The Light of Asteria (42 page)

“Now sprites glean energy as elves do, and
the sprite that King Orrin caught that day had a mate. She died
within the week from a broken heart. The queen was mourning the
loss of both King Orrin and the sprite’s mate, and simply couldn’t
let the male sprite despair. She also learned she could not put him
out of his misery and could not help him heal. In her desperation
to solve the situation, she eventually gave him to the Ancient One
to try and restore his health.” The regret for his father’s poor
decision rang in his voice, and I wrapped my arm around his waist
and nestled closer to him. His gratitude swam through me.

“The queen forgave the sprite publicly and
acknowledged he was not at fault. But the sprites did not forgive
the kingdom for the death of the mate. They blamed the monarchy for
not educating the population on their ways, and moved to the outer
realm. The sprites no longer reside as they once did in the
kingdom’s protection. I believe it is Malachi’s intent you help
mend the broken relationship with the sprites, although I don’t see
how that is possible.” His hands stroked my back; his thoughts were
elsewhere.

My lids became heavy as every muscle in my
body hummed with his love. I knew painful memories weakened the
elves, and the stronger memories helped keep their strength. How
did Gavin make it through losing his father without a source? I
realized the answer immediately. He had Mia. She was his source. I
now understood.

Gavin tensed at my thoughts, and I stroked
his chest and threw all of my gratitude for Mia at him.

“I’ll appreciate all she has done for you,
Gavin. She was there for you to help you through the loss of a
parent, as you were there for me when I said goodbye to Edna. I’ll
always be grateful to her for that.” Resting on my elbow, I faced
him as the purple moonlight softly floated through the window.

“I’m sure Mia loved you as much as she’s
capable, and she thought her dreams were possible, even when you
came back but didn’t share energy with her. I’m also sure she had
intended to sneak up here to plead one more time with you to change
your mind. It hadn’t occurred to her I would be in your personal
quarters. She’d never been allowed here, and probably didn’t give
the possibility a thought. Imagine what she found as she opened the
door … my sculpture of our hands, my clothes hanging next to yours.
I think the sketches sent her over the edge when she thought she
was too late.” I traced his tense jaw with my thumb, my eyes
burning with understanding. “Please Gavin, you must understand and
have compassion for her. She’s in pain, just like that sprite. If I
could heal her, even now, I’d do it in a minute because of who she
was to you before I met you.” His eyes swam with tears, and he
kissed me. I nestled back down, keeping our energy going, as dreams
overtook once more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 27—The Sprite’s
Respite

Gavin and I spent the morning going over the
proper etiquette for the kingdom’s reception.

“Mother asked for your approval of the final
luncheon menu for tomorrow, but I assured her whatever she ordered
would be fine,” he said, as we walked down the winding stairs. Rena
and Tark were in the living room. Gavin and Tark had more
mysterious errands, and Rena would again wait for me at
Malachi’s.

“Gavin, honestly, if I’m able to eat at all
it will be a miracle.” My nerves ran amuck for a moment. Tark
grinned and Rena giggled … until Gavin turned to them.

“The official balcony is being cleaned, and
the third row now has five new chairs. All of the keepers are to be
there as well. We will make sure that your true occupation stays
secret, but Mother is right. We need to find a way to let everyone
know that you are more than just my guard.” That wiped the smile
off Rena’s face.

We walked to the Ancient’s quarters, Gavin
and Tark said their goodbyes, and I left Rena firmly ensconced in
creative play. As I entered the mountain alone, the solitude seemed
eerie. I reached for the mountain’s energy, and a brilliant blue
guided me to the room of knowledge.

“Good Morning Malachi.” He was reading from a
collection of parchments.

“I see you did not have any difficulties
finding this place, my dear,” he chuckled.

We started working on the ancient symbols and
their meanings. I was surprised to see that quite a bit of it
seemed like original Greek, and some of the symbols were actually
the same. Malachi explained that the ancient writings were just one
form of communication, but the media that yielded the strongest
intent was art.

