**Disclaimer in Chapter 1. *** Thanks to Classic Cowboy for the input. Any
and all critiques and reviews are welcomed. I need all the help I can get.
Thanks!!!!
CHAPTER 6: DAY'S END
King Randor waited in his son's chambers, pacing effortlessly back and forth. In the room two doors down, his wife, the Queen, had been sedated and was resting. She was not taking the news of Erin's death well, in fact, all of Eternos City was in shock and mourning. Shops had closed, black flags had been raised, and the palace temples were filling up with people seeking guidance and trying to make sense of what had happened.
In the short time Erin had been on Eternia, she had made quite an impression with the people, helping out in the markets, talking and listening to people as if she were a commoner herself, and most of all she heard what they told her. She took on many projects to help those who needed it and for that, Randor knew many in Eternia were grateful to her. Even those who thought it wrong for the Crowned Prince not to marry someone of royal, let alone Eternian blood, could not speak out against her.
He looked out the window at the setting sun and wondered where Adam was. Randor was sure his son knew, although the Defenders reported that none of them could find him. On top of that, Teela and Man-At-Arms were also missing and this caused him to worry greatly.
As if to read his thoughts the door opened behind him and Man-At-Arms walked in, looking more exhausted than he had ever seen him to be. Randor walked towards his friend who hung his head low, as if he didn't want to look him in the eye.
"I wanted to say how sorry I am, your majesty," Man-At-Arms spoke softly, never looking up from his gaze on the floor. He had seen enough death for one day, and he wasn't sure if he could ever handle seeing battle again.
Randor placed his hand on his friend's shoulder. Man-At-Arms finally looked up, his eyes were bloodshot and puffy, but the warrior would never admit to shedding a tear.
"Duncan, have you seen Adam?" Randor inquired. "I don't think he should be alone right now."
Man-At-Arms nodded, the image of He-Man carrying his wife's broken body back to the palace haunted him. The look in the mighty warrior's eyes was so detached, it scared him a little.
"He's here," Man-At-Arms explained. "He's in the alter room with Erin's..body." He paused grasping the reality of the sentence. "I think it's best if they are left alone."
Randor nodded and placed both hands behind his back. For his age, he looked very distinguished and his brown eyes teared a little. It pained him to think about the agony his son was going through.
"I see," he said. "I shall give him some space then."
Then his mind shifted gears to the other events of the day.
"Duncan, is it true the Sorceress was killed also?" Although his friend never admitted it, he knew him well enough to know that her death would way very heavily on his friend's heart.
Man-At-Arms looked past him out the window as a bird flew by. He wondered how he was going to get through this.
"Yes your majesty, it is true." He said slowly. "She was already very weak when Skeletor attacked, no one really knows why, but she used all the power she had left against him. If it wasn't for her, I don't know if we could have won the battle. If you can even call it a win."
Randor looked down and sighed. Both men looked as though they had the weight of the world on them.
"It must not be made public that the Sorceress was killed though," Man-At- Arms said with determination. "I have instructed the Defenders not to say anything. Teela is not ready to defend Grayskull on her own. She needs time to master her magic. There can be no funeral, I have already taken care of that."
Randor looked at him with confusion. "Teela is taking over for the Sorceress? Why is that?"
Man-At-Arms explained about Teela's destiny and how the Sorceress had called upon her to take over since she was dying. Randor just sighed.
"We lost two very brave and noble women today, my friend," he said calmly. "I don't think anyone will ever totally grasp the magnitude of such a loss."
Man-At-Arms shook his head as the two walked out of the room and down the hall to make a statement to the mourning masses.
"I hope no one else has to," he said.
******
In the alter room, deep within the basement of the palace, He-Man placed his wife's body on an alter covered in red velvet and lined with gold fringe. The room was dark, save for a couple of candles that never seemed to extinguish, as if by magic.
He stood up and raised his sword.
