“Of course,” he snapped. “I’m not an invalid. Aileana, I’ve been riding horses for longer than… for a long time. I’ll be fine.”
“Good,” I said, falling in step with him. If he was going to insist on being stubborn, I wasn’t going to push the matter. “Because there’s one more thing I want to do before we leave this accursed place.”
Eternal Blessings
Daegal, Xander, and I stood around Jo’s unmoving body, staring at the female who had been full of life mere hours ago. She was lying on her back, her hands folded over her chest as though she were simply praying.
The Fortune Elf had removed the arrow before wrapping Jo in her cloak. A somber air settled over us. The forest itself seemed to mourn as the animals were silent. The stars were covered by dark clouds, and a storm roiled on the horizon.
“Are you sure you can do this, Aileana?” Xander’s voice was low as he stood on my right.
I nodded, taking a deep breath. “Yes. I am sure. Iwantto do this for Jo.”
It’s the least I can do.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that if it hadn’t been for me, Jo wouldn’t be dead. Her death, more than any of the other ones I’d caused, rested heavily on my conscience. It would be a burden I would bear for the rest of my life, of that I was certain.
An owl hooted in the distance as a cool breeze blew past us. The wind blew my hair around me as I stared at Jo’s body.
“She can do it, Xan.” Daegal’s voice was soft as he spoke for the first time since I told him my plan. “Let her.”
I smiled faintly at the elf. He had been silent when we had come out of the forest, kneeling over his fallen friend. His vote of confidence meant more to me than I could say. I wasn’t used to people having faith in me.
It was new and strange and… entirely welcome.
Xander nodded. “Okay.” He brushed the back of his hand against mine lightly and tingles rushed through me.
Stepping forward, I stood before Jo’s body and cleared my throat.
“I haven’t been to many of these,” I began, altering the truth slightly. The reality was, I hadn’t been to a single funeral before in my life, but that seemed beside the point at the moment.
Clearing my throat, I continued, “I wish I wasn’t here now. It is an honor to say a final farewell to Jo—Josephine. We only knew each other for a short time, but during that time, I recognized her as a female of strength, kindness, and loyalty. She was strong, and it was an honor to get to know her. I wish her time on this planet could have been extended.”
Kneeling, I grabbed a handful of dirt. It was cold and damp, but it crumbled as I held it over Jo’s chest. The dirt fell on her, the brown specks scattering over her gray cloak. I whispered, “May the goddesses, in all their eternal wisdom, accept your soul with love and affection. May you find everlasting peace and rest in the Next Life.”
Once my handful of dirt was gone, Xander stepped forward and repeated my actions.
Xander’s voice was low, reverent even as he said, “Jo, you were one of my oldest friends. You helped me when I was lost. You gave me friendship when I needed it, and for that, I am eternally grateful.” He took a deep breath, releasing his dirt and resting his hand on Jo’s cheek. “May you find peace with Kydona in the afterlife. One day, old friend, we will reunite.”
Then Daegal came forward. With his dark skin, he blended into the night. I squinted, his body little more than shadow as he, too, sprinkled dirt on Jo’s chest, before pushing himself to his feet.
The Fortune Elf cleared his throat. Emotion leaked into his words as he spoke. “Josephine Shaea Prinwillow. You were a female of many words and even more life. You were stolen from us too soon. May you find enduring peace and happiness in the Next Life.”
He stepped back, nodding in our direction.
Together, the three of us said as one, “Until we meet again.”
I swallowed. This was it. I wasn’t sure I would be able to do this, but for Jo, I wanted to try.
Raising my hands, I reached within myself for the pool of power I had sensed earlier. My fingers began to tingle as the same thrum filled my veins.
Ever since the moment in the clearing when I had laid eyes on Xander’s kneeling form, I had felt… different. Like some part of me, one that had been locked up for my entire life was finally able to be used.
Even though I had barely slept over the past two days, I felt more alive than I had in my entire existence.
A beat passed, then two, where nothing happened. I was about to give up when suddenly, green light erupted from my hands as my skin tingled.
Bright green ribbons—Earth Elf magic, I was certain of that now—streamed from my fingers. The green shards of magic gently wrapped themselves around Jo’s body. They illuminated the night sky, and I watched in silence as Jo’s body was lifted from the ground. She levitated above the ground, her back bent, as the magic kept her upright.