The Land of Azure
Series
Azure’s Betrayal
By Fiona J Brady
Prologue
Thump, thump, thump. The sound
was rhythmic like music to my ears. Thump, thump, thump it continued as I rode
my sturdy mare along the path in the great Forest of Phoenix. Leaning down, I
patted Amory on her neck to give her encouragement during our ride. She was
steady and quick for me and I was most appreciative. We rode along the trail
leading to the old keep. It was pure joy I felt inside to experience the thrill
of an excursion away from the heavy burdens of what lay behind me.
We rode onward through the
thick. It was lush with ferns on the forest floor. Not far ahead I could see
timber across the path, but I was not concerned. At the right moment, I tapped
Amory with my feet hard enough for her to fly us into the air with grace. Bent
forward with my back arched, I gripped Amory’s mane to make sure that I would
not hurt her when we landed. On the other side of the large log, we continued
to gallop on toward my destination.
It had been a long time since I
had made the trip to my homeland. It laid in crumbles for many years, but my
time on mother earth grew dim and my heart longed for one more journey. This
time would be different from my other visits. I would bring back to life my family,
my friends, my story. Never had I attempted such a thing, but I wanted to feel,
to love and to laugh again. This world no longer needed an old woman and her
old ways. I had given all that I knew of this world long ago and it was now
time to see heaven’s gate.
The edge of the forest was
close, I gazed upon the light at the end of the path. The canopy was heavy as
little sun came through the trees. Before long, Amory and I were riding out
into the open and I could see the keep. Not far into the clearing I slowed her
pace and turned around to look at the great forest we had ridden. I wanted to
remember this place of my past not as it was now, but as it was in my youth. I was quick to stop and dismount my horse. I
gathered dry wood. Once I had enough brush and twigs, I walked over to my
satchel to retrieve my bow drill. As if in a fevered state, I worked to create
my fire for my invocation. The smoke was gradual to float over the timber with
my breath upon it. The fire was small
but it was all I needed to heat my amulet.
I pulled my most precious
belonging from around my neck and kissed it. On my hip was my flask of water. I
used it to cleanse the amulet for the ritual. Dropping it into the flames, I Raised
my hands up, my voice weak as I spoke.
“Memories I call unto thee
Bring those days before me.
Give me the spirits of my past
Those lives though cannot last.
Allow them to behold,
Bright, colorful days of old.
God of love, Lord of all
Invoke these words to comfort me
As it is
said, so shall it be.”
In that moment it was as if the
world had been grey and the Divine had restored it to full color. Shadows that had long fallen on the lands
turned into bright beautiful hues. The land breathed life. Spirits poured from
the embers and traveled in the air to live once again. Hope filled my heart and
joy brought a smile to my face. I turned
to look upon the great forest once more, delighted the beauty was restored. The
Forest of Phoenix lay in the eastern part of our realm. The creatures that had
once lived in the Forest of Phoenix were alive again. The wings of the giant
birds, made of fire, expanded out fifteen to twenty feet. The bodies carried a deep purple explosion of
feathers worn like a blanket of royalty.
We never feared the burning brutes.
We had become accustomed to them, but refrained from antagonizing the
beasts. The scene amazed me no matter
how many times I saw it. I often wondered
how they could perch safe among the trees and never singe a single leaf or
branch.
Once I had to journey back in my
mind to a time and place when my family dwelled in the Land of Azure. It was a
picturesque place with many gems of the Divine’s creation. But no longer,
opening my eyes, rich beauty resounded all around me. For the first time in many
years, I could look around my homeland and see what I had mourned. My need to
see it all overtook my heart as I mounted Amory once again and headed west.
It wasn’t long before I could
hear the melody of the waves crashing on the shore of Lake Azure. The lake had
the bluest water I had ever seen. Its hue mimicked the sky. When the rainy
season came upon us, no one could tell where the lake started or the sky ended.
It appeared like a cascade of steps flowing down from heaven’s realms. My
fondest memories of my childhood gripped my heart, as I remembered playing in
the rain with my beloved friend, Keegan. Faded into the back of my mind, those
memories were like ghosts painted on a canvas, separated by the veil.
