Meanmna: Book One of the Daearen Realms (8 page)

W
e decided on Alpha Coney Island because it was close to our house and they had a great breakfast that was cheap and quick. I ordered a giant three-egg, triple-cheese southern omelet smothered in country gravy. We sat in silence for most of the meal, and I wondered if this would be the last time I’d ever get to eat it. I decided to cut through the tension with a question.

“Mom
, how exactly do you see Dad every night?” I nervously pushed what was left of the omelet around my plate.

“
When I sleep, your father and I see each other through our amazonite crystal. We have our place, just like you have with Elwin. When I get a lavakite crystal for you, we will also have our unique place.”

“
How does that work?”

“Well
, each crystal is linked to the location where it was found. A crystal can be linked between two fey—or in my case, a fey and a human—and bound by a drop of blood from each person.”

“Can a connection ever be made with more than two fey? Like, can you, Dad and I see each other sometime?”

“No, it’s binary; only two souls can be linked. It’s that whole balance thing again, honey. Everything has duality and balance.”

The waitress came by and took away
our plates.

“
Are you ready to go to shopping? Should we go to Meijer’s first?”

“Let’s go.”
I stood up with purpose and started bundling up to brave the cold weather. “I’m going to miss this, Mom.”

“
Me too, sweetie. But you are not leaving until we get a lavakite crystal because we need to be together to link it. So, maybe we do have a couple of days.” She smiled and headed out the door.

Later that day,
as we carried our purchases into the house, Mom said, “I think you should use my Oakley Kitchen Sink backpack. I’ll be right back.” She went into her bedroom and came back with a behemoth backpack, one of her prized possessions that I was glad I’d talked her into buying. I could definitely fit more in that thing than any other bag I had. It came with numerous zippered compartments, hooks to hang stuff from, and enough room to accommodate everything I would need for five days on the road. I was packing for eternity though, not just five days. “Maybe you should pack now,” she said gently, “just in case.”

“
Okay.” I kissed her on the cheek and headed upstairs with the ginormous backpack.

In the first space bag
, I packed my Hello Kitty pillow and Larry. Larry doesn’t take up much space; he’s a stuffed dog I’ve had since I was a baby. He looks like a beagle, but for some reason I tied bright orange yarn around his ears years ago. Now he sort of looks like a pigtailed X-Man with one eye. I rolled the bag down, emptying as much air as possible, and hooked up the vacuum to reduce the size even more. I wondered absentmindedly if they have vacuums in Fey-Ville.

Next
, I grabbed one of the pairs of pants, one tank top, and the long underwear top. I folded them, stacked them on the desk, and added a pair of socks, some underwear, and a couple of bras. I put all the other clothing, along with several pairs of underwear, sports bras, and hiking socks, in one bag and vacuumed it down.

In the fourth and final space bag
, I put extras of all my favorite beauty products, just in case I was allergic to whatever they had there. I put all four space bags into the backpack. I grabbed my overnight toiletries bag and put smaller bottles of everything in it. Except for the dry shampoo, I put in two bottles of that. I hate greasy-feeling hair. I tried to think of every possible situation and have something prepared for it: first aid supplies, sewing kit, flares, and flashlight
.
I made a note to ask Elwin about electricity. I hoped my iPad would work there. I reached into my purse and grabbed my phone to text Mathew.

Sarette: Does your big bday plan include food
? . . . Starving

Mathew: That is the big plan. LUNCH SURPRISE!

Sarette: You certainly know how to make me feel special and your attention to detail is astounding! Ready?

Mathew: On my way

I grabbed the sword and box with the dagger, sat down on the bed, and waited for Mathew.

“Happy early b
-day” he said as he rounded the stairs. “Whoa” he noticed the sword sitting in my lap. “Are you getting into live action role playing now? What’s with the sword?” He started walking toward me and everything hit me at once.
I’m leaving Mathew!
I burst into uncontrollable sobs. He quickly sat on the bed, folding me into his arms. “What’s wrong?”

“I have to leave . . . My father needs me.”
I barely got the words out between sobs. I put my head between my legs to prevent hyperventilating. I felt Mathew rub my back, like he always did when I was really upset.  After a few moments, my breathing returned to normal and I sat up slowly. “I’m going to tell you a story, and there is a very good chance you are going to want to commit me to a nuthouse afterward . . . I do have proof coming later, so just know it’s all true, no matter how crazy it sounds. Do you understand the words coming out of my mouth?” He nodded and I began. “Once upon a time—”

“If you want me to take you seriously
, you need to be serious,” he interrupted.

