Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

A ngela wasn’t sure what to do. She had learned a lot of things during their time when she was able to visit. Byron made her a part of the world. He cooked for her and ordered pizza, allowing her to try food that was so foreign to her. He showed her innovations she’d only heard whispered about from her lofty existence.

Now, she was truly in the world, and she had no guidance. She wanted to be here with him. Instead, he was the masonry statue.

Lifting him off the floor, she peered at his features. There were obvious differences, most notably the wings, but his face still had that strong jawline and slightly skewed hair she’d come to recognize as his look. His eyes still held a soft gentleness belied by the strength of will and character he had shown throughout their few experiences together.

She spent the rest of the day watching him, waiting for the sun to go down. She waited, hoping he would transform so she could talk to him, tell him to rescind his request, and let her once again become the creature of the night she was so used to being.

Nothing happened. She wasn’t threatened by evil spirits or magical demons, so there was no reason for him to metamorphose into a living being. She was sorely disappointed.

A week had gone by, and every night, she waited and hoped she would see Byron again, but to no avail. Every night, she would talk to him and tell him what her day had been like and what she had done. She thanked him for the money he left for her. She went to the grocery store for the first time and found it overwhelming, but she picked up the Oreo cookies he liked. She signed up for driving lessons so she could get around and used the car service app on his phone that he’d left for her. Still, she missed him, and she missed the days she was guarding the city's buildings.

Finishing a rotisserie chicken she’d bought at the nearby store, she put the leftovers away and took her spot in front of his statue. “I know you won’t come to life for me. There is no reason to. I hate that you left me here. Alone. I miss you. You didn’t allow me to respond to your proclamation before you changed. Byron. I love you, too. What am I supposed to do now that you’re not here? It was bad enough that I lost my entire family, but now I had to lose you as well when I wasn’t ready or prepared to. I love you, Byron, but I also hate you for leaving me.” She buried her face in her hands and wept.

She wasn’t sure how long she had remained like that, but it was just before dawn when she stood and stretched. She was slightly cramped. She jumped she saw Ruune and Amber standing quietly behind her.

“What are you two doing here?”

“You professed your love for Byron. Love is stronger than luck,” Amber’s wings shimmered in the light.

“Love is the strongest magic on earth. Byron gave up everything because he loved you. He didn’t want you to suffer your curse any longer and was willing to accept it on your behalf,” Ruune stated the obvious. “However, your proclamation has changed the scales of balance. Do you even remember why you were cursed in the first place?”

“Because when you refused to answer my prayers and my family died, I got so angry that I kicked a fairy tree. I disrespected you and your people,” Angela glanced between the two of them.

“You asked us to help you.” Ruune nodded.

“You didn’t save my family. My family died because you didn’t help. I’d gone to the fairy tree almost daily, asking you to spare them.”

“You were angry when you lost your family. You kicked the fairy tree, killed several faes in the process, and destroyed their entranceway into this world and their home. Do you remember what you said when you kicked it?” Ruune gazed at her.

“No. I was mourning the loss of so many. I was out of my mind with grief. I barely remember anything. It was so long ago,” Angela frowned.

Ruune intoned. “I hope you all get sick and die slowly so you’ll know how I feel right now.”

“You killed my family with your carelessness.” Amber wiped a crystalline tear away.

“So, for your curse, we granted a curse of our own,” Ruune added.

“We knew you didn’t truly love your husband, even though you professed to.” Amber moved closer to Angela.

“You’re wrong. I did love him,” Angela shook her head, protesting the contrary allegation.

“Did you? Really? You were already grieving for the loss of so many when your husband became ill. You tolerated him as was expected of you and made the best of the situation, but you wouldn’t give your life for him. You didn’t dream of growing old together or choosing him if you’d had the choice. You liked him well enough. You were lonely, so you remember feeling stronger for him than you did.

“We figured you didn’t deserve love either and didn’t feel the curse would ever be broken,” Amber wiped her cheek with the back of her hand.

“And now?” Angela queried.

“Now, it seems I’m back.”

Angela gasped and spun to find Byron standing behind her. She flew herself into his arms, and he laughed softly as he picked her up and spun her in his arms before putting her back on her feet.

Byron kept her tucked in his arms, unwilling to let her go. “Is this permanent? Are we forgiven?”

“Forgiven is a strong word,” Ruune pulled Amber back. “However, we have removed both of your curses. You may remain together, alive, human, until you both die naturally. I pray that neither of you returns to Ireland with the ignorance you once displayed with our people. Respect us, and we shall do likewise.”

“Trust me. I will no longer trash talk or try to prove the existence of anything mythical again. You all exist as far as I’m concerned.”

“And I shall no longer blame others for my misfortunes. Please forgive my foolishness.”

Amber nodded, and Ruune gathered Amber’s hand in his own. “Know it is only your love for each other and willingness to sacrifice for the other that has released you from your curse. Remember your love, for it will be the beacon in the dark days of life.”

Amber and Ruune shimmered away, leaving Byron and Angela alone.

She turned to him. “Is this really happening? Are you here?”

He laughed and pulled her in for a long, deep kiss. “Does this feel like a delusion?” he asked, his voice husky.

“No. It feels like the perfect dream.”

“Let me show you how real this is.” He flung her over his shoulder and walked with her in a fireman’s grip down the hall to the bedroom.