I needed to see it all before I
would journey into the keep. I pulled Amory toward the North Hill Country to
smell the ambrosial fields of lilies. The sweet scent pulled at my heart and
caused me to yearn for its wonder. The secrets of our ancient mothers called to
me through those flowers; they whispered of healing, of magic and of
preservation for our clan. When we arrived I dismounted my mare. Among the
meadows of tiger lilies and calla lilies, I knelt down in its sanctuary to
caress its hallowed blossoms. I breathed in the freshness of its purity as I
rejoiced in its total beauty.
Standing up on the highest
hilltop of flowers, I turned around to view our lands. Beyond our keep to the
south I could see the majestic mountains known to us as the Salt Range. The sun
demonstrated its brilliance across the chalky white peaks as it reflected an
array of colors like a mirror. The salt from the mountains was a source of
great utility as it provided a way for all of us to preserve our provisions.
But this was not what I missed the most within our kingdom’s lands. What I
missed most stood within the center of it all. Standing tall and strong, as an
unwavering light, was the spiritual nexus of our people, the Tree of Life. Its
fruit was a delicious garnet red with a crisp sweet bite. The heart of our
existence, the Tree never died. It continuously gave us the gift of its fruit
all year round. It never failed us and was paramount to our faith. The Tree
stood in the courtyard of our temple to the Divine. The temple was a fortress
to protect our people, as it was made of granite from the hills of
Kildare. Many prophetess had lived in
the temple through the generations. My generation had been the first to be
without a prophetess, which this weighted heavy on many hearts of our clan. Our
temple and the Tree of Life were preeminent and we wanted to protect it. Many
of our Elders believed without a prophetess our future and safety hung in the
balance.
I could see the five points of
our elemental faith laying before me across the lands as I stood in the
northern fields of lilies. Each area gave its own strength and magic. Fire in
the east, earth in the south, water in the west and air in the north and the
Spirit of Life in the center. This gave us powers that many did not have
knowledge or complete understanding.
My name is Aubrey. I am the
seventh daughter of a seventh daughter. Born during the time of Imbolc, the
time of new beginnings. I come from the clan of Reiki. We were blessed with the
power to heal with our hands. We lived as we believed. We were people who
choose to live at peace and harmony with each other and with the wondrous world
that the Divine provided for us. We worked as we played with ardent love in our
hearts and fervid joy in our minds.
Through the passages of time, we
will be the raconteurs of our past allegories. With the spirits the Divine has
allowed back to life, we shall tell the story of our lives, our past. We will
bring the story to life as much as we possibly can through the words that our
ancient Divine God has granted us. All of life is like a dream and each person
has their own interpretation of that dream. This is ours.
Chapter One
A Day to Rejoice
(Aubrey)
I
awoke and hurried across my bedchamber. Inhaling deeply, I stretched my arms
over my head as I let out a yawn. The smells of the upcoming banquet were over-powering
to my senses. As I gazed out of the window, the skies were clear blue and the
sun just peeking out across the horizon. I leaned over the stone aperture to
look below at the festivities, smiling.
Purple and gold ribbon hung from one tree to the next. Many female
attendants were busy setting tables and putting urns and vases of flowers
across the courtyard. Lanterns lit up the cool, damp morning, hanging from
trees and posts. It was a perfect Tammuz summer day.
My
bedchamber was filled with many heirlooms of my childhood. To think that I
would be saying goodbye to this room after today was difficult. I walked upon
the beautiful plush Lucian rug that my father had given me when I was twelve. Made
by the famous rug artesian named Otto, it was a cherished item. I planned to
have it packed and sent to my new home at the keep in the Forest of Knox. The
feel of the fibers between my toes tickled and made me laugh. At the hearth, my
mahogany chair stood, its deep purple velvet cushion upon its seat. I sat, remembering all of the children’s
stories my father told me, here. I smiled at the many memories that came
pouring over me.
I turned toward the door
as I heard a knock and raced across the room to answer it. My mother and three
of my sisters stepped across the threshold before I could reach it. In my
mother’s arms was a white satin and lace gown. Mother held the dress up for me
to see.
“Maeve did the last of
the alterations on your dress. She worked late into the night. What do you
think? Isn’t just lovely?” Her face lit up as if she were the one meant to wear
it.
I smiled and replied, “If
you see her before I do, mother, tell her thank you from me. Yes it is the most
beautiful dress I have ever seen.” The front and back of the upper bodice were
decorated with a heart shaped opening with pearls that hung from one side of
the heart to the other. The pearls stretched across the opening like a silky
spider’s web. The sleeves fell just above the elbow. I couldn’t wait to put on
my bridal gown. Mother kissed me as she laid the dress across my bed before
hugging me as if she would never see me again. I just couldn’t stop smiling.
