The eyes of the Crone who guides you.
The passion of the Maiden for your heart,
The protection of the Mother for your soul,
The wisdom of the Crone for your mind.
Blessings of the Lady upon you,
From now until the end of time.”
There is a long pause,
painful,
unending,
soul-crushing.
Lorcan.
Please.
please
And then…
And then…
His chest heaves, a stuttering, shaking expansion, the first breath of a new child. Again, deeper and smoother, and again, until it is a natural movement. I can’t quiet my shaking hands, can’t stem the tears pouring like waterfalls down my cheeks. In a sudden, startling motion, his eyes fly open, wild and wandering until they catch on my face, confused and disoriented. I meet his gaze, can’t look away, so Iwatchas they change. Watch as the dark brown softens, brightens, and changes to a clear hazel, like watching daylight move over a forest floor, soft greens, rich browns, and flecked gold. These are not Teo’s eyes.
Three, four more breaths…inhale, exhale, inhale, and awareness floods him, clear and undeniable — sun breaking through the clouds.
For a brief moment, alarm and astonishment war on his face before he finally focuses on me with unerring precision, a hint of amused affection glinting in his eyes.
“Little Keeper…what have you done?”
Lorcan.
