“Ha! I knew it! You were probably jealous when he said he was going to be my demon lover, weren’t you?!” I was only teasing her, but I saw the sadness rise up in her eyes. I stopped smiling. “Uh-oh. Whoopsy. You liked him. When he was Torrie, I mean. Didn’t you?”
Céline’s eyes were on some empty spot on her desk, seeing nothing but her past. She nodded sadly, saying nothing.
“So what you’re saying is, you have horrible taste in men, like my mom.”
She looked up at me in shock, but then began smiling. “I guess you could say that.” She paused for second and then said, “Oh, how I wish I could have had a daughter like you, Jayne.”
I was a little shocked at that confession. “Whatever for? So you could have aggravated stress every day of your life?” That’s how my mom’s life had kind of played out with me.
“No. So I could have looked at you and had the selfish pleasure of knowing that I was somehow responsible for your beauty, intelligence, loving nature, and fierce bravery.”
“Whoa, Céline, I think you’ve had a few too many of those little airplane vodka bottles. Where are you hiding them? Or did you finish all of them already?”
“No. There is no vodka on board.”
“Okay, Ivar’s ‘knock-a-changeling-on-her-ass’ whiskey or whatever that stuff was.”
She smiled. “No. Sorry. Just real, sober compliments you’ll have to manage without the help of spirits.”
I stood, deciding I’d had enough of her nonsense. “Okay, whatever you say. Thanks, I think. I’m going to try and pretend it wasn’t your near-death experience today that caused a screw to come loose up there.” I tapped the side of my head for emphasis.
“You do that. Now go wake your friends. We will be arriving soon.”
I left the office and went into the main cabin, looking at all my sleeping friends, noticing Finn asleep with his head on the table, his arms reaching out as far as he could towards the twins – they were both asleep, leaning as far away from his arms as they could. I shook my head. Poor guy. He wasn’t getting any of that – and I was happy about it, as visions of Becky’s face danced in front of my mind. She’d had enough bad news lately. She didn’t need to learn she’d lost Finn to a couple of supermodel energy suckers.
I started blinking the main light switch on and off, over and over, while saying loudly, “Ladies and gentlefae, your captain has turned on the seatbelt sign ... ” the light went on with a happy ding and I looked up to see Ivar half-smiling at me from the pilot’s area. “ ... Please bring your damn seats to their most upright and most uncomfortable position immediately. Anyone failing to comply with the following orders will be forced to sleep with the pixieman on his or her pillow for the next week. And I do not recommend this as he does have frequent intestinal problems.”
“Hey!” yelled a tiny voice from his bento box. “That’s private information, Jayne!”
I went back to my seat and purposely nudged Tony in the leg on my way in.
“What?” he groaned. “Why are you so ... full of energy?”
“I’m not, dummy. I’m just glad to be going home.”
“Hmmm ... me too.” He sat up and rubbed his face several times and then his hair. It was sticking out all over the place, making him look adorable.
I grabbed him in a tight squeeze and said, “I’m so glad you’re here with me.”
He patted my arm, yawning. “Me too, Jayne. Me too.”
The rest of the group slowly joined us, waking up gradually with yawns and wide-armed stretches. Ivar was nice enough to serve coffee and cinnamon buns to everyone. They were warm too, and the frosting was perfectly melting into the cracks of the fluffy dough. I rolled my eyes heavenward, falling into a sugar-induced happiness coma. If the looks on the faces around me were anything to judge by, I was not alone.
We arrived at the airport and wasted no time unloading our bags first. Then Ivar came out of the area where he had carefully stored my mother’s remains, carrying her in his arms. We all walked to the van where Niles was waiting with a coffin strapped to the top. Tony and Finn worked together to take it down, stepping to the side so Ivar could gently lay my mom inside. Together they covered her and lifted her coffin back up onto the roof of the vehicle. After they strapped the pine box down firmly, we got into the van and left for the compound. I didn’t bother to look at her during the process or talk on the way back. I couldn’t stomach the idea of seeing her looking so battered again and I had nothing to say to anyone, lost in the memories of our better days.
