Dovetailed (24 page)

Seth had cut Dervinias down from the spider web. Venus was worried about the spider that created it. She searched the room. “Listina, did you happen to see the spider that created that web?”

The Queen smiled. “It’s been taken care of.”

“Excellent.”

Dervinias came over to Venus and held out his hands. “Is she alright?” He glanced at the child. “Harmony? Baby girl? Daddy’s here.” The child stopped crying immediately.

“You can’t be all bad if the baby likes you, Vinny,” Michael said, slapping him on the back.

Dervinias growled and laughed at the same time. “I guess I could say the same about you and the little fur ball you’ve got clinging to your neck.”

Michael peered over his shoulder, then returned his attention to the baby. “She’s adorable, Vinny.” His voice was soft and sincere.

Dervinias smiled. “Thanks, man.” Then he turned to Venus.

She smiled.

“Thanks for coming for me, but I think it’s time to take my baby home.” He walked toward the entrance.

Venus came up behind him. “I hope you know you’re welcome to stay here. In Kelari. For as long as you’d like.”

He glanced at her. “I appreciate you saying that.”

Most of Alayeah was in shambles. Those kelarians still alive mourned the loss of their homes, their lands, and their families. Wailing overcame all other sound.

Venus wanted to join in. At every glance, the land was scorched. Trees were burned and blackened, but the most horrific sights were the dead bodies. They littered the ground.

Even the Alayeahian Sea had a layer of ash floating on top of it. Many of the animals had died from lack of fresh water and food. Everything that was beautiful about the country was gone.

As she and the others got closer to the secret location, her heart sank. Dozens of dead bodies littered the area around the entrance, including Palmo’s. She’d seen that this might happen, but it’d depended upon his choices. From the frightened look in his dead eyes it was apparent his demise hadn’t been something he’d even considered.

It saddened her that even after his death in Helker, he hadn’t taken a different course. Since Ramien’s net no longer surrounded Kelari, Palmo’s soul had already gone on.

Zaren studied Palmo’s corpse. She could sense the thick sadness weighing on him. She ached for him and the loss of Palamina. It seemed so unfair.

Yet in spite of the pain in him, he wasn’t swayed. There was no bitterness, only loyalty.

Zaren carried Palamina’s dead body to an out-of-the way spot. Venus knew instantly he was going to set her down so he could help with the dead. Venus waved a hand and a hundred daisies the same shade as Palamina’s hair grew on the ground in front of Zaren.

He gasped at the sudden blooms and then looked at Venus. His lips twitched and she knew he was holding back his emotions.

“Thank you,” he mouthed.

She nodded and watched as he tenderly laid Palamina’s lifeless body on the flowers, taking care not to hit her head.

They lined the bodies next to each other making sure the eyes were closed and they were on their backs. It was as respectful as they could manage at the moment. She searched her mind for Amberlee and sensed she was still alive. She wished she could spare her sister this pain. Seeing Palmo would hurt, but it was necessary.

Once they’d finished with the dead, Venus left Zaren and the others above ground and took Michael with her down into the tunnels.

When Amberlee saw Venus, she broke down in tears. “I knew you’d come. I knew it.” She clung to Venus. The goddess felt so much love for her. The girl had been through a lot. Venus held her close.

“Did you see Palmo?” Amberlee asked, wiping her eyes.

“Yes,” Venus said. “He didn’t make it.”

The tears started fresh, streaking her lovely cheeks and falling onto her hands, folded in her lap. “I knew it,” she whispered over and over.

“I’m so sorry,” Venus said, stroking her hair.

After several long moments, Amberlee wiped her eyes. “Did you happen to see a little girl?”

Venus’s heart broke at the thought. There’d been several dead kel children. “Yes,” Venus whispered.

Numerous people were watching their conversation. Most everyone had tears in their eyes, many were sobbing inconsolably.

Amberlee seemed to notice too. She rolled her shoulders back. “Take me to see them, please.”

Venus stood. “Follow me. The Leviathans have been destroyed and the war is over,” Venus said to everyone.

Venus and Michael led the people out. There were lots of tears.

Amberlee saw Palmo first. She didn’t cry. Just touched his face. “Good-bye,” she whispered.