"LET THE POWER RETURN!" he cried as light sprung forth from the sword and he transformed back into Prince Adam. Everything changed about him except the detached look in his weary gray eyes.
He dropped the sword on the ground and knelt down next to his wife, taking her cold, lifeless hand in his. With his other hand he brushed back the hair from her face. It looked like she was sleeping and he prayed that she would wake up and everything would be all right.
It wouldn't be though, Adam thought. It would never be all right again. The greatest love he had ever known would never smile at or talk to or laugh with or kiss him again. He closed his eyes tightly and remembered the look on her face when Skeletor's attack hit her. She had no idea what she was doing other than protecting her husband.
Her husband that was too busy protecting his friend to save his wife.
Adam let out a groan. He had promised the Sorceress he would protect Teela no matter what and the cost was Erin's life. That was the sacrifice he had been warned about, but was nowhere near prepared for.
"Every action taken in battle, will lead up someone's death.." The Sorceress's words rang out through his head.
"It's my fault," he groaned as tears streamed down his chiseled features. "It's all my fault."
His shoulders shook as he sobbed hard for a few minutes. Then he quieted down and touched his slain wife's cheek. He studied her quiet features for what he feared would be the last time and memorized every line, eyelash, dimple, and freckle he could.
Finally, he rose and picked the power sword up from the ground. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth as he held the blade in his right hand and used the left hand to pull it quickly through his grip, slicing open his hand. Blood started streaming from his clenched knuckles.
He opened his eyes and his wounded fist and placed his bloody hand on Erin's chest, over her heart.
"I swear to you, on the blood that gives me life and runs through our son's veins, that I will NEVER love another as I have loved you for as long as I live," he spoke softly but clearly and with more determination than ever. "I will avenge you by mourning you until the day we can be together again. I make this solemn vow to you on my life."
He removed his hand and studied the bloody palm print it left on his wife's cold yet still tanned skin. Blood continued to drip from his hand as he sheathed the power sword on his back once more and turned to leave. At the door, he turned and looked at the body on the alter again.
"Our love will be for eternity," he said calmly. "It will never be matched."
With that, he turned and left the alter room.
****
Teela didn't know if she could cry anymore. In the same day she had found her mother and lost her, discovered that the two men she had ever loved were the same person, and stood idly by as the only woman he loved and the mother of his heir was killed right in front of him.
She had never felt so helpless or alone in her life.
To top it off, she could no longer leave Grayskull and join her family and friends in mourning at the palace. She was the new Sorceress and if she didn't stay to protect the castle, then nothing would stop the forces of evil from coming back and walking right in.
She folded her arms. Forces of evil, indeed. She wondered where the last act of magic her mother ever performed sent Skeletor and if he would be back anytime soon.
She had no idea what to do if he came back. All she had learned was she need to study and concentrate but she had no clue where to start. She put her hands in her head as she sat on the great throne her mother used to occupy.
She missed her father terribly and wanted him near so she could ask for his guidance. He had promised her he would return but had to go back to the palace to report and to check on Adam.
Her green eyes glistened with more tears. "Poor Adam," she thought. "How is he ever going to get through this?"
She suddenly became filled with regret for all the horrible things she thought about Erin because when all was said and done, she had given the ultimate sacrifice for someone she loved and that made her a hero to Teela.
Just as her mother was. She started sobbing again, this time, so hard that she didn't even notice the portal open at the bottom of the stairs.
"You must be Teela!" a loud voice boomed and surprised Teela.
Sitting on the stairs, was a huge man, at least 10 feet tall, wearing black pirate -looking clothes and a long red robe. He had a shady grin on his face that made Teela not want to trust him.
"Who on Eternia are you?" she demanded. "And how did you get in here?"
The titan just looked at her with a mock-hurt expression on his face and chuckled.
"The Sorceress didn't tell you of me? I'm disappointed." He said smugly.