“I am being serious
. All good fairy tales start that way.”

“Huh?”

“Save your questions until the end . . . Remember, all true.”

I spent the next
twenty minutes telling him the story. I was animated, confused, and occasionally pissed as I recalled the events of the last couple of days. When I was finished, he asked, “So, can you show me a magic trick?”

“No, not yet. That’s why Elwin is coming to dinner
, to show you and Mama the truth.”

“I’
m not sure we should tell Mama. I really don’t know how she’ll take this story.”

“So
, you believe me?”

“Of course I do. You’
re my vaki; you couldn’t lie to me.”

“I love you
.”

“Love you
, too. Let’s just play it by ear with Mama. I’m not sure if now’s the time to tell her. She’s not going to get here until
6:15 because
a student needs help with downward dog or something else dog-related.”

Mama
Peggy owned a yoga studio in Saline.

“Elwin and I will follow your lead when she gets here.”

“Ready for lunch?”

“Yeah
, let’s go to our last birthday date ever.
” This sucks.

Mathew and I spent the re
st of the afternoon hanging out on memory lane. We took a two-hour lunch at the Chinese buffet, reliving our last seventeen years together over greasy, lukewarm noodles. We laughed and cried—at least, I was crying—Mathew would never. We drove by a bunch of our favorite places together. I made fun of him for having to finish his homework while I will never have it again. At least I
think
I never have to do homework again. I would know soon enough.

After hours of cruising, talking
, and trying to find a way to not have it end, he went back to his house around four o’clock.  Once back in my room, I grabbed my photo album from my desk drawer and shoved it into the backpack along with everything else. I put the backpack against the desk near my other stuff and went downstairs to take my last bubble bath in my home.
Why didn’t I wait to pack my favorite orange spice bubble bath? I’m going to have to use Mom’s warm vanilla sugar stuff. Great! Sad and hungry! Maybe I should go see if there are any Christmas cookies first . . .

The clock read 5:55 when
I heard the front door open.

“Hi, Mom.” Mathew had arrived
.

I yell
ed down the stairs, “I’ll be right down.”

I did
n’t care that it was negative sixteen degrees outside; I decided to wear my favorite summer dress: a blue spaghetti-strap sundress that hugged my curves. I put on some sweater tights (because I’m not a complete idiot) and my favorite black strapped flats.
I’m totally taking these shoes with me
. I took one last glance in my mirror and headed downstairs.

When I go
t to the kitchen, I gave both my mom and Mathew a kiss on the cheek. The three of us took a collective sigh and looked at one another. We didn’t need to say anything; the three of us came together for a group hug and held each other for a few bittersweet moments until the doorbell rang.

“
Let me get it,” Mathew said and went to the door. I could hear the two guys talking for a second before they came into the kitchen. Mathew looked proud and Elwin looked amused. Mathew had probably just given him the hurt-her-and-I’ll-kill-you speech. Since I would soon be in la-la land, I wasn’t sure how enforceable the threat really was, but it was the thought that counted.

Elwin gave me a big smile when our eyes m
et
. I guess he’s over what happened last night
. I smiled back, pretending to be totally fine. He walked to the table and opened up a wooden box. “I’ve brought something for you.” Inside were two lavakite crystals lying on top of a red satin fabric; they were white with gold specks covering them.

“
Why are these different than the one you and I have, or the one my mom and dad have?” I said.

“
The lavakite crystals are used to bond vaki. It’s a different bond than the amazonite crystals,” answered Elwin. He looked at me and said, “Go get your spirit blade and we can bond these before Peggy gets here.”

“
First, tell me what a spirit blade is, and then I’ll go get it.”

“
The purple dagger,” Elwin replied.

I ran past him and took
the stairs two at a time. Less than a minute later, I was back in the kitchen.

“
Take the spirit blade in your right hand and prick a finger on your left hand, and then drop a little blood on that one.” He pointed to one of the crystals. I did as he instructed and gasped when the blood was absorbed into the metal like a sponge.

Elwin smiled
at me and said, “Now take your mother’s left hand in yours and prick the same finger.” He looked at my mom and said, “Drop the blood, My Queen, onto the same crystal.”

Mom complied. The blood wa
s absorbed into the crystal and then a spark of light, like a camera flash, burst from the crystal. Mom smiled and picked up the stone. She took it to her bedroom and returned a moment later.

