FULL NOVELXO Prince of Then: Chapter 25
Holly
pool of brilliant moonlight at the edge of the forest next to a well-worn path that leads back to my village, amazed to find myself so close to home. A fox cries in the distance, but the surrounding undergrowth is silent. The forest creatures are asleep.
I wonder how much time has elapsed in the mortal realm since I’ve been gone—days, weeks, possibly months? What if the vision Ether showed me actually happened years ago?
These thoughts immobilize me and fill me with dread. But then I draw a deep, settling breath. There’s no sense in lying on a pile of fern leaves if Mother is still alive and waiting to bid me goodbye. I need to shake off the disorienting pain in my head and get to her bedside as quickly as possible.
Brushing dirt and leaves from my clothes, I follow the path through the woods, thankful for the full moon above. Before long, the walls of Donore are in sight, and then the narrow street that our mud-walled cottage sits slowly sinking into. And finally, I see the red door my sister painted last spring with roses, lilies, and holly leaves, a salute to our flowery names.
Releasing a slow breath, I stride through the front door into the main room of the cottage, the comforting sights, sounds, and smells weakening my knees. It’s wonderful to be home again.
The neat, white-washed walls glow a warm orange in the candlelight, the fire crackles, a tasty stew simmers over the flames, and the pungent tang of cooling herbal tea fills my nose.
“Who’s there?” calls my sister from behind the linen curtain where my mother’s bedchamber lies.
“It’s me, your sister, Holly. Who else are you expecting at this late hour?”
“Holly!” Rose cries, rushing into the room. “Are you all right? Sweet mead, where the blazes have you been? Quickly, come here to me.”
She flings her arms wide, and I step into them, the scent of rosemary in her hair tickling my nose, bitter poppy flower and henbane wafting from her clothes.
Tucking a lock of hair behind my ear, she says, “Brace yourself, Mother’s last breath is nigh.”
“I’m glad I made it in time.” Nodding, I wipe away tears. “How long have I been gone?”
“A sennight.”
“Only seven days?” I was in Faery for at least two sennights, possibly longer.
“Mother swore to me you were alive and well,” Rose says, beckoning me into the tiny bedroom where a body lies on the bed, too small and frail to be the formidable force that is my mother, Lilé.
Rose grips my arm. “She promised all was well with you, but I never truly believed it until now.”
I hug her tightly. “And here I am in the flesh.”
“Praise the gods. I couldn’t bear it if Mother passed without you. And Liam and I are to be married in a sennight. We hoped that she would be with us, but I’m so thankful that you will be, Holly dearest,” she says, leading me to Lilé’s bedside.
My throat burns as I sit beside my mother and take her hand in mine. Golden eyes the color of lightest honey open, so similar to mine.
“Darling Holly, I knew you would come,” she whispers. “I’ve been waiting, but I’m so tired and can hold on no more.”
The sound of her voice, weak and dry, hurts my heart, but I paste on a bright smile. “Mother, how I’ve missed you.” Rough skin scratches my chin as I kiss her hollow cheek. “You think I’d let you pass through the veil to the Otherworld you’ve long lectured about without bearing witness to the event? Ye of little faith!”
She chuckles. “Oh, I knew. I knew you would be here. Your sister has taken great care of me, eased my suffering just as you would have bid her had you the chance.”
I glance at Rose beside me, crying softly. I must remember to thank her for her hard work and devotion.
“I am sorry I haven’t been with you this past week.”
She smiles. “And I am grateful he would part with you so we could say our goodbyes.”
More tears stream down my face, and I freeze in the action of wiping them with my sleeve as her words sink in. “Him? Who do you mean?”
“The prince of Faery. I wasn’t sure if he’d risk your absence, given what you are to him.”
“What I am to him…” I repeat, then swallow hard. “Mother, what on earth are you talking about?”
“A few years ago, a faery woman paid me a visit, offered you a place of comfort in their land, and—”
“Mother! You sold me to the Prince of Talamh Cúig?”
“Hush, child. No money was exchanged. Only an assurance of a good life for you, away from the hardships of the village after I’m gone.” She grimaces, fighting pain. “Please… a sip to ease my throat.”
I help her drink cool tea, then lay her head back, arranging her gray braids on the pillow.
“Rose has Liam,” she continues. “And besides me, Holly, you have no one.”
She’s right. I cannot deny it.
“What am I to him? What did you mean by that?”
“The woman I bargained with was a nasty sort, but I know a thing or two about extracting the truth from a fae. You are this prince’s fated one, destined to still the curse in his blood and to heal him. Daughter, I believe he will love you like no other could, and you deserve to know what it is to be treasured by a man, as your father valued me and Liam prizes Rose. After my passing, you’ll return to his realm with my blessing.”
The room whirls around me as I digest my mother’s words. Not only does Mother know I’ve been to the Land of Five, but she is the cause of it. This revelation turns my world inside out and upside down.
Mother coughs out a laugh. “Close your mouth, Holly dearest. All is as it should be. And, Rose, come here to me. Take my hands girls and sing me to the land of peace, where we will one day be reunited.”
Rose and I do as she bids and hold our mother in our arms, singing quiet songs of hope and joy as she labors over her final breaths. After her heart drums its last beat, our tears persist as we call for our friend Jasmin and, together, prepare Mother’s body.
For three days, villagers traipse through our home to drink mead and share stories of Lilé’s life with us. We laugh, cry, and sing, and when the grave is finally ready, we place Mother’s body to rest and do it all over again, this time in reverse.
After the funeral, Rose and I walk home arm in arm.
“Holly,” she says, a tremble in her voice. “Will you be leaving me now?”
“Not before I see you married to your handsome baker.”
“And after you go, will you be allowed to visit us?”
“The prince has promised as much. Tell me, Sister, does Liam make you happy?”
A wide smile brightens her tear-blotched face. “I couldn’t wish for a better partner to share my life with than Liam. But perhaps you have outdone me. A faery, Holly. How I long to meet your prince. He must be quite a delightful fellow to win your impenetrable heart.”
I laugh. “You likely wouldn’t say that if you met him.”
“But I refuse to believe he’s bad if you care for him.”
My laughter cuts off abruptly as I ponder all I know about Gadriel Fionbharr, his fervent care of me, his gentle touch, and his endless capacity for cruelty. In my mind, I see the bodies of those who crossed me hanging in those gilded cages and wonder, will my love be enough to temper his often callous fae nature?
Over the following days, we ready the cottage for Rose’s wedding and transform it into a home for the newlyweds. I immerse myself back into the rhythms of village life, ignoring the stabbing pain that knifes my chest each time my thoughts wander toward the prince of Talamh Cúig.
In the final days before the wedding, I am far too busy with arrangements and food preparations to mope overly. Only in the nights, as I lie next to my sister, do I allow myself to drift in memories of Gadriel’s forest retreat, reliving in great detail what we did together during those long, feverish hours.
And I cannot help but wonder… will I ever experience such joy again?