This short story takes place during You Changed Too. You can read the first chapter here!
“Mrooooow.”
Rose butted her head into Daisy as she woke up.
“You hungry, sweetie?” she asked. “Did Candace forget to feed you?”
She rolled over to find Candace so she could stick her tongue out at her and let her know that this was only teasing, but Candace wasn’t in bed.
Daneel and Larkin had left the day before, and today was Candace and Daisy’s wedding day. They had stayed up late the previous night, their nerves and excitement in full bloom, chatting and cuddling and talking excitedly of their plans for the clinic. Daisy could tell by the light coming in through the window that it was late in the morning.
“Looks like I slept in. Where’s your mama?” she asked Rose.
“Mrow.”
Daisy smiled. “Well, she must’ve gone wherever she went in a hurry. She always remembers to feed you.” She got out of bed and gathered some food for Rose from the table in the corner and placed it in Rose’s bowl. Rose immediately set to gobbling up her breakfast.
“That’s a good idea,” said Daisy. “I was too nervous last night to have much dinner, and I could really use some breakfast. Of course, I’m probably still too nervous to eat now, but something is better than nothing. I’ll be back.”
She threw on her robes and walked from Candace’s room to her own a door down. It was as she had left it–almost ghostly empty. Her bag sat by the bed she had never once slept in, and she smiled at the mural of the four seasons on the opposite wall, her eyes lingering on the beautiful depiction of springtime. She pulled two collars from her pack, one white, one pink, and placed them in the bag she always carried with her. She chuckled. Once upon a time, her bag had held a very different assortment of things. Lockpicks, accessories for disguises, fake newtkin devices, things she needed to pull off criminal jobs. Now it was very different–it held the cherry blossom-clad antler, which always poked slightly out the top of the bag, and some backup salves and tonics that Candace had made for Daneel in case the older hornkin needed help when Candace was away on business, and a small tome about worship and practice for healers of Idunna, with plenty of everyday necessities she would give to people she met on the streets of Capital City–things like dried food, an extra stash of guarri bark, a first aid kit which Candace had taught her to use. The collars stashed away, she left her room and headed down to Maela’s throne room.
Stepping inside, she saw Maela seated on her throne, listening to a short human man who spoke with his eyes averted, staring at the floor.
“I have no one to go to, High Queen,” said the man quietly. “My wife is very sick, and we can’t afford the Rectifiers’ help. She is the one who brings in most of our income, bless her heart, and if she doesn’t pull through, our children and I will be in danger of losing everything.”
Maela nodded sadly. “I understand. You’re in a difficult situation, and I think anyone would be scared in your situation. Fortunately, I may have a solution. Daisy?”
Daisy smiled and stepped up next to the man, offering a hand. He took it uncertainly, and she gripped his hand firmly and shook it gently. “Hello, sir. What’s your name?”
He looked lost. “I’m Turner.”
Daisy released his hand and looked closely at him. “It sounds like you’re in a tight spot, Turner. What’s wrong with your wife? And what’s her name?”
Turner swallowed hard. “Her name is Lena. She’s–she has a terrible pain in her chest, and she says she can’t see well, and she’s been vomiting.”
Daisy nodded, her eyes sad. “How long?”
“Several days. Four or five since it started.”
“Daisy has a very busy day today,” said Maela. “A very important day, in fact. Daisy, do you have time to help?”
Daisy smiled. “I can make time.”
Turner looked relieved but still worried. “Thank you.”
“Of course,” replied Daisy. “Why don’t you take me to Lena, and we’ll see what we can do?”
Turner nodded. “We’re at the edge of town.” He turned to Maela. “I thank you, High Queen. Your help is appreciated more than I can say.”
Maela smiled slightly. “I haven’t done anything. Thank Daisy.”
Turner bowed to Maela and turned to Daisy. “Thank you, Daisy.”
“No problem,” she said. “Let’s go. I don’t want her to be in pain any longer than she has already has been.”
Turner nodded and made for the door, Daisy following behind.
“I’ll let Candace know you’ve been pulled away on business but that you’ll still be in time,” said Maela.
Daisy smiled. “Thank you, High Queen.”
She followed Turner out of the palace and onto the streets, where the city was as silent as ever. Turner’s shoulders slumped. It seemed that he did not have hope that Daisy could help his wife.
“Tell me more about Lena,” instructed Daisy at a whisper. “I need to figure out if there’s anything unusual going on.”
Turner shrugged. “She runs a bookstore. Mostly religious texts, but a little bit of everything. She founded it a few years before we got married. That was six years ago. We have four children now, and mostly, I raise them. I’m a cobbler, but I don’t get much business.” He sighed. “I’m not very good, to be honest, so I have more time than she does. She’s a very smart woman, and her shop is very successful. Maybe you’ve heard of it–’The Creased Page’?”
Daisy nodded. “I’ve walked past it several times. I’ve been very busy since I got to Capital City and haven’t had much time to read, but it looks like a lovely shop.”
Turner nodded. “It’s one of the best bookstores in the city. She has a nose for what will sell.”
Daisy smiled. “Tell me about what happened when she got sick. What was going on in her life?”