“The ancients painted to record significant
events. For example,” he pointed one of the larger paintings, “this
depicts the place of the spiders’ respite. It was commissioned when
the spiders and the Alfar created the protection pact after the
Great War had begun.”

Fascinated, I went to gaze at the painting.
This place was beyond beautiful. The waterfall flowed high from the
mountain and rushed into a round pool saturated with ancient power.
Hundreds of willow trees framed the edge of the light blue water,
and a small cabin was nestled in the background. The flawless
technique made it seem as if the millions of delicate energy
strands flowing throughout the trees had been individually
painted.

Images of long ago flashed through my mind.
It took a moment to realize that the pictures were of a dream.
Malachi looked inquisitive.

“I dreamt of waterfalls right after I met
Gavin.” His diamond white eyes twinkled in the blue light.

“Ah, that is right, young one. Asteria was
gifted in viewing the future.”

“I also remember a dream as a child; I had a
glimpse of Gavin’s eyes and trees.” Malachi grew uncomfortable, but
he didn’t say anything, and so I continued. “I drew the future
before we left the Keeper of the House of Frey. Is that because of
Asteria as well?” His emotions went from curious to intense, and my
insides squirmed.

“Be wary of setting too much credence in
future visions, Gavin’s Light. The future is only set if everyone
involved in the vision is determined to keep the same course. Once
the intent of action changes so does the outcome.” I sighed.
Obviously now wasn’t the time to tell him about the unicorn
picture.

“Did you do as I asked?” Malachi interrupted
my thoughts.

“Yes. I know the story of King Orrin’s
thoughtlessness and of this sprite’s plight. Gavin still weakens
with the memory. I understand that memories can do that to the
elves, but I’ve never felt him drain of energy in that way before.
Is it because of the death involved?” I asked, not sure why I was
asking. Malachi searched my expression once more; he finally
sighed.

“Personal memories experienced are more
powerful. It was because he was there, Light of Asteria. He
witnessed his father’s foolishness, he watched the poison take
control, and then he watched him die.” He held my gaze with that
same unyielding intensity, waiting for my reaction. I immediately
emptied my mind, allowing myself to feel the pain of it all.

Gavin was just a child. I knew what it was
like to watch a father make foolish decisions for some sort of
self-indulgent gratification. The sting of it was, at times,
unbearable. Visions of an elf child’s emerald eyes pleading with
his father to stop flooded my mind. Gavin knew of the sprite’s
venom, and was helpless to try and stop the king. A tear trickled
down my face; I willed my mind to stay calm. My shield was nothing
but a mist, but I knew that Malachi could not sense my essence
anyway, only my intent.

So lost was I in understanding, the brilliant
light glowing finally seeped through my consciousness, and I opened
my eyes. The sky blue that I had envisioned as a shield shone round
me, and I finally made the connection that this color held more
ability to create a shield than other hues because it was the color
of ancient power.

I looked to the now frightened sprite. The
despair on his face was heartbreaking. I opened my mind, pouring
out all of my understanding and forgiveness.

The sprite’s dark eyes pleaded for something,
but I didn’t know what it could be. Instinct told to take off the
glass container. The walls were so blue; I knew that we would be
able to incapacitate him if necessary. He cowered on the nest of
hay, shaking and terrified. His wings had been tattered from the
many years of being imprisoned, and I was sure they no longer would
fly.

I picked him up and held him as I would a
small, sick bird, encasing him with both my hands. I thought of
Gavin’s understanding and the queen’s grief over the situation, and
allowed it to surge through me. Gray tears fell from the sprite, as
forgiveness washed over him. My feelings of wonder at the beauty of
his kind and their gifts for the lands came through. Finally, I
asked him to forgive himself, for I knew that he would be on the
higher plane with his mate in a short while.

He looked hopeful, and his face began
withering with age. I opened my mind further with the intent that
this creature would feel health, that his hands be healed and his
wings shine brightly, just one last time. The gray that had
darkened him fell away like dust, and he was bright once more. My
joy of seeing his light shine and his wings hover over my hand
surged to him, and he rejoiced in the feel of it. His body, now
extremely old, flitted above my hand momentarily.

