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“You’re not wrong. But you rarely ever are. Thank you, my friend, for being my guiding light when all I could see was darkness.”
“You were worth saving.”
The two men hugged, and Terra swiped at the tears that filled her eyes once more. Goodbyes were a part of life, but they still could hurt at times. Once everyone had said their farewells, Callahan turned and strode back across the meadow, whistling a merry tune. For a moment, Terra’s eyes caught on the lonely figure.
“Will he be alright then?” Terra turned a worried look on Rian who looked dangerously close to tears himself.
“Callahan’s like an alley cat. Lands on his feet. Don’t mistake being alone for lonely. The man has a way of scrounging up company when he’s in the mood and disappearing when he’s not. Freedom is his favorite companion, and Ireland is his playground. I’ll miss him — but I won’t worry for him.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” Terra smiled at Rian.
Together, the group descended the somewhat precarious path that hugged the rocky cliff wall, carefully picking their way down to the sandy beach at the bottom. Once there, Gracie paused them at the base of the cliffs.
“Typically, we’d do an offering here to give us safe passage onto the beach, but since you’re with me, and mostly Fae, I don’t think it will be needed,” Gracie explained and stepped onto the sand. Terra was reminded that the cove was enchanted by more than just their own Fae wards to protect the portal.
The air shimmered in front of them, and Gracie skidded to a stop as Rosie barked at the air. In seconds, the shimmer dissolved to reveal Goddess Danu standing before them. Instantly, Terra bowed.
“My lady,” Terra said, as the others took their cue and bowed to the Goddess of the Good Fae.
“Terra, Leader of Earth Fae, you’ve done well to bring the amulet back to your people. I am pleased to see my evil sister did not hurt you all.”
“She killed my brother. Well, her people did,” Terra said. The Goddess dropped her gaze, sadness crossing her beautiful features. Where Domnu was dark and edgy, Danula was soft and lovely in a shimmery gown of softest blue — like the sky at dawn.
“I am sorry for your loss. We’ll help him on his passage through to the other realm,” Goddess Danu promised. “I fear the worst is yet to come. Domnu is furious, and she’ll only try twice as hard on her quest for domination now.”
“Goddess.” Bianca stepped forward and bobbed in an awkward little curtsey. “Lily and I have found a potential spell that might bind her powers. Is that … can you verify the truth of that?”
“There is a spell, yes.” Goddess Danula pursed her lips as she thought of it. “It’s an ancient one, but far stronger than any we’ve tried on her before. I’d forgotten the existence of it, truth be told.”
“So … if all the parts align and we manage to follow the spell…?” Bianca asked, hope tinging her voice.
“We may see an end to Domnu’s terror,” Danula finished for Bianca.
“Brilliant,” Bianca breathed and stepped backwards until once more she stood at Seamus’s side.
“Rian, come forward.” The Goddess beckoned to Rian, and he stepped forward, bowing his head once as she looked him up and down.
“Rian, Ruler of Magicks, exile of Earth Fae. You’ve shown yourself to be worthy of forgiveness. Though you’ve caused some damage in your quest for vengeance, I will task you with setting harms to right over the next few years.” The Goddess steepled her fingers as she studied Rian.
“Of course. I had planned to anyway. I already have some ideas of what I can do to make up for some of the damage I’ve caused to the Earth.”
“Lovely. I’ll be watching that you do so. With that being said, I will also ask you for your forgiveness.”
“My … why?” Rian looked at the Goddess with a bewildered expression on his face.
“The Earth Fae wrongly punished you for a crime that was not your own. I should have tended to that, but I was called away on higher duties. I’m sorry for your suffering, but it seems it was all meant to be.”
“Um, yes, of course. I forgive you.” Rian said the words with a baffled look on his face. Terra didn’t blame him. It wasn’t often that a Goddess asked for forgiveness.
“Rian, you are relieved of your exile, as well as any past judgements held against you. You go home to your people a hero. With that being said, I have a gift to offer you. It isn’t much, but I hope you will accept this in the sincere manner in which it is given.”
The air shimmered once more, and Terra gasped when a figure appeared.
“Aster,” Terra breathed.
“Mother!” Rian cried and stepped forward, stopping short of hugging her when he realized that she wasn’t fully present.
“Your mother has crossed to the next realm, but I bring you her spirit so you may have the proper goodbye that you wished for.” Goddess Danu stepped back a respectful distance to give the two space.