“
Mathew, are you ready?” Elwin said as he moved the other lavakite crystal to the center of the table. Mathew answered with a nod. Then Elwin looked at me and said, “Same as before, just use a different finger on the left hand.” I nodded, then Mathew and I repeated the process. This crystal sparked just like the other one did. Mathew picked up the crystal and put it on the table by the front door.

“
Sarette and Mathew,” said Mom, “Please set the table. Elwin, if you wouldn’t mind, help me finish dinner before Peggy gets here and reassure me that my daughter will be fine. That would make my nerves better, and I would greatly appreciate it.”

The four
of us had just completed Mom’s instructions when Peggy walked in the front door.

“
Sorry I’m late,” she said. When she saw Mathew’s crystal, she immediately zeroed in on Elwin. With a distrustful look, she crossed the room, deposited her hand in his and gave a firm shake. “You must be Elwin.”

Elwin looked bewildered for a moment, but the look wa
s gone when he spoke. “And you must be Peggy. It’s very nice to meet you.”

“
Dinner’s ready, let’s sit.” Mom shooed her hands at us like she was directing flies out the door. She had made one of my favorite comfort meals: ham, cheesy potatoes, and corn pudding.
I’m going to miss her cooking,
I thought as the five of us sat down. Mom was at the head of the table, Mama and Mathew were on one side, and Elwin and I were on the other.

We all start
ed eating and fell into a comfortable conversation about nothing in particular until Mama Peggy said, “It is what it is and you are who you are.” She waved her hand in the infinity symbol, as she had done many times before, but then I realized it was the same gesture that Elwin had used with me.

Elwin
’s eyes got big. He stood up so quickly that his chair fell over and hit the floor behind him. He did the heart-fist-bow thing and said, “Princess Penelope.”

His head was
still down, so he didn’t see it coming. Peggy stood up so fast that her chair fell over and smacked the floor behind her. She sprang onto the table, jerked the carving knife out of the ham, and launched herself over Elwin’s head in a somersault. On her descent, she grabbed his chin, and put the knife to his throat.

“
Holy crap! Are you a ninja?” I yelled.

“
Language, Sarette!” Mom said.

In
a menacing low voice, Peggy growled into Elwin’s ear. “You cannot have them. Do you understand? You are
not
taking them!”

“
Peggy, put down the knife before the knight kills you,” Mom said in a surprisingly calm voice. “Then maybe you can explain some things to me, like: A: Who the hell
you
are, B: Why Elwin thinks you are a dead princess, C: Why you think he’s taking ‘them’, and D: where you got your ninja skills. But first, put down that goddamn knife.” Mom stared at Peggy and waited.

“Language, Mom.” I couldn’t resist returning her scolding.

She shot me a warning look, then watched as Peggy walked back to her chair, sat it up, and plopped down in it.

“
Elwin is Sarette’s personal knight, her bodyguard,” Mom said.

Elwin
set his chair aright and sat down next to me. I reached for his hand under the table. He laced our fingers together and placed our hands on his thigh.

All eyes were still on Peggy when
I broke the silence. “So
are
you a ninja?”

Peggy looked
at me and said, “No, I’m not a ninja, but there is more you need to know about me.” Turning to Elwin, she demanded, “How did you know who I was?”

“
I’ve seen a picture of you and Liam almost every day of my life. You have changed your looks, but your eyes are the same. When you said ‘It is what it is’ and moved your hand like that, I knew for sure who you were. My mom said she got that gesture from you.” He smiled across the table at her. “I remember you, too. When my dad died, you came into my room every night for a week and didn’t leave until I was asleep. Thank you for that.”

“Care to elaborate, M
ama?” Mathew, who had been staring at her from the side, found the courage to speak.

“
My name is Princess Penelope of the Spirit Fey,” she said in a very regal fashion. “King Roland is my brother.” Looking at me, she said, “I am your aunt, Sarette.”

“
Aunt? But you’re supposed to be dead!” I gasped, then turned to Matthew.  “That means we’re cousins. Cool! . . . Wait a minute. Mathew, you’re a fairy too!”

“
Fey,” Mom, Mama, and Elwin said at the same time.

“Whatever!” I exclaimed. “And you each owe me a Coke.”