My
three oldest sisters had traveled to our home with their families. They each
embraced me. Delia, Amber and Scarlett lived close enough to make the journey
in just a day’s time. I was ecstatic to
have them present. I was saddened at the thought that my other sisters, Tera
and Dove had sent word that their clans could not attend but would try to make
a journey at the end of the harvest season. Lastly my sister Hannah, who is closest
to my age, dispatched by carrier pigeon that she would be able to arrive on the
morrow.
I
had yearned for this day for the better part of a year. I would marry my betrothed,
Braxton, my strong and loving warrior. Braxton’s flesh was bronze like his
father’s, his eyes crystal blue like his mother. His body burst with an
abundance of hard muscle. He towered over most and when I placed my hands in
his they looked small and frail as if I were a child. His smile was bright and
playful. When I gazed into his eyes, I felt I could see his soul. Dark and
foreboding, he could draw anyone to him with his loving, charismatic
personality.
I had known Braxton, or
Brax as he was also called, since we were small children. Some of my most
endearing childhood memories were when he played the warrior and I played the
princess who needed saved from the evil king. Our families were close; his
mother, Elliora and my mother, Valerie were cousins. Our fathers grew up together
and fought many a battle together as they are both warriors from the clan of
Malum. My father, Adair was the Sedric of the Malum, but since my father
resided among my mother’s people, Braxton’s father, Malachi stood in as the
Stewart. Malachi led the Malum well and only came to my father when a pressing
issue arose that needed guidance from the Sedric.
The Malum were warriors. They dwelled in and
around the Forest of Knox, north of the lily fields. The Malum were the
protectors of our clan, the Reiki. They were the men and women who risked their
lives to protect us; we called them our arbitrators. We depended on them to
know when to choose to go to war or to negotiate peace. When there was no strife, they hunted wild
game in the lands and forests around us.
Their hunts always brought a bounty of provisions that lasted much of
the winter.
My
future father-in-law, Malachi, the Stewart, was fierce and dangerous to be
hold. His bronze skin, rippling with
muscle, and ebony eyes were striking. Malachi’s mate, Elliora, came from my
clan and was born of my grandmother’s sister. Her beauty was well known within
her generation and beyond. She had flowing
honey-wheat hair that was as bright as the sun, her eyes were as blue as the
heavens and her white skin flawless. When Malachi and Elliora held hands the
contrast of his chestnut skin and her opaque coloring was bewitchingly
familiar.
My mother was the Hoyt,
the spiritual compass of our people. She led with a gentle but firm hand and
healed those in need. Her beauty was
soft, as was her voice. Her light red hair flowed straight down her back unlike
my own bright and brassy curls. I was her yearling student. I would begin my
training for a year and a day starting in the year I turned twenty-one. I was born in the month of Shevat, during the
celebration of Imbolc, the festival of new beginnings. From the depths of the
winter, we looked forward to new life emerging from it. It would be the perfect
time to start my training as this time is a time of growth and renewal.
My sisters and I were each
born with a unique ability; all of us were born within an astrological sign of
power. My sisters held the power of the sign or festival in which they were
born and I was touched by all of their gifts, engulfed all of their powers. It
was this I needed to be trained, not just to learn to heal others as my mother
had done all of her life, but to learn to use and control these powers. I would
learn to permit them to flow through me, enable them to generate with a thought
and move in an instant with ease.
As
I day dreamed, my mother helped me into my dress then tied the bodice with the
ribbons of the gown. She finally asked if I had any questions or worries about
my wedding night. I smiled at her, “No
mama. I am excited and know that Braxton and I will suffer through it.” I
laughed heartily, my sisters laughing with me, and mama smiled back. I knew
that the day’s festivities would bring about much change, but I knew that my
moment of becoming a woman was close at hand.
Another
knock came at the door and in stepped Keegan, my best friend and confidante. Her laughter was infectious. As she walked
in, her big blues lit up the room.
Keegan’s smile was radiant and her long black hair bounced behind her
back. She looked at me and said, “Are you ready to be my sister for real?”
I walked over and gave
her a hug, my mother fussing at the movement, “You have always been my sister
and will always be. I didn’t need to
marry your twin for my heart to tell me that.”
