The Shadows Solace Book I: The Growing Years Prequel

Chapter XXIII: The Prince of Death

Harry stayed in the Underworld with his parents for nearly a week since he had been taken away from Tom and the others by his patron. He smiled a little more each day and seemed to be happier than he had been. Lily prayed internally that this meant her son was getting closer to wanting to go back to his real life.

She knew; knew deep inside her spirit that their deaths had hit Harry very hard. Especially since Harry had watched her die at his own mate's hands; while he had still been corrupted and tainted by dark magic. And, Harry sensed magic so finely that he likely had felt when James died; his magic faded. She was aware that her son knew that it was Tom himself who had taken their lives from him, and the child she loved so dearly also yet knew that he was bound to Tom for his life.

But Harry's role to their world and to Mother Magic; it was too important for her or for James to be so selfish as to wish their son to stay with them; essentially die for them to remain. She sometimes felt so helpless because she was only now a spirit, and had not the power to fight a deity unless she rose to start a rebellion of all the spirits; which was not yet something she wanted to consider doing.

Death's punishment for such an action would be severe if she failed, and right now...he was still infuriated by Tom's lack of care and observance to how Harry was perceiving his words and actions; feeling his emotions. Death was not to be swayed nor convinced to steer his course a different way. He was going to kill her son and Tom if the man so much as dared to harm Harry like this ever again.

Lily smiled as tears fell down her cheeks and Harry eyed her now in confusion, "Why sad?" He asked her

"It's not something I can say, Harry." She told him, "But I will be okay eventually."

Harry stood up wobbly from his rug and toys as he unsteadily walked to his mum, then rose his arms up as she smiled and lifted him. Harry snuggled to her and then smiled, "Mum not need to be sad; Mum be happy and smiles." He told her

Lily laughed a little then as she sniffled and hugged her son to her, "I know, Little Prongs. I just need some time. And time is all I have now besides this place and James here with me."

Harry then dimmed, "Mum has me."

Lily breathed in and clutched him, "Of course I do, Harry. But you need to go back home soon, my son."

Death then walked in and Harry eyed him a moment before he asked to be sat down and Lily hesitated. But gently sat him down and watched as her son stood and walked to the spirit as green eyes so like hers seemed to shine.

Death inclined to Harry with a stance of contentment to him, "Little Prince, have you decided? Do you feel better now?" He rasped as eyed the child, "I will not blame you; if you decided to stay here with me and your parents after what Tom did?"

Harry sat before the deity and let him pick him up; smiled as the bony and skeletal hand carded through his hair gently, and Harry beamed to the magic that was so strongly protective of him as he was held.

Harry then eyed Death, "Tom not all blamed for this." He told him, "I hurt Tom too; my words hurt Tom."

Harry dimmed, "Tom not always nice or good; but he try for me, to be better." Harry spoke softly, "Tom needs me; and I needs him."

Harry spoke and then eyed his mother; who smiled and inclined to her son, and Harry straightened as he smiled a little, "I go home tomorrow; morning as Tom and others greet Queen. Makes big scene; startle others to not ambush." Harry told them, "But needs new band; old one not...not hold my power well and hurts to wear; not made for me."

Death smiled to him and then inclined, "Indeed. That old circlet is not made for you and doesn't seem to be helping your magic much. You need some suitable robes as well for meeting with the Queen and the royal court as my heir.