Here is another chapter, finally.
It was if my heart was no longer beating in my chest, it was long gone or felt that way. My expression was of one being forced to endure an unpleasant odor. My gaze was unwavering and unabashed.
Winter was here now and here to stay.
Under a dove grey sky, the colors of my world don their winter coats, each hue darker and richer than before. The path sparkles and crunches, like sugar underfoot, and the coolness brings me right into the now, into the moment of life. Though the flowers sleep and the trees show their lofty arms once more, a smile plays upon these cold lips. For as much as I love the summertime, I love the winter too. For every perfume of the meadow, there is the earthy loam of the newly-lit forest floor. We have done our job here now it is a waiting game; we must wait for the storms to pass before we depart for home.
My home is where ever my loving wife is, her arms, the palace, in her eyes even. But at this time home was not a welcome place, it was cold and time had not been what she needed. I watched the younglings curiously through the stained glass. These are not of our race, these little things are those we were forced to spare over the years on Princess Shaylee's orders, our kind has taught them, raised them with love and light. As far as Grace has informed me these younglings have risen to every standard, I was shocked none the less.
The soft and stern voice of Grace washed over me, "That young one you are intently watching, does the silver glow of her hair remind you of your once young bride, our glorious Princess? For she certainly acts as she once did, with a raging wildfire none could hold back,"
I asked, "But we want resilient kids, right?
She smiled, "Right, but if you're gonna have a hard time next week, should I start being nasty to you now?
Her voice never wavered, it kept the small tone, "No! Then I'd be worn out by the time the problem came!
I hated that she was right, "And kids are the same. Love and support win's. When they feel comfortable they will explore, take risks and learn to deal with success and failure and see them for the imposters they are, as Kipling would say. The joy is in the learning and we only confront the fear that comes with learning when we feel safe, loved and supported," the young girl did remind me of my wife, her hair like spun silver, her skin was pale too. She had been my main focus when we arrived, her eyes red but she smiled often, and when she laughed it was infectious.
Shaylee herself rescued this girl, gave her a new name and new life and seems little Isle was a demon but she was now one of us, she used her demonic powers to save lives and not kill like her kin.
Like clockwork her red eyes bore into mine as they so often have since my arrival, she just smiles. Her feet move to me, this is a first she never came within feet of myself but now her small body stands stiff in front of me. Her tone was thick and sweet like boiling brown sugar, "Hello Princess Shaylee's husband, is she coming too?"
I answered staring down at her, "No, Isle. This was a period of reflection for myself, I wronged my wife and am here to learn a lesson,"
Like a switch has flipped she let out a peal of giggles, taking my hand into hers. She should be fearful of me like the rest but no not she, "Oh, I can help you, I can. Grace says I am very smart," Grace bowed her head watching as this little demon pulled me onto the cold stone bench.
"None can help me,"
Her face morphed into anger, "Tell me what you did, and maybe I can. Even if it only a small help, it is better than nothing. Eden, he fell and I kissed his knee and he said it was all better," ahh yes, the son of the clan leader, a fine young man he would be.
"I killed your kind, Isle. Not just the men, but the woman and young ones. I killed humans, I was a very bad person and Princess Shaylee she hates me now. I deserve to never see her again,"
I felt her tiny arms wrap around me, "You were misguided, everyone can change. My kin kills yours, humans, witches, they kill and take. But Princess Shaylee she offered us a new life filled with love, I was not loved before. Only after I was here was I hugged and fed enough; I am happy now. I have a real family, I get to learn, and have friends. I don't like chores but we don't have to like everything now do we. Are you here to learn?"
Let learning be as a child who laughs, running up a helter-skelter at a fun-fair. Every step is a joy, each step ascended with ease as the brain fills with pure happiness, one born of curiosity and the anticipation of discovery. Then comes the "Aha" moment as we ride the exhilaration back to the ground, smiling, eager to find new stairs. This was mine, "I have, and I have learned all my mistakes. I was so hateful and I was wrong and regret my killings. Maybe not of the men and some woman, but the little ones,"
Isle smiled, "I think the feast will be starting, we should go," like that I walk behind her a few others heading to the feast. "We leave for home in the morning," I alert my men who are very happy with this, now was the time to try and make amends for my actions.
Isle was laughing down the table, "make sure to write me updates on, Isle. I will send her a gift once home, a weapon befitting her." Grace just chuckled but gave me a nod.
Before I leave I see her waving from the alcove, "Safe travels, tell Princess Shaylee I loves her,"
"I will, Isle. Now you look out for a wrapped silver gift," now she was beaming as we flew into the morning sky feeling the cold, but now the warmth of home was not too far off.