Keegan looked over to my
mother with an apologetic smile and said, “I’m sorry for interrupting.”
My mother smiled back,
“no worries child. Nothing I can’t fix.”
Scarlett
looked at Keegan and spoke in a soft voice, “Aubrey is right. You have always
been a part of this family and we welcome the kinship.” My sisters gathered
around us, embracing her as our mother resumed fussing over me and my dress. The
five of us young ladies giggled and talked about the day’s event.
Four
attendants came in to start helping us. The ladies-in-waiting placed items on
the bureau to do our hair and blush for our cheeks. One fair young lady sat me
in a chair next to Keegan. Another sat my
mother and my sisters across from us. The fair one started brushing my hair. In the meanwhile, the other two young ladies
were brushing and combing my mother and Keegan’s hair. The young lady assigned
to me wanted to take a hot iron to my hair to straighten it, my mother about
came out of her chair.
“No, no. Leave her hair natural and pin it up in
the curls. Her hair is so beautiful andspirited, just like her. I do not wish to have it straightened.” My mother always accepted me for myself. I beamed a smile toward her as vast as the heavens.
As
the attendants finished our hair, my mother pulled out a hand mirror and gave
it to me. I was giddy with excitement. The
sides of my red curls were pulled up with beautiful heart-shaped pins with
pearls. The pins were silver shaped hearts with white pearls. I looked over at Mama and Keegan; their hair
was styled similar to mine. Keegan’s curls ran down from the top of her head
and Mama’s normally straight hair held less subtle curls. They were wearing
matching satin gowns of different colors. Mama’s gown was gold and Keegan’s was
my favorite color, deep purple. Each dress had soft white lace at the neckline,
sleeves and hemline. Keegan stood up and
twirled around in a circle, laughing. Once the attendants were finished with
us, the ladies-in-waiting started braiding all three of my sisters’ hair.
My
mother walked over to open the door. As she did, my father stood there about to
knock on it. He smiled at my mother as he bent down to kiss her cheek. He
walked into the room.
“Papa,” I squealed as I
ran over to hug him. “You look so handsome.” He squeezed me back then put me at
arm’s length so he could look at me closely.
“Aye lassie, you look so
lovely. It’s hard to believe you were once my little girl.” He pulled me back
into his arms and held me close. His attire was made of black sheepskin with a
dark grey leather breastplate. The breastplate had the Tree of Life encircled
on it with a single leaf coming off one branch. It was painted by one of our
artists in silver and gold foil.
My father, Adair, was a
relentless warrior. He was an immense man with bright, curly, flaming red hair
with hands that were quite massive it embarrassed most men to greet him with a
handshake. He was a loyal and decent man. He was fair, honest and true. No man
was greater in the eyes of both of our people. He was loved by many and feared
by most. To challenge him in any decision was to take on the will of a man who
was much like a divine power. And yet in his arms I felt like I was in the
safest place in all the realms.
“Papa,” I said. “I will
always be your little girl.” I gave him a warm smile as he winked at me.
He looked over to my
sisters. “Aye and here are three more of my beautiful lasses. All of you looking
as beautiful as the day you were each married.”
Delia spoke to me,
“Aubrey I think we will walk down and find our families. It is close to the
time for the ceremony to start.”
Tara grabbed my hand and
kissed my cheek, “I love you little sister.” Scarlett just smiled and nodded
her head before they walked down to the rotunda.
Mother
and Keegan headed for the door as Father and I followed. Arm-in-arm father walked
me down the stone stairwell and into the rotunda. Once we entered Keegan saw
Liam and ran into his arms. Liam would stand Braxton as a witness to our marriage,
as Braxton’s friend as well as betrothed to Keegan. We were a force to be
reckoned with, four friends to be united by marriage and blood.
I could hear Liam
speaking to Keegan as he touched her shoulders and then lifted his hand to her
face. “You are so beautiful Keegan. I just can’t find the words to say how
much.”
She brought her hands to his face as she stood
on tip toes and gave him a gentle kiss on his lips before pulling away. “You
are so sweet to say such things to me Liam.” I felt as if I had invaded a
private moment. I looked away.
