“Oh, Bella, if you could see into my garden; if you could follow my trail of breadcrumbs you would know how dear you are to me. You have been a mirror of my own mesmerizing gaze. I appreciate the days of friendship and love you have given to me. It has kept the candle of my soul shining. But…” Leonah could see the tears welling up in her moonlight lover’s eyes.

“You’re saying goodbye?” Bella was as still as a bunny spotted in a field then her bottom lip began to tremble. Leonah wanted to steady Bella’s lips with her own and breathe promises into her mouth that she knew she could not keep.

“Beaux…” As Leonah reached up to catch a dropping tear on Bella’s cheek, Aldananda felt their sorrow.

“Lovely doves, there is no need to part from each other yet. I stand not in between you, but by your side.” He threaded his fingers through Leo’s hand. “Unfortunately, it is I who must say goodbye.” Leonah turned her head towards him as if her face had been slapped. She felt her heart split in two directions, between her life-long friend and her suddenly acquired acquaintance.

“I won’t be gone long.” He felt her shock at his farewell and it pained him, but it must be done. “The Winged Ones are flying fast this way. They sense the ripples I created in the Now and they seek the culprit of the disarray. Leonah, lay low. I will find you.” He bent to kiss her palm. He wanted to taste her lips on his but feared he wouldn’t pull away quickly enough.

“Where? When?” Could she get down on her knees and beg him to stay or take her with him? As she wondered it, her legs answered, giving out beneath her and her palms caught her face from hitting the floor. “Take me with you!” she pleaded as she reached for his leg. There was nothing there. He was gone. Panic tasted like bile in her throat and she noticed the tavern was silent. Every patron was looking at her.

She saw small, tan arms take hold of her shoulders and pull her up.

“Sit in your chair, Leo. Have some ale.” Avi handed the half-empty glass to her. Leo’s mouth was dry and she couldn’t speak, so she accepted the gesture and drank the liquid down. Bella sat opposite her with an astounded look on her face. When Bella gained her composure and noticed that no one was looking their way any longer she whispered cautiously to Leonah.

“You know they’re headed this way. The Winged Ones will sense the stranger was here and he touched you. They’ll take you for questioning, again.” Sweat beaded on the bridge of Bella’s nose. “You were gone so long last time, I didn’t think they would let you go. They won’t this time, will they? Or, they’ll drain your Knowledge and they’ll cast you out into the desert where it doesn’t rain.”

“We’re responsible for the rain when we get wet, Bella.” Leo was speaking in that voice again, the faraway tone. She heard their hooves beat into the dirt road as they landed from the sky. They brought the clouds behind them and the light grew dark outside. The griffons were sealing her in.

08/14/2008

Posted on 08/14/2008
Copyright © 2024 Bethany Lee