Hadar gives me an encouraging smile. "I don't have all the answers, but I know you have been chosen for a reason. I have seen mighty Kings and Queens enter this great hall. Out of all those extraordinary individuals, your inner light has shone the brightest. A solitary seed, when nurtured properly, can make the farmer's crops rich at harvest. You remind me of a passage I once read. Maybe you have been born for such a time as this. Through great courage, you will win, Arabella. Great leaders arenot formed at birth but made by how they deal with the obstacles they face. Do not be afraid, my child, for you were destined for greatness.”
Hadar transforms back into the lifeless doorknocker that he was minutes before. I jerk in surprise as the door opens, just as it did for my uncle. Whether I'm ready or not, my time is now.
Chapter 13
Goodbye, For Now
Sometimes seeing your loved one for the last time is a surprise; however, sometimes it's not.?
-Arabella
I'm surprised to see the room beyond the door is full of mirrors, every shape, size, color, and type. Some reach from floor to ceiling, some are hanging on the walls, while others are on stands."It's about time. I was going to give you one more minute, then I was coming after you." My uncle huffs.
I laugh. "Uncle Jo, I am fine. I think I've found a new friend in Hadar."
He rolls his eyes. "I knew you were physically fine. It was you dying of boredom that I was worried about."
I laugh loudly. "Hadar is far from boring. Uncle Josiah, what is this place?"
Uncle Jo grins. "Welcome to Locus Speculorum, the great room of mirrors. This room is the gateway to any destination you want to go to in the world. We can transport you there ina matter of minutes. The Courtyard of the Fallen is hidden, and the only way to get there is from this room."
Oh. Fancy. "Why is it in another location? Wouldn't it be just as safe here at the palace?"
My uncle shrugs. "This is just how it was done."?
That sounds strange to me, but I say nothing. Could there be another reason? My uncle takes two pebbles out of his pocket. One's a bright shiny blue and the other a bright lush green. My good mood quickly vanishes, because it isn't fair, and I don't want to say goodbye. For so many years I wanted to be someone special, now I'm not so sure.?
The mirror in question is the plainest out of all the others. It's laying on the ground, and rectangular in shape. The wood is chipped, and the glass is fractured on one side. My uncle grabs my hand, as he throws the pebbles down causing a green mist to rise up from the mirror. "We have to jump."
I look up at him with wide eyes. "How far will we have to fall?"
He laughs. "It's not as bad as it sounds. It's just a slight drop. You scared?"
I cut my eyes at him. "Never."
He rolls his. "On the count of three then. One...two...three!" He shouts, and we jump inside.Pitch black darkness surrounds us. We're falling, but in slow motion. There is a bright light down at the bottom, and the closer we get, I can make out more of my surroundings. We're in a cave, and they are twenty or so tunnels that go off in various directions.Our hands are ripped apart by some unknown force, and a scream dies in my throat as I begin to fall at an accelerated rate. Finally, I reach the literal light at the end of the tunnel, where my back lands onsomething very soft. As a moan escapes my lips, I hear laughter from somewhere to the left of me. My eyes stay shut, as my heart threatens to beat out of my chest.
After a minute or two, I'm ready to get my first glimpse of the Courtyard of the Fallen. It’s beautiful. Large white columns surround the yard, and wrapped around each one of them is little white lights. I bet it's breathtaking at night when the lights are shining bright. In between the columns, a clematis vine has grown, with little white flowers with yellow centers blooming throughout the vine. There are tall angel statues placed throughout and I also spot a few dark wooden benches. The square has a crisscross path from each of the four corners of lite-colored cobblestones. A weeping willow tree is in the middle of the crisscross. In between the pathways are the headstones and four long gray slabs. Why are there four? We only have three founding members.
“Arabella." A voice that’s deep and husky, with a twinge of southern twang calls out to me.?It's not a voice I'm familiar with but wouldn't mind the acquaintance of because slight southern drawls are sexy as hell. I turn my head and meet the most exquisite big brown eyes of the ponytailed blonde hunk jogging in Forsyth Park the other night. He winks at me and holds out his hand for me to shake. H-e-l-l-o Daddy Thor!?Today he’s traded his ponytail in for a man bun. I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a man bun fan, his ears are also pointed like the Fae. “Nice to meet you, ma'am. The name is Drake Murdock, but my friends call me Doc. Feel free to do so, I’m at your service.”
I blush ever so lightly, he’s charismatic, and has instantly made me feel at ease. "Nice to meet you, Doc. Feel free to call me, Ella.”
He motions for me to follow him to the right side of the courtyard. When we reach our destination, Doc looks at his watch. "They should be arriving any minute now."
Before I can ask who, the column closest to him opens, revealing my aunt and uncle riding down an escalator. What the actual fuck? “Where did you go?" I half yell at Uncle Jo.?
“We got separated, and the tunnel I landed in brought me to where your aunt was waiting, and you went into the one that led you straight to the courtyard." He laughs and tries to wipe something off my face.
My eyebrows raise. He looks immaculate, and I look like I've just come straight out of a war zone. Not fair. How did he get clean so fast? I slap his hand out of the way. “Why are you not dirty?” I ask with just a hint of attitude.
He gives me a huge smile and bats his eyelashes. "My tunnel had a lot less dirt.”I’m done with him. Looking at my aunt for the first time since I saw her descending the escalator, makes my heart ache. Aunt Georgia is wearing a blank expression, she's trying to be strong, too. That makes me want to cry even more. "When are you leaving?" Knowing, but hoping I’m wrong, I ask anyway.?
She smiles miserably. “Now, we have to move. They are liable to strike again soon. We want to stop the next attack before it even begins."
I walk towards her and wrap my arms around her in a big bear hug. There are so many things that need to be said. We are both going down dangerous paths and may never see each other again. How do you sum up the words to say to the woman who raised and loved you unconditionally but didn't have to? She didn't have to be there for me, but she chose to.This is not an easy moment for my Uncle either. We are his girls, and all he hasever wanted to do is provide for and protect us. I'm not ready to be separated from them yet. He joins us in a group hug. Time has stopped for each of us as we hold each other, but we are only postponing the inevitable.
When we finally break apart, our matching blue eyes meet. "Arabella, you have been training for this journey since birth. You’re more ready than you think you are. Always remember that light will always overcome the darkness. Always, be strong and of great courage, Ella. The time has come for you to lead, it is who you were born to be. I love you, baby girl. Always, and forever."
