and life is so much better now. Truly a matter of Thanksgiving to celebrate, with each other, and with our friends.”
About the Cut Scene
Unlike the several Cut Scenes in Enchanted Again, I’m only including one in Enchanted Ever After.
I tried several ways to clue the reader in on what was happening when writing this book, the backstory of Enchanted No More and Enchanted Again. This Author’s Preferred Edition is the best I’ve been able to do so far
I was never quite satisfied with the party scene in the previous Enchanted Ever After once I saw it in print…so it goes. However, Cut Scene – Backstory, seemed to be TOO MUCH so it was replaced.
In any event, I hope you enjoy reading the scene.
Cut Scene-Backstory
This is a longer scene with more characters that takes place after the first block party. I did use some portions in different parts of the current book. We are in Amber Davail’s point of view.
* * *
Amber Davail sat hand-in-hand with her husband, Rafe, waiting to talk to Jenni and Aric about Mystic Circle – and Lightfolk – matters: the new resident, Kiri Palger, and Jenni’s plans for the woman, and the flyover that had occurred by evil forces.
Jenni and Aric walked Dan and Frank to the door, loading them down with left-overs. The couple lived at number three, the Spanish style house, set about three o'clock on the circle, so a little to the northeast and across the park.
Rafe stretched out his legs and leaned back in his chair, the aluminum tubing groaned under his weight. "Did you get the idea that Dan and Frank might have to relocate to take care of Frank's father?"
Amber looked at her husband's handsome profile in the dusk. "You are obsessed with the real estate of Mystic Circle."
Shrugging, Rafe said, "Well, neither Dan nor Frank has children to leave the house to. My brother and I can make them a good offer." Rafe met her eyes and his teeth gleamed white in a smile. "The Lightfolk understand this is a special place because Jenni can keep the elemental magics balanced, and when magic is balanced it's more potent. And better in Davail hands than Eight Corp's."
"You should know about more potent magic," Amber murmured. It still irritated her that Rafe had more magic than she.
"I do know, and so do you. Seeing visions of the past is easier for you now, isn't it?"
