Chapter 20
When they had first come to Jeffro as exiles, Sienna wasn't sure that they would ever leave. They had seemed to be in such a precarious position that she wasn't sure anything would be all right again. And then, over time, Jeffro had become her home. She had gotten used to the palace, the quiet gardens, and the loveliness of the royal life. She had even reached a place where she thought she might not want to go back to school. It hadn't been the easiest place for her.
But now as they loaded the ship and did a final sweep of the palace, she couldn't wait to return.
It wasn't going to be the same. She had no magic, and Devon wouldn't be there. But despite the shortcomings, she still saw hope; she felt like there was a future. And she was excited to see what that future would be.
“Are you sure you have everything?” Nathaniel asked her, standing in the hangar. “Because Eliza can mail it back, but she'll probably hold onto it out of spite to teach you how to pack properly.”
“I'm sure,” Sienna replied. “We came with so little anyway. What do I need that is material possessions anyways?
“Uh, rucksack, meds, clothes…” Nathaniel started ticking off the items on his fingers, and she went into the ship just to make sure.
Outside in the hangar, the other Maestros were giving their Tiros similar instructions.
Nathaniel wanted Sybil to physically go through Kierry's rucksack, trying to count everything. Kierry giggled as Sybil found candy that she certainly hadn't arrived with.
“Do you think the ship has no food?” Sybil teased her Tiro as she released her to go put the bag on the ship.
“You shouldn't give her such a hard time,” Nathaniel said with a smile as he strolled over. “Not too long ago, that was us.”
“The amount of chocolate I used to be able to stuff my rucksack with, could choke a shop,” Sybil grinned. “And when I learned the bottomless bag spell, oh, that was the best.”
Nathaniel snapped his fingers in memory. “I forgot about that one,” he said with a grin. “I should use that more often.”
“You still feel the weight,” Sybil pointed out. “I know there's a way to do it without that, but until then, I am limited to my body weight in treats.”
“Ha,” Nathaniel said, and Sybil grinned.
“You're in a good mood for someone who is leaving the love of his life.”
“Ah, well,” Nathaniel shrugged. “Eliza and I are used to this. We almost don't know how to function together.”
“That, I can tell,” Sybil teased him. “You should go say your final goodbyes.”
“I said goodbye to her.” Nathaniel winked at Sybil. “If you want to know how….”
“Ew,” Sybil gave him a little shove and headed onto the ship. Nathaniel cast his gaze across the hangar, where Eliza was waiting. She had come with her royal escort as if this was an official visit. She simply wanted to say goodbye to her honored guests–nothing out of the normal about that.
Except for the fact that Nathaniel could not take her into his arms and kiss her like he wanted to. Instead, he composed himself as she came closer.
“It has been an honor hosting you, Maestro,” she said formally. “I hope you will visit us again.”
She had a crown on her head, and she was dressed in full regalia. But underneath, Nathaniel could still see her sparkling eyes, her full lips–the beautiful girl he had fallen in love with during quiet moments. Eliza liked to put walls up, but he knew what was beneath them.
He would miss her, but he had a life to complete first, and she understood that. As Eliza's loyalty was to her people and her country, his was to the witches and his Tiro. But one day, and one day soon, he would return.
“It was an honor to be hosted by such a lovely queen,” he said. “And I am quite sure we will see each other very soon.”
He bowed deeply to her, and she smiled, curtsying just a little.
Desmond watched from across the hangar where he was standing with Mariah, wanting to be apart from the crowd.
“Nathaniel acts as if everything hasn't changed,” Desmond said. “As if we are just going to go back to our old lives, and no one will notice.”
“Maybe,” Mariah said. “But I think what you need to see, Desmond, is that he is happy. He's all right.”
“Hmmm?” Desmond turned his head toward her, confused at her point.
“You saw him at a tournament. You felt a bond. You trained him to adulthood. He has stayed loyal to the witches and complimented your magic every step of the way. I know that right now you feel as if your touch turns everything to stone, but it does not. He is truly happy in this moment. And we find our successes in that.”
“But he could stay here,” Desmond said, “if he wasn't a witch.”
“Pht,” Mariah smiled. “He doesn't want that, and neither does Eliza. They are both too wild for the domestic life you and I crave. What they have right now, just this way, is perfect. What you have given him is the perfect life – the perfect moment. You have succeeded.”
