“Gram and Elliott, can you make any potions we'll need? Mara and I are
going to the library to see if there is any information on the Drygen's estate.
There’s a section on the town's history. It might have something that can help.”
Cole paced back and forth.
I put my hand on his arm to stop him. “You need to calm yourself.” I turned
towards Gram and Elliott. “We all need to calm ourselves. The most important thing I learned while I was with the elementals was that my emotions feed everything around me.”
My grandmother took both Cole’s and my wrists and quietly whispered a
prayer, “Goddess, bind both before you in love and commitment to their
promises. Bless and protect them from the darkness they may face."
The air blew, and a bright lavender light glowed before us. The shimmery
image of the Goddess slowly came into view. Her beauty took my breath away.
It was more than her physical attractiveness that moved me. She emitted love, grace, and peace.
“My child, Mae, your request for a binding and protection for Mara and Cole
is granted. Your commitment and faith to the Light have been noted over the years. Be safe, my children. The darkness can seem stronger than the light.”
Danu faded away, and we all stood dumbfounded.
"Was that?" Cole stammered.
"Yes, it was Danu. Isn't she amazing?"
Gram gasped as a small spark emitted from the ring on her finger. The once
dark blue stone had a silver sunburst in the center that stretched throughout the
gem like a star. The silver design pulsed, and then turned white.
I examined the change in the ring. “Gram, it is beautiful. What does it
mean?”
My grandmother lifted my hand up and gestured towards the band I wore.
“She has blessed us."
Each of our rings had remained the same color, but all bore the same silver
star.
Gram said with a delighted tone in her voice, “We are bound, and we can
focus on bringing my grandchildren home."
With renewed determination, we dispersed, eager to put our plans into action.
I stopped and looked back at my grandmother. She was writing in her
journal. As the pen strokes filled the paper, she cried. Teardrops fell slightly, smearing the ink.
Gram looked up and our eyes locked. I could feel her mixture of emotions. It
isn't every day that the Goddess appeared to grant your request.
Cole tugged my hand. “Come on. Let's leave her to her writings.”
I put my hand to my heart and mouthed, “I love you.”
Gram covered her own heart, and then waved us away.
Chapter
Thirty-Two
When Cole and I arrived on Main Street, we blended into the crowd,
playing the role of the happy couple. Everyone was still respecting