“It came on fast. She was ordering and stocking in the morning like usual, and by afternoon, she had to close the shop. At first, it was dizziness. Then the chest pain started. She went to lie down, and she hasn’t gotten up since. The vomiting started two days ago. She can’t keep food down. Won’t even eat anymore. She’s lost weight already.”
Daisy nodded. “It sounds like it’s affecting her whole body. Head, chest, stomach. Is she tired?”
Turner shrugged. “She’s been sleeping a lot.”
“Okay. Well, I have some ideas about how to proceed. I’m planning on starting with some blanket healing. It should relieve a lot of the pain and alleviate the worse symptoms. It’ll probably be a couple of rounds, given the severity of what you’re describing, but we should see improvement. If whatever she has is stubborn, we’ll focus on where she’s feeling it individually. Lucky for you, and lucky for your wife, I’ve got a full day’s reserve of energy to work with. She should be feeling better by dinner time.”
Turner nodded, but his face was still hopeless. “That’s a lot of shoulds.”
Daisy reached up and grabbed his hand, squeezing gently. “Listen to me, Turner. It’s gonna be okay.”
He sighed. “How do you know the High Queen?”
Daisy chuckled lightly. “I’ve been on her personal staff for the last year, working on a woman who went unconscious over a decade ago.”
Turner looked at her sharply. “What happened to her?”
Daisy smiled. “She left for Gritt yesterday. Walked out of the palace on her own.”
Turner relaxed more, stood up straighter. “Oh.”
“Lena’s gonna be okay, I promise.”
Turner looked ahead as they walked the streets of Capital City. “I really hope so.”
—
Turner opened the door of a house at the edge of the city. It was simple and neither small nor large–it looked like a nice place for a couple and their several children. As he passed in the door, four children, two boys and two girls, raced toward him and Daisy.
“Papa!” cried the youngest, a very small girl with pigtails of dark brown hair like her father’s. She rushed forward and hugged his leg.
“Hello, Millie,” he said, his voice forcibly cheerful.
“Who’s this?” asked the oldest, a boy of about five or six with dirty overalls.
“This is Daisy,” explained Turner. “She’s here to help your mom.”
The boy inspected Daisy cautiously and wore no expression. “Are you good at helping people?”
Daisy smiled pleasantly. “I like to think so.”
“Be nice to her, Greg,” said Turner. “She works for the High Queen.”
Greg flinched and put his thumbs behind the shoulder straps of his overalls. “Hi, Daisy.”
“Where’s Lena?” asked Daisy.
“Through here,” said Turner.
He led her, children trailing behind, to a bedroom off the way they’d come in. Inside was a simple bed, in which lay a human woman with short black hair. Her eyes were halfway open and fluttering, and the room smelled of vomit. Daisy looked around and saw a bucket beside the bed from which the smell seemed to come. She turned to Turner.
“Get the bucket outside. Have one of the children clean it out, and light a candle in here. The smell of the sick isn’t helping her.”
Turner’s face twisted up. “I’m sorry–I didn’t know.”
Daisy smiled gently. “It’s okay. It’s not making her worse. It’s just hard to feel good for her and hard to focus for me with that smell in here. The candle will help.”
Turner nodded and directed Greg to remove and clean the bucket, and he asked the older girl, Carly, to fetch a candle from the kitchen. In moments, the room was slightly brighter and smelled less foul as the candle burned on the bedside table. Daisy was already sitting next to Lena, resting the back of her hand on the woman’s forehead.
“Lena, can you hear me?” she asked.
Lena nodded, but winced with the effort.
“Okay, I’m gonna ask you some questions here in a minute, but I’m gonna try to break the fever and reduce your pain first. Just hold on.”
Daisy glanced around the room. Turner and the children watched her intently, nervousness on their faces. She offered them her best reassuring smile and looked back to Lena, who was sweating heavily. She began the Chant, focusing her mind on the pain the woman felt. She believed that was the most pressing issue–alleviating the symptoms could come after the woman was no longer in intense pain.
White and pink light moved in an arc from Daisy’s hands into Lena’s head and chest. The flowing of light seemed to go on longer than usual, and Daisy watched the woman’s expression carefully. Gradually, her face relaxed into a neutral expression.
“Oh gods,” muttered Lena.
“Are you okay?” asked Turner.
“Much better,” said Lena. “I still hurt, but at least I can think again.”
Daisy nodded. “Lena, how bad is the pain? Do you need a little more before I ask you some questions?”
Lena was silent for a moment. “A little more wouldn’t hurt.”
“One second,” said Daisy. She recited the Chant again, thinking of the first buds of spring and the nurturing rains that birthed them. More light poured into Lena, and the faint scent of vomit was replaced by an aroma of cherry blossoms.
“It smells sweet,” chirped Millie.
Lena sat up slightly, bracing herself with her elbows. She breathed heavily. “Good gracious. That’s a world of difference.”
Daisy allowed herself a smile. “Any more pain?”
Lena shook her head. “Not really. Kind of a tightness in my chest, but not nearly as bad as it was.”
