“So, the fairy loves coffee, and toads eat mushrooms?” I asked, just to confirm.
The Cat nodded. “My guess is that a toad will be by sometime soon to purchase some mushrooms.”
“Why don’t the toads get them directly from the fairies?” I set the canister on the shelf behind the counter attached to the wall. It was cute, though I wondered how big the toads were.
“That’s the problem, they’ll also eat the fairies. So, they don’t go near one another.”
My mouth opened, and then I closed it. I did not need to learn about the toad versus fairy fights that must be happening. Yet, why were the fairies willing to trade for them, then?
I shook my head and shrugged. “Alright, that was a quick morning. Unless you meant the toad will be by…”
The Cat turned to look at me as the bells on the door jingled again. This time his head snapped around, and his tail froze in the air.
Lord Bennit entered the store, and it reminded me of the first time I’d seen him. He’d aged, and his eyes didn’t sparkle as much as they had. Instead, he walked slowly as he entered, followed by Lady Twilight.
Indigo jumped off the counter and flew to meet them before I could say anything.
“They’re early,” said the Cat softly. He stepped closer to me, just enough so the edges of his fur tickled my hand.
“Welcome, Lord Bennit, Lady Twilight,” I said with a smile, though I knew this wasn’t going to be a happy meeting.
Indigo didn’t pick up on the emotion. Instead, she flew around like she was hyped up on sugar and seeing her best friend. Lady Twilight gave her a soft smile.
“Betty, can we get a seating area?” I asked under my breath. I wanted somewhere comfortable for all of us to sit down. The area to the right of the register shifted, the case sitting near the wall sank into the floor while a loveseat and two chairs appeared. A fireplace popped up, with a soft red glow, though it wasn’t fire in the center. The shop hated actual flames.
“Thank you, dear,” said Lord Bennit. He motioned over to the loveseat and sat down with Lady Twilight.
I slowly moved out from behind the counter and sat in one of the chairs. The Cat followed and jumped up on the armrest, sticking close to me.
Indigo slowed down her mad sprint and landed on the coffee table, chirping once what sounded like a question.
Lord Bennit let out a sigh, and she leaped over to land on his knee, her head tilted to one side. “I have some bad news, little one.” She crawled closer to his hand, not saying a word. “Your mother has rejoined the leylines and the great tree.”
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A heartbreaking sound came from the small dragon, and her scales shivered in the light.
‘Mother?’ she chirped.
“The one who bore your egg, my daughter.” His voice broke on the last word, and I couldn’t help myself. I leaned forward and set a hand on his knee.
Indigo crept forward and nudged his hand, though she turned to look at me.
At that moment, I wondered if Indigo remembered her at all, but I didn’t dare voice that to the grieving dragon on the couch.
Lady Twilight set a hand on his back.
‘Joined the great tree?’ asked Indigo.
Lady Twilight smiled softly. “Remember the story about the great tree that all the leylines connect to? How it twists and turns through all the worlds, like mighty rivers and streams that connect all of us? Dragons join with the leylines and travel back to the tree when it is time.”
Indigo nodded slowly. ‘To help the tree we go.’
“Exactly, little one. Your mother has made her journey, which means we won’t get to see her again.”
Indigo stared at Lord Bennit, who slowly regained control over himself. He didn’t shed a tear, but I wouldn’t blame him if he did. Suddenly, Indigo launched herself upward and slammed into his chest. He caught her with ease. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ N0veI.Fiɾe.net
“We are, little one, we are.” His hands held onto her softly as she sat there on his chest, just lying there.
I sat back in my chair, still wanting to give him a hug, even if I knew he was an ancient, powerful dragon. I couldn’t imagine the pain that he felt, losing a child. All of us sat in silence for a few moments before Indigo pulled away. Her head snapped toward me, her eyes growing big.
‘Sable won’t leave, right?’ Her claws dug into Lord Bennit’s robe as she flung herself my way.
“I’m not going anywhere anytime soon,” I whispered as she landed in my arms.
Indigo’s scales shivered again. ‘Not dragon, no tree for you.’
I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “I have a long time until I need to think about that, Indigo. Until then, I will be here for you. I promise.”
The Cat took a strangled breath at my words, as did the dragons.
There were two things I’d learned about the magical world: first, don’t name things unless you mean it, and second, the same went for promises. While it might mean distance from my family, someday they would understand. Indigo needed me right now. In the future she might not, but until then I’d be here for her. Whether it was at the shop, or somewhere else, I’d find a way. After all, the dragons called me kin. That meant family, and I held to my family.
“Sable…” started Lord Bennit. Yet his voice cut off as Lady Twilight set a hand on his arm.
“As Sable said, Indigo. You don’t need to worry about her leaving.” The dragon’s voice came out like a grandma’s, that tone you didn’t dare contradict.
Indigo settled in my arms with a nod, then looked at Lord Bennit. ‘Will you be okay?’
A small smile came over his face. “She was not the first of my children to leave, little one. Dragons live a long time, but I have lived longer than most. I will be okay in time.”
He must have seen so much pain, so much loss, in his countless years, and now here was more, yet he continued, helping where he could. At that moment, my heart broke even more for him, and I understood the anxiety the Cat had shown earlier. Still, we were family, too, and we were here to share the grief with him. It had to be enough.