Teela became enraged. "The Sorceress didn't have time to tell me anything!" She cursed herself for saying that after her father had warned her to keep quiet of the Sorceress's death.
The huge man stood up and the smile left his face. In its place was remorse.
"Yes, I have gathered that," he said. "I'm sorry about the loss of your mother. She was one of the greatest sources of magic ever, and she will be remembered fondly at the counsel."
Teela was confused. What counsel? Who was this guy and why was he acting so strange.
Before she could speak, he raised his hand and waived it to his stomach.
"I am Zodac, a watcher on the Universal Counsel," he began. "You're mother and I were good friends.most of the time. We didn't always see eye to eye but we had a great deal of respect for each other. I will mourn the loss of our great debates, they were legendary."
Teela was astounded. Here was this man she did not know, invading her new home and making light of her mother's death.
"Thank you for you sympathy," she said sarcastically. "But as you can see I'm very busy. So if you don't mind..."
Zodac sat back down and made himself comfortable.
"Actually, that's why I am here," he started up again, much to the discomfort of Teela. "You see the Universal Counsel does not get involved in mortal affairs unless it's absolutely necessary, that is unless the whole of existence itself rests upon our interference."
Teela nodded, figuring she might as well listen to what the man or whatever he was had to say. He continued.
"Let's just say, we are kind of in that situation now," he said looking at her with some distaste, which made Teela's blood boil. "You see, you took your mother's place much too late. She never had time to teach you anything and now Castle Grayskull is pretty much defenseless, that is with the exception of He-Man and as you know, he's preoccupied at the moment."
Teela wondered how Zodac could be so cruel, but kept quiet nonetheless.
"Castle Grayskull is not only the place where the sacred power of the elders remains hidden, it is also a place of great universal power," he continued as if what he was saying was no big deal. "And the Counsel, myself included, cannot allow someone with no magical experience to take control of it. The results would be beyond catastrophic."
Teela became angry again. "What is it, do you want me to move out? I'd be more than happy to. YOU stay here and guard this stupid castle! Knock yourself out!" she yelled.
Zodac rolled his massive, black eyes and then looked at her. She was going to be a handful, and normally he liked that, but he felt that this particular Sorceress was going to be the source of some great headaches for him.
"What is it with you Sorceress girls, you always fly off the handle?" he retorted. "Now if you don't mind, I'd like to finish. Is that okay with you?"
Before Teela could say no, he cut her off and continued.
"Anyway, as I was saying, we can't leave the castle in the hands of someone with no magical experience, and since your mother was to be your instructor and is no longer available for, shall we say, her teaching duties," Teela's face flushed with anger. "Then a new instructor has been appointed for you."
Teela gritted her teeth, no one could take her mother's place and she wanted to make sure this yahoo knew it.
"I don't think that would be a very good idea," she said through her teeth.
Zodac raised his eyebrows. "You don't have a say in it missy. Now be a good girl and do as your told."
Teela felt like she could hit him, but refrained.
"Okay then," she asked inquisitively. "Who is this new instructor I will be getting?"
Zodac smiled as he waived his hands and luggage appeared on the castle floor. Teela's mouth opened in protest.
"Me." He said smiling broadly.
*****
Adam couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned in the bed that he was not used to sleeping alone in. He could still smell Erin's hair on her pillow. He saw her silver robe draped over the chair next to the window. He could still hear her humming the same song every morning, some tune she was listening to the night he went to Earth and asked her to come back to Eternia.
He opened his eyes and stared at the ivory canopy over their bed. He sighed as he remembered the last time they were together in that bed. The touch of her skin, the taste of her lips, the brush of her hair on his face. All he had now were those memories.
He looked out the window. It was still dark. He had maybe been in bed for a couple of hours. On the floor below him, Cringer snored lightly. Next to him Jerry lay, awake and whimpering.
Adam sat up, turned on the light and looked at the rottweiler.