Daisy nodded. “I need to figure out what caused this to fight it. Whatever you had–or still have, by the sound of it–is more powerful than a normal sickness. What did you do the morning you got sick?”
Lena raised an eyebrow. “I, uh, I was stocking books. Pretty much all morning.”
Daisy scowled, deep in thought. Stocking books is about as safe an activity as any. I can’t imagine that would get her sick unless the books themselves were carrying something. “Where did you get the books from?”
Lena shrugged. “One of my normal sellers. I’ve had hundreds of shipments from him. He works out of Strey. He’s reliable, always has a good, varied supply.”
Daisy bit her lip. So, the books were probably not the problem. Maybe it’s the shop itself? “Any changes in your shop recently? Any customers who were sick?”
Lena shook her head. “The shop was closed for two days before the shipment came in and the day I got sick. I was doing a big change in organization. Trying to make it easier for customers to browse and find stuff without my help.”
Daisy sighed. Doesn’t sound like she picked anything up from infection or transmission, then. So what could it be? Something else entirely? She went back over everything that Lena had said and frowned. Think. What could it be? She thought about what Turner had told her on the way. She breathed in deeply. “What kind of books were you stocking?”
Lena furrowed her brow. “Why would that matter?”
Daisy stared back at her gently. “Humor me.”
Lena shrugged again. “I mean, it was mostly religious texts. The shop is mostly for books like that–holy books, books on faith and belief, manuals for religious servants.”
Daisy nodded. “Any particular books stick out? Anything out of the ordinary?”
Lena thought about it for a moment. “I mean, normally it’s stuff specific to the Myriad. That’s what the best market is here. But this was more stuff from abroad. Some books about Eunax deities, and some on Afiran deities.”
“Any deities in particular you remember?” asked Daisy.
Lena sighed. “Why does it matter? They’re books.”
Daisy smiled sadly. “Yes, they are bound pages of paper in covers. But they are also religious items.” She pulled her slim volume on Idunna from her bag. “Like this. This is a book, but the book is connected to Idunna. It has information about it, ways to worship her, instructions on how to serve her. That means it’s connected to her. On a shelf, it’s paper and leather. But in my hands, it’s a tool. It’s a conduit to my goddess. That’s more than paper and leather. So when I asked if you stocked any particular deities’ books, I’m asking if you had contact with something from a god that might complicate this.”
Lena laid back down. “I don’t remember. It was days and days ago, and there were dozens of them, and my mind is still scattered after having a splitting headache for the better part of a week.”
“Can I go look at your shop?” asked Daisy. “Can you tell me where the new books were stocked?”
Lena sighed. “I guess. The new stuff is on a shelf at the front of the shop. ‘New Arrivals,’ stuff for regulars to look over.” She pulled a piece of cord from around her neck, a key dangling from it, and handed it to Daisy. “It’s four doors down.” Her tone told Daisy that she believed this to be a fool’s errand.
Daisy smiled. “Thank you, Lena. I’ll be back soon. But before I go, I’m going to give you just a bit more healing so you’re in less discomfort.” She recited the Chant, the pink and white light sank into Lena, and Lena relaxed more.
“Thanks,” said Lena. “I appreciate it.”
“Not to worry,” replied Daisy. “I’ll be right back.”
She stepped around Lena’s gathered family at the doorway and slipped from the house out into the street.
—
In the bookstore, Daisy looked over the shelf. As Lena had said, there were several dozen books on the new arrivals shelf. She studied the titles closely. Shanna Hearthmother, Ronaan, Faerian, Sariel. It’s odd to think some people devote their lives to these gods and won’t ever know them like I do. To some elves, Faerian is a distant thing, a glowing figure on a mountaintop, and to others, he is the god who betrayed them. To many reading his book in Capital City, he’s nothing but an abstract, an idea they have only academic interest in. I’ve met the guy. I mean, just about every time I pray to Idunna, I smell cherry blossoms. I can smell my goddess. How many people know her name and nothing more?
She continued down the shelf until she saw a deep black tome with no title on the spine. Insistent to keep no stone unturned, she pulled it from the shelf. Its weight in her hands was unsettling, and finding no title on the front cover unsettled her more. What kind of book would deliberately obscure what it’s about? She flipped the cover open and riffled through a few pages. She found the first page with text, and her heart skipped a beat.
“Many deities are worshipped because they have offers of kindness, support, and the capacity to do great good. For these reasons, many have devoted their lives entirely to serving gods and goddesses–the hope of using their deity’s power to transform the world into a better place. But other deities offer a different route. Some deities do not care about what is traditionally considered moral. Some deities instead promise their servants power of a different sort. These gods and goddesses do not bestow power, but instead share it. Channeling a great deity like this means being a part of the process of divinity, and knowing that your deity respects you enough to allow you the right to decide for yourself how to use it. There is no greater example of this type of god than the Ronan’el deity Baeroll. Baeroll understands that there are many paths to greatness, and not all of them require strict adherence to a code–rather, he empowers his followers to execute their own agendas so long as the end result of their actions aligns with his intention, ignoring irrelevant matters like the methods used to attain it.”
