I looked in the crib at the array of assortments they’d brought back. Cans of formula, bottles, and a few other items which I tried to imagine them picking out. “You really went all out.”
“You should see the shit they sell at those stores! They have everything and more, and some of the shit I couldn’t imagine using on the poor wee things!” Ristan said as he made cute noises at the babies as he gave me a roguish smile.
“Have you thought about names?” Adam asked as he too looked down at the babes.
“I was thinking of names, but I’m waiting to see their personalities a bit before deciding.” I looked at Ristan as he leaned over the crib, playing with the babies. “Ristan, thank you for what you did. For getting them out in time,” I whispered and watched him as his eyes darted to mine in startled confusion.
“Danu showed me what would happen if we tried to save you,” he said uncomfortably. “I knew what had to be done, but it didn’t make it any easier. You don’t have to thank me, not for saving your children. I made a choice, one I knew you would want me to make. I never dreamed that my skill with a blade would extend to that, and I am certainly pleased that you are here to enjoy your children,” he said as he scooped my daughter up, and cuddled her on his shoulder.
“Was what Danu showed you really that bad? Ryder told me a little of what happened, and I have to admit that I was kinda surprised that you delivered them,” I said and watched as he shook his head.
“Eliran is brilliant,” he said quietly. “And every time you’ve been hurt, Ryder has threatened to kill him if he couldn’t heal you. Eliran knew what we all knew. You were gone and I think he just could not process it, and those babies couldn’t wait for him to do so. I am not a surgeon, but I knew I couldn’t do any more damage than had already been done. If Ryder chose to kill me, so be it,” he said with a soft smirk. “I also knew we all stood a real chance of dying in that room if the beast had gotten loose and I think the delivery helped prevent that from actually happening.” He shook his head as if the memory bothered him.
“Synthia,” Danu said as she stood by the doorframe and eyed Ristan a little hesitantly. “I need you to come with me.”
I watched Ristan as he turned away from us, as if he was annoyed or angry with her. I made a mental note to ask him what was going on when things finally calmed down enough and I got a moment alone with him.
I blew kisses to the babes and planted one on both Ristan and Adam’s cheeks before joining Danu.
Danu took me to the Pools of Faery, which according to her, was blessed by both the Fae and the Gods. The area was breathtaking, and unlike the pools Ryder and I had been to, these ones were shielded, hidden by huge ivy plants. We stepped through the bushes, and there were three plump women who all looked exactly the same, waiting for us.
“Synthia, these are the Fates,” Danu said softly as she bowed her head to each one in respect. “For every God or Goddess that is birthed, even the lesser ones, the Fates have been attendance to wash, bless, and prepare them for their new roles. This is true for the Human world as it is in Faery.”
“Come child, for the blessing water grows cold,” one said, but it seemed to come from all three at once. I swallowed and shed the white gown Danu had created for me after my rebirth, then stepped into the water.
The moment their hands touched me, I felt their exquisite powers as one. It was awkward to have the Fates here, considering how much I’d fought against my destiny, but it seemed as if my entire life had been driving me to this one moment in time.
“You’ll face your past, and become your future,” one said, her eyes vacant as she placed her hands over my eyes. I was no longer in the pools, but instead I was with my adoptive parents. I watched as they accepted me with loving arms.
They had accepted me, knowing what I was.
And then I was the scared child, who watched as they were slaughtered by Faolán. I didn’t feel the pain which had been with me since the day it happened; instead, I felt sadness for them, and I was grateful for all that they had sacrificed. No longer was there a blackness of hatred either, but instead there was a lightness to it, which I am sure had to do with the beast. If this event hadn’t happened, I probably wouldn’t have found him.