As we pulled up to the edge of the forest near the path leading to the airplane symbol door of the Light Fae compound, I noticed some fae standing there who I did not recognize. Once out of the van, I got a better view of the entrance of the path, and I could see now that it wasn’t just a few strange fae standing there; there were a lot of fae, standing in groups, some familiar and some not. I slowly advanced towards them, my backpack thrown over my shoulder, wondering what was going on. They all looked very serious and were staring at me – then looking at something behind me.
I turned to see what they were looking at, and it struck me. They were looking at my mom’s coffin. My eyes went to Céline and she nodded once at me. I had no idea what she was trying to say.
Tony came up and stood beside me, taking my hand in his.
“What’s going on, Tony?” I asked, totally confused.
“They’re here for your mother. Out of respect for you.”
Tears leapt to my eyes. “No,” I whispered, unwilling to believe that so many fae might care about me like that – not sure if I even wanted it to be true. The feelings were too overwhelming for me right now.
“Yes,” he said firmly. “You deserve this. You’re a good person, Jayne. You are our Mother. Now toughen up and hold your head high, and get through this. I’m here with you. I’m not going anywhere.” He squeezed my hand so hard I winced. This was Tony putting his foot down and I knew I had no choice. I wasn’t feeling strong enough to make that kind of choice anyway. I was glad Tony had made it for me.
I took a step forward, but before I could complete the motion, I felt someone else nearby. Finn had taken up a spot on my other side, his hand held proudly on his bow, his face full of the quiet dignity I was used to seeing with the honorable green elves.
I heard the others come up behind me, and turned to see Ivar, Niles, Céline and the twins, all carrying my mother’s coffin. Several of the nearby fae moved to join them – many hands making the work lighter. A sob jumped to my throat and I put one hand up to my face, covering it for a moment, trying to collect myself. The entire group of what could only be hundreds of fae, of every race, wearing every color of tunic I knew existed, sat completely silent at the entrance to the path, waiting for me to be ready.
I took a deep breath and steadied myself. Then I pulled my hand away from my tear-streaked face, putting it over my heart in a fist, giving my family a salute of thanks. I began walking again, headed for the path that would lead me home.
Both sides of the path were lined with fae paying their respects. As I passed, each one nodded to me a single time, putting fists to chests as well. I saw movement out of the corner of my eye and turned to see flowers being thrown in the path of the others behind me, so my mother’s coffin floated above a field of color as it passed by. I knew if she were looking down at herself right now, this process would make her happy. It was a fitting goodbye for a woman who so loved her garden.
I thought we were headed to the airplane door, but I followed the new path created by fae on either side, soon realizing we were going to the Infinity Meadow. There, waiting for us to arrive, was Dardennes and all the members of the council. They were decked out in finery, the likes of which I had never seen them wear before. Each had a robe of a different color, sewn with threads of gold that twinkled in the morning light. A grave had already been dug and posts were set up on either side to hold my mother’s coffin before it was lowered down.
Dardennes held his hand ou
t towards me, welcoming me into the midst of the council members. All of them whispered their condolences to me as the tears ran down my face unchecked. The cranky old man-witch handed me a tissue for my nose and I thanked him with a croak. I couldn’t speak anymore, so I just stood there silently, watching as the coffin was placed on the poles above the hole and the fae that had been lining the path followed behind, slowly filling up the meadow.
Once everyone had gathered around, Dardennes began speaking loud enough for all to hear. “Thank you, gentle fae, for coming here to say goodbye to this human woman – this human woman who was mother to one of our own, Jayne Sparks Blackthorn. She was taken from this earth by those who wish to do Jayne and all of us harm. We must be ever-vigilant against this type of hatred and evil. And the first step towards doing that is recognizing the thing that binds us all together. That is love. Love and community. Family. Friendships. We ask that as each one of you moves forward from this day, that you keep those thoughts near. Be ever mindful of the words you say, the feelings you harbor towards others. Those who wish us harm will take advantage of any weakness. Even the weakness a child has for her mother, as imperfect as that mother may have been.” Dardennes spared a glance for me that said more than any words ever could.
