Mathilda, SuperWitch (Mathilda's Book of Shadows #1)(112)

The Lament of the Elf is a magic that has to be performed very shortly after death, before a spirit can leave a body. The Lament, which consists of magic held in an Elf’s gossamer wings mingled with the spell in a song, the physical and audible spells wrap around a “dead” human body, holds the spirit and body intact and restarts the systems. It gives a body only minutes but sometimes minutes make the difference.

They made the difference for Ash.

If we hadn’t been outside the hospital, Ash would have really died.

The Lament was known as an Absolute Forbidden Spell amongst the Elves. It has only been performed half a dozen times in the last three to four thousand years.

BecBec was in big time trouble with the Imperial Order of the Elves.

I’d have to go to the Faerie Realm and testify for her soon.

BecBec was in a panic (but that didn’t mean she regretted what she did, she didn’t – she didn’t tell me this, she was in Elf Gaol, but she got a message to me, one I actually understood).

Still, she was in trouble.

Poor BecBec.

* * * * *

Dad had come with me to answer the door when Ash arrived (so weird, after thirty-four years, to have a Dad… too much to ponder now).

We all walked into the living room where Mom found us.

“Let’s leave them to it, shall we?” she said and bustled Marcus and Douglas out of the room.

Ash and I stared at each other for what seemed like a long time (because it was).

It was Ash who broke the silence.

“Seymour got a body slam and a face full of kisses when he arose from the dead.” (Ash)

“Could you take a body slam right now?” (Me)

“I can barely stand.” (Ash)

“Poor baby.” Pause. “You ruined the shirt I gave you.” (Me)

“I’m sure you’ll find some excuse to buy me another one.” (Ash)

I so would. In fact, I already had. There were three of them waiting in my room for him.

“Cheeky.” (Me, but I smiled)

I walked to him and gently laid my hands on his face. Then I reached up on tippy-toes and kissed him softly.

“You ever scare me like that again, I’ll kill you myself,” I warned, tears filling my eyes.

One of his hands settled light on my hip and his face went soft.

“I can’t make that promise.” (Ash)

“Then you’ll be the death of me.” (Me)

“That’s one thing I can guarantee won’t happen.” (Ash)

I smiled through my tears.

He grinned through the pads of his fingers digging in my hip.

I gingerly wrapped my arms around his middle, rested my cheek on his chest and felt him kiss my hair as one of his arms slid to settle around my waist.

Aidan walked in and stopped when he saw us.

For awhile, we all stood there together.

“What now?” I asked.

Both of my beautiful boys laughed.

Great.

Ack!