CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
The light pulsed brighter as Emilia directed all her healing energies to Gramma. She needed to purge and neutralize the venom, and reverse all the damage that had been done to Gramma’s body.
Gramma’s body twitched and jerked as more light and energy poured into her. New skin began to grow over her withered, skeletal hand until her hand was whole again.
Gradually, the color crept back to Gramma’s cheeks and her chest rose and fell as she breathed steadily. A soft moan escaped from Gramma’s lips and her eyelids fluttered as she tried to open her eyes.
With a sigh, Emilia staggered back, completely drained and exhausted. Her knees buckled and she shifted back to human form.
But she didn’t hit the ground. She found herself safely in Storm’s arms.
Storm and his brothers had returned to them and were standing quietly behind her all along while she fought to save Gramma’s life.
They supported her and believed in her. They had utter faith and confidence in her.
Storm caught her and held her, letting her know she was safe. He would never let her fall and he would never let her go. He would fight for her. She was not alone. And Emilia knew that she would never be alone again.
Closing her eyes, Emilia did something she had never done before. She simply let go of all her troubles and worries, and just leaned on someone else.
She felt so tired. She had done all she could.
“Glynda!” Ne-ma cried, shaking Gramma’s shoulders. “Wake up! I know you can hear me. You wake up right now! You scared everyone. Open your eyes, Glynda! Now!”
With a gasp, Gramma’s eyes snapped open and she glared at Ne-ma.
“There’s no need to yell, Neveah,” Gramma grumbled. “I’m not deaf.”
Looking around, Gramma gasped and jumped up suddenly. “Where’s Banet?” she shouted, raising her fists in front of her. “Come on, Neveah. Let’s fight that monster!”
“Calm down, Glynda,” Ne-ma said. “The fight is over.”
“Huh? What do you mean?” Gramma demanded. “It’s only over if...”
“Banet is dead,” Storm stated.
“Really? That murderous, evil warlock is dead?” Gramma lowered her fists and looked around in confusion. “How did that happen? What did I miss?”
“Ah, Glynda,” Ne-ma began. “You...”
Turning her hands over in front of her, Gramma started and said, “Oh! I remember now! I remember being hit by the venom! That hurt like a bitch, I tell ya! But...I feel great now. In fact, I feel even better than before.”
Ne-ma put her arm around Gramma’s shoulder and said, “You old fool, Emilia saved you.”
“How?”
“Emilia is a unicorn! She healed you with her horn. You should have seen her, she’s beautiful! She’s just...amazing!” Ne-ma gushed and turned to Emilia, her eyes shining with gratitude. “You saved Glynda’s life! You saved her...”
Gramma and Ne-ma came up to Emilia and Storm, and hugged them both. “Thank you so much, thank you...”
“No. Thank you,” Emilia whispered as tears spilled from her eyes. “Thank you all. You saved me. You risked your lives to come and rescue me. You didn’t have to put yourselves in danger, but you did. You all are amazing!”
Sky and Seath came forward to envelope them all in a group hug.
As Gramma and Ne-ma looked around, they giggled and exclaimed, “Oh my, dragons and a unicorn! We never thought we’d live to see dragons and unicorns in Shadow Point! And people still think that Shadow Point is just a boring little town.”
Emilia laughed. “That’s what I thought and that was the reason I chose to come to Shadow Point. I just wanted to hide in a boring little town. But...in reality, I came home.”
“Yes! Home.” Gramma smiled and said, “Let’s go home. I’m hungry.” She winked and nudged Ne-ma “And I have a sudden craving for apple pie!”