Daisy gasped. Fuck. It’s not enough that he took the lives of so many Ronan’el–he’s gotta hurt random people a continent away. I gotta get back now. She closed her eyes and uttered a quick prayer. Idunna, protect me from Baeroll. Protect Lena and her family from Baeroll. I love you. She carried the book outside, locked the bookstore, and dropped the tome in the nearest alleway. Idunna, please burn this book, and destroy the damage it can do with it. I love you. The book burst into flame and withered away into ashes. The dust of the book scattered to the wind, and she dashed back down the road to Lena and Turner’s house. Throwing open the door, she ran inside and back to Lena’s side.
“Do you feel angry or violent in any way?” she asked breathlessly.
Lena looked at her closely, then over at her family.
Daisy turned to the children and Turner. “Give us some space,” she instructed firmly.
The children retreated back into the house, but Turner stayed where he was, his face confused. “What’s going on?”
“I need you to leave,” Daisy said, her voice thick.
Turner looked sadly at Lena, then turned and went back towards the children in the next room.
Daisy closed the door. “Do you?”
Lena shrugged and sighed. “I thought it was because of the pain. Who doesn’t feel a little angry when they’re aching and vomiting and can’t get up out of bed?”
Daisy stared at her. “Do you still now that the pain is gone?”
Lena looked down and didn’t answer.
Daisy sighed. “Lena, I need you to tell me.”
Lena began to cry. “I wanted to hurt my babies.”
Daisy returned to her side and touched her shoulder. “It’s okay. One of the books you handled was of the Ronan’el god of death and disease. It made you sick. It made you think those thoughts. That’s not you. I destroyed the book, and–”
“You what?” screamed Lena, enraged. “How dare you?” Her voice was deepening, growing colder and more bitter.
Daisy breathed deeply and began the Chant as Lena began to curse at her. She focused all of her thoughts on Lena’s heart and mind, begging Idunna to cleanse her of the much deeper sickness that afflicted her.
Sometimes, when Daisy prayed or recited the Chant, she cried. The emotion that came with saving someone from vulnerability simply got to her. It was so much to feel the weight of returning health and stability that she would be overwhelmed. But what threatened to overwhelm her now was fear and her own vulnerability. Baeroll had showed his ugly face yet again, and part of her feared that Lena would grow violent and attack her.
But she refused. She knew that giving in would be a mistake that she could not afford if she meant to help. She drew on every ounce of bravery and confidence she had. Pink and white left left her hands, but it did not plunge into Lena’s body. Instead, it formed into a glittering longsword that floated over her head.
At the same time, a black and grey mass of energy poured from Lena. The shifting darkness above her became a long and menacing scythe. The scythe shot forward, arcing toward Daisy. But the longsword came forward and clashed with the blade of the scythe. In midair, the sword and the scythe pulled back and swung forward again and again, sparks flying across the room as they made contact. After a moment, the scythe ducked back and flew towards Daisy, and the longsword hesitated for just a second. The scythe was hurtling towards Daisy, and she believed in that moment that she would die.
Her mind went to Candace. She saw every moment of their knowing each other in rapid succession. Candace’s scowl and harsh words when Daisy was a new recruit in Strey. Their fiery clashes before they really knew each other. Candace’s fury when she believed Daisy had tried to manipulate her, followed by the close bond they formed when she realized Daisy shared something with her. Their first kiss. The nights they spent together in the estate. Their countless adventures in the gang and the time they spent hiding their relationship. Their terrible parting. Their joyous reunion. Daisy’s proposal. The year of working together to help Daneel. All that they had shared in their new life together. With a start, Daisy recalled that they were supposed to be married today. Oh gods, no. I won’t make it to the wedding. She’ll think I abandoned her. She’ll be heartbroken. Oh, all the future I’ve lost.
The longsword moved as fast as lightning. It sliced through the handle of the scythe, then jerked back and knocked the blade of the scythe away. The handle and its blade poofed into smoke and disappeared with the sound of a scream. The longsword hovered over Daisy for a moment, then disappeared in a flash of light.
Lena sputtered. “What in the gods’ names was that?”
Daisy laughed uneasily. “That, I believe, was Idunna saving your soul from Baeroll.”
Lena looked back at her in disbelief. “I feel . . . much better. Entirely better.”
Daisy sighed in relief. “Thank Idunna.”
Lena rose from bed, her movements smooth and easy. “I think I actually feel better than I did before all this.”
Daisy smiled. “I’m glad. You shouldn’t stock any more books about gods of death.”
Lena chuckled. “Noted.”
“You wanna say hi to your family?”
Lena bit her lip. “I really do.”
Daisy grinned. “Let’s go then.”
She turned and opened the door, and Turner and the children were gathered behind it, fear on their faces. But they saw Lena up and well, and they rushed to her, surrounding her in a massive group hug.
“You’re better!” cried Millie.
“What was that sound?” asked Greg.
“Nothing to worry about,” said Daisy.
Turner was uneasy. “It sounded like something to worry about.”
“Why don’t you come here, Turner?” asked Daisy. “Let Lena give the kids some love.”
