Page 85 of Perfectly Perplexing Zombie

Wendall was beyond giving consent. “Muriel?” I questioned, and thankfully, the priestess knew what I was asking.

“For what it’s worth, I’ll take responsibility. As long as Aurelia can bring Wendall back—soul and personality intact—I say let’s do it.”

It wasn’t the same as what I’d asked. Wendall wouldn’t need my bond. He wouldn’t feel as though he’d stolen my future. Wendall didn’t understand that his permanent death was what would steal my future.

“Do it,” I said. “Do it now before it is too late.”

“On it,” Vander assured.

I didn’t glance up to see what they were doing. I could feel the magical manipulation, but that was all. I wasn’t a witch or warlock. I was as useless as ever. Aurelia didn’t say a word. Matilda and Vander spoke with each other. I heard Matilda guide Vander to the specific strands forming this restriction. I should have asked Matilda if she could reform it afterward. That should have been important, but I couldn’t be bothered to care.

“Muriel, is he still…?”

There was no way to tell. Even when conscious, Wendall didn’t need to breathe. There was no pulse to go by. His skin slipped from his body each time I shifted his weight. I stopped doing so when I got his head on my lap.

“Barely. I’ve added a bit of magic. I think it’ll hold his soul inside for a little longer, but not much. We need to hurry.”

Muriel took in a surprised gasp, and I barely kept from jerking when Vander broke through Aurelia’s restriction. They’d only dismantled one, and the release of magical energy was enormous.

“Done,” Vander and Matilda triumphantly said in unison.

Gripping Aurelia’s amphora, I wasted no further time. “Aurelia, I wish for you to bring Wendall Galen back from the dead—body, soul, and personality intact.”

“Gladly,” Aurelia answered.

She didn’t need to move closer for her magic to work. It flowed into Wendall’s body. Flesh reformed before my very eyes. It was like watching a time-lapse video. New skin formed, covering the necrotic areas and healing from the inside out. His fallen hair grew out, replacing what had been lost. His lips plumped, and his skin pinked. Hand on his chest, I felt the moment Wendall’s heart beat. Its first two attempts were stuttered and hesitant, but it soon formed a steady rhythm, and within seconds, Wendall tilted his head back and took a gasping breath. That first was followed by a second and then a third, each one steadying and evening out.

Trinket hopped up and down, twittering madly. Her tail flipped wildly around her body, and she tapped her feet with joy.

Blinking, Wendall’s eyelids fluttered open, revealing his stunningly beautiful pale blue eyes. Only now, when I looked a little closer, that blue shifted like an ocean tide. Wendall groaned and tilted his head, revealing a slightly tipped ear. The point wasn’t as sharp and pronounced as a typical fairy, but it wasn’t human-round either.

When I glanced up at Aurelia, she shrugged. “You did not specify a human body, so I took some liberties and enhanced his fairy heritage. This should extend Wendall’s natural life span. I believe he will also be capable of producing his own fairy bond, although I cannot be certain. Consider it a gift of thanks.”

“R-Ray?” I’d never heard anything so beautiful as the sound of Wendall’s timid, unsure voice. “What…what happened? I—” Wendall inhaled and grasped the fabric covering his chest. Eyes wide, he inhaled again and again. “I… My heart. It’s beating. I can feel it.” An unsteady smile tugged his lips, and tears filled his eyes, dripping down his face. Wendall touched the wetness and stared disbelievingly at his damp fingers. “Tears.” Awe filled his voice. “I can make tears.”

“Never seen somebody that happy about crying,” Muriel said, her own tears running down her cheeks.

Wendall sat up, and Trinket leaped into his arms, cooing and rubbing against his face.

“Hey, sweetie.” Wendall laughed when Trinket’s fur tickled his nose.

“Wendall!” Peaches launched forward, falling to his knees and hugging Wendall and Trinket to his chest. Golden pixie dust filled the air, and I covered my nose. “Goddess, we all thought we’d lost you and…and that was completely unacceptable. Don’t you ever scare us like that again.”

“Peaches.” Lucroy’s smooth, cool voice pulled his beloved away.

“I know, but I’m just so happy Aurelia was able to bring him back. And look at him.” Peaches grinned, wide and happy. “All alive and everything.” Smacking Wendall on the shoulder, Peaches flew back up and snuggled into Lucroy’s side.

Reaching out a hand, I offered my assistance, and Wendall eagerly twined his fingers with mine. Standing, I brought Wendall up with me. “Ray,” he breathlessly said. “What happened? I… Peaches is right. I’m alive, like, well and truly alive. I’m not a…”

“Zombie,” Muriel finished. “No, sugar, you’re not mine anymore, and I’ve never been so happy to say that.”

When Wendall’s big eyes blinked up at me, I gave him a rundown of what happened, and his mouth clipped open with shocked surprise. When I finished, I said, “I hope you are not angry. I would have asked your permission, but you were too far gone by that point.”

“And if you are angry, then you can blame me,” Muriel verbally stepped in. “Ray asked me, and I’m the one who gave final permission.”

“Not angry,” Wendall said. “My heart’s pounding within my chest, my cheeks feel flushed, and if I hold my breath too long, I become lightheaded. I’m about as far from angry as possible.” He stared at his pink-tinged nails. Blood circulated again, and his body hummed with life. Wendall’s hair flopped in his face, and when he went to tuck it behind an ear, he pulled up short. “What—”

“Aurelia brought a little more of your fairy blood into play,” I answered. “Just in case you’re curious, the changes are subtle but most appealing.”

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