Page 48 of A Waltz with Lord Death
The peace of balance settled its cool blanket over the world, as well as over Death’s heart. His power behaved and bended to his will, pushing and pulling with Life’s power like a moon with the tide. Although the plague still existed, it transitioned into a passing traveler rather than a permanent guest. Meira had stepped into her power without too much of a hitch. Between Barret and himself, they guided her into her full potential.
Sweet, melodic laughter pulled him out of his thoughts and brought a smile to his face. The tree he leaned against didn’t wither under his touch as he gazed across the green, flower-filled meadow at his lovely betrothed. Spring had crept in like a breath of fresh air, dispersing the winter snow from the land. He and his hounds kept their distance from the worst of the flowers. Getting too close made him gag and his eyes water.
“This is too strange…” Barret muttered beside him as he too watched Meira and Betha pluck flowers from the ground. “My closest friend engaged to my daughter.”
“Agreed.”
“So you will break off the relationship.”
“Not a chance, Barret. Not a chance.” Meira laughed in delight as she used her power to sprout flowers from the ground in all colors and varieties. “You once said you would do anything for me to find happiness with my own family. I did not think that included dying.”
Barret chuckled, his laughter an echo in his spirit form. “It was never a part of the plan, but I’m happy it worked out for you. However begrudging I am.” He turned and frowned in a jesting manner. “That woman is mydaughter.”
“Your daughter who has very nice, very soft lips.”
His friend attempted to sock him in the arm, and he couldn’t help but burst into laughter as his fist passed right through his shoulder. At the sound of his laugh, Meira’s head popped up from a row of wildflowers. She beamed at him, and the sight of her smile alone melted him from the inside out. He loved this woman with his entire being.
Death moved his gaze from Meira to Betha, who gladly accepted a wreath of flowers for her hair. “I am not ready for this. I am not ready to say goodbye.”
“We won’t be far.”
He knew that. But the mortal part of him grieved over what had not yet happened. He would miss Barret’s teasing and Betha’s structure. Both had been constant companions during his immortal lifetime. Opening his arms to something new would not be easy.
But it would be worth it.
He smiled and watched Meira’s face light up in delight as flowers leaned her way when she walked by as if worshipping the very ground she walked on. Butterflies flitted around her face, and one even landed in her hair. Its wings opened and closed, opened and closed. A living hair accessory.
The best he could attract himself were flies. And maybe vultures. Perhaps a rodent or two. He certainly wasn’t about to let a rat nest in his hair.
Trepidation and anxiety gripped him as Betha and Meira approached. Betha looked radiant, excited, but he also recognized the flicker of fear in her eyes. Today, she would die. And he did not like to be the one to do the honors.
Barret reached out for Betha’s hand, though it passed right through in his ethereal form. “Betha, are you sure you want to do this? Give it a few more years at least. I will wait for you on the other side.”
“It’s too late. My mind is made up.”
“You can change your mind.”
“Actually, she can’t,” Death interjected. He folded his arms, a stern look on his face. “Do you want to tell him what you did? Or shall I?”
Her cheeks turned pink, and she wrung her hands together. “I chose another to become Lord Time. I’ve watched this person for a few years, just in case I needed a replacement. I gave my pocket watch to someone who will treat it well.”
“And?” He raised an eyebrow at her, pressing her to continue.
“And? I don’t know what else there is.”
Running his hand down his face in exasperation, he turned to his friend. “As you already know, giving away her pocket watch turned her mortal. And as she supposedly doesnotknow…” He motioned with his head to one of his hounds sniffing around her feet. “Betha, you contracted the plague during your exposure to other mortals. You will die either way.”
Betha’s face paled, and she hugged her arms to herself as if overcome by a sudden chill. Although she had yet to show symptoms, his hounds had sniffed out the disease the moment she’d turned mortal. It wouldn’t be long until the illness claimed her.
He watched her lifespan count down with a sinking feeling in his gut. Two and a half minutes left. “But it doesn’t matter, right?” he urged, touching her elbow gently to bring the smile back to her face. “I promise I will make this as painless as possible.”
She nodded, and Barret followed her to the bed of flowers they’d laid out earlier. He couldn’t watch as she lay down on it, instead turning his back and taking a deep, steadying breath.
“Dorian,” Meira murmured, and just the simple touch of her hand on his crumpled him. He gathered her in his arms. He wound his fingers through her hair. He held tight around her waist.
“I can’t do this,” he whispered into her brunette locks. “I can’t lose them both.”
“You won’t lose them. They will always be in the afterlife as well as in here.” She rested her hand over his heart. “And if you won’t do it, the plague will take her in a much crueler manner than you would.”
