Chapter 9 Dai’Ahnah

This is all so unreal. Am I really free of this place? We revisited Momma Gai’Ah to express our gratitude and, in return, she gave strict instructions to make our marriage permanent once we leave Eh’Fi. She fears that if we rely on a secret union with no witnesses, the potency of the contract will be weakened. If our contract ever breaks, my existence might be in danger, putting Eh’Fi in danger. Now my wedding sits at the top of Momma Gai’Ah’s priority list and Mah’Keht doesn’t hesitate to agree to all the conditions before we’re escorted out of the garden to the main hall.

The line of portals that lead beyond the Rehlm sit in front of me. I’ve passed by them so many times but never dared to touch a single one. Lu’Nah used to think that we would get sucked in and never come out the other side. Neither of us were ever brave enough to test the theory. Mah’Keht grips my hand and pulls me forward but I snatch it away.

Heh’Kaet tilts her head. “Mama, you alright?”

“Yes. No. Well..”

“Your mother has never known freedom, little one,” he tells her before smiling warmly at me. “It’s okay, Dai. You can do this.”

I nod, determined to overcome my fears as I intertwine my fingers with Mah’Keht’s, take a deep breath, and leave behind everything I’ve ever known. The portal feels like I’m slipping through water but I phase through without getting wet. Eh’Fi fades away and I’m left floating above the massive jungle of Drahkoh’Mahj. 

Mah’Keht showed me this place in his visions but nothing could’ve prepared me for the real thing. The smells. The unfamiliar vibrations of Mithri running rampant through the planet. All of it is overwhelming and breathtaking. Mah’Keht snaps his head, eyes torn between concern for me and watching Heh’Kaet as she flits into the trees below. A few birds fly out of their nest as she rampages through the branches.

“Heh’Kaet,” Mah’Keht yells. “If either of the Twins find you before I do, I hope they cook you alive.”

Her laughter twinkles through the trees as he zooms after her. I watch them from above in comfortable silence. Even outside of the comfort of my orbit, I still prefer watching it all from above. The Mithri lines wobble in the distance and it isn’t long before I feel Mahn’Ji’s energy flying by. His wings falter a little once he sees me, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Dai? Is it really you?” He zooms closer, his purple horns soon tangling in my hair as I’m engulfed in his violet robes.

“Yes, it’s me,” I giggle. “Sorry for dropping in unannounced.”

“You dropping in at all is a miracle.” He looks at me in wonder. “I can’t believe Mah’Keht really did it. You’re free!”

“I know. It’s all so unreal.”

“Where is Mah’Keht?”

“Making sure Heh’Kaet doesn’t tear up your Rehlm,” I sigh. “I don’t think it’s going well.”

Mahn’Ji tilts his head in confusion. “Who?”

“Help! Save me, Mama!”

Heh’Kaet leaps out of the trees and flies towards us, looking back at Mah’Keht not too far behind her. Heh’Kaet’s black flames have grown longer again. Even her horns seem more mature. Is this how fast Lu’Nah and I grew up? I feel like I’ve been a full-grown Di’Ehti since I appeared. But Heh’Kaet seems to have the form of a young teen and she’s only been around for a week. She’s so focused on her father’s pursuit that she doesn’t even notice Mahn’Ji until their horns collide.

“Ow. Get off me. Who are you?” she snaps, trying to unlock herself from Mahn’Ji’s grasp.

“Ow. Stop that,” he scolds.

“Mahn’Ji! Why didn’t you dodge her?” Mah’Keht yells from below.

“I didn’t even see her!” he stammers, trying to unlock his horns from Heh’Kaet’s. “It’s like she came out of nowhere.”

“Ow,” Heh’Kaet groans. “Are you kidding me? I’m gonna be stuck with this guy forever.”

“Maybe if you stood still, I could unhook us,” Mahn’Ji mumbles, trying to prevent Heh’Kaet from pressing her bare feet against his chest. “Stop it!”

“Do you two need some help?” I laugh as Mah’Keht’s dark form flies up and lingers behind them.

“Oi, let go of my kid already, Mahn’Ji,” he growls.

“He’s trying, my love,” I giggle.

“Yeah, I’m trying!” Mahn’Ji yells, exasperated. “Stop being so overprotective and get her off me already.”

Heh’Kaet dissolves into her original form of shadow and flame, her bright eyes still visible as she flips backward before reforming into an elegant gown. The edges of her lashes seem to glitter now with stardust. Did she have that on her lashes before? I motion her over before Mah’Keht notices and hide our faces behind my sleeve.

“Don’t get any ideas about Mahn’Ji,” I warn. “That’s one of your father’s best friends.”

Heh’Kaet bats her eyes at me. “Whatever do you mean, Mama?”

Oh, goodness. It’s like having another Lu’Nah to deal with. “Don’t let your father find out.”

“Find out what, starlight?”