"I miss her terribly, Jerry," Adam said to the dog, whose ears perked up when spoken to. He grunted as he stood up and jumped up onto the foot of the bed. He cocked his head and looked at Adam.
"She was never so happy as she was when she was with you," he grunted. "For as long as I've known her, that's all I wanted for her." He paused. "It's not fair, is it? You didn't have enough time together and I don't know if that boy will ever know how special his mother was."
Adam looked down and fought back the tears. Jerry jumped off of the bed and walked over to the window. Tilting his head back, he let out a loud, but obviously grieving howl.
Adam got out of bed and walked to his closet. A servant had been by earlier to pick up a one of Erin's dresses for the funeral. Adam slammed the door in the poor man's face. With his bandaged right hand, he sorted through the dresses she had hanging in the closet. None of them seemed right, the ball gowns, day dresses, dinner dresses.
Then he came across it, the perfect one. He pulled it out and held it close to his face, taking in the scent she had left on it. It still smelled like flowers.
It was her wedding dress. Adam closed his eyes and remembered their special day. Erin didn't want a big fancy wedding so they were married in the palace gardens with just their friends and family around. Rather than a big, extravagant gown with a long train, she chose to wear a simple, off the shoulder, white sheath dress and walked down the aisle barefoot, wearing flowers in her hair.
That was the happiest day of his life, along with the day Adacan was born.
He opened his eyes as he thought about his son. He hung the dress on the door and left his room. Down the hall, he opened the door to Adacan's room and stuck his head in. The boy was sleeping soundly in his bed, his new teddy bear tucked under his arm.
Adam entered and closed the door behind him. He sat in the chair next to the boy's bed and watched him sleep. Erin had always said she was amazed how much Adacan looked like him, but at that moment, he saw the only resemblance the boy had to his deceased wife; his smile.
"How can I raise him without you?" Adam asked thin air, a knot forming in his throat. He wondered if his child even knew or understood what had happened.
A soft breeze blew the curtains in the child's room up and they brushed the back of Adam's neck. He closed his eyes and nodded.
"How am I supposed to go on without you?"
CHAPTER 6: DAY'S END
King Randor waited in his son's chambers, pacing effortlessly back and forth. In the room two doors down, his wife, the Queen, had been sedated and was resting. She was not taking the news of Erin's death well, in fact, all of Eternos City was in shock and mourning. Shops had closed, black flags had been raised, and the palace temples were filling up with people seeking guidance and trying to make sense of what had happened.
In the short time Erin had been on Eternia, she had made quite an impression with the people, helping out in the markets, talking and listening to people as if she were a commoner herself, and most of all she heard what they told her. She took on many projects to help those who needed it and for that, Randor knew many in Eternia were grateful to her. Even those who thought it wrong for the Crowned Prince not to marry someone of royal, let alone Eternian blood, could not speak out against her.
He looked out the window at the setting sun and wondered where Adam was. Randor was sure his son knew, although the Defenders reported that none of them could find him. On top of that, Teela and Man-At-Arms were also missing and this caused him to worry greatly.
As if to read his thoughts the door opened behind him and Man-At-Arms walked in, looking more exhausted than he had ever seen him to be. Randor walked towards his friend who hung his head low, as if he didn't want to look him in the eye.
"I wanted to say how sorry I am, your majesty," Man-At-Arms spoke softly, never looking up from his gaze on the floor. He had seen enough death for one day, and he wasn't sure if he could ever handle seeing battle again.
Randor placed his hand on his friend's shoulder. Man-At-Arms finally looked up, his eyes were bloodshot and puffy, but the warrior would never admit to shedding a tear.
"Duncan, have you seen Adam?" Randor inquired. "I don't think he should be alone right now."
Man-At-Arms nodded, the image of He-Man carrying his wife's broken body back to the palace haunted him. The look in the mighty warrior's eyes was so detached, it scared him a little.