“Perhaps I should start at the beginning,” Peggy said, “Stop me if I use any words you don’t understand.” We all nodded in agreement. “When I was growing up in Meanmna, there were quite a few of us training to be knights, including me and Roland and Elwin’s parents, who are named Sophia and Jeffrey, and Mathew’s dad, Liam. We were all the very best of friends. That’s why none of us were mad when Roland left. We actually supported his decision. He wasn’t supposed to fall in love and not come back, but none of us were angry about that either. When my dad, King Simon, got sick, Liam and I were bonded.” She looked at Elwin and said, “Your parents were there—you were too—but my dad died before Liam and I could step in.

“
There were many formalities that Mathew’s father and I needed to go through before we could step in to lead. We were so close to being ready, but then the attack on Beinn-Theine happened and Roland, Jeffrey, and Liam rode out. Only Roland came back. I lost my mazon and vaki— Elwin’s dad—on the same day. I was angry, furious and heartbroken. I was almost ready to end it all when I found out I was pregnant. I couldn’t stay in Daearen; something drove me to leave and I didn’t even tell Roland. I thought it would be easier if everyone thought I was dead. I came here and found you, Shanna.” She looked at my mom. “I chose this life with you as my sister in-law. I used almost all of my magic to change my appearance and shield us from the fey. I do not have enough to go back.”

Too stunned to say anything
, the five of us just sat there staring into space or at our plates of food that had grown cold. Elwin squeezed my hand. “I didn’t know,” he said with a shrug.

“
I believe you,” I said, and looked around the table. “So now what?”

“
You can’t take him,” Peggy snapped to Elwin.

“
Of course I can’t take him; it’s dangerous enough with one inexperienced royal, let alone two.” Elwin picked up his napkin and muttered into it, “Someone else will have to come to get him.”

Mathew stood up and yelled,
“
He
happens to be standing right here!” Everyone looked at him. “Don’t I get a say—”

“
I don’t get a say; why should you?” I interrupted.

“
If Sarette is going, there is no reason for Mathew to go,” Peggy interjected.

“Well,
if that’s true, then if Mathew goes, Sarette doesn’t have to,” Mom argued.

“Mathew is
not
going!”

“
Well, then neither is Sarette!” With Mom’s comment, the room erupted in yelling.

Finally, Elwin stood. Tapping on his water glass with a spoon, he said
very loudly. “We are all losing by fighting!” Everyone looked at him. “We need every ounce of magic we can get to save us all. Do you not understand what has been happening for the last seventeen years, Princess Penelope? I am a knight in King Roland’s court. I cannot—I will not—keep this from him. Do you understand? I must be loyal and communicate to Roland that you are alive. Someone will come for Mathew soon, but it is not my place to take him.” He looked around the table to make sure that everyone understood what he had stated. One by one, we all nodded. He walked to the window and opened it. The fey were there in bug form.

“Oh, show him first please,”
I said. Elwin looked at me disapprovingly and then nodded. I leaned over the table to Mathew and whispered, “Wait until you see
this
.”

Elwin raised
his hands to start the demonstration, but he was interrupted by the doorbell. “Expecting anybody?” he asked. We all shook our heads no. He reached behind him and removed a dagger that looked exactly like mine, and started toward the door. We were all frozen in our seats. It was surreal. My fairy warrior was going to greet a visitor, a visitor whom we had not invited. I had a feeling that Elwin was about to scare the crap out of some Jehovah’s Witnesses. Elwin reached the door, opened it a little, and said, “Can I help you?”

“
No, but I’m here to help you, big brother.” A girl whose hair, eyes, and coloring were identical to Elwin’s barged into the house. Elwin stood there with his mouth open.

“
Steph
? What are you doing here?” Mathew asked incredulously as he stood up.

“
Big brother?” I said as I stood up.

“
Since when do you go by your middle name, Elanora Stephanie Colin?” Elwin said, closing the door.

“
Since I was on a covert operation from the queen herself, that’s when.” She smiled affectionately at him. “But I’ll always be Nora to you.”

“Somebody
want to tell me what is happening here?” Mathew said as he walked toward the female version of Elwin. “Your name is not Steph?” She shook her head no. “You are Elwin’s little sister?” She shook her head yes. “You are on a mission to do what? Get me to the castle?” She shook her head yes. “Was that all I was to you?”

She smiled, shook
her head no, stood on her toes and gave him a little kiss on the lips. Mathew relaxed and took her into his arms, resting his chin on her head. I felt a little pang of jealousy in my heart.
Why can
they
be together when I can’t be with Elwin?

Peggy
and Elwin spoke at the same time. “My mother sent you?” “Why wasn’t I informed of this?”