Turner released his wife and joined Daisy in the living room.
“She was possessed,” Daisy whispered. “I just got a god of death and disease out of her.”
Turner’s eyes widened. “What?”
Daisy chuckled. “You heard me. One of her books was possessed. But she’s better now.”
Turner studied her face as though deciding whether to believe her. “Who exactly are you?”
Daisy laughed. “That doesn’t matter. Your wife is safe and well. And I have somewhere I need to be.”
Turner seemed to realize that all really was well. He smiled. “Oh, right, you had a big day?”
Daisy smiled. “I’m supposed to be married today. I should get going.”
Turner’s eyes widened. “You’re getting married today, and you still came to help?”
Daisy chuckled. “My wife-to-be wouldn’t forgive me if I hadn’t come.”
Turner shook his head, laughing. “I can’t pay you what you deserve, but–”
“Don’t,” said Daisy. “I chose to help because I wanted to, not for money.”
Turner shrugged. “Well, if you ever want a holy text of Idunna, come by the shop. Lena’s got more than enough.”
Daisy smiled. “Thanks, Turner. You take care.”
Turner grinned. “Thank you. We owe you one.”
“It’s nothing,” replied Daisy.
“You helped Mommy!” cried Millie, tottering back into the room.
Daisy looked down at Millie and smiled. “She’s all better now!”
“Thank you,” chirped Millie.
Daisy grinned. “Give your Mommy and Papa extra love, okay?”
“Okay,” said Millie.
Turner scooped up Millie and hugged her. “Go enjoy your wedding.”
“I will,” said Daisy, and she hurried out the door.
—
Daisy arrived at the shrine to the Northern Four and swept inside. She found the cleric who operated the shrine, Grace, and stood before her.
“Is she here yet?” she asked.
Grace smiled. “Not yet, but she should be soon.”
Daisy sighed in relief. “I thought I was gonna miss it.”
“No, you’re okay,” said Grace. “Did you get caught up in something?”
“Long story,” replied Daisy. “I’m just glad I’m here.”
“Is there anything I can do for you?” asked Grace.
Daisy’s eyes wandered to the part of the shrine dedicated to Idunna. “I think I’m just gonna pray for a minute.”
“Feel free,” said Grace. “I’ll let you know when she gets here.”
Daisy walked over to the shrine. It was a simple thing–just a pedestal where Grace kept a few fresh flowers and a wooden carving of a doe. But when Daisy had had time in the preceding year, it had given her comfort to come to a place that was dedicated to her goddess, even if only in part. She had told Candace that she meant to open a more spacious and specialized shrine to Idunna in time, though she hadn’t really worked out the details of what that plan entailed. Everything over the last year had been about helping Daneel and strengthening her bond to Candace, reacquainting herself with the woman she loved after both of them had changed so much. There hadn’t been real time to plan for the future beyond goals; the way to get to those goals remained unknown.
She knelt before the shrine and looked at the flowers. Today, Grace had supplied it with a violet, a laurel flower, and a burst of jasmine. Daisy chuckled. Delia Violet. Gilbert Hardlaurel-Timberline. Penelope Jasmine. I wonder if Candace told her to do that. Maybe it’s just a happy coincidence. But that’s all in the past. Today is about the future. She closed her eyes and began to pray.
Idunna, you look over love. I didn’t feel that much growing up. I mean, my dad loved me, but he wasn’t around much. My first attempt at love was, well, a total mess. Loving women, I just didn’t have a lot of chances to meet women like me without broadcasting something that made me different, and I didn’t really want to seem different to people. But then I met Candace.
Candace was different too. We fell for each other almost right away. Not right away, of course–we kinda hated each other. I mean, she hated me, at least. Or it seemed that way. I dunno. But we did fall in love. We were crazy about each other. And we snuck around for years, trying to make it work without letting anyone know. But as you know, love that can’t fully bloom isn’t love in its purest form. We were held back. And when things went bad, I was kinda sour on love for a long time.
Then you came into my life. I learned to love people through you. I loved Larkin as my best friend, and I gave love to the people I helped. It happened in small ways at first. It wasn’t full love; more like feeling kindness than real love. But it came easier with you in my heart. By the time we got the treaty signed, I think I had it figured out. Through you, I loved people completely, and for the first time, I knew a blessing when I had it. After all, I close my prayers by telling you I love you, and that was true even from the start.
And then you brought Candace back to me. I still can’t believe it. I get to spend my days with the only person who’s ever truly understood me. I get to feel love every second of every day. She loves me in a way I didn’t know people could love. With heart and intention and purity. Oh, Idunna, how did two foolish criminals change in the same way so that we could both actually love each other? Not just the passion and things in common we had before, but real love? It doesn’t seem possible, but you made it possible, and I will always be grateful for that.
Today, in a couple of minutes even, we’re getting married. We’re promising each other to love and support and accept in every way in every action for the rest of our lives. I know I can do it. I know she can do it. But I worry. She’s an elf. She’ll live a long, long life. Much longer than I will. And when I pass on, she’ll be alone again. My heart will always be with her, but she’ll be without me. I don’t want that for her. It’s my only hesitation. I don’t know what would make it better, but I guess I just hope she’ll be okay. If I mean as much to her as she means to me, losing me will be like the world ending.
