Page 25 of Blackwood Milk Farm #7
Limbo of Dreams
Spectral sand shifted beneath bare feet. Small waves crested and splashed on sandy shores. High above, a sea of stars shined brightly in the forever midnight sky.
Asher and Lyn walked sided by side along the celestial shore. The elf looked out to the black sea as stars twinkled across the sky. Her heart dripped with sorrow, each step harder to take in the strange land.
“He will be happy to see you,” Asher said, trying to lift her spirits.
The elf continued to look out to the stars and sea.
A memory coiled through Asher’s mind, Lyn and he sitting his study, discussing many things, including the truth. She told him she had to hide her true self because no one would believe who she was and others would take advantage. She confessed to coming to the farm and seeing if the rumor was true that her beloved Aric had passed with a heroic death.
Asher listened to her as she spoke with tears in her eyes. The pain and loss were too much to bear, now that she knew it was real.
In Lyn’s sobbing, she said her true name, Empress Lavalia Druis. She was the true empress of the Druis Empire. She told Asher how her entire life was formal, following the traditions her mother taught her since she was child. How much it burned at her to break free from those traditions and live a free life. How it was beaten into her how to behave and how to ignore all ideas of leaving this royal life. So, she accepted it, trapped in a life she never wanted. Her betrothed loved her once. But with time, he sought love elsewhere, leaving the empress to her own, lonely prison.
When she met Aric, he made her laugh for the first time in a very long time. They enjoyed wine at a soirée and talked the night away. The attraction was immediate and forever lasting. When Aric spoke of his wild adventures, it only endured her heart more to him. When she asked what his occupation was, he was honest with her.
The empress knew of such things, but they were with the Opal Society. She had never met someone who helped women feel the Mother’s touch and aided their very world with helpful potions. The more Aric spoke of it, the more intrigued she was. For the first time in her life, Lavalia dared to break formal tradition and be free.
With time, and the aid of those loyal to her, a plan was hatched. The empress and those close to her devised a plan for a month-long sabbatical. Lavalia was whisked through a Wild Gate and appeared in Mist Valley.
She met with Aric, as her grace’s minders remained close by in town. Afterwards, Aric introduced the empress to a new experience.
Lavalia omitted the many details of her visit, other than saying it was a time she would never forget. She fell in love with Aric as he fell in love with her. It was only thirty nights, but it was enough to change their souls for a lifetime.
After Lavalia returned home, they wrote to each other. Asher brought out the letters to the beautiful elf, and she looked at them with wonder and tears. They both re-read them for a time, Lavalia saying she had to stop writing because her bonded had grown suspicious. So, she stopped, saying farewell to her lover.
Lavalia always thought about Aric. His image would make her smile at odd times. She dreamed of him. She also dreamed of meeting him again, in time. But the time never came, and she was lesser for it.
The need for secrecy was all important. If it was known the Empress of the Empire was having relations with a human man, it would have torn the empire to pieces. It had to stay secret for everyone’s benefit, but it also took away her chances to meet with her lover again.
Asher gave the elf an understanding nod. He then proposed they go and see Aric in his purgatory.
Lavalia’s eyes widened a hair, before she lowered her head and agreed.
Now, the pair walked on a celestial beach as a dark figure approached them on the wet, sandy shore.
Lavalia turned her gaze to the dark figure as their features appeared from the shine of starlight. A handsome older man looked back at the stricken elf and a warm smile filled his happy features.
“Lavalia,” Aric said with dreamy eyes.
The elf let out a whimper as she rushed into his arms.
The couple embraced each other, tears streaming down their cheeks. They held each other as they both slowly descended to their knees on the sand. Aric shifted and Lavalia let out a cleaning exhale as she looked into his bright green eyes.
“How I’ve missed you,” the elf whispered with wet, happy eyes.
“As do I, my beloved,” Aric said as a tear streaked his cheek.
Asher stepped back a little, letting them reconnect as he enjoyed the starry sky.
Time seemed to stand still in this strange limbo. Lifetimes seemed to pass the lord by, until Aric and Lavalia approached him, the pair holding hands.
“Nephew, you have helped us reconnect in a way we thought would never be possible. I…we thank you,” Aric said with a warm gaze.
“Letters never gave us our true closure,” Lavalia said with happy eyes. She looked up to Aric and he looked at her. “I am happy we were able to say our proper goodbyes, no matter how sad they are.”
Aric squeezed Lavalia’s hand with love before he looked at his nephew.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you more about the letters. I needed you to discover their true purpose on your own. I couldn’t allow a chance for the information to be stolen by others. A misplaced word to the wrong person about those letters would have brought many enemies to your door.
“You and your family have gone through enough. It is your time now. Your time to lead a happy, wonderous life.”
Asher’s smile faded a little. “What do you mean, Uncle?”
At that moment, the stars began to beam away in streaks of light. The ocean waves calmed and became still like a frozen puddle. The sand and water along the shore began to spread away from the three of them.
A sudden realization struck Asher as his eyes widened. “Uncle?” he said in a small panic.
Aric’s eyes gleamed with dreamy knowing.
“My one regret has been answered. I had thought I would never see my beautiful Lavalia again. To say how much I loved her, and say my proper goodbyes. Now that we have said what needed to be said, there is nothing keeping me in this place.
“I can move on to my next life without anything holding me to this plane any longer.”
Asher watched as Aric’s form began to blow away like he was made of sand. A little of himself flew on an invisible breeze, pieces at a time.
“But Uncle, I’m going to be a father,” Asher said the title out loud, the shock of it sinking into his soul. “I wanted to tell you about…my children.”
“You can still tell me about them. Speak to the wind and your words will carry to me. I know you will be an incredible father. Trust in yourself and you will do well.”
More pieces swirled away like sand on the wind.
“I’m proud of you, Asher. You have grown into a fine man. You have done great things in your life and I know you will continue to do great things in the future,” Aric smiled.
“Uncle, I’m not ready for you,” Asher watched as the last of his uncle faded away into swirling dust.
“Leave,” he finished.
The odd limbo broke and fell away to a black void.
All that was left was Asher and Lavalia floating in the abyss.
The Spirit Walk potion began to wear off. Asher blinked slowly, and when he opened his eyes, he was back in his study.
The lord stood there, his hands shaking.
The empress stood before him with knowing eyes. She embraced him and he hugged her back, tears streaking down their cheeks as they sobbed with deep loss.