When she reached the body of a little girl, she cried again. Kneeling, Venus watched as Amberlee gently braided the kelni’s hair. “I’m sorry,” Amberlee said when she finished.

Amberlee stood and searched the landscape. With head held high, she walked over to Venus. “Will we recover?” she asked quietly.

“Yes. With your love and support, yes.”

Their eyes locked.

“You mean it?”

“I promise.” It was in kelarian genetics to survive.

Amberlee clasped her hands in front of her. Venus sensed her resolve. “Can you give them any hope? Let them see recuperation is possible?”

“I can,” Venus replied.

The scene in front of Venus was both incredibly beautiful and extremely wretched. She’d used her powers to heal the land and clean the Alayeahian Sea.

Gone was the burnt gray that had permeated the landscape. In its place were grasses, flowers in shades of indigo, lavender, and navy, and trees blooming with flowers from the lightest pink to the brightest yellow. The ash was gone and the skies were a glorious shade of blue with the faintest hint of orange.

Both suns shone brightly, their rays dancing on the clear aquamarine water. Warm sand took the waves and then pushed them away, taking with them those who’d died.

Thousands of kels lined the shore. They wore their best clothing; around their necks hung necklaces of iridescent pearl flowers. A mourning song filled the air

Amberlee stood in front of them, her bare feet sinking in the wet sand. Seth, her Formytian guard stood to her right. Venus had watched the two of them grow fond of each other over the past weeks. There was a mutual respect and more blooming. Love would come over time, as Amberlee matured.

Their union was inevitable and it would be amazing.

Seth would become more than a guardian, he would become Alayeah’s new King and he would love Amberlee the way she so desperately needed and deserved.

Michael and Venus stood at the top of a mountain overlooking the Alayeahian Sea. He looked incredibly handsome in his white clothes. She wore a matching long white dress. Her hair hung in a braid down her back.

Have I mentioned that you are incredible?” Michael whispered.

Venus leaned into him. “Not nearly enough,” she said, wiping a wayward tear.

When the last of the dead were sent into the sea, Amberlee turned and faced the crowd. Their mourning song ended. “I know we are a broken people, a broken country.” Her voice was loud and rang out so everyone could hear. “But if you’ll let me, I promise to help rebuild this country and make it great once again.”

Venus sent a feeling of peace into the hearts of the people. She wanted them to know without a doubt that Amberlee was sincere.

They all bowed and made a path so she could walk through the crowd. To as many as wished it, Queen Amberlee spoke a word of kindness, and offered her condolences.

As Venus watched her heart swelled with pride for her sister.

When the funeral ended, the Alayeahian people returned to the makeshift homes that had been created until their homes were rebuilt. Even the castle was rubble.

“Are you ready to give these people the hope they deserve?” Venus asked Michael, a smile playing on her lips. She was excited.

“What can I do?” Michael asked.

“Stay by my side. Don’t ever leave me again.”

Michael kissed her cheek. “With pleasure.”

Clasping Michael’s hand more tightly, she thought of Amberlee and the two of them were suddenly at the Queen’s side.

Amberlee squeaked out a yelp, placing a hand to her chest. Her epsis was racing and Venus realized she’d scared her.

Seth had drawn his sword. They’d scared him as well.

“Apologies,” Venus said, taking her sister’s hand.

Amberlee tried to smile. “I’ll never get used to that,” she whispered.

Venus and Michael walked with her until they reached the castle.

“This is going to take years,” Amberlee said, a hint of tiredness in her voice.

Venus didn’t answer. She was too giddy. Amberlee looked at her. “What?”

“Watch,” Venus said, letting her enthusiasm explode from her lips. She waved her hands in front of her and as she did, she thought about a beautiful castle she’d seen in Amberlee’s favorite book as a child.

She imagined every spire, the colors, the windows, the doors, the walkways, and blossoming gardens. Everything from the fluffiest pillow down the most comfortable chair.

Venus thought of all of the technology Kelari possessed and added it into the castle in her mind. She created luxurious quarters for the Formytians and staff that would work in the castle. She created stables, and corrals, and feeding troughs. She left nothing out.