"He's here," Man-At-Arms explained. "He's in the alter room with Erin's..body." He paused grasping the reality of the sentence. "I think it's best if they are left alone."
Randor nodded and placed both hands behind his back. For his age, he looked very distinguished and his brown eyes teared a little. It pained him to think about the agony his son was going through.
"I see," he said. "I shall give him some space then."
Then his mind shifted gears to the other events of the day.
"Duncan, is it true the Sorceress was killed also?" Although his friend never admitted it, he knew him well enough to know that her death would way very heavily on his friend's heart.
Man-At-Arms looked past him out the window as a bird flew by. He wondered how he was going to get through this.
"Yes your majesty, it is true." He said slowly. "She was already very weak when Skeletor attacked, no one really knows why, but she used all the power she had left against him. If it wasn't for her, I don't know if we could have won the battle. If you can even call it a win."
Randor looked down and sighed. Both men looked as though they had the weight of the world on them.
"It must not be made public that the Sorceress was killed though," Man-At- Arms said with determination. "I have instructed the Defenders not to say anything. Teela is not ready to defend Grayskull on her own. She needs time to master her magic. There can be no funeral, I have already taken care of that."
Randor looked at him with confusion. "Teela is taking over for the Sorceress? Why is that?"
Man-At-Arms explained about Teela's destiny and how the Sorceress had called upon her to take over since she was dying. Randor just sighed.
"We lost two very brave and noble women today, my friend," he said calmly. "I don't think anyone will ever totally grasp the magnitude of such a loss."
Man-At-Arms shook his head as the two walked out of the room and down the hall to make a statement to the mourning masses.
"I hope no one else has to," he said.
******
In the alter room, deep within the basement of the palace, He-Man placed his wife's body on an alter covered in red velvet and lined with gold fringe. The room was dark, save for a couple of candles that never seemed to extinguish, as if by magic.
He stood up and raised his sword.
"LET THE POWER RETURN!" he cried as light sprung forth from the sword and he transformed back into Prince Adam. Everything changed about him except the detached look in his weary gray eyes.
He dropped the sword on the ground and knelt down next to his wife, taking her cold, lifeless hand in his. With his other hand he brushed back the hair from her face. It looked like she was sleeping and he prayed that she would wake up and everything would be all right.
It wouldn't be though, Adam thought. It would never be all right again. The greatest love he had ever known would never smile at or talk to or laugh with or kiss him again. He closed his eyes tightly and remembered the look on her face when Skeletor's attack hit her. She had no idea what she was doing other than protecting her husband.
Her husband that was too busy protecting his friend to save his wife.
Adam let out a groan. He had promised the Sorceress he would protect Teela no matter what and the cost was Erin's life. That was the sacrifice he had been warned about, but was nowhere near prepared for.
"Every action taken in battle, will lead up someone's death.." The Sorceress's words rang out through his head.
"It's my fault," he groaned as tears streamed down his chiseled features. "It's all my fault."
His shoulders shook as he sobbed hard for a few minutes. Then he quieted down and touched his slain wife's cheek. He studied her quiet features for what he feared would be the last time and memorized every line, eyelash, dimple, and freckle he could.
Finally, he rose and picked the power sword up from the ground. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth as he held the blade in his right hand and used the left hand to pull it quickly through his grip, slicing open his hand. Blood started streaming from his clenched knuckles.
He opened his eyes and his wounded fist and placed his bloody hand on Erin's chest, over her heart.
"I swear to you, on the blood that gives me life and runs through our son's veins, that I will NEVER love another as I have loved you for as long as I live," he spoke softly but clearly and with more determination than ever. "I will avenge you by mourning you until the day we can be together again. I make this solemn vow to you on my life."
He removed his hand and studied the bloody palm print it left on his wife's cold yet still tanned skin. Blood continued to drip from his hand as he sheathed the power sword on his back once more and turned to leave. At the door, he turned and looked at the body on the alter again.
