choices here. She would’ve had a difficult time not overdoing it herself. She would have exclaimed, “It all looks so delicious, Mar. I can't choose just one thing!”
“Don't be silly,” Bay interrupted my daydream and continued stacking my
meal even higher. “You will need energy for all of the dancing.”
I gave up the fight and allowed her to keep adding more. When we reached
the drink table, I was faced with too many options. I eyed the bubbly, pink drinks
and creamy, orange beverages. The Tree of Life ice sculpture was streaming a rainbow of liquid.
Bay took a large mug and held it under the trickle of color. When it was overflowing, she handed it to me. “Try this.”
I took a small sip. The flavors of the drink were almost indescribable. At first, I thought it was cherry flavor, but then, I tasted an orangey citrus that was
followed by a hint of banana, fresh cucumber, blueberry, and ended with vanilla
lavender. Taking another sip, I found the same experience of flavors. Before I could question Bay, she whisked me off to a table for Water elementals to eat our
food.
Just as I had finished one plate, I was taken to another table of elementals where I was given more to eat and drink. The conversations and the various meals made the evening exciting. I was surprised that I was able to eat so much
without being full.
When I was brought to the last table, I was given a tray of desserts. It included blackberry-orange cookies like my grandmother made and a flute of
what turned out to be zizzleberry wine. Before I had time to get sad, I heard the
sultry voice of Kai calling for our attention.
“Tonight, we are here to honor the Goddess and the coming new moon,
Gealach Nua,” he shouted and pointed to the sky behind him, which I hadn’t noticed before. The stars twinkled against the black tapestry of night.
Kai continued, “Tonight's celebration is even more special because we have
Mara with us. Our thanks should be given to her and her family's commitment to
protecting the magic. Without her great-grandmother and the original protectors,
we may not have been here today.”
While he spoke, a sliver of the moon peeked out from behind him and made
its appearance. The tone of the audience became somber.
Blaze stepped beside Kai. “The new moon has arrived and with it, new
beginnings. We appreciate all that has been given to us, and we dance in honor
of our mother, Danu.”
Upon her final words, the moment of reflection ended, and the music began
playing. The crowd cheered and started to dance. Bay dragged me to the middle
of the floor, where we twirled and spun for what seemed like hours. I think I danced with almost everyone in the room, being passed from one elemental to another.
When the fast music changed to a slow song, I found myself face-to-face
with Kai.
Offering his hand, he asked, “May I have this dance…Friend?"
“I would be honored,” I said sarcastically as he pulled me into his arms.
Kai held me close and twirled me around the room. I felt dizzy and closed my eyes as I gripped on tighter to him. When the music finally stopped, I looked
around and found we were alone.
“Where is everyone?” I asked.
Searching for the other elementals, I realized the rows of food and tables were now gone, too. We were no longer in the celebration area, but rather, in the
spot where I had clawed myself out of the flooding water.
