Chapter 26: Birth and Last Secrets
I screamed in pain, and pushed forcefully to get the child out of me, as nurses ran around the room, dabbing cool cloths upon my forehead, and as Matthew held my hand, "It's almost out," he whispered, "we're almost there."
I nodded, and with one final push, the screaming child was out of me, and was being attended to as I was given a medicinal potion that caused me to drift off into an empty sleep…
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When I awoke sometime the following day, I found that Elaine was now sitting in the rocking chair beside my bed as opposed to Matthew. She smiled, as my eyes opened, "I'm glad you have finally awoken," she whispered.
"Is she all right?" I asked, referring to my child.
Elaine nodded, "She's being taken care of by Matthew and the nurses as we speak."
I nodded, "Elaine, before I go back home, there are some things that I feel I must ask."
"Go ahead, love," she whispered.
I nodded, "Elaine, what exactly is this?" I asked, gesturing towards the stone around my neck which was now glowing.
"That stone was made from a small piece of oak-- and it was your mother's… It provides you with safety-- or a little bit more as long as you wear it-- but the magic will cease working for you upon your twenty-ninth year, and you will pass it on to your daughter…"
I nodded, "I expected something like that… Elaine, did my mother know about the prophecy?"
"Yes," Elaine whispered.
"Then why did she never tell me…?"
"She chose not to-- she was afraid for you, Beatrice. You must understand that she meant for the best."
I nodded, "But, I will not be the same-- my daughter will know who and what she is."
"A wise decision," Elaine murmured.
"One more question," I whispered, as my eyes began to close, "Why am I the prophesized one…? Why me, and why was I able to perform magic that day in the Land of the Shaska?"
"You are half-faerie, Beatrice, and so is Matthew, although when he first met you, he did not know this. That's why your daughter will be so powerful; she will be the last half-faerie ever in creation."
My eyes widened in surprise, "So, are you…?"
She nodded, "Yes, Beatrice. I am your grandmother on your mother's side. She was full faerie, but after fifteen years, she decided to live a mortal life on the earth, and never reveal herself to her husband-- or you."
Still processing the information, I nodded, and drifted off into sleep again…
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I woke up. I slept. I ate what was left beside me on the table, as my body continued to heal…
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I woke up one morning to find REHtoMna watching me, "Hello," she whispered.
"Hi," I murmured, still groggy, "Is she all right?"
REHtoMna nodded, "In a few days, we will release her into your care, and you and Matthew may return to the earth."
"Oh, that reminds me," I whispered, taking the two diamond necklaces from the spot I had placed them on the table, "these belong to you of course," I went to hand them to her, but REHtoMna shook her head, "No, you keep them. You'll be coming back every now and then to stay with us-- your daughter will need to be exposed at an early age to what's coming."
I nodded, and once again slept.