Kade snorted. "Everythingyouneed you mean?” His eyes narrowed and Emon bared his teeth, “yes shifter king, I've packed enough provisions for the three of you—although your shifter ass made the task a bit more challenging than normal." He eyed Emon speculatively again, "make sure he doesn't eat all of your portions Rem Rem." Kade called out to me, snickering at another growl he received. "Your canteens will refill themselves automatically. You'll need them once you pass into the Vagari. It's hotter than a demon's taint there." Then my brother swiped back his curls, the darkness taking over his features of a tortured lonely soul, "I would go with you Rem Rem, but I have made a vow to watch overour court—"
His words trickled off as I moved quickly, pulling him into my arms, and hugging him fiercely. He stiffened for a moment, before letting out a long sigh, a sigh full of agony and frustration while his arms wrapped around me.
Our embrace was brief but it was enough, enough to tie us tenuously back together after being apart for so long. “You don’t need to explain to me Kadey Kins.” I said softly.
Stepping back alongside my soulmate, I could feel his pride in me as he placed a gentle kiss on my head.
"I wish we had more time," my mother said softly, before kneeling in front of our daughter in a wave of black finery just like the shadows dancing upon an ocean surface. Leaning forward, she kissed either side of Riella’s cheeks. "I will think of more stories for us to share with the shadows the next time we see each other, alright?"
Riella beamed at her and nodded quickly before launching herself into my mother’s arms. Returning her embrace, my mother’s eyes fluttered closed, a painful expression crossing her face briefly and then pulled away, smoothing back Riella’s hair from her face, and smiling. “Be brave.” Rising she turned to me, repeating the same actions—a gentle kiss, a sweep of the hair. "A mother will always wish for more time but in the end it still flies away with her heart just the same."
I took her hand in mine, and for a brief moment I soaked in her dark commanding presence that was soft, embracing, protective. Nothing like what most thought darkness represented. "But we do leave behind our love, always."
My mother smiled softly, a lone tear falling down her face, making my heart ache for the loss she was now feeling. "Indeed, and it is cherished, my little chickadee. Always." Squeezing my hand she let it go. "Fly steady, pure, and strong," she said, her chin tilting high at the same time as Shea stepped to her side, throwing a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"Remember the verses, daughter," Shea said, "To the city of death…"
"Where love is regret." Kade nodded, reciting the next lines. "The end of your soul lives within the Sheol," he whispered.
"Beware andbehave." I gave my brother a wary look.
Kade grinned, stooping down to kiss Riella's forehead. "The darkness you will obey," he said, tapping her nose before he gracefully slid away on the silver path. "Stay alive Rem Rem and keepmy favorite niece safe." He winked down at Riella, "I have yet to show her the midnight pegasuses."
Riella leaned in excitedly. "Oooo what are those Uncle Kade?"
He snorted and his smile widened with pure adoration. "Think flying unicorns, my beautiful niece."
Riella squealed with excitement, jumping excitedly, inciting the cù-sìth pup to do just the same. Barking her joy in the chaos, Blaithin pounced around us, stirring up the white sands that hovered in the cosmic air before swirling back down on itself.
Emon chuckled, scooping up our daughter in his arms. "I think we already have a flying unicorn right here!" He tossed her tiny body high into the sky, leaving behind her charming laughter before she came rushing back down.
"Do I look like a pegasus, Uncle Kade?" Riella called when Emon tossed her one more time causing her to flap her arms like wings.
My heart soared along her flapping arms and I knew this image would always burn bright in my memory.
"One better! You are a fairy princess flying in those stars," Kade shouted up at her.
Emon grunted when he caught her, nuzzling her nose affectionately, a feverish light glowing off her bronze skin. "The most beautiful fairy princess in all the lands…worlds…universes," he said softly, then set her down.
"How could I have forgotten?" Shea spoke, stepping forward with his arm resting on his knee, gazing at Riella with a soft smile. "Every princess needs a crown does she not?" Waving his hand still heavily adorned with the same rings I saw him wear yesterday, he produced a pure glass crown with a bright spark burning like it was alive in the center.
I watched as our daughter took the delicate headpiece, swirling green and gold eyes glittering in the twilight. "Is that for me, grandfather?"
He laughed softly. "It was made for you and only for you, crafted from the stars that danced the night your soul was born, this one right here," he pointed to the shimmering middle, "glowed and danced the hardest. I knew I had to capture its light for you."
I swallowed hard with burning emotion and Riella's bottom lip trembled before she flew herself into the death god's arms. He grunted and stilled, his eyes full of shock and wonder beforethey closed softly while engulfing her into his formidable hold. The crown dangled in his hand, forgotten while the painful sad expression returned on his face.
I felt a wet nudge on my shoulder and looked up into the knowing red eyes of the death hound Sadhbh. I could tell that she sensed this was the right time to leave and I was inclined to take heed of the hound that delivered death omens.
"We must go," I said softly, watching my mother wipe away her own tears.
The death god cleared his throat. "Yes, yes, daughter, it is time." Pulling Riella away from him, he plucked the crown from her hands and placed it upon her flowing raven hair. "It is enchanted to stay on you. Don't take this off my sweet little bird. It will protect you even in lands where I cannot reach."
Riella nodded determinedly, absently clutching another memento that hung in a chain around her neck through her shirt . "I will wear it forever, grandfather."
"See that you do," Shea responded gruffly, then whistled softly. It only took moments for the death hound cub to plow through our little group, knocking every single one of us over with her clumsy excitement. Her mother barked roughly before the young pup stilled, then sat, her tongue rolling out again. "Blaithin," Shea scolded, "you must listen to your mother and take care of my granddaughter for me. She will ride with you on the path." He wagged his finger at her. "Do not veer off the path."
Blaithin barked happily and then turned to Riella, her ears pulled back as she bowed with sheepish eyes at our daughter.