I knew that many of these fae were aware of what my mom had done and the mistakes she made, yet they didn’t hold any of it against me or think less of me because of it. I knew that whatever impression they had of me would be based on the decisions I made for myself. I was on my own now. But then again, I wasn’t. I had all these beings here – these beings of Light and Love – to support me in my adventures in this realm. For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel like it was just me and my best friend Tony. I was a part of something much bigger.
I nodded at Dardennes to show my appreciation for his kindness.
He continued, “And so we lay Marcie Blackthorn Sparks to rest on this day. May she find her way to Elysian Fields, to live out the rest of eternity in peace. So be it!”
“So be it!” rang out all the voices around me.
“So be it,” I said softly, my voice unable to reach the proper volume. The tears and sorrow had made my throat raw. But I knew that my mom, wherever she was, had heard me. And that’s all that mattered.
The coffin began to descend into the grave without the use of straps or winches. I could see the usually grouchy but now just sober man-witch from the council muttering some incantation, his hand held out towards the pine box. He was lowering her down with magic, and that seemed perfect to me.
Flowers began to follow the coffin into the hole. One after the other, hundreds and then soon thousands of blooms were thrown or dropped in by fae who moved in a steady queue past her grave.
My closest friends lined up, each of them with a shovel. They hugged me one at a time and then moved to the pile of dirt that was next to the hole. First individually and then all together, they began shoveling the dirt over the coffin, over the flowers. New flowers were added as they went, mixing in with the rich soil. When the last few shovelfuls of dirt remained, and the hole was almost completely covered, Dardennes came over to me, taking Finn’s shovel from him and handing it to me.
I shook my head, unable to do what he wanted.
“You must,” he said quietly.
I took the warm metal handle in my hand, letting the shovel fall to my waist. I watched as Robin of the Green came through the crowd with a small tree in his hand, roots dangling underneath. He walked up to the freshly shoveled dirt on top of my mom’s final resting site and placed the sapling in a small indentation he quickly and deftly made in the soil. He stood and held onto the top of it dipping his head at me and then looking meaningfully at the remaining dirt.
I walked over slowly, now realizing what had to be done. I shoveled first one scoop and then another, throwing the soil onto the base of the tree, covering all the roots so it was fully planted over my mother’s grave.
“Everyone, please gather and hold hands,” said Dardennes.
I watched as every single fae in the meadow reached out and took the hand of the fae next to him or her. The Green rushed up into me, unbidden, seeming desperate and needy almost in its desire to participate in the touching ceremony.
I dropped the shovel and knelt down in the dirt next to the tree. I looked up at Dardennes and he smiled at me, nodding encouragement.
I placed my hand on the tiny, delicate trunk of the baby tree, instantly feeling The Green join me at the point of contact. I started speaking, first softly and then gradually more loudly, in my husky, scratchy voice, almost without thought. I knew exactly what I had to do for my mother and for the amazing fae standing around me who were sharing my broken heart.
“I call the Elements of Earth and Water into me. I call to the energy given and received, bound to the creatures of the Green Forest. I ask that you come together and show your Light in the form of this tree. For all and forever! We are fae together! May no monster or creature of Darkness ever put us asunder!”
I felt the connection amplify until it was nearly unbearable. It stayed out of my eyes but surged through my body and into the little tree. Within seconds the tree began to grow. I quickly stood while keeping my hand on its trunk. The fae around me began to back away, their eyes full of wonder. I could tell no one was afraid though, and for that I was happy. What was happening here was full of light and goodness. I was proud of what we were doing together. It was our combined spirits that was making this happen.