Idunna, I am walking into my future right now. I’m really leaving behind all the mistakes and regrets. I’m ready for what comes next. I’m ready to be her wife. I want to do everything right for her. So please, please let me pull that off. Let me be what she needs, what she deserves, what she wants. Please let me make her happy. After healing and helping people, that’s all I want.
This prayer is about love, and I think that ending it with love is the right thing. What I’m about to say, I mean with true sincerity, the true sincerity I’ve meant it with every time I’ve ever said it to you. I thank you, and I love you.
Daisy began to open her eyes, but a soft voice spoke to her as she smelled cherry blossoms. It was not Grace. It was not Candace. It was sweet and gentle and kind, but firm and natural. She knew at once, even though she had never heard it before, that it was Idunna.
“Daisy, your love is pure. You have done well in my name. On this day, I promise you that you will be with Candace for as long as you please, and you will make her happy as you wish. I thank you, and I love you.”
Daisy was stunned, and she wept. She sat, shoulders shaking, for several minutes. She believed in that moment that she had never been happier. But then Grace tapped her on her shoulder.
“She’s here.”
Daisy opened her eyes and stood. She looked down at the shrine. The flowers from before remained, but they were joined by a stalk of heather, a posie, the fine flowers from clover, and a dozen daisies. And her simple homemade robe was still on her, but lace adornments rested over it, forming frills at her shoulders, elbows, wrists, waist, and the hem of the skirt. Cherry blossoms clung to the lace. She turned and followed Grace to the altar at the center of the shrine and looked toward the door.
There stood Candace. She wore a long black gown, fitted carefully to her form, with bands of white silk around her arms and waist. A single daisy stuck over her heart. Her white hair was wild as ever, and her face was slick with tears. Beside her, Rose walked along with a clutch of rose petals in her mouth, a small box tied to her back with pink and white ribbon. Daisy began to sob again, and she believed in that moment that she had never been happier. Candace walked up beside her and stood at the altar. Both of them turned to face Grace, but they kept sneaking looks at one another as Grace spoke.
“Daisy and Candace, you have come here on this day to be bound in marriage. To be wed before Idunna is no small thing. She asks that you come with pure intention, full hearts, and real love.” Grace turned to Candace. “Can you promise me that you do?”
Candace bit her lip. “I do.”
Grace smiled and turned to Daisy. “And can you promise me that you do?”
Daisy wiped her steadily flowing tears. “I do.”
Grace nodded and turned back to Candace. “Is there anything you would like to say to Daisy?”
Candace smiled and withdrew a sheet of paper from the folds of her gown. She looked at Daisy, then began to read. “Daisy, I didn’t know when I met you that I would fall in love with you. And even after three years together, I didn’t know that we would ever be here, where we are now. You have made my life happier, sweeter, softer, and better every day. You have held me when I was hurting, and you have let me do the same for you. I didn’t know I could ever have this, and having it with you is the greatest gift I have ever been given. I love you now, and I will love you always.” She lowered the paper from her gaze, staring into Daisy’s eyes, and let the page fall to the floor.
Grace smiled and turned to Daisy. “And would you like to say anything to Candace?”
Daisy nodded and looked at Candace. “Candy, I didn’t write anything down. I thought I’d let it just come from the heart, so here goes.” She looked at Candace and got lost in her eyes. She gazed at the golden heart surrounded by green in Candace’s right eye and smiled. “I actually don’t know what to say. You . . . you’re my person. I could search the whole world, and I kinda have, and I would never find someone like you. The fact that I did is, well, a blessing I never thought to ask for. And as much as I prize the time we’ve already had as the most magnificent part of my life, deep down, I know that so much more is ahead of us. I just . . . I know it. I have spent so much of my life unsure of what’s going to happen, but standing here with you now, I just know that happiness and peace and joy are going to be part of our lives. I was praying just before you got here, and I asked to be able to make you happy. That’s kinda all I really want right now. Just to make you happy. And I know you’ll make me happy. So, I guess I just want to say thank you. Thank you for being you, and for loving me, and for letting me love you back. Thank you. And I love you. I promise I always will.”
They were both crying. Grace smiled, a tear of her own rolling down her cheek, and knelt down to retrieve the box from Rose’s back. She took the box and opened it. Inside sat two rings. One was made of obsidian, a simple black band with a heart etched into the top. The other, much smaller, was silver, and had three flower designs cut into the top, a daisy with cherry blossoms on either side. Candace took the silver ring and slipped it over Daisy’s finger. Daisy took the obsidian ring and returned the favor.
“Mrow,” said Rose.
Daisy and Candace laughed through their tears.
“Then I pronounce you wed,” said Grace. She looked to both of them in turn. “You may kiss your wife,” she told them.
Candace bowed down and placed a hand under Daisy’s chin. Daisy held Candace’s head in her hands. They kissed passionately for a long moment. Candace began to stand, and Daisy pulled her back, delivering another long kiss. Grace chuckled, and eventually, Daisy let Candace stand.
