“What?”
“She’s not a Human, Morgan. She’s a Mermaid. You’re here to take her into limbo, right?”
All I could do was nod.
“Then do it. Watch what happens.” He moved to the corner of the wall and crossed his arms, waiting.
My nerves threatened to leap right out of my skin. Backing away from Paul, I resumed my position at the end of the bed where Naira lay in her pitiful state. Closing my eyes, I tried to ignore Paul’s bulky presence in the corner and focus on bringing Naira through. It didn’t take but a few seconds before Naira was floating above her body and stepped down beside me.
Only, it wasn’t the Naira I knew. This was a much older Naira. She was taller than I, by a good four inches with long blonde hair that fell in thick waves past her knees. Huge green eyes stared at me and she smiled brilliantly. The person who stood in front of me was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.
“Morgan!” Throwing her arms around me, she almost lifted me off my feet. “I was hoping you’d put me here. I’ve only been in limbo twice. I knew you’d never get to see me like this.” She released me.
“Naira,” I didn’t know what to say. I was lost for words. She had to be at least twenty five years old – an age she would never reach in my lifetime. I searched her eyes. She looked so happy it made an ache pull through my heart and tears brim.
“Is it strange seeing me like this?” She asked.
“Being in limbo is weird enough, but to see you older than me is,” I couldn’t find the adjective.
“Freaky?” She suggested, making me laugh. “You never told me how cool it is being in limbo! It’s much better than being stuck in that bed!”
My smile disappeared. “You can’t stay like this. It’s killing you.”
She let go of my hand. “I know I’m dying.”
A nervous smile darted across her face and she looked about. Upon seeing Paul, she ran to him. When he held his arms out to her, she fell into them and his arms and wings folded around her. For a moment, she disappeared from sight.
Dear God, they’re in love!
Paul’s wings unwrapped and returned to their place behind him. Before releasing him, Naira stood on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on the side of his face. Turning, she took his hand in hers and pulled him toward me.
“Morgan, this is Paul David. Paul, this is my sister, Morgan.”
“We’ve met,” he said, a smile tugging the side of his mouth and his eyes narrowing slightly.
“Yes, we have.” I said, feeling more than a little surprised.
“Paul is my angel,” she continued.
“I know,”
“He protects me,”
“I see that,”
“I love him.”
Oh boy…
“A bird may love a fish,” I began, quoting a line from the movie Ever After, “but where would they live together?”
Naira scowled. “I saw that film too,” she said. “And the answer is: you just need to give me wings.”
I hadn’t been expecting such a well thought out response – I was unprepared.
“Naira,” Paul began, but she placed a hand against his chest.
“No Paul, I would like an answer. After all, we are sisters. So what do you say, Morgan? Can you give me wings?” She flashed me her brilliant smile and rubbed one foot over the other, awaiting my decision.
I stared at the floor for a moment considering my options. The past rulers did not rush into anything for a reason. They didn’t go around granting wishes like fairies. They weren’t wish granters and neither was I, no matter who the person was. I’d do anything for her, however, it wasn’t my place to make Naira an angel; that was God’s decision. I regarded my sister, now older than I, in all actuality.
“No.” I said.
I watched her crumple in devastation, my heart dropping. “Why?” She objected. “Why won’t you do this for me?”
“Naira,” Paul tried to intervene, but Naira ignored him.
“I don’t understand. You told me you loved me – how could you not want me to have this one wish? It’s just one wish!”
“I can’t,” I began, and she exploded into helpless tears. Paul held her as she began to yell at me. I took a step back, observing how careful he was with her.
“What’s wrong with you? You have all this power and you won’t help me? I love him Morgan – I want to be with him. Please grant me my wish!” Naira cried.
“I can’t,” I started again, but she was too distraught to reason with and she continued to cry.
“You found your love and you got to have him! It’s not fair – I want to be with Paul! You could do this for me. You’re just being selfish. You have infinite power! Please do this for me! Why won’t you do this for me?”