Shadows of the Redwood - By Gillian Summers Page 0,93

his furry head. “Good night, my sweet prince.” She laid the cat in Keelie’s arms.

Keelie pressed his solid weight close to her chest. This was where he belonged, next to her heart. “How am I going to live without you?” She bent down closer to him and whispered in his ear, so only she and he knew the words she said. “I love you.”

Risa sobbed.

Keelie’s hot tears fell on Knot’s thick orange fur. She reached up to smooth them away—and felt the purring. She saw his paws squeeze into little biscuits, and his tail twitch upward.

“I should drop you on your pumpkin-colored head,” Keelie hissed in his ear. “You faker.” She looked up at Risa, who was staring at her, startled. “He’s going to be fine.” She didn’t know whether to be relieved or angry at Knot’s play-acting.

“How can you be so cold-hearted? You saw how he was thrown up against that tree.” Risa’s eyes were wide.

Knot reached up and swatted Keelie on the cheek, then twisted in her grasp and sprang away.

“You rotten cat,” she called after him.

He ran over to Risa and launched himself onto her leg, sinking his claws deep into her skin. “Ow!” The elf girl shook her leg. Knot released his claws and bolted away, as if he had fleas dancing in his fur.

Keelie placed her elbow on Risa’s shoulder. “I think he’s warming up to you. He’s showing you some affection.”

“That’s affection?” Risa rubbed her injured leg. “He’s never hurt me before.”

“Hard to explain about fae cats.”

Sean was lowering Scott and Laurie’s cages. They argued all the way down.

“You led me to believe that you cared,” Laurie shouted.

“I did not. I wanted to get to know Risa. She’s hot.”

“And what am I?”

“You’re not my type. You’re into shopping and yourself.”

“I am not.”

“That’s all you talked about on the beach—yourself.”

“Ahh!” Laurie’s outraged yell echoed from the trees.

“True love?” Sean cocked an eyebrow at Keelie.

She stared dubiously at the bickering couple. “Not on a dare.”

Sean was about to say more, but Grandmother called for Keelie’s help. He smiled. “Later,” he said softly.

It was all the promise she needed.

Keelie dressed in her green robes and raised the hood over her head. She dreaded the Involucrum. Dad had arrived last night, and today, at dawn, Viran would bind his spirit with Bloodroot. Viran had chosen a destiny that would allow him to continue in the forest.

Dad and Grandmother were waiting for her by Wena’s roots. The tree shepherds would perform the ceremony alone, without any of the other elves.

She traveled the sap to the bottom.

Grandmother and Dad wore green robes also, except theirs were embroidered with gold-and-silver trees. Viran wore a plain white robe and leaned on his staff. He looked like a medieval monk ready to go to prayers.

He held out his elbow. “I would be honored if you would accompany me to the Grove of the Ancients.”

Keelie blinked several times in an attempt to stop the tears from flowing. “I would be honored.”

She accepted his outstretched elbow. It was still dawn and foggy, with the briny scent of the ocean in the air. The trees, in spirit form, drifted along with them.

Silence accompanied their reverent walk to the Grove of the Ancients. There, trees as tall as the sky reached for the heavens, visible now in the dim early morning light. Keelie sensed their great power and wisdom. She was awed as she gazed upwards.

Viran leaned closer to her. “The trees say they can hear the stars sing to the Earth.” The elder elf looked up. “I look forward to hearing the stars sing to the Earth.” He smiled at her and patted her hand.

“I’m sure it will be beautiful.” Keelie blinked back tears. She saw the distinctive red bark of Bloodroot, now streaked with gold.

Viran winked and grinned mischievously. She felt sad that she hadn’t had the opportunity to get to know him. She would’ve learned a lot from him. Maybe she still could.

A tall tree spirit walked forward. “I am Hurus.” A long gossamer beard hung from his chin. “We’re honored, tree shepherds, that you will help our shepherd and brother find peace in the binding of souls.”

Dad and Grandmother bowed their heads. “It is our honor, Hurus.”

“May the Great Sylvus be with you.” Bloodroot drifted forward and bowed his head.

The sleeves of Dad’s robe billowed in the cool breeze as he held out his hand. Keelie left Viran to stand by her father and grandmother, and Viran and Bloodroot walked to the center