“Go my friend and find your love. Let the
events of the past no more torment you. You have forgiven and are
now free.” I could feel the tears stream, as the sprite flew up to
the side of my face. With a whisper soft touch, he kissed my cheek,
and then flew to my hand and lay down. The light, that shone so
brightly a moment ago, steadily dimmed and he was no more.

I looked to Malachi with a fresh round of
tears to see his shocked expression.

“How do we honor the life of a fallen
sprite?” I knew that I didn’t want to put him back in that wretched
box.

“Wait here,” Malachi croaked.

He returned with a solid diamond encasement
that must have been a casket of sorts. Within the box were fresh
flower petals.

“I hoped that if he remembered his purpose it
would help him in his despair. But he took no interest. The flowers
have been gleaning their need from the power of the mountain, as I
have. They gave their petals in honor of their fallen sprite. We
need to pay tribute to his life by returning him to his kind. I
sent word to Corina and the prince that we will be a few hours
longer than originally thought. Corina is going to stay and enjoy
her creative play; the prince has said that he will join her after
his errands are complete.” His voice was shaking, but he smiled
through the tears.

“There is a shortcut through the mountain
that leads to the last meadow of the sprites. Only one of ancient
power has access to it. You have healed more than a sprite’s heart
this day, Light of Asteria.” He said, as the joy in him filled the
room.

We took a different passageway through the
mountain, and I was reminded of our trip to the portal. The tunnels
narrowed as we weaved through the numerous paths, traveling for
quite a while. The light in the tunnel grew to a warm, sunny
yellow.

Malachi and I exited the mountain. Warm wisps
of sweet fragrances caressed my face as the sun’s rays angled their
way through the canopy. Melodious songs of the birds fluted through
the trees. The silver health surrounding this land was surprisingly
similar to Gavin’s, and I knew that the purity of this field had
never seen anything but ancient power. I now understood why it was
not possible to allow everyone in the kingdom to visit. It would
weaken the power necessary to maintain such an incredible place.
Sadness overwhelmed me. Gavin would never be able to enjoy
this.

The Ancient One patted my back. “He will
someday, Gavin’s Light. You will see,” he reassured with a
smile.

Our appearance didn’t go unnoticed, and
thousands of winged creatures appeared in the field. Their leader
flew to the Ancient One. His brow furrowed, his anger apparent. I
bowed to the sprite; the gesture surprised him, and a hush quieted
the land.

“I’m the last Light of Asteria, and I’ve news
that I wish to share.” I paused and waited for Malachi to
interpret. The sprite’s severe expression softened.

“Malachi has been teaching the ways of old,
when he showed me this sprite. I learned of his fate through my
future mate and the Ancient One. His illness was distressing, for
he didn’t know of the power of forgiveness. His hue turned gray
with the depth of his despair, and his hands were twisted from its
rage.” I could feel the collective shudder in the field.

“He learned forgiveness, for himself and the
kingdom, and once again shone with the light that the Maker
intended. He’s now on the higher plane with his mate. We wish to
honor his life and have returned him to you, so that his remains
may rest with your kind. I ask, as the last one who saw him whole,
that you honor him. Please allow his body to lie next to his mate,
for we honor her sacrifice this day as well.” The leader’s brow
rose with surprise, and then his tears glistened. Thousands of
lights twinkled in the field once more.

The heady floral scent grew stronger as we
approached the small flowerbed at the edge of the meadow. Malachi
nestled the diamond box in the dark, rich soil at its rim. We took
a few paces back, and the sprites came and gave their last respects
to their brother. Finally, as the last winged creature paid homage,
Malachi placed the lid on top of the jeweled box.

“Sprites bury their kind in the dark in a
private ceremony; we will not be allowed to participate. It is time
to leave,” he softly explained.

The sprites shone with the joy of redemption
for their friend, but also grieved over the loss of him. My heart
reached out to them, and I stopped once more, expressing my love
for these magnificent beings and remembering the forgiveness that
the sprite felt before he died. Replaying in my mind his kiss, I
concentrated on how much it meant that he was now with his mate.
Every sprite lit with the purity of the intent, and they all
bowed.