“Congratulations,” said Grace. “You’re married. How does it feel?”
“It feels good,” replied Candace.
“It feels like just the beginning,” said Daisy.
“Mrow,” added Rose.
Laughing, Daisy scooped up Rose. “Come here, you.”
Candace looked at Daisy. “You wanna go get her some sisters?”
Daisy smiled. “You know I do.”
“Thanks, Grace,” said Candace.
Daisy bowed slightly to Grace, and she and Candace made their way out to the street to find some kitten. And Daisy knew in that moment that she had never been happier.
—
Daisy and Candace swept into the petshop giggling, and the shopowner, an elderly human woman with golden curls, approached them.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” she said. “What can I help you with?”
“We’re looking for kittens,” said Daisy, smiling wide.
“How many?” asked the woman.
Daisy turned to Candace. “Two? Three? Four?”
Candace laughed. “I think two is reasonable.”
Daisy giggled. “Why be reasonable?”
Candace chuckled and rolled her eyes. “Because tomorrow, I don’t want to regret bringing home a whole litter of kittens.”
Daisy pretended to be hurt. “Okay, fine.” She turned to the shopkeep. “Two it is.”
The shopkeep smiled. “You two seem to be in high spirits. And fancy dresses.”
“We just got married,” explained Candace with a smile.
The woman grinned back at them. “Good for you. And congratulations. How long have you known each other?”
“Five years,” replied Daisy.
“Fifteen years,” corrected Candace.
Daisy laughed. “But really only four.”
The shopkeep raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
Candace laughed with Daisy. “We met five years ago, were together for three years, spent eleven years apart, and got back together last year.”
“Only I was in the In-Between for ten of those years, and it was only a few days for me, hence my mistake,” explained Daisy.
The shopkeep laughed. “That explains everything, but somehow raises even more questions. But I won’t pester you with that. I’m Hannah, and you want some kittens. Right?”
“Precisely,” said Daisy. “We were hoping for two who were related.”
Hannah nodded. “I have some options for you, then. I just got a litter in yesterday, newborns. A whole group of grey tabbies, much like the one in your arms. I also have two left from a litter born a couple weeks who haven’t sold. To be honest, they’re kind of surly for kittens.”
“One surly cat is plenty,” said Candace, trying to keep Rose from hissing at Hannah. “Let’s see the newborns.”
“Just this way,” replied Hannah, stepping towards a small pen to her right. “Their parents are quite the prolific breeders. This litter came in with fourteen kittens. I’ve already placed six with homes, but that leaves eight very friendly, social kittens for you to choose from.”
She gestured to a pile of adorable grey striped kittens who were barely able to open their eyes. Daisy and Candace stood looking over them. The kittens crawled over one another and mewled in high pitches.
“If we want to be able to tell them apart, we could be the runt and the biggest one,” said Candace. “Hopefully when they grow, we’ll be able to distinguish them from Rose if they’re all kinda different sizes.”
“You don’t want three identical cats?” asked Daisy. “I mean, we’re gonna love them all equally, so why not?”
Candace rolled her eyes. “I guess I wouldn’t mind.”
Daisy grinned. “We have to make sure Rose likes them.” She turned to Hannah. “Can we put Rose in the pen and see which ones she tends towards?”
Hannah shrugged. “Be my guest. As long as she doesn’t get mean, I’ve got no problem with it.”
Daisy lowered Rose into the pen, and Rose immediately skirted to the edge of the pen, avoiding the pile of kittens altogether.
“C’mon, Rose,” urged Daisy. “Pick your siblings out for your mamas.”
But Rose simply climbed halfway up the wall of the pen and complained. “Mrooooooow.”
“Okay then,” said Daisy, lifting Rose out of the pen. “If you wanna be moody, go for it.”
She attempted to hold Rose to her chest as she had on the way to the shop, but Rose squirmed out of her grip and landed gracefully on the floor. She made a beeline to another pen, when two kittens prowled around, one black and one white. Rose mrowed loudly at the side of the pen and then leapt up and over its wall. She landed in the pen, and both of the kittens raced towards her and began to rub their faces against Rose’s chest. Rose started to groom them, alternating licks between the kittens.
“Awwwww!” Candace held her hands to her mouth. “They love each other!”
Hannah chuckled in surprise. “Huh. I haven’t seen those kittens make nice with anybody.”
“And Rose doesn’t make friends with much of anybody either,” said Daisy.
Candace bent forward and held a hand toward the floor a few feet from Rose. “Here, kitty kitty,” she called.
All three cats rushed to Candace’s hand, licking her fiercely. Daisy made the same movement, and Rose and the kittens swarmed her hand.
“Wow,” said Hannah. “I guess you may have found your two kittens.”
“I think we have,” laughed Candace. “They’re so sweet!”
Daisy giggled, tickled by the kittens’ tongues. “Good gracious! We’ll take ‘em.”
“They’re sisters,” explained Hannah. “Thanks for taking them. I’m glad they’ll have a good home.”
