The Borealis Prophecy

Chapter Twenty-One - Real Love

I finished reading his letter, the letter that was written to me by my biological father. I couldn't believe how comforting it really was after everything she's done. I just buried one of my closest and dearest friends, one of whom I chose to love, he died as a result of Seraphina's cruelty... and here I was, completely and entirely at peace. I forgave her. Not the cruel, empty, and heartless woman I knew but the loving and powerful memory that Draco held onto. I folded the letter and exhaled. It was so nice not holding onto the confusing and suffocating anger that I had towards her. I was still heartbroken but I could now empathize with what she was forced to live with, her own sacrifices to bring me into the world.

It was a lot to take in. The letter was powerful and emotional and although I wished I had received much earlier, I was glad I was able to find comfort in it after Ric's death. I pulled a searing flame out of the quiet crackling of a dying fire. I pulled a blanket out of my bag and pulled it over my chest and arms as I leaned against a large oak tree. I stared into the forest and ignored the tears that silently flowed from my eyes.

I struggled trying to sleep throughout the night. Loud noises would jar me awake; animals would loudly run past me, and nightmares of Ric and Cayenne haunted my once pleasant dreams. The worst part was I really just wanted to cry, but I knew from experience crying wasn't going to solve anything. I stood up and packed up my blanket. I grabbed my sword that was lodged into Ric's grave and said goodbye for the very last time.

* * *

I travelled over an hour to make it back to the Earth&Rock Borough's Kingdom. It made me feel so depressed passing through the destruction and hearing the cries of Elementals who've lost their families. I was going to put an end to all of this, this I promised myself. I wasn't even going to give Elijah the chance to talk me out of it. This way, everyone would live happily and forget their sorrow. I would carry it with me into the afterlife, if there was one waiting for me, but first I had a place I needed to visit before anything else.

I was surprised to see who was swinging on the sad, bare swing that Ric and I once rocked on. When we were first getting to know each other. Where he wanted to promise me the world, but I already had Elijah fulfilling that promise.

Elijah was waiting for me where Ric's flower garden once flourished. His back was faced to me, sitting on the broken swing that creaked each time he moved with it. I wasn't even aware that Elijah knew of this place. After all this was Ric's secret garden. Of all the bare stripped trees that lined up along the beaten path, there was a single white magnolia that grew on a shrewd little tree beside Elijah. His fingers gently brushed against the satin white peddles as he sat patiently.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I quietly asked.

He stopped what he was doing and turned around. Elijah knew just by the look on my face that Ric wasn't following behind me. Elijah got off the swinging bench and took a step towards me. I took a step back and raised my hand, hoping he would respect my space. I didn't want comfort, especially now, knowing what I was about to do to Elijah. Elijah didn't take it to heart as he sat back down on the swing and I walked around the tree to face him.

"I didn't know you knew of this place," I whispered.

"I followed you two out here, that morning when you left the Earth&Rock Kingdom spruced up. I was insanely jealous and didn't want to leave you alone with him," Elijah admitted.

"I don't remember seeing you," I mentioned.

"I didn't want you seeing me, that's why," Elijah said.

We were quiet with our own thoughts as I rocked back and forth on my heels, trying to buy myself some time.

"Do you... Want to know how it happened?" I asked frigidly.