Page 91 of Veiled

Let it kill you and let it devour your remains.

For all things will kill you, both slowly and fast, but it’s even

better to be killed by a lover.” Charles Bukowski

We would sometimes pass it between us in whispers. All we can figure was that for such a short time knowing she was Queen; she took it all in stride. She took her responsibilities and thought about solutions rather than complain about more changes or challenges. In truth, the world would never deserve a person like Hudson, but we did. She was our light, and we knew it, so it hit us harder every time we saw her in that bed. It seemed that in that time, she fell in love with her responsibilities as well, seeing them more as a gift. Maybe she realized that dying for her people was for a better cause, a greater one. We took that passion, and we made our presence known to the village, getting to know everyone and building relationships and talking to the council members about our next course of action.

In all of this, there was the last part of the prophecy- it pissed me off to no end. I read it repeatedly, “There’s no love until there’s family. There is no anguish of the soul until one has children.” Except I think it was wrong, there was love within our family. There is no anguish of the soul until one loses their children. Even if they had been just a flutter, I truly think Hudson’s soul just didn’t want to come back to her body, to a world without the possibility of those flutters becoming kicks, becoming smiles, speaking the words ‘mom and dad.’

I don’t think her soul wanted to come back at all, and I don't think that the number of tears I have cried could ever bring her back to me or Rayne and Xavier, the babies we should have had but didn't.

Our love should be forever; I don’t care to hear that love transcends death. I can’t hug a ghost, I can’t kiss a ghost, I can’t make love to a ghost. What's worse? I cannot pick up a ghost and kiss their boo boo’s, I can’t check a closet for monsters and for ghosts. It hurt. It all hurt so much.

I prayed, I hoped, and for brief moments when I couldn’t stay awake, I dreamt. Unfortunately, the dreams were so sweet, and so perfect that everything hurt even more when I woke up.

So, I wrote my own note to her, in response to hers and I encouraged the others to do the same.

Sit down and learn a bit of our history.

There are thousands of old tales revered by our people about those who, instead of being born of Gaia and her offspring, can be created.Changed into Faerie. There are many variations to the tales, but one of those versions highlights the need for a particular person to already have a talent for magic. It is why those magic users beyond the veil often make wishes or deals with the Fae, although those are typically Unseelie, the Dark Fae, to gain more power or be changed. Problem with the overall concept, despite the obvious, is that the Unseelie never truly keep their end of the bargain, often stealing children instead, playing cruel jokes or leaving people mad.

A change from human to Fae can be complicated and often the person is barely recognizable. While there are various creatures who reside in the large world of Fae; from goblins to brownies, to nymphs we often find ourselves completely enamored by the idea of “other.” To humans, nothing is ever good enough, concrete enough; there is always more to find, more to discover and more ways to grow. Some of these journeys have led to hundreds of revelations and scientific discoveries. Some have changed the world.

However, there were some of these journeys that have led to the decimation of the human soul. Humans, who rot from the inside out, not from evil, although there is plenty of that in the world, but from the attempts to tamper in things that are beyond this world, beyond simple understanding. The Dark Fae, the Unseelie, take advantage of these weak individuals. For it is the weak who fall prey to the temptation of being stronger; it is the weak who fall prey to simple temptation of power. In their thirst, they fail to realize that the strong already have the power. In their hunger, they pick up scraps, and they grow unstable. They take thrones, they hurt others, and in the Veil, that makes you a threat. In the Veil, that makes you vulnerable to the true force that governs, Gaia; andGaia has already chosen.Those who oppose Rhiona of Faell will fail, shatter, and plead for forgiveness.For those who have reveled too long in their scraps, will now learn the true pangs of hunger.

For it is during this time that we will see true destruction, so that we can soon rebuild.

I had to sneak out of my bedroom while momma was in the garden to go see Hudson and my best friends. Momma says that I should let her rest because she’s been through a big battle and isn’t doing too well, but she doesn’t get it. Hudson is my friend, she even gave me a nickname! So, of course I have to go see her,parents don’t understand anything.

I ran my hands through the flowers as I followed the trail to her cabin and jumped when Xena appeared next to me. “Xena, you silly kitty! You scared me. Are you going to walk me the rest of the way?” I asked.

Yes, I will keep you safe. I felt you coming little one.I giggled, I could speak to all the familiars here; it was one of my gifts and it was so much fun.

“Okay, I won’t be dying for another six hundred and thirty-two years, Xena. Don’t you worry,” I said calmly. She raised her fuzzy eyebrows and growled.

Not if I can help it.

I released a heavy sigh. Not too many people understand me. It’s okay though, I think it will always be that way, except for my best friends. I didn’t bother knocking on the door when I got to the cabin; everyone was too sad to answer. I went straight upstairs and saw all her mates sitting around her while she napped. That’s all it was to me, a long nap. I didn’t like naps, but I knew Hudson would wake up soon, only something big would change my visions.

“Hi guys, I’m back for a visit.” I clapped and jumped on the bed, laying my head on her tummy, they looked so sad before they tried to smile at me.

“Hey little one,” Ryder started, “Hudson isn’t feeling too well and ermmm,” he looked around the room to the other guys there. I look a closer look at them. From the last time I saw them it looked like they finally changed back into what they were. Now all six of them had white hair and pointy ears. They looked like me!

“That’s okay. It won’t be for long. I just wanted to tell my best friends I was here!” I giggled and started telling a story to her belly. For a few minutes, everyone was quiet.

“The thing is Ella, I don’t think your best friends are ready to come quite yet, it may be a few more years,” Zane said sadly. I jumped off the bed and walked closer to him, putting my hand on his cheek. It was so weird being around my best friend's parents when they weren't here, but I knew that I would be a part of their family soon.

Looking into his eyes and glancing around the room I smiled, “You know, just because I’m little doesn’t mean I don’t understand,” I giggled, grownups were so funny. “My best friends will be here soon, all four of them.”

Their eyes popped open and I skipped out of the room and then out of the house. I didn’t want momma to get worried.