Mah’Keht wraps his arms around my waist and nestles his face in my neck. Heh’Kaet glances at Mahn’Ji with a slight blush and flies away as he comes near. Mahn’Ji looks at me in confusion but I simply shrug. Hopefully, she’ll grow out of it before it becomes a problem.

“That I’m growing impatient to see our new home,” I finally respond. “We still have to gather Deh’Mi for the ceremony and introductions are still necessary to explain Heh’Kaet and-”

“All in good time, my light,” Mah’Keht kisses my cheek. “I’m keeping track of how long we’ve been away from Eh’Fi. Don’t think that I’ve forgotten our arrangement.”

Mahn’Ji shakes his head. “I warned you about those powers, man. What did you do now?”

Mah’Keht takes the time to explain things while I keep Heh’Kaet at bay. He convinces Mahn’Ji to inform his Twin and fetch Deh’Mi before escorting Heh’Kaet and me into the dark mist of Dai’Maunt. Another Rehlm that takes my breath away. But this one feels different. Like home. The familiar canopy where Mah’Keht and I pledged our love surrounds us and I hover closer to Mah’Keht.

“Finally, we made it!” Heh’Kaet cheers.

“Oh?” Mah’Keht smirks. “And how do you know this is the right Rehlm?”

“Women's intuition,” Heh’Kaet nods matter-of-fact and I can’t help but laugh as an unnerved vibration zips through Mah’Keht.

“You’re too young to know the meaning of the phrase,” he coughs. “What made you even think of such a thing?”

“Master!”

A golden-horned being floats out of the mist and wraps her arms around Mah’Keht. I do my best to quell the growing jealousy rippling off me. The way he looks at her is tender and familiar, the kind of gaze he reserves for Heh’Kaet.

“Behls. We have much to discuss, little one.” He kisses one of her horns before looking at me. “Allow me to introduce you to your Empress, Dai’Ahnah.”

Behls’s golden eyes fall on me in wonder before she bows at my feet. “Empress Dai’Ahnah. It’s an honor to be the first of the Sacred Four to welcome you home.”

“Oh, please stand.” I gently touch her shoulders. “This Rehlm is ours equally. I’m humbly honored to be included in your legacy.”

“And a strong legacy it will be now that you have joined us, Empress,” Behls beams.

Heh’Kaet floats between us and squints at Behls. “You smell familiar.”

Behls glances at Mah’Keht with a tired sigh. “Tell me you didn’t.”

Mah’Keht tugs on his horns with a sheepish grin. “Like I said, we have much to discuss. Would you mind gathering the rest of your siblings?”

“Can I go with her?” Heh’Kaet asks.

“You’re home now,” Mah’Keht flicks his wrist with disinterest. “Do whatever you want. Just don’t burn the place down and do whatever Behls tells you to do, ya hear? Only Behls.”

“I hear you, Dad. Jeez.” Heh’Kaet grips onto Behls’ sleeve with a devious smile. “Behls, I have a few questions I’d like to ask you.”

Behls and I share a look of amusement before they retreat into the fog. The Mithri of this Rehlm is thick like sap and hard for me to read. A million beings could be flitting around us and I’d have no idea. Is this the difference in power between Mah’Keht and the Twins? Or is this Rehlm also bound to my powers as well, now that we are eternally bound?

Mah’Keht’s wings shield us from the world as he dips down to kiss me. Nothing like the kiss we shared in Eh’Fi, but passionate enough to leave me breathless. I could melt in his arms for the rest of eternity and be perfectly content.

“Save it for the ceremony, guys.”

I jump at Deh’Mi’s voice beyond Mah’Keht’s feathers and he moves them just enough to see Deh’Mi’s irritated black flames glaring at us.

“You’re in my Rehlm now,” Mah’Keht smiles, holding me closer. “Deal with it.”

“Fine. I’ll just leave and let Dai’Ahnah evaporate or whatever.”

Mah’Keht’s wings retreat from around me as he steps up to Deh’Mi with a grunt. “You want to say that again?”

“Guys, come on,” Kah’Muae sighs nearby. “No fighting on a wedding day.”

“Where are you two getting married by the way?” Dohs asks, walking through the portal with his brothers and the Twins in tow.

“Hopefully not in this depressing setting,” Mahn’Ji mumbles before Drah’Koh punches him in the arm.

“There’s much to prepare and no time to lose,” Mah’Keht says with authority.

He sends me with Kah’Muae to the castle to meet with Behls before directing the others with a strong flame. I press my thumb against my ring and suppress the excitement bubbling in my chest. Am I really about to get married off-Rehlm to Mah’Keht? 

Something nags at the pit of my core but I push it away as we near the entrance to the main castle. I refuse to let anything spoil this day. Whatever catastrophe is happening in the Universe will just have to wait until after the ceremony. After all, ignoring an order from Momma Gai’Ah might as well be asking to be erased from existence. And I plan on being around to love Mah’Keht long past eternity. No matter what it takes.