Page 134 of Gift from the Source
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“Going? Nowhere. Right out here, of course.”
“Out here? In the open? Do you know your sons? If they get a whisper that I’m taking my clothes off out here, heads will roll. Literally.”
“Where do you think they get those attitudes from? Your Paterna-Nexus has knocked more teeth out than I can count.” She snickers like it’s the sweetest thing. “Don’t worry, my girl. I got us covered.”
And covered she does.
Walking a few steps off the patio cement, a couple feet from Tanith, she calls on her element. Her earth glides easily across the lawn at her command and within a few moments, she’s created a whole new space.
Glass walls go up all around us. Some have reflective surfaces like mirrors, while others still provide the perfect view of her garden. Tanith looks around curiously, swishing her tail, and the three of us turn in circles, laughing in surprise.
“The windows are one-way. We can see out, but no one in. The natural light provides a way better view than what we have trapped inside. Let’s get started.”
She moves back over to the corner of the patio and turns the crank on her music player. With our new dome in place, the music echoes around, and the three of us cheer as she starts dancing.
On her first spin, we all suck in a shocked gasp as her whole outfit transforms into a ball gown. The astonishment wears off quickly and we’re back to clapping, jumping up and down, and encouraging her on.
I don’t hesitate for a second when she holds her hand out to me.
I can barely catch my breath I’m laughing so much and my heart doubles in size. I’ve wanted moments like this my whole life. Never in amillion years did I believe I’d get to experience it with the realm’s greatest mother-in-law, sister, and best friend.
My eyes slam closed in anticipation when her element coats my body.
“Oh my Elementra, Willy.” Oakly cackles, clutching her stomach.
“Aurora,” I squeal when I look down. “Where in the realm is the rest of it?”
She’s covered me in a nude slip from my chest down to my ankles. On top of that is just bedazzled silver lace that only covers the important bits. It’s absolutely stunning really, but I’d only ever wear this in front of them and my men.
Yes, I’m fully covered. But it doesn’t leave much to the imagination.
With a wave of her hand, Oakly and Aria are suddenly matching me, just with different colored lace. I point my finger, teasing, just as they did to me.
Calling my own element forward, I bedazzle Tanith, who rumbles in maybe amusement, maybe disgust. Not really sure. Then I do the same to Aurora and make her match the rest of us.
“Willow,” she squeals. “I’m far too old to be dressed like this.”
“Nonsense, you’re in your prime.”
I’m confident that ‘prime’ in Elementra last a couple thousand years.
Hours pass in our own little realm. We bounce from dancing and making the most stunning dresses I’ve ever seen to the most hideous Aurora and I can come up with.
We munch on our lavish buffet, tease each other, and gossip while drinking an alarming amount of coffee. At one point, Aurora slipped a little Vito whiskey in the pot. Claiming to “You know…take the edge off.”
When my feet start getting sore, I come up with the grand idea of creating us a small little hot tub right here in the middle of our glass room. We sit in there until we’re sweating.
Oakly, the little shit, sprays us down with her freezing cold water when Aria bitches about her hair getting greasy from the sweat.
My stomach hurts from laughing so much. My cheeks are sore and no doubt red. Above all, though, my heart is so light. This will forever be ingrained in my memory as one of the best days I’ve ever had.
“Great, Oakly, now I have to redo my hair,” Aria cries out as she shakes the water from her arms and shoots a little spark of fire at Oakly.
Oakly just giggles mischievously as I pull all the water from everyone.
“So what—”
