Page 181 of To Free a Soul
A time unknown, but of uncertain change
“I’d say things went considerably well,” Weldir mused, as he watched his mate land outside her little hut.
Her snowy owl form was like a bright beacon in the dark and haunted Veil. Folding away her wings, she pushed back her hood to reveal her tangled and unkempt curls – the evidence of being locked in battle and surviving it.
“That was anxiety inducing and horrible,” she answered with her bottom lip pouting forward. “You weren’t there when we fought Jabez, and having to watch each of my sons’ brides be murdered while protecting Emerie was sickening. Poor Reia was targeted first.”
“I did assist.”
“Yeah, with a portal and letting me use your magic.”
“There are challenges in being able to do nothing – I couldn’t even watch.” Weldir leaned back to gaze at Tenebris’ blue sky while situated in the clearing on top of his favourite mountain – that led to his cave of memories. “But Emerie was able to be returned, and now Ingram has his own bride. Aleron liked her,from what I can tell.”
Currently his bat-skulled offspring was getting to know Emerie’s brother, Gideon. He’d decided to leave them be, hoping they’d find companionship within his realm.
He didn’t inform Lindiwe about this new situation.Even if they want to bond, they cannot do so here.And he couldn’t give them life; he had no such ability.
Why let her know of that sad news?
“I’m so overjoyed that things turned out the way they did,” she said, right as little tears welled in her eyes. The smile present on her face had to be of relief. “It made everything worth it.”
“Hmm. Maybe. I have yet to find Jabez’s soul,” Weldir stated absentmindedly as he felt a shift in energy.
It’d been happening for a while. Something was changing outside his prism, and he wasn’t quite sure what. Only that there was movement, and Leyfr’s vines weren’t throbbing as much as they did before.
“Ugh. Really? You couldn’t let me have just a moment of happiness over what we achieved?”
“My apologies. I was merely stating the truth. He could have teleported away at the last second.”
“I know,” she grumbled, as she pushed open the door to her home. Lindiwe immediately fell onto her bed on her front and sprawled out. “I feel like I could sleep for an eternity. I slept in your realm, but I’m still so emotionally worn out.”
“Rest. For now, things are calm. Even if Jabez is still out there, he’ll be injured at the very least. There is little he’ll be able to do until he finishes licking his wounds.”
He wasn’t even finished speaking before he heard a soft snore, and humour shimmered through his mist.She’s fallen asleep.Their young offspring climbed out from within her cloak, and one nestled up into the crook of her neck, while the other tucked themselves between her arm and side.
Weldir had held onto them when she went into battle, keeping them safe and entirely out of harm’s way. He’d enjoyed their company, even if they’d been asleep the entire time.
Watching his mate rest peacefully for the first time in over a year, Weldir tried to gauge what was happening outside his prism.
The only thing that made sense was...I think... my mother has finally woken.Not just a peek open of her weary eyelids and then back to sleep, but fully awake. Power surrounded him, even if Leyfr’s vines had softened in their pulses. The power was weak, but he wondered if it was hers he was sensing.
What else could it be? She must wake sooner or later.She must return to her station, especially after such a long time.
His mother had nearly died. Coming back from such a brink, where she teetered on the edge of everlasting death, was difficult for a deity. And the more power they had to start with, the longer it took. The more damage it did.
He’d spent half a century slumbering like her due to Nathair, but his mana resources were nothing like the Gilded Maiden’s, who had such intense otherworldly strength it had literally leaked from her eyes as golden tears.
I’ve been feeling her stir for years.He lowered his gaze to look over the rolling meadows and beauty that was Tenebris.I have done as I promised.
He’d not taken life by his own mist, had not stolen souls from the living even though it would have benefited him and saved them much trouble. He guarded the many portals they’d placed, and he collected souls to take care of them within the realm of his stomach.
They must know all this.
They likely know of Lindiwe and my offspring by now as well, but technically I haven’t broken any rules.He was still unsure how they’d taken it, as none had come to reprimand himfor it.Perhaps they are waiting for my patience to run out, or for Mother to be better restored.
Yet, as he brought his gaze back to his snoozing mate, he realised his patience was running out.
There was also something he wanted to do, and it was entirely selfless.
