Page 19 of My Eternal Light
Cody puffed out his chest. “That doesn’t seem too bad.”
The queen stood. “I won’t be able to rest until they are protected.”
They wrapped the babies and the children in blankets and together they walked through the palace courtyard toward House Eirson. Once they were standing in front of the house, instead of walking through it, the queen simply walked around the large palace-like building toward the garden area.
Each warrior present was carrying a child so that their bare feet wouldn’t have to touch the snow-covered cobble walkway.
In the center of the barren garden a slender leafless birch stood as if bracing itself against the cold. It’s white bark with black stripes almost seemed ethereal in the snow-covered courtyard.
“I’ll go first,” Aeron volunteered.
The queen nodded approvingly and held out her hand to him.
He stepped forward, hesitated, then looked at her. “You are my brother’s mother.” It was more of a statement than a question, as if he were reassuring himself.
She blinked, nodded, then smiled wide. “That I am.”
Once it was established that she was family, he relaxed and gave her his hand.
As gently as she could, she used the tip of the dagger Brennus gave her and made a tiny slice on his finger.
Aeron took a deep breath and squeezed his fingers allowing blood to drip on the bark of the stark white tree.
Moments later the earth under their feet quaked and a beautiful elven-like woman appeared.
She saw Aeron and reached for him hungrily. “A child! A child of mine!”
Aeron braced himself and caught the slender woman easily despite his own slight frame.
She kept running her hands over his face, weeping quietly. “How? How?” She turned to the queen. “How is this possible?”
The queen with silent tears running unchecked down her cheeks stepped to one side, revealing the other children. “Somehow, they have returned to us Aldrya, House Eirson has returned.”
With that declaration the guardian collapsed, taking Aeron with her. In the next heartbeat, shimmering creatures began to appear one by one.
Abraxas turned to Brennus. “Is it true?”
Brennus smiled and nodded. “Meryn received their location and sent Aiden to bring them home.”
Kincaid knew this moment would live on in his heart and mind for the rest of his days. Each guardian took a place in a circle around the faded birch tree.
“Put the dagger away Aleksandra, we will collect what is needed from these babies,” a small brown-haired boy said smiling. His long braid swayed in the breeze. “We would keep them from even the slightest of harm.”
“Thank you, Coll.”
Each child wore a dazed and joyous expression as the shimmering forms floated amongst them.
Abraxas went to Meryn and kissed her forehead. “You are a true blessing child.”
Meryn blushed. “I’m glad the kiddos are okay.”
He cupped her face. “You would keep others safe from the harm you lived.”
She stayed quiet and nodded.
Cody turned. “You too?”
She shrugged. “Kinda.”