Her grip on his hand increased. “What is this?” she demanded, tugging on his arm and forcing him to face her. He had a pleased smile seeing her reaction.
“Do you mean when is this?” he asked, his eyes twinkling.
The air was rich with smells and memories, memories that they both shared and savored. She wanted to squeal with delight, but she dared not, knowing that sometimes they visited places unobserved, blending into a crowd with his magic.
“Yes, I’d like to know when this is, please.” Her heart was giddy with excitement.
“The grapes are nearly harvested,” he answered. “It’s autumn, a year after you disappeared. They’re going to crush the grapes tonight. I thought you’d want to join them.”
She turned and stared at his face, awash with kindness and gratitude. “Shion,” she whispered tenderly.
“It will do them much good, knowing you are safe. Knowing you still care about them. Trasen is still here. Will that . . . be painful for you?”
Phae shook her head no. “I cared for him. I still do. I cannot give him back his memories, they are gone forever. But I do not resent the feelings I had for him. Not when I have you.” She squeezed his hand, stroking his arm. “So . . . we can see them? It will not harm the future?”
He put his arm around her shoulder. “I am a Seneschal now, Phae. I don’t do anything that will not bless the mortal world. I wanted to share this memory with you. Come. Introduce me to your adoptive family. There’s a little girl here who has a twin in Mirrowen. You need to tell her not to be afraid.”
“You remembered little Brielle? Of course you would. You remember everything I’ve ever said or done.”
Shion smiled and nodded.
“Who do I tell them you are?” Phae asked as they walked up the road. Her stomach bubbled with excitement. Just to see them all again, to hug and hold and kiss each of them. Master Winemiller with his stern looks and work ethic. Dame Winemiller with her stories and chatter. She wondered how many more children they had adopted since she’d been gone.
“Tell them the truth,” Shion replied enigmatically. He gazed down at her, his eyes deep with meaning, full of wisdom, sorrow, and depthless compassion. “Tell them I’m your husband.”
AUTHOR’S NOTE
I hope you enjoyed the final book of the Whispers from Mirrowen Trilogy. When I was a child, I had a favorite book on Greek mythology. This was long before Percy Jackson. One of the stories that haunted me was the story of Orpheus, who lost his wife on the day of his wedding after she was chased by a satyr and bitten by a snake. Orpheus then charmed his way into Tartarus through his music and the power of his voice, and he begged Hades to release his wife’s spirit. His music was so powerful that the god relented and told him to return to the mortal world and that her spirit would follow him. But if he looked back, she would be lost to him forever. I learned later, doing research for the Whispers from Mirrowen Trilogy, that Orpheus’s wife was actually a Dryad named Eurydice. This theme of love and losing it prematurely is also in one of my all-time favorite movies, Somewhere in Time. I love the music from that film.
While I was writing this book, I was given a wonderful gift from a reader who is part of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir staff. She sent me a CD from the Bryn Terfel album, Homeward Bound. As I was enjoying the CD during my commute one day, it came to the last song on the album, a duet between Bryn Terfel and Sissel called “Give Me My Song.” As the music began and the melody swept through my car, I was stunned by the lyrics as well as the voices singing the duet. Everything about the song reminded me of Shion and Phae, including the words. It was one of the most haunting melodies I’d ever heard. So, if you want to know what the song in Tyrus’s locket sounds like, I suggest a visit to iTunes.
I dedicated Poisonwell to Terry Brooks, the fantasy author who inspired me to become a writer. In October 2004, we had lunch together in Corte Madera, California, during a writing seminar that he taught. That experience was a major turning point in my life and in my writing. I appreciate the encouragement, wisdom, and motivation he gave me on that occasion to finish my first million words. With this book done, I’m well on my way to the second million. I have many more books still to write—brand-new worlds bubbling in my mind as well as revisiting familiar ones.
Thank you all for joining me on this journey. And thanks for lunch, Mr. Brooks.
GLOSSARY
Aeduan: a race from the southern kingdoms of Wayland and Stonehollow. They are primarily fair-skinned with dominant and recessive traits for hair color, eye color, and complexion. Many consider the Aeduan as mongrels because of the variety of their physical characteristics (hair color, eye color, skin tone). However, they have proven to be very adaptable and most resilient to the Plague. The Aeduan were the principal founders of Kenatos.