Daisy laughed. “They will have a good home. Full of love, and fish too!”
“Mrow!” chirped the three cats in unison.
“How much?” asked Candace.
Hannah smiled. “I’m not gonna charge you for two kittens no one else would take on your wedding day. Just spoil them for me.”
“I promise we will,” said Daisy. “Idunna’s blessings.”
Hannah grinned. “Idunna’s blessings to you too.”
Daisy laughed. “We got that covered, I swear.”
Candace scooped up the kittens, and Daisy took Rose, and they headed out of the petshop. “Bye Hannah!” called Candace. “Thank you!”
“So what do we name them?” asked Daisy as they walked down the street.
Candace grinned. “I feel like they should have fun flower names like Rose and you. It’s tradition, after all.”
Daisy laughed. “I suppose so. Any ideas?”
Candace smiled. “Oh, I don’t know. I mean, between you and Rose and the other flower names you’ve encountered, what isn’t taken already?”
Daisy considered. She thought back on the day, hoping to find something from the day of their wedding for inspiration. Her mind returned to the shrine of Idunna and the flowers that had appeared after her prayer. She smiled. “Clover. And Posie.”
Candace laughed happily. “I think that’s perfect. Which one is which?”
Daisy smiled mischievously. “Why don’t you pick? I did the hard part, coming up with the names.”
Candace considered the kittens in her arms. “Well, clover flowers are white, and posies are dark, so the white one is Clover, and the black one is Posie.”
“I love it,” said Daisy.
“I love you,” replied Candace.
“Gross,” Daisy said in a silly voice.
“Did you have a good morning?” asked Candace.
Daisy laughed. “Oh, sure. I healed a sick woman who turned out to be possessed by a god of death, and Idunna actually spoke to me.”
Candace shook her head, laughing. “Of course you did. I got my dress done and found a surprise for you.”
Daisy reached into her bag and slipped the collars she’d put in her bag earlier that day onto the kittens, the pink collar on Clover and the white collar on Posie. “A surprise?”
Candace grinned her own mischievous look. “I sure did. It’s just up ahead, actually.”
Daisy narrowed her eyes at Candace playfully. “You better not have done anything too big.”
Candace laughed. “Or else what?”
Daisy giggled. “Or else I’ll cry.”
Candace stopped in front of a closed shop still bearing the sign from its previous purpose, a general store. “How do you like it?”
Daisy looked back at her, confused. “Like it? It’s an abandoned shop.”
Candace stuck out her tongue. “I mean for the clinic.”
Daisy’s mouth fell open. “Oh my gods, are you serious?”
Candace laughed. “Of course I’m serious.”
Daisy smiled excitedly. “Can we go in?”
“I have the key right here,” replied Candace, managing to pull a brass key from the folds of her dress without dropping Clover and Posie. “Little help?”
Daisy took the key and inserted it into the lock on the general store. She swung the door open, and they headed inside. It was dark, but she could make out shelving and solid walls in a broad, sizable space.
“This could be perfect,” said Daisy, trying to not cry. “I mean, we get beds in here, we could have room to take care of a lot of people. Probably more than we need, to be honest.”
Candace grinned. “So much that you could open that dedicated shrine to Idunna you’ve been talking about?”
Daisy spun to look at Candace. “Shut up! No way!”
Candace chuckled. “Why not? By the way, there’s more.”
Daisy cocked an eyebrow. “More?”
“Go upstairs,” said Candace, gesturing behind Daisy.
Daisy turned and followed where Candace had pointed to a door which led to a flight of stairs. She climbed them, and at the top, a lantern illuminated a large space. In one corner was a simple kitchen. In another was an empty room, adjacent to another empty room. In the last corner was a fine bed covered in a lovely quilt of black, white, and pink.
“That’s a nice bed,” said Daisy. “Too bad the old owners will be taking it with them.”
Candace laughed. “Daisy! Seriously? I bought the place. I had that bed moved up here for us. Obviously, downstairs needs work, and up here needs furniture, but this is ours. I knew you’d love it, so I just went for it before someone else bought the place.”
Daisy began to cry happily. “Candy! You’re–oh my gods, you are too much.”
Candace knelt and let Clover and Posie begin to roam the space, sniffing every surface in sight. Daisy put Rose down, and soon all three cats were exploring and pouncing playfully on each other. Candace dashed toward the bed and leapt onto it.
“Come here, honey,” she called.
Daisy wiped her tears and climbed up onto the bed with Candace.
“Today has been perfect,” she said.
“You had to contend with a god of death, and today was perfect?” asked Candace, laughing.
Daisy laughed with her. “Honestly, yeah. I did something good that I didn’t know I could do. I spoke to Idunna. I got to marry you. We got kittens. We’re in our new home. What more could a girl ask for?”
Candace grinned and looked to the cats, who were grooming each other again. “We have a little family now.”
Daisy fought back more tears. “A family.”
Candace nodded. “Our family.”
Daisy sprang on her, planting kisses on Candace’s face and then kissing her mouth deeply. After a few minutes, she pulled back, admiring the heart in Candace’s eye in the low light of the lantern.
“Our family.”
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