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“Tharion…”The ache spoke for me while I walked to the window. I needed to get out of there.
Climbing onto the windowsill, I saw my Dragon dive towards me, answering my call. I jumped, landing on his back and gripping the scales on his neck when he swerved, taking us towards the crack on the side of the mountains.
I closed my eyes while we flew invisible over the land, willing the anger and hurt to leave my body so the tremors would stop. A rumble coursed through Tharion’s chest, but it wasn’t born out of anger. Anguish captured his heart, just like mine.
“It’s okay… we are okay.”I sent into his mind, repeating it like a chant until his energy calmed within me, and mine began to sooth him.
When he began to descend, my eyes opened again, noticing he was taking us to a nearby forest. Landing near a rocky hill, he took us to a clearing that overlooked the calm woods, and lowered me to the ground. Tharion spit a ball of fire to a patch of soil without grass, creating a bonfire to provide us light, and let his form curl around me. I sat against his side, seeing his head shift in my direction while he watched me, as though he wanted to read with me.
Taking a settling breath, I opened the letter, immediately finding my mother’s beautiful cursive handwriting along several pages.
“My son,
My beautiful blessing… There are so many things I wish I had done differently, but loving you and your father is not one of them. You gave my life true meaning. Gifted me a purpose so grand that I never would have imagined it. But I welcomed it with open arms regardless of the cost… because you were worth it.
If you are reading this letter, it means I’m no longer with you. Please, I ask for you not to be sad, because that means I have finally returned to your father’s side, and it’s been a long time coming. I want you to know that we are both well, and I did not suffer as I transitioned from life into the Tranquillitas Lacus—The Lake of Tranquility.
You’ve become an amazing man, Braxton, but you are your father’s son, which means you are headstrong and probably waited until the last possible moment to read this letter. Partly because, like him, it’s hard for you to move on from the pain of loss, and because I know my unexpected parting left a hole in you.
For that I am truly sorry.
By now, I assume that you are back in Caelisium, with Evie and Kiki, and the rest of our people. So, I will speak frankly, hoping you can forgive my mistakes.
I did not die, Braxton. At least not in the way humans do. You see, the women in my family have an ability called soul walking. It allows us to commune with the world of the dead while alive, speak to our ancestors, seek guidance, and choose our moment of peace and transitioning.
When I saw your father’s talisman on your neck, it revealed to me that Evie had come searching for you, and I knew it was time. I chose to enter the Lake of Tranquility freely, because I knew it was the only way you would leave the Mirror World with her.
Unfortunately, because of my mental illness, and due to other reasons, you will learn in the next few pages, I wouldn’t have been able to return with you to my beloved home. And with me still “alive” you would have never left California. I knew the second you were born that you had your father’s heart, and nothing would have ever convinced you to leave my side while I still needed you.
I used my gift to withdraw from my mortal body and reunite with your father, the love of my life, but please know that I have not left you. I am watching over you, making sure you are okay, and you will see me again. For once on the other side, soul walking also allows me to communicate with the living. I promise you, Braxton, that I will come to you. If I haven’t done so already by the time you read this letter.”
The papers quivered in my hold as I lowered my hand, stunned. Memories of the dream I had of my mom by that gorgeous lake invaded my mind, sending a chill down my spine. It hadn’t been a dream. I had really seen her, hugged her, been there with her.
Her revelation slowly healed the tears my heart still carried, and Tharion sighed next to me, like he, too, could breathe without the sting her loss had left. Turning to look at him, I stroked his side caringly before my gaze once again focused on the page. I understood why she did it, and Mom was right, nothing would have taken me away from California if she had remained, because she still needed me to be there for her.
Even though it hurt, I didn’t really care how Mom had left now that I knew she was well, with my dad, and that I would see her again.