I took two and then three and four steps back as the tree continued to grow, stretching to the sky, its trunk growing in circumference while the bark went from the smooth surface of a new tree to the harsher, rougher, brown bark of a mature one. I could feel the roots of the tree reaching down deep and deeper into the earth, soaking up nutrients and water as they went. The earth rumbled slightly as the tree’s legs took their place among their neighbors – other trees and plants nearby.
I finally broke contact when I sensed the changes in the tree slowing; I looked up in wonder at the being that had grown in the space of about two minutes from a sapling into what was now a mighty oak with far-reaching branches that shaded the space where my mother’s earthly body would rest until it turned into dust. New green leaves were unfurled to the morning sky, and I could hear their delicate tissue-paper-like bodies opening with soft whispers. A couple of them loosened themselves and drifted down to land by my feet. I bent over and picked them up, thanking the tree through my link with The Green for its beauty and courage. It’s not an easy thing, to grow up so fast like that. No one knew that now better than me.
I stepped away from the tree and turned around, leaves held gently in my hand. I looked back at my friends, signaling with my head that I wanted them to follow.
Finn, Felicia, Theresa, Tony, and I began walking back to the nearby door that would lead us into the compound. Tim rode my shoulder, silently for once in his life. Spike was waiting for us at the edge of the meadow and turned to walk with our group. I looked off to the left, towards the deeper part of the forest where I had previously handed Chase over to the Dark Fae, and I caught a glimpse of three fae standing in the shadows. I knew without clearly seeing them that it was Chase, Becky and Ben, come to pay their last respects to my mom. I didn’t bother doing anything except raise my hand in acknowledgment. They waved back at me and then melted into the darkness of the trees.
I held my head high, all the way back to my room, before I collapsed in sobs, surrounded by my friends.
Chapter 24
I slept for twenty-eight hours straight. I’d heard of people doing that before, and I’d always wondered how they could do it without peeing the bed. I learned that my body is capable of great things when under enormous stress. I woke up in a pee-free bed, all of my friends sleeping on the floor around me.
I sat up, looking around me in silence, thinking that this must be what it’s like to be a bear in a den in winter. It smelled a little funky from all those
bodies and whatnot. A couple of my den-mates were snoring gently – Tim not so much. His snores were the usual, loud, wood-sawing type. I could see signs around the room telling me they’d eaten meals in here too. The place was such a mess, I decided Netter must have gone on strike due to a lack of chocolate balls and terrible working conditions. I must have been out like the dead, not having heard one peep of any of it. I thought about it for a second and realized I couldn’t remember even dreaming about anything. Maybe someone had put a spell on me so I could be Sleeping Beauty for a while.
Then I yawned and caught a whiff of my own breath and decided, no, I definitely wasn’t any sleeping beauty. Surely old S.B. never had breath like that in her entire life. Eegads. I slipped out of bed and tiptoed between my friends, stopping at the cabinet that held my toothbrush and toothpaste.
Scrum’s nicely shorn head came quickly up off the floor. “Jayne? You’re awake,” he said, blinking a few times.
“Yes,” I whispered. I had no idea what time it was, but I didn’t want to wake anyone up if they weren’t ready.
“Hey, everybody! Jayne’s awake!” he said excitedly.
“Shhhh!” I whisper-yelled. “They don’t need to get up just because I am.”
“Sure they do. We have an assembly to attend ... as soon as you get up. Those were the instructions.”
“Instructions and assembly, my ass.” I walked through my friends to the dresser, pulling open drawers to take out a clean change of clothes and a towel. “I’m not going anywhere until I’ve had a nice, hot shower.”
Felicia sat up and nudged her sister. “Treese. Get up. We’re on.”
I looked at her sideways, shutting the drawers and jiggling Tim’s bed enough that he stopped snoring.
“You guys aren’t coming with me.”
“Yes we are.”
“No way. I’ve had enough sexy time to last me for a while, thank you very much.” I shivered, working like hell to block the demon’s proposition from my mind.