Liam
was the son of Lord William and Lady Elizabeth Payne from Lucas County realm
east of Kildare. Lady Elizabeth was originally from the clan of Malum; she and
my father were cousins. She was betrothed to Lord William as a young lass. Once
Liam was born it was determined he would start training, as all warrior lads
do, at the age of ten. He was sent to live with Malachi and Elliora to be
raised alongside Braxton and Keegan. And so we were a band of four younglings,
who played, laughed, teased and befriended one another. We had a bond of love
and loyalty that we believed would never be broken.
Liam
stood as tall as Brax but he with leaner build. His facial features were
refined and his eyes were soft and danced like the moon’s phases. I teased him
often, as he always had light brown scruff on his face, no matter how much he
tried to shave it. His champagne colored hair was straight at the top, but
curled at the ends. It just touched the shoulders of his wears. He was a brute
of a man like all of our warriors, but I always wondered, if Brax and Liam
spared who would be the victor?
A
male attendant came out of the courtyard and walked over to our small group. “I
see the bride is ready. Everyone awaits your presence. Are you ready my Lord?”
He looked at my father, who looked to me and I gave him a nod.
“We are ready it appears,
Shemleck.”
He bowed to my father.
“Yes, sire.” He walked away and started talking to the rest of the staff,
“Places, places everyone!”
My mother turned to me. She
took my hand and held it in hers for a moment, staring at it. Then she squeezed it. Mother looked up into
my eyes and kissed my cheek. “I will see you in a few minutes, my baby girl,” she
said before she walked out into the courtyard.
Everyone
rushed out ahead of Keegan and Liam so that they would be able to see the entrance.
Our harpist played a soft quiet melody. Liam took Keegan’s arm and started to
walk her out onto the cobblestone walk of the courtyard. As I moved onto the
walkway there were several archways made of tree stems, ribbons and flowers
intertwined in the branches. I had
the greatest urge to reach out and
touch the artwork that I walked under, but I held firm to my bouquet of white
calla lilies in my hands. Father and I started down the stone steps toward the
circular walk that encompassed the Tree of Life.
I
looked out into the courtyard, where it seemed there were thousands gathered
for this joyous occasion. I knew, however, my thought could not be accurate as
many of the Malum were protecting the keep here as well as the Forest of Knox. Many
of our own clan and father’s warriors were also protecting the temple or were in
the cookhouse helping prepare the banquet. A few of my sisters and their
families could not attend but thankfully Hannah and her spouse would be here
for the celebrations tomorrow, as a wedding means a three-day feast. As I continued to look across the crowd, I
saw special-made benches brimming with family and friends. In the front on the right side I saw Lord
William and Lady Elizabeth. She gave me a warm smile and a nod, making me feel
at ease when I was starting to get a nervous feeling in my stomach.
My
father and I approached Braxton as we reached him my father gave my hand and
arm over to him. He looked directly into Braxton’s eyes and said, “Love her.” Then
he took his place standing behind me, while Keegan stood next to me. Braxton
stood across from me holding my hands. His parents stood behind him, with Liam
next to him as a witness. My mother located before us all smiling and proud.
“Friends and family,
Lords and Ladies, I welcome you to the Land of Azure and our home. We are so very happy to present to you today
our daughter Aubrey and Malachi and Elliora’s son, Braxton, for you to witness
before the Divine their union as husband and wife.”
My
mother continued, “Our tradition and our way of life shall be celebrated here
as well. Please partake with us in the ceremony of the Breaking of Bread and
the Drinking of the Mevushal wines.” An usher came up to mother with a tray
that held a loaf of unleavened bread and a large chalice of wine. My mother
reached for the bread and began breaking it into pieces. She turned to Braxton and me, “Take and eat
for this is from the bounty that the Divine has bestowed upon us.” She turned
and repeated it to the clans. Then she shared the bread with Braxton’s parents,
my father, Liam and Keegan. As we ate, trays of bread were being passed to the
clans’ members. All of them ate with us. Mother then took the chalice and
raised it up and said, “Take and drink, for this is from the bounty that the
Divine has bestowed upon us.” She handed the chalice to Braxton; he drank and
then I drank of it. She gave it to each of us standing by the tree before she
turned toward the crowd again to give it to our people.
At
that moment, two ushers came forth with a wooden platform, upon which were
three candles. One small candle was at each end of the table and one large one
stood in the middle. My father joined my mother and each of our parents lit one
of the small candles. Once they were finished, Braxton and I walked over to the
table. We each reached for the candle that our parents lit. Together we held
onto our candles and ignited the large one. This symbolized the unity of the
clans and our families.
