Chapter 17 Chloe
CHLOE
My mom is the best. We are sitting on a blanket, propped up by pillows. Sheltered from the wind by the shed and a portable fence she put up, watching the Northern lights together. Ced holds me in their arms, and their branches make for a comfortable cocoon, keeping me even warmer.
“I wish you didn’t have to go,” I whisper.
“Me too,” they say. “I’m not human and don’t have feelings like you do, but when I’m with you.
I feel like my leaves are all basking in the sunniest of sunny days.
You are light and sunshine, and I cannot bear to be away from you.
These six days have been the happiest I have ever had, and since I have lived a very long time, that says something. ”
“How… how does it feel?” I can’t even respond to their declaration of what can only be called love.
“I feel the magic that strengthens me, leave. I can’t move as fluidly as I would like, and then I retreat to my one-legged form and become nearly a spirit that slumbers inside of a tree.”
“That sounds terrible.” My heart breaks for them.
“It’s not that bad,” they reassure me.
“How… how long does it take?”
“It usually starts before midnight.”
I swallow. It’s 5 minutes to New Year’s.
“I love you.” I can’t let them leave without telling him that. “Will you, will you stay close? Maybe we can see if you can return to me next year?”
They gently kiss me. “I would like that very much.”
We kiss until my family starts yelling out their Happy New Year’s, and then we just hold each other.
“Does it usually take long?”
“No…” They sound thoughtful. “It’s strange. Instead of the magic fading, I feel incredible. Like the best I have ever had since I was alive.”
“That’s weird…”
They hum, and we stay out on the blanket until I start shivering.
“We should get you inside,” they say and rise easily, pulling me into their arms.
When we enter the cabin, my family is already asleep. We don’t say a word; our emotions are too overwhelming to speak. I try to stay awake as long as I can, but in the end, I lose the battle and fall asleep to Ced whispering, “I love you.”
New Year’s Day is a sad day. I try to keep a brave face for my family, but my Grandma pulls me apart just before sunset.
“You know, Baeye and I didn’t talk much, but he told me about a legend amongst Dryads. I don’t think Ced knows this, because they are so solitary, but Baeye said to me that if a Dryad finds their love and that love is reciprocal, it can feed the magic and keep them from slumbering.
I blink before I look at her. “Are you saying that because Ced and I love each other, they could wake up any second?”
She looks outside, then winks. “Well, it is sunset after all, so theoretically this is the time they always wake up.”
I don’t waste time putting on a jacket, I just yank open the sliding doors and run towards the spot where Ced was taking root.
“CED! CED!”
When I arrive at the spot, it is empty.
“Ced?” I turn around to look for them, but I do not see them anywhere.
“Chloe?” Their voice sounds behind me, and I turn around.
They look confused when I jump into their arms. “Has it been a year already?”
I’m crying happy tears now. Grandma was right. “No, it’s only been a day.”
“But how? I don’t feel weak at all!”
I sniff. “It’s our love. Our love is feeding your magic and keeping you here with me.”
Their grin is wide and joyful before they kiss me softly. They cup my cheek and look me in my eyes. “I love you, Chloe. I hope it will never fade.”
“Me too,” I say, blinking my tears away.
There’s hollering behind us, and we look back to see my family at the back door, shouting in unison.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!