"Our love will be for eternity," he said calmly. "It will never be matched."
With that, he turned and left the alter room.
****
Teela didn't know if she could cry anymore. In the same day she had found her mother and lost her, discovered that the two men she had ever loved were the same person, and stood idly by as the only woman he loved and the mother of his heir was killed right in front of him.
She had never felt so helpless or alone in her life.
To top it off, she could no longer leave Grayskull and join her family and friends in mourning at the palace. She was the new Sorceress and if she didn't stay to protect the castle, then nothing would stop the forces of evil from coming back and walking right in.
She folded her arms. Forces of evil, indeed. She wondered where the last act of magic her mother ever performed sent Skeletor and if he would be back anytime soon.
She had no idea what to do if he came back. All she had learned was she need to study and concentrate but she had no clue where to start. She put her hands in her head as she sat on the great throne her mother used to occupy.
She missed her father terribly and wanted him near so she could ask for his guidance. He had promised her he would return but had to go back to the palace to report and to check on Adam.
Her green eyes glistened with more tears. "Poor Adam," she thought. "How is he ever going to get through this?"
She suddenly became filled with regret for all the horrible things she thought about Erin because when all was said and done, she had given the ultimate sacrifice for someone she loved and that made her a hero to Teela.
Just as her mother was. She started sobbing again, this time, so hard that she didn't even notice the portal open at the bottom of the stairs.
"You must be Teela!" a loud voice boomed and surprised Teela.
Sitting on the stairs, was a huge man, at least 10 feet tall, wearing black pirate -looking clothes and a long red robe. He had a shady grin on his face that made Teela not want to trust him.
"Who on Eternia are you?" she demanded. "And how did you get in here?"
The titan just looked at her with a mock-hurt expression on his face and chuckled.
"The Sorceress didn't tell you of me? I'm disappointed." He said smugly.
Teela became enraged. "The Sorceress didn't have time to tell me anything!" She cursed herself for saying that after her father had warned her to keep quiet of the Sorceress's death.
The huge man stood up and the smile left his face. In its place was remorse.
"Yes, I have gathered that," he said. "I'm sorry about the loss of your mother. She was one of the greatest sources of magic ever, and she will be remembered fondly at the counsel."
Teela was confused. What counsel? Who was this guy and why was he acting so strange.
Before she could speak, he raised his hand and waived it to his stomach.
"I am Zodac, a watcher on the Universal Counsel," he began. "You're mother and I were good friends.most of the time. We didn't always see eye to eye but we had a great deal of respect for each other. I will mourn the loss of our great debates, they were legendary."
Teela was astounded. Here was this man she did not know, invading her new home and making light of her mother's death.
"Thank you for you sympathy," she said sarcastically. "But as you can see I'm very busy. So if you don't mind..."
Zodac sat back down and made himself comfortable.
"Actually, that's why I am here," he started up again, much to the discomfort of Teela. "You see the Universal Counsel does not get involved in mortal affairs unless it's absolutely necessary, that is unless the whole of existence itself rests upon our interference."
Teela nodded, figuring she might as well listen to what the man or whatever he was had to say. He continued.
"Let's just say, we are kind of in that situation now," he said looking at her with some distaste, which made Teela's blood boil. "You see, you took your mother's place much too late. She never had time to teach you anything and now Castle Grayskull is pretty much defenseless, that is with the exception of He-Man and as you know, he's preoccupied at the moment."
Teela wondered how Zodac could be so cruel, but kept quiet nonetheless.
"Castle Grayskull is not only the place where the sacred power of the elders remains hidden, it is also a place of great universal power," he continued as if what he was saying was no big deal. "And the Counsel, myself included, cannot allow someone with no magical experience to take control of it. The results would be beyond catastrophic."
Teela became angry again. "What is it, do you want me to move out? I'd be more than happy to. YOU stay here and guard this stupid castle! Knock yourself out!" she yelled.
