Page 204 of Gift from the Wing

She says it so nonchalantly like it’s a fact that she’s always known and it’s time I got with the program. This sweet girl has no clue she just caused my heart to explode. I’ve waited years for this moment.

I’ve thought about it countless times how I was going to show her the conversation between her mother and me. I had always planned some grand gesture with presents, pictures, food, the whole kit and caboodle, but there’s a right time for everything.

And today, on this early spring day with the gentle rainfall, and her feeling so down, was the perfect moment.

“One day, you’ll know so much more, but I want you to know now that your mother loved you, and I’m so grateful she gave me her blessing to call you and treat you as my daughter. Because that’s what you are in my eyes. You’re my daughter born from a bond instead of blood. And I love you, filia mea.”

“I love you too, CC.”

And that was the first time she ever said it back to me.

Twenty-Eight

Willow

The sobs that rip out of me when my mind becomes my own nearly split me in two.

My earth element bursts free with no command from me and wraps the branches of my tree around me in a cocoon. The woodsy smell mixed with a day of rain makes that entire memory settle into the compartments of my mind, finding their new home.

“CC,”I cry out in my mind.

“I’m here, filia mea, and I always will be. See what your momma left you, my girl. You’ve both been waiting a long time for this.”

Frantically, my eyes fly open, searching for the bound leather that I brought over here with me when I took this spot. My element frees me from its hug but bends my tree so much, I see no other part of my room as it conceals me. Just the shiny green leaves, the floor beneath me, and the black cover with the striking silver sigil engraved across.

Snatching it closer to me from where I apparently dropped it during the memory, I prick my finger and squeeze it to make my blood pool faster. As I lay my tip to the top point on the marking, another sob wracks my chest.

My lullaby.

She came up with half my lullaby.

CC the other.

I can’t stop the tears, gasp, or hiccups no matter how hard I try. The shaking in my hands is so bad, I’m dripping blood all over my clothes, but my need to know outweighs it all.

“Air, Earth, Water, Fire so bright,

Four elements, pure and right.

Remember these with joy and cheer,

The elements become one, the world becomes clear.”

Despite the fact it’s a garbled, stuttering mess, magic sizzles through my hand and a light shock travels up my arm. I wholeheartedly welcome it. A laugh mixed with the downpour coming from me echoes around my isolated space and I slowly peel the cover back.

And wait.

And wait.

The longer I sit here staring and nothing happens, that elation I just felt starts to melt away, and I mentally beg for this not to be a joke. Please, Elementra, for all things, let this work for me.

Just as I go to fucking rage at the disappointment, a beautiful, black cursive script begins to draw itself out across the parchment.

Hello, my little dragonfly.

“Oh my God,” I cry out loud, covering my mouth with my hand as I stare down at the book in amazement.

More and more words begin to show up and my eyes can’t devour them fast enough. My heart is beating so fast, I’m surprised I can’t see its rhythm through my skin.

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