Our fathers stepped
forward. They were each holding a sash of their family tartan. Braxton’s was Kelly; their tartan was a light
green with black, red and blue stripes. Connor was my family name and our
tartan was a light blue with red and brown stripes. Our fathers tied the sashes
together before handing them to my mother. My mother, the Hoyt, took the sashes
and joined our left hands together with them.
She looked at me. “Today
you will leave here not as two individuals, but as one life. Since the day our Great Divine allowed a bridge
to be built between the two of you, a strong knot was formed and tied your
lives together. These sashes are symbolic of this unification and of the promises
you make to one another. Do you both promise, to love, to honor and be faithful
and true to one another?”
In unison we said, “Yes,
I do.”
My
mother raised her hands to the heavens, “The bonds of marriage are sacred and
are not meant to ever be broken. Our Divine holds those bonds together as long
as we look to them for guidance and wisdom. From the sacred Scrolls I will read
to all of you one of my favorite passages about love.
‘Honest devotion brings about selfless love, the
highest form of love which gives more of one’s self; it sacrifices time, sleep
or one’s life. It does not seek approval
of others or demands its own wants. It
gives hope to the lost, dries the tears of the broken, gives mercy to the
sinner and brings peace to the warrior.
We are all warriors in different walks of life; whether we fight a
battle to protect
our people or care for the ill that are amongst us, we fight
until the struggle is won. Selfless love
seeks nothing but to love and continues to love even when it is not
reciprocated. It is the actions of an
individual that show selfless love:
loyalty, honor, trust, integrity, obedience and fidelity within the bond
of marriage. This love does not seek to
gratify oneself but to create a lasting bond between the spouses that can with
stand and overcome any evil it confronts.
This love does not fail.’
“Please bow your heads as
we pray, Oh Almighty Divine we ask for your protection and love as we stand
before you as a witness to this union. We thank you for allowing our clans to
be united again in this generation. Please bless them as they embark on their
future and may this union bring blessings and love to all who know them. In
Your Mighty name we pray, Amen”
Our
Hoyt, turned to the Tree of Life and plucked from it two pieces of fruit. One was for me and the other for Aeron. She
held up the fruit to the two of us, “May the fruit of the Tree give you peace
and health.” The tree was the most amazing creation the Divine had imparted to
us. When we were of age and united to another we were given the opportunity to
eat of the Tree. Then once every seven years we were able to eat of the Tree
again. This one piece of fruit helped us to fight sickness to keep us strong
and healthy and we did not age as quickly as other people across the lands.
In the next moment, I saw
Braxton had taken a bite of his fruit and chewed it readily. I smiled and
looked up in time to see my mother’s face change. A leaf from the Tree of Life
had died and fallen; it hovered in the air like a butterfly right in front of
her face. Terror, panic, and grief filled her expression. My mother reached out
with her hand as the leaf fell onto it. My father had been watching the whole
thing, because the next thing I knew he knocked the fruit from my hands. He grabbed
me from behind by the arms and started pulling me toward the keep, but the sash
that was wrapped around Aeron’s and my forearms stopped him.
He took the sash off my
arm as I started to scream. “No father,
no!”
My mother shouted in
Braxton’s face, “You broke the Divine’s covenant!”
I could hear Elliora
scream back, “That’s not true!”
I looked into Braxton’s
eyes as he finished swallowing, “You’ve gone mad woman.” He started laughing.
Chaos ensued. People started yelling from all directions.
My father pushed me into
the arms of a warrior. “Take her inside to the temple walls.”
I fought the young warrior because I wanted to stay near
Brax. Being pulled away, I saw my father pull out his dagger and cut the tartan
sash in half. The gravity of it hit me
like a wave of water that filled my lungs and stole my breath. The marriage was over before it ever
started. I stopped fighting at that
moment. I looked around in
confusion. There were warriors
everywhere shouting, what I could not comprehend. One of the last things I heard, was someone
yelling, “Light the beacons!” I felt my
legs go weak and tears fall from my eyes.
Then my vision darkened with a small flicker of light at the end of it. The
next thing I knew, I was being lifted up and carried as if I were a child. I thought I heard someone screaming, “No!” in
my ears. Before everything turned dark,
I caught a glimpse of Liam’s face; the grief in his expression and the tear
drops falling from his eyes, were not unlike my own.