Zodac rolled his massive, black eyes and then looked at her. She was going to be a handful, and normally he liked that, but he felt that this particular Sorceress was going to be the source of some great headaches for him.
"What is it with you Sorceress girls, you always fly off the handle?" he retorted. "Now if you don't mind, I'd like to finish. Is that okay with you?"
Before Teela could say no, he cut her off and continued.
"Anyway, as I was saying, we can't leave the castle in the hands of someone with no magical experience, and since your mother was to be your instructor and is no longer available for, shall we say, her teaching duties," Teela's face flushed with anger. "Then a new instructor has been appointed for you."
Teela gritted her teeth, no one could take her mother's place and she wanted to make sure this yahoo knew it.
"I don't think that would be a very good idea," she said through her teeth.
Zodac raised his eyebrows. "You don't have a say in it missy. Now be a good girl and do as your told."
Teela felt like she could hit him, but refrained.
"Okay then," she asked inquisitively. "Who is this new instructor I will be getting?"
Zodac smiled as he waived his hands and luggage appeared on the castle floor. Teela's mouth opened in protest.
"Me." He said smiling broadly.
*****
Adam couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned in the bed that he was not used to sleeping alone in. He could still smell Erin's hair on her pillow. He saw her silver robe draped over the chair next to the window. He could still hear her humming the same song every morning, some tune she was listening to the night he went to Earth and asked her to come back to Eternia.
He opened his eyes and stared at the ivory canopy over their bed. He sighed as he remembered the last time they were together in that bed. The touch of her skin, the taste of her lips, the brush of her hair on his face. All he had now were those memories.
He looked out the window. It was still dark. He had maybe been in bed for a couple of hours. On the floor below him, Cringer snored lightly. Next to him Jerry lay, awake and whimpering.
Adam sat up, turned on the light and looked at the rottweiler.
"I miss her terribly, Jerry," Adam said to the dog, whose ears perked up when spoken to. He grunted as he stood up and jumped up onto the foot of the bed. He cocked his head and looked at Adam.
"She was never so happy as she was when she was with you," he grunted. "For as long as I've known her, that's all I wanted for her." He paused. "It's not fair, is it? You didn't have enough time together and I don't know if that boy will ever know how special his mother was."
Adam looked down and fought back the tears. Jerry jumped off of the bed and walked over to the window. Tilting his head back, he let out a loud, but obviously grieving howl.
Adam got out of bed and walked to his closet. A servant had been by earlier to pick up a one of Erin's dresses for the funeral. Adam slammed the door in the poor man's face. With his bandaged right hand, he sorted through the dresses she had hanging in the closet. None of them seemed right, the ball gowns, day dresses, dinner dresses.
Then he came across it, the perfect one. He pulled it out and held it close to his face, taking in the scent she had left on it. It still smelled like flowers.
It was her wedding dress. Adam closed his eyes and remembered their special day. Erin didn't want a big fancy wedding so they were married in the palace gardens with just their friends and family around. Rather than a big, extravagant gown with a long train, she chose to wear a simple, off the shoulder, white sheath dress and walked down the aisle barefoot, wearing flowers in her hair.
That was the happiest day of his life, along with the day Adacan was born.
He opened his eyes as he thought about his son. He hung the dress on the door and left his room. Down the hall, he opened the door to Adacan's room and stuck his head in. The boy was sleeping soundly in his bed, his new teddy bear tucked under his arm.
Adam entered and closed the door behind him. He sat in the chair next to the boy's bed and watched him sleep. Erin had always said she was amazed how much Adacan looked like him, but at that moment, he saw the only resemblance the boy had to his deceased wife; his smile.
"How can I raise him without you?" Adam asked thin air, a knot forming in his throat. He wondered if his child even knew or understood what had happened.
A soft breeze blew the curtains in the child's room up and they brushed the back of Adam's neck. He closed his eyes and nodded.
"How am I supposed to go on without you?"
