"You have become darkness," I sighed, pulling my knees to my chest and tucking my chin on top of them to assess him.
He looked like the same rugged, beautifully handsome, shifter fae I loved except that his form wavered in shades of black and graysand although his eyes were brighter than the rest of him, the pure golden light that always held my breath hostage was gone.
"For the time being." He tilted his head.
My lips pursed, not sure how to feel. "How long have I been asleep for?"
Emon's ghostly smile returned. "A few hours."
Shimmering between us, my dried clothes appeared and I mumbled a thanks to the enchanted ship's cabin and then quickly dressed. When the last bit of my clothing was straightened into place and my long hair pulled back, Emon sighed.
I couldn't hold back the small smile that twitched at my lips…his sigh heavy with reluctance of my clothed form.
"What have you been doing this entire time?"
He grinned. "Besides watching you sleep?" He shrugged. "I stalked the ship outside, checked to make sure that the sea king hadn't been murdered by the wind, and Riella's pookah hadn't fallen into the ocean—unfortunately that rodent bastard is still aboard."
My mouth opened to speak but was cut off by the tiny voice of our daughter, rubbing her eyes sleepily in the doorway of her room.
"Maedere? Why is father in two places?" She squinted, swiping back the ratted mess of her hair, sending her crown askew.
My mouth opened again but no words came out, how could I possibly begin to explain.
Her eyes widened at my pause and her bronze skin turned suddenly pale. "Is faedere dead?"
"No." The breath rushed out of me and I was quickly at her side, pressing her frightened body into me. "No Riella, he is not dead. This realm is not meant for the living without god blood and so they must fall asleep, remember?"
She attempted to push the crown back into place but it only served to slip further over her eyes. "Like Papa Asher and Penina," she sighed. "I miss them."
"I miss them too." I squeezed her and then guided her back in front of the fire, the shadow of Emon placing logs on it. So he could still interact with his environment…that was good to know. "Come let’s eat something and I will explain more."
Riella glanced up at Emon's nervous shadow. "I’m happy you're not dead, faedere," she said before seating herself in front ofthe fire where a full spread of meat, cheeses, and fruits shimmered before us, complete with crisp juice and wine.
Emon grinned, his nerves at ease as he sat next to her. "Your strength will never cease to amaze me, my cub." Chuckling, she began stuffing her mouth voraciously with food, crumbs falling into her lap.
Brushing some from her face, I plucked the crown from her head and she stilled. "Eat, I am going to fix your hair while we talk."
Riella nodded happily and went back to her eating.
"Your father," I said, smoothing out her long raven hair, marveling at the silky texture so much like my own, and my heart skipped, knowing how blessed I was to have her, "tethered his soul to the darkness of the shadow fae so that he stayed with us to reach the Well."
She munched slowly on a slice of cheese looking at him thoughtfully. "What do we do with your body?"
Comically, we all turned to look at Emon's corpse-like form, grayed and lifeless. Realizing I had no goddess damn idea what to do with his body, I bit at my lip with my brows rising, looking for answers from my soulmate.
He just shrugged, shaking his head allowing a lock of his hair to fall between his eyes. "The Faerie if I know."
Riella tore off a piece of bread humming and watching the fire. "Just ask the cabin to keep you safe." Shoving cured meats into her mouth she chewed noisily, leaving both of us staring after her atrocious eating habits and quick wit.
"That is—" I began.
"An exceptional idea, my cub," Emon purred, fatherly pride shining in his eyes. Bright shades of gray instead of gold. My chest tightened with the sense of loss and I tried to ignore it.
Sensing my dismay, Emon reached out and brushed my hair back."It will all be alright, little umbra,"he purred, infiltrating my mind.
A bright shimmer behind us drew our attention. The eavesdropping enchanted room anticipated our next needs, lifting Emon onto a golden platform, enclosing it in glass. Gold vines spread from its base, wrapping over it, sealing him in the glass coffin until the time came to return his soul.
I could feel laughter tickling along our soulmate bond.