“I suppose that you are right,” Desmond said, putting an arm around her shoulders. “In that, at least.”
“And in a young woman pilot back home,” Mariah said, “who lost all hope one day after one quick moment in battle. Without you, Christa might never have realized her full potential.”
“She gave me hope, after Reynolds,” Desmond said softly.
“You did not fail with Reynolds,” Mariah said. “From the story you told me, he still spared you. So somewhere, he may have lost his way, but not his heart.”
“Oh,” Desmond said, his voice cracking, “Mariah...”
“And you have my heart,” she said, squeezing his hand. “As well as inspiring countless others along the way. So many look up to you, hear your stories, and listen to your lessons. Including a little girl in the ship right now who needs you. So, no, Desmond, do not think for one moment that you failed; that you couldn't do it, or anything that you've set your mind to.”
He smiled at her, shifting to rub her back gently. “You're right,” he said. “But I couldn't have done it without you.”
Mariah chuckled softly. “Well, that goes without saying,” she said. “Shall we board?”
Devon and Laura were already on board, having agreed to pilot together one last time. Laura spun the pilot's chair from side to side, watching as Devon set the co-pilot controls.
“You could be a pilot,” she said. “You're good at it. Commercial transport. Maybe medical transport in the war zones?”
“There's an idea,” he grinned at her. “Flying with my own hospital set up everywhere? It's brilliant.”
“I'm always brilliant,” she smiled as he flipped the last few switches. “And frankly, I think the Jurors are going to praise us for doing as well as we did, given the circumstances.”
“When they are done yelling,” Devon replied with a smirk. “Think you can take it?”
“I can manage,” she said. “Set your coordinates. You're still my Tiro for the time being.”
He was tempted to put in the wrong coordinates just to tease her, but decided against it. “Are you going to go right to the tournaments?” he asked. “Pick up a new me?”
“I don't know,” she answered. “I thought I might go off on my own for a while before I did that. You and I clicked so soon. I didn't get much of a chance to explore solo missions.”
“You should, though,” he said. “I mean, please, explore solo missions. But you should get a new Tiro. You're a good Maestro, Laura.”
“I….” She paused. “Devon, have you thought about just taking the tests?”
His jaw dropped. “I'm sorry?”
“You've already made up your mind that you aren't going to burden me any longer, not that I think you're a burden, of course,” she said. “But you've had all this training. You could at least try, and then you'd be in charge of your own fate. Take the quests you want, go solo, don't take a Tiro. And if it doesn't work, you have a back-up plan. I've accepted that.”
“I'm not ready,” he said, and she shrugged.
“You'll be sixteen in a few months. You could be.”
“I….” That was young, even for the most competent. But Laura's eyes were sparkling, and he realized she was serious. “Maybe. You really think that I could pass?”
“I actually do,” she said. “I didn't suggest it because you are young, and it would be unheard of. But I know you don't hate magic, Devon. You just don't want to drag someone along because you are strong and fiercely independent, as you have always been. But it doesn't mean you have to run if you don't want to.”
He really hadn't considered this option. He didn't know if he could give her an answer right away, so he just shrugged.
“It means you could stay with Sienna longer,” Laura pointed out, and he laughed.
“Fine, yes, I'll consider it. Damn you.”
“Like I don't know you,” she teased him as they heard the others coming on board.
“This is going to be refreshing,” Nathaniel said as he took in the sight of the two of them. “I'll just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.”
“We like to fly upside down,” Laura said, with a grin, as they all took their seats on the bridge. Takeoff was always a beautiful sight, and everyone wanted to witness it.
Laura activated the takeoff sequence, and soon, Jeffro was below them.
Each of them were returning to a different fate than they left, along with an uncertain future. But surrounded by those that they loved, it didn't seem frightening at all.
Sienna smiled at Devon as he let Laura steer, watching the trees turn to small sticks as they gained height.
He squeezed her hand discreetly, whispering to her words that she would never forget.
“You will always have magic,” he assured her, “for my heart is with you.”
“Yes,” she said with a smile.
Years ago, even a month ago, she might have been terrified in this situation. But now, she was excited to see what the future held for her. Magic or not, she had only hope and adventure in front of her. And she couldn't wait for that journey to begin, surrounded by those who gave